Home security is as important as it’s ever been. Statistics show that there’s a break-in in America every 26 seconds, which averages out to about 2.5 million per year. The simple fact is that security is essential.
Today, though, the internet has brought changes to security systems. Homes are becoming automated, which creates a more efficient home. These Smart Homes’ devices are connected to each other and can be accessed through one central point. Door locks, thermostats, sprinklers and lights will all be accessible from your cell phone or tablet.
How Does Your Home’s WiFi Impact the Home Security System?
Smart homes employ wireless systems to facilitate communication between the home’s devices. It’s the WiFi that allows you to tap your phone and watch the garage door open as you pull into the driveway or lock the doors from bed.
Though this system is cutting-edge and provides wonderful upgrades to the old way of doing things, WiFi networks are susceptible to being breached by hackers. A Smart Home’s vulnerability is its connection to the internet. If hackers can access your network, they can do damage and effectively turn off your security system.
How Do You Secure a Home’s WiFi Network?
There is hardware and software that you can install to protect your WiFi so that somebody cannot slip into your network in that way. Using encryption and a router firewall are both essential pieces of WiFi security. Upgrading your router’s firmware and switching to a WPA3 router can also help. Finally, installing your router in the middle of your home makes it harder for signals to access it.
Are You Paying Enough Attention to Home Security?
There’s never a good time to have a lapse in home security. You don’t have to become Fort Knox but you should consider the weak points on your property that could be vulnerable to burglars. Custom home automation is a great way to tighten up and modify your security system.
Securing your smart home is essential in today’s dynamic world of connected devices and systems. With data privacy and security being a major concern, it is important to ensure that your smart home is secure from malicious threats. Here are five tips for smart home security:
1. Regularly Update Home Security Software
Keeping software updated on all connected devices helps patch any existing vulnerabilities that may be present in older versions of firmware or operating systems. These updates help prevent intrusion attempts from hackers looking to exploit these weaknesses.
2. Install a Strong Firewall on Your Network Router
Firewalls help protect against external threats by allowing only traffic from trusted networks or applications through to your system. Make sure you choose a firewall that is compatible with most of the devices in your home and provides reliable protection against malicious attacks.
3. Change the Default Passwords
Many Internet of Things devices come with default passwords that are easy to guess or hack into. To prevent unauthorized access, changing the default password on all connected devices is essential as soon as you install a new device.
4. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds another layer of protection to private accounts. This requires users to provide additional credentials, such as a code sent through email or text, before accessing their account information or settings. This extra security makes it much harder for cybercriminals to gain access to your sensitive data.
5. Monitor Home Security Network Activity
It is vital to regularly monitor activity across the network so you can keep tabs on any suspicious activity related to connected devices and systems within the home. Close monitoring helps identify potential intrusions quickly so you can take appropriate actions when needed.
Secure Your Home Today
Securing your smart home requires diligence but following these simple tips can go a long way toward protecting yourself from online threats and keeping data secure in today’s increasingly tech-driven world!
On average, over one million burglaries occur in America every year. Though thinking about crime can be unpleasant, now could be the right time to install a monitored home security system. A monitored security system includes some features that other types of security systems can’t match.
A Monitored Home Security System Offers 24/7 Protection
With a good monitored residential alarm system, you and your family will be as protected as possible. Though the system will kick into action in the event of any kind of break-in or recognized abnormality, offering chaos to the would-be burglars and a road to safety for you, the benefits begin before that scenario unfolds. This is because statistics show that burglars are more attracted to homes without visible security systems.
Quick Response Times
Most security systems have an eight-minute average before police are notified, which gives burglars quite a head start. With monitored security, the instant that an aberration appears at the command center, the security team is in action. This means using their tools to evaluate and analyze the issue. If the home is under siege, they reach out to law enforcement immediately.
If, on the other hand, they can determine that the wind had blown a tree limb through a window, they can help diffuse the situation without police involvement. Of course, they keep the homeowners in constant communication.
A Monitored Home Security System Brings Peace of Mind
A monitored home security system offers homeowners the kind of peace of mind that comes with being thoroughly protected. Whether the bad guys recognize that you’ve invested in it and move on or get caught in the act, it’s tantamount to having guards walking your home’s perimeter.
A home security system can reside on the interior or exterior of a home, or some combination of both. Homeowners can generally view their security footage from anywhere in the world, making these systems ideal for those who travel often. Here are a couple of the many reasons to install a security system in the home.
For Security
The most obvious reason to install a security system in or around the house is to help secure the location. Often, simply the presence of a camera is enough to deter a potential home intruder or thief. However, even for criminals who are more brazen or who do not notice the camera, the home security system can still provide protection. For example, a homeowner might notice someone suspicious continuing to drive by their house late at night and take precautions such as leaving a light on outside or parking a car outside to further deter the person.
In addition to installing cameras for video, having an alarm system can help provide security by drawing attention to the potential home invader.
To Watch Pets
Watching pets is one of the more fun reasons that come with having an indoor security camera, but it can also be helpful to the pet as well. For example, if a pet owner is away on vacation or business and notices that their pet seems bored or stressed when they are gone, they can take steps to either hire a pet sitter or decrease the number of days they are away from home next time.
Purchasing a Home Security System
A homeowner should purchase their security system from someone they trust. Next Level sells a wide variety of home security systems, so we encourage home and business owners to contact us today to discuss what system works best for their home or business. We also provide support in addition to our products.
Your home is your castle. You work hard to make it a place you can be proud of, where you and your family can feel safe and secure. But even the best-protected homes can be vulnerable to theft or burglary. Here are some reasons why 24/7 monitored home security is crucial.
Monitored Systems Mean Faster Response Times
In the event of an emergency, every second counts. With a monitored security system, you can be assured that help will be on the way as soon as possible. Many systems also allow for two-way communication, so you can speak to the dispatcher directly in the event of a crisis.
Home Security Deters Burglars
Trespassers are looking for easy targets. Homes without security systems are often seen as easy prey. Having a security system, especially one that is monitored round the clock, will make your home a less inviting target for intruders.
Continuous Protection Means Greater Peace of Mind
With a monitored security system, you’ll know that your home is always being protected, even when you’re away. Whether you’re on vacation or at work, you can rest assured that your home is in good hands.
A 24/7 security system is a wise investment for any homeowner. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your home. Contact Next Level today and keep your family safe.
Alarm monitoring is an efficient and trusted way of protecting our homes against threats. When a property’s security system can communicate immediately with the central station of the security provider, homeowners are ensured a fast and dynamic response to emergency events.
Why Is Alarm Monitoring Important for Vacation Homes?
There are challenges in trying to protect a residence that you’re not actively living in. It used to be that other than locking it up, folks would ask their neighbors to keep an eye on the place. 24/7 alarm monitoring is like a highly efficient version of this system, without having to rely on your neighbor.
While people often think about the obvious need to protect vacation homes when they aren’t there, burglaries and home invasions can certainly happen while they are there, too. You might invite friends and family to use the vacation home and alarm monitoring will keep them safe.
Another benefit to alarm monitoring is that its sensors interpret the emergency and contact the emergency agencies that need to be involved, whether it be a fire, medical or break-in scenario.
When you’re not at a property for long periods, you need to ensure that it is protected. Alarm monitoring accomplishes this and will set your mind at ease. Visit us at Next Level Technology Experts to learn about 24/7 alarm monitoring and all of our residential alarm systems.
The most vital piece of smart home tech is your security system, and the system you choose could mean the difference between preserving your valuables or experiencing a devastating loss. See how Control4 integrates your security and automates it.
A Seamlessly Integrated Security System
Professional installation and support provided by Control4 mean you don’t have the vulnerabilities of a do-it-yourself network. Your technician ensures your setup is exactly as you desire with an efficient and convenient console.
Lighting Control
Use Control4 to program your home lighting and shading at distinct periods to provide the appearance of activity while you’re away. As shades adjust and lights turn on and off, thieves are deterred from targeting your home.
Surveillance Cameras
The capability to check your surveillance from any location in the world with a smart device boosts your peace of mind. You don’t have to leave your bed to arm your security system or travel across the house to see what’s happening. Monitor your pets, verify deliveries, and receive alerts when any motion is detected.
Locks and Alarms
Never worry about leaving a door unlocked or forgetting to set an alarm again. Control4 allows you to check the status of all entry points and arm your system remotely. Allow guests inside while you’re away or share a personalized code for temporary admittance.
Convert your home into a modern, well-guarded fortress by integrating Control4 home automation. Contact Next Level for a professional setup that blends perfectly with your security network and offers incomparable peace of mind.
Home security is essential for keeping criminals from invading the sanctity of your home, threatening your family and taking what is yours. Outdoor security cameras and monitoring equipment can add another layer of protection.
Why Use Cameras Outdoors?
One of the most salient benefits of an outdoor camera system is that you’ll have constant eyes on access points and the perimeter of the property. If you hear or see something outside, you won’t have to expose your vulnerability by exiting the house, yet you’ll still be able to perform a visual inspection.
As far as burglars go, if they don’t see the camera system and try to break in, you’ll have the evidence ready to hand to the police. Studies show that about 60 percent of criminals will choose another abode if they see cameras monitoring the property.
Do Outdoor Cameras Add to the Feeling of Home Security?
Aside from the ways that an outdoor camera system keeps you safe, it has the impact of helping you to feel safe at home, as though big brother is watching and will let you know when a threat arises so that you don’t have to.
A good home security system is tantamount to protecting your residence and your family. Applying outdoor cameras and monitoring your home security can have a powerful effect on the safety of your home. To learn more about the benefits of outdoor security cameras and monitoring, contact us at Next Level so that we can help you to develop a great security system.
Most criminals look for homes without security systems when it comes to home security. After all, burglars tend to like easier targets. Consider integrating your alarm with your smart home when considering home alarm systems.
What Is Control4?
Control4 has been around since the 2000s. It can control audio, HVAC systems, lighting, smart locks and is compatible with thousands of devices. When you work with an alarm system provider and Control4 dealer, he or she will install the hardware and configure your system, so your devices work together with the app. Unlike other smart home devices, you do not have to control or upgrade the device. The dealer configures your system.
What Are the Benefits of Control4?
Integrating your home alarm systems should be the next step if you have a smart home. Smart home technology is more than just convenience. When you use Control4, you can easily integrate your home alarm system. Control4 also has an easy-to-learn scheme that does not change. You can control everything from one app.
Smart home technology allows you to stay connected to your home, even when you are away. You receive instant alerts about any suspicious activity or break-ins.
At Next Level, we understand the importance of your family’s safety. When using the Control4 app, you always know who’s at your door. Contact us today to set up a consultation or alarm installation.
When it comes to home security, anything is better than nothing. At the same time, the better the system, the better we feel as homeowners that our homes and families. There are lots of reasons why monitored security systems and supports offer homeowners a powerful ally in the fight to protect against crime.
1. Real-time Investigations
When something is amiss at home, the experts who are monitoring your home can begin investigating immediately. They will be able to determine whether a tree limb broke through a window or if there is a burglar attempting to sneak in.
The monitored system can also protect against other emergencies. If a smoke detector or fire monoxide alarm is triggered, for instance, your live support personnel can determine whether there is a true emergency or if there is a glitch in the system.
2. A Proven Deterrent
Studies have shown that upwards of 60 percent of criminals will avoid homes that are clearly protected by monitored security systems. These systems impose on criminals the knowledge that they’ll likely be caught if they try to break in.
3. Monitored Home Security Equals Peace of Mind
To monitor something means to evaluate it. Awareness equals peace of mind. When you receive news from your monitoring support system, you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing all you can to protect yourself and your property.
An efficient home security system is tantamount to security and peace of mind. Contact us at Next Level to learn more about monitored security systems and the supports that are included.