7 Tips for Protecting Home Automation System from Hackers

There is no need to discuss how useful home automation systems can be, as beyond any doubt, they make our life easier, safer and incredibly convenient. Due to smart home automation systems, home owners can manage all home devices from one place, thus also maximizing home security level. Automatically lock and unlock doors, turn on and off the lights being in another place, make a video feed of your home available on your mobile phone, and even include thermostat control.  Anyhow, many systems are also vulnerable to home automation hackers. They are very often able to break in to change settings, access video feed, what is more dangerous, unlock doors of the house or garage so that they can easily access your home. If homeowners just follow these simple rules, their home automation systems will be more protected against hackers’ attempts to take control over their property.

#1 Set password

Always, in any case, set a password. Use strong passwords, weak passwords are easy to guess. The best choice are strong passwords with numbers, letters, and characters.  Also avoid using real words or names.

#2 Change your password regularly:

Even if hackers have already revealed Your password, regular change can save the situation.

#3 Secure Your router:

In case the router is secure, it makes all the connected devices strongly protected. It would be excellent if homeowners chose routers which have strong security features. Also, make sure you change the default password to a new, stronger one while installation.

#4 Choose reputable brand:

It is always tempting to order some cheap system from unknown brand, but you should always have in mind that this can cost a lot more, than a trusted product from a well-known brand. They will also give more practical instructions against home automation hackers.

#5 Consider having a separate network for your home automation system:

It is a good idea to create multiple access points on the router for two different networks.  One will serve for your computer and mobile devices, and the second will be used for your home automation system. So, even if a hacker reveals your network password from your mobile or laptop, they still won’t be able to access your home automation system.

#6 Check the camera logs.

Many security cameras give access to users to the history of which IP addresses have accessed to the camera feed. Checking the camera logs regularly will help to make sure no one has accessed your home surveillance system. If you notice any suspicious behavior, immediately change your password and contact your security provider.

#7 Don’t use public Wi-Fi

Using home automation applications on public Wi-Fi can easily give access to hackers. Turn off the Wi-Fi and use secure mobile data instead before using a home automation application. Using an encrypted mobile website if your system offers that feature is also a good idea.

7 Important Features Of Security Cameras

Considering buying a security camera? Want to know what is most important, what features the cameras should have? In this article we’ll discuss some of them, which make the camera better, more professional, more effective and worth buying.
Security cameras are an essential part of your home and business, and this is the case, when quality means safety.

#1 Video Quality

In the security camera business, the video quality produced and recorded by your system is very important. Now, security cameras offer at least 720p resolution, and many even offer as high as 1080p for recording and streaming. Some of the top surveillance systems on the market feature 1280x960-pixel camera resolution and more.

The main purpose of a surveillance security system is to capture or deter criminals when there is suspicious activity around the house, business, or personal items. When a crime does occur, a high-resolution camera can provide a clear and detailed picture of the criminal.

#2 Vandal-proof cameras

Vandal proof security cameras are equipped with a metal housing that prevents the camera from damage from vandalism, physical abuse or possible maltreatment. All homes or businesses should strongly consider vandal proof security cameras for their video surveillance system installation. Vandal proof security cameras are often utilized in high-security areas like warehouses, banks, airports, hotels, parking lots, and retail stores.







#3 Weatherproof Cameras

Weatherproof cameras feature at least an IP66 weather rating, which is a standard rating of protection offered by a camera’s enclosure. Each outdoor camera housing is constructed to keep out small particles such as dust, and is unaffected by a range of weather conditions including heavy rain and snow.

#4 Viewing Angle

Viewing angle is an important feature to consider when both purchasing and installing security cameras. The viewing angle will determine where you position the cameras and exactly how much they can see at a time.

For instance, a 180° megapixel camera could be used to monitor a parking lot adjacent to the building that it’s mounted on. Actually, this one camera could take the place of up to four analog security cameras.

A 360-degree fisheye and panoramic security camera provides 360° surround view without blind spots, and it is ideal for surveillance applications that require wide area coverage in a single view.





#5 Remote Monitoring / Web Access


This is not only a feature and a service that is just generally added to your overall video surveillance system, it’s also a way to manage and oversee your business from a distance. You’d better buy a camera that can be accessed via the Web. You’ll be able to see the yard, the front door or your workplace from the screen of your smartphone or laptop computer.

#6 Recording / Storage

A security camera that doesn't save or record what it captures isn't very effective, especially if you're hoping to prosecute an intruder. That's why most security cameras offer either local or cloud storage and sometimes, both.

#7 Low-Light Security Cameras / IR


Infrared security cameras capture video in low light and no light areas. IR cameras, or infrared cameras are also known as Night vision security cameras. Infrared cameras have IR LEDs positioned around the outer edges of the camera lens which gives the camera its Night Vision capability.

Interesting CCTV facts

1)  The first CCTV camera was installed in Germany for observing the launch of V2 rocket at Test Stand VII. Walter Bruch, a German engineer was responsible for the entire installation and design of this system.

2) Security cameras were first applied in banking industry!

3) UK has over 6 million cameras, which equals to 20% of the world’s total surveillance camera installations.

4) According to IHS, there were 245 million professionally installed video surveillance cameras active and operational globally in 2014

5) Criminals also use security cameras. For example, near ATMs to record your PIN number and bank.

6) According to a research, the average citizen is caught about 300 times a day on a CCTV camera.

7) Every time you use ATM, you're being recorded by tiny CCTV cameras inside the machine, though they're incredibly hard to spot.

8) Though only 9% of consumers actually own CCTV in their homes, it is estimated that 67% of burglaries can be avoided by simple installation of CCTV.

9) Nowadays China is totally covered by surveillance

10) The average citizen appears on a security camera over 300 times a day