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.

HD-TVI Technology

While choosing security cameras one should clearly understand, what tasks he is going to solve, what security challenges he faces, and what security solutions are needed for managing the whole process. It is also of great importance to estimate the right budget for the project. After that, from wide CCTV market you can choose the camera which fits your security needs. When it comes to high quality and affordable price, HD-TVI technology is the first the security professionals should consider.  Let us introduce HD-TVI technology briefly below.

How it All Began

HD-TVI stands for High Definition Transport Video Interface, its technology, DSP-TVI, was developed by Techpoint in 2012 and was used by certain manufacturers, Hikvision among them. HD-TVI technology was launched to meet the demands of the market regarding high definition video surveillance.

Affordable Price – Good Quality

HD-TVI cameras offer excellent quality at affordable price. This is the main reason that in short time they became demanded in CCTV industry. TVI technology is available in 720P or 1080P versions. KOA CCTV offers its customers mainly 1080P security cameras. These cameras offer longer transmission distance (1500 feet or 500m) and no video quality loss during the live or recorded video. Actually, they offer longer transmission distance than other HD over coax technologies. The cameras are also backward compatible with analog cameras, thus becoming a truly transitional technology.

Easy Installation

One of the main advantages of HD-TVI is an easy installation, it is also easy to use and operate. While other formats are limited in camera compatibility and channel configuration,  HD-TVI is open-standard.This features enables hundreds of other manufacturers develop analog security cameras based on these exceptional technologies. This important feature also keeps it on the forefront of technology with the competing demands for security and convenience. If You have difficulty in choosing an HD-TVI camera, or have questions, professionals at KOA CCTV are ready to help and offer proper advice!

Source:https://koacctv.com/hd-tvi-technology/

Advantages of Intercom Systems

An intercom system is a special a two-way communication device for transmitting and receiving audio or audio/video data. Intercoms can be wireless, wired, Video Intercoms, Apartment Intercoms, Gate Intercoms etc. Having an intercom system installed at your house or office is no more a luxury, but a necessity, as it acts as a crime deterrent. Nowadays intercoms became essential part of security measures and they serve for both security and convenience purposes. Intercoms are widely used at houses, offices, hospitals, schools, airports etc

N1 Security

The main benefit of intercom systems is the increase of security level. Being able to know, and very often to see (In case of video intercoms) who stands in front of the door before opening it gives the property owner peace of mind, that intruders will mainly escape their area. By the way, intercom is an extra layer of security, which increases the price of the property, and is usually taken into consideration while dealing with insurance fees.

They are essential especially for baby monitoring both for houses and childcare centers, where permanent communication between rooms is very important.

N2 Unwanted Visitors

Intercom Systems will save your time, and free you from opening the door to various salesmen, promoters, strangers etc. You can just politely ask them leave using a two-way audio intercom, even if you are at a far end of the house. Intercom systems with integrated door locks are a great help especially for businesses, when it is essential to know, who enters your property area, and the opening of the door needs monitoring.

N3 Comfort

This works especially for big houses or business areas, when for communicating someone you don’t need to take your phone and call, but just a push a button and speak. This is especially essential for large houses with many kids, elderly people, and people with a disability.

We all need more and more time for ourselves every day, and the development of home automation gives us the opportunity not to waste our precious time on running to the door every time the bell rings or checking on the children every 10 minutes.

N4 Constant Development and Upgrade

Intercom technologies keep developing all the time, to meet the needs of a consumer. There are intercoms with integrated door locks and card key systems, wireless ones, linked to smartphones, enhanced with security cameras, touch screens, control of audio systems, lights, curtains, room temperature, etc.

Hikvision 5MP CMOS Infrared Network Bullet Camera

Hikvision 5MP CMOS Infrared Network Bullet Camera DS-2CD2052-I combines a compact design with high quality. Due to 30 IR LEDs, the camera delivers outstanding video images with long-range visibility of up-to 30 meters in low light or completely dark environment.

Up to 5 megapixel (2560 × 1920) resolution, industry-leading WDR technology and IR cut filter with auto switch make this camera stand out in surveillance market. Camera also supports VCA, which is compatible with NVR for the second time of video searching and analyzing. The camera comes with a mass of features like 120dB WDR e, 3D digital noise reduction, electronic shutter for different surveillance environments and IP66 rated weatherproof metallic housing which makes the camera durable against harsh outdoor weather conditions.

The DS-2CD2052-I can well meet customers’ demand for consistent high-quality images regardless of low light conditions, which makes it very competitive in the IP security camera market. Besides, camera is manufactured by Hikvision, which is the world market leader for security cameras and accessories for video surveillance. KOA CCTV is an authorized distributor of Hikvision products. Find full Hikvision catalog here. https://koacctv.com/cctv-products/hikvision-usa

Hikvision Accesories

While dealing with security cameras, installers need different accessories. These small, yet very important parts are necessary for every project, every installation process.  Naturally, while buying a camera it is very important to get it from a store which also offers wide assortment of accessories, so as to get the kit from one spot, and not to miss any important detail. Monitors, power supplies, video baluns, wall mounts, converters, extenders, repeaters, housings, this is not the whole list of accessories you will find at www.koacctv.com. At koacctv we offer a wide arrangement of cctv accessories, and here we want to present you accessories from Hikvision, largest video surveillance and electronic security manufacturer in the world.

Hikvision Wall Mounting Bracket For Mini Dome Camera

Hikvision PTZ Wall Mount Long

Hikvision Corner Mount

  

Hikvision Aviation Connector Cable

                                       

Hikvision USB Keyboard

Hikvision RS-485 Keyboard DS-1003KI

                         

Hikvision Smoke Glass Cover for DS-2CE56XXX-VPIT3Z

Hikvision DS-1280ZJ-DM21 Bracket for Dome Camera

Hikvision HD-TVI Ground Loop Isolator

Hikvision HD-TVI Converter DS-1H33

                                       

Vertical Pole Mount Bracket

Hikvision DS-1293ZJ Wall Mount Bracket

The whole list of Hikvision accessorize  can be found here: ▶ https://goo.gl/XS9mbE
                                   

IP Protection: IP54, IP64, IP65, IP68

When it comes to weatherproof or waterproof enclosures, security camera installers need to have a clear knowledge what IP65, IP66 or IP67 mean. In general IP stands for Ingress Protection. IP ratings are given in form of two-digit code, such as IP68 or IP67. The first numerical digit describes the rating that is given for solid objects. The second digit represents the level of protection against fluids. The higher the number, the stronger the level of protection. For detailed information see the chart below.

Protection against solid objects
1st Digit	Protection Level	Details
0	Non-protected	Non-protected
1	Protected against solid objects greater than 50 mm	Large body parts, such as a hand or a knee.
2	Protected against solid objects greater than 12 mm	Fingers or similar objects.
3	Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5 mm	Tools, wires, etc of diameter or thickness greater than 2.5 mm.
4	Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0 mm	Wires or strips of thickness greater than 1.0 mm. Generally,  solid objects exceeding 1.0 mm
5	Dust protected	Ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the equipment
6	Dust-tight	No ingress of dust, complete protection against contact.
Protection against liquids
2nd Digit	Protection Level	Details
0	Non-protected	No special protection
1	Protected against dripping water	Vertically falling drops
2	Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15º	Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15º from its normal position
3	Protected against spraying water	Water falling as spray at an angle up to 60º  from the vertical hasn’t any harmful effect
4	Protected against splashing water	Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction  hasn’t any harmful effect
5	Protected against water jets	Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm) against enclosure from any direction hasn’t any harmful effect
6	Protected against powerful water jets	Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
7	Able to protect against Immersion up to 1 m	Ingress of water is harmless when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time
8	Able to protect against Immersion beyond 1 m	The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions, specified by the manufacturer

3 Reasons why to choose EXIR Technology

While looking through the features of security cameras, you could have noticed that having EXIR Infra-red lighting is listed as an advantage.

Conventional IR, integral to cameras, uses an array of individual LEDs which aren’t particularly focused to the lens pattern. This tends to result in a picture which has a circular pattern of brightness with more illumination at the center of the image.

Hikvision, the world market leader for security cameras and accessories for video surveillance has developed the EXIR system which uses a lens configuration to make the illumination pattern rectangular and more evenly dispersed. The EXIR IR system is used in some of TVI and IP cameras.

So, main benefits of EXIR technology are:

1. Highly efficient light source and enhanced LED light strength.Hikvision’s EXIR technology offers up-to 30% increase in illuminant efficiency, more than traditional LED array technology. Compared to a traditional light extraction of 750mV, EXIR offers 1050mV, resulting in stronger light for long-range visibility usage.



2. Rectangular-shaped lenses are used for better light usage. To make the most out of IR LED light, Hikvision EXIR produces LED light in the form of a rectangle in order to fit a screen’s normal size, which is 4:3 or 16:9, and it helps to improve LED utilization efficiency and reduce light pollution in the surrounding environment.



3. Objects are more evenly illuminated, thus avoiding the typical shortcomings of conventional lighting systems based on infrared array elements (too much light in the center of the frame and not enough on the edges).