Security Facts Categories

How to position a security camera for maximum benefits

You might have the best security setup in the neighborhood but hey, you forgot to position the camera in the right direction. Sounds funny? It isn’t. It is one of the many situations that occur in homes that are burgled around the world and in the end, the only footage that the security team gets, is that of the leaves in the yard shaking in the wind or of the feet of the burglars. What good is a security camera if it is positioned in a place where the burglar is least likely to tread? Or what good is it if the view of the camera is partially obstructed by any object in the path? The key to deriving maximum benefits out of your security camera is to position it in such a way that it covers a larger area than normal and is difficult to reach and vandalize.

Inspect the view

A lot of people rely on the installer sent by the home security company. While most installers do a reasonable job, there are a few installations that prove to be challenging. The very make and construction (to be more precise) of the homes make it difficult to install the camera easily. And if the installation of the camera is time consuming, then the installer will look to install the camera in the easiest possible place. So, it’s up to you to ensure that the camera is positioned in the best possible place. How do you do that? It’s simple. You take a visual from that place. While your eyes do a much superior job, it can very well give you a great idea of what to expect if a camera were to be installed at that spot. And that’s all that you need.

The higher the better

  • Always install one or more cameras near the roof. If the other cameras are vandalized or disarmed by the burglars, then you will always have these cameras that provide the best view and cover the largest area.
  • Use hidden and concealed cameras in your security setup. And do not hide them in ordinary objects that can be easily detected. Use your imagination. The camera can easily be concealed in just about anything.
  • Use the diagonal corners to get better coverage.

A camera positioned in the right way is worth three positioned in the wrong way. That’s not an old adage. That’s a quote by yours truly. :)

February 19th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Security Cameras | Leave a comment

Protect your privacy from being invaded with hidden cameras

‘Smile, You can are on camera!’ There was a time when you could just afford to smile and give your best pose for a photograph to be clicked. However, now you need to find the camera first in order to pose for it. Yes, we are discussing hidden cameras, also known as spy cams. Spy cams are everywhere. They could be hidden in your locker room, they could be hidden inside an innocent looking teddy bear and it could also be hidden inside the button of the shirt that the guy sitting next to you on the bus is wearing. Technology has made it possible for the spy cam to fit into objects that are not larger than a quarter. And while this may have its own potential uses, it is also being abused on a large scale.

Privacy

Many states do not have uniform laws when it comes to spy cams and invasion of privacy. And you could be on camera any time of the day irrespective of where you are and what you are doing. For example, having a bath in the bathroom, making love in the bedroom or changing clothes in the locker room. As long as the camera doesn’t record the audio it isn’t considered to be illegal. And the footage can very well be used for voyeuristic purposes and be sold to websites that cater to such audiences. On the other hand, a hidden camera that records audio as well can very well be included in the wire tap and bugging laws and hence is used less frequently.

Hidden cameras and types

Log on to any search engine and type the phrase hidden camera. You will come across hundreds if not thousands of websites giving you information as well as selling hidden cameras. Most of these cameras use high end infrared technology and motion detection and are concealed in everything from books to soft toys and even sunglasses. And as bad as it might seem, it is true that hidden cameras make excellent security devices. They are highly popular as nanny cams where they are used to keep an eye on unruly nannies or babysitters while they are alone with the baby. Hidden cameras are also used for discreet surveillance in government offices, law enforcement agencies and also for home security. If a home is burgled and all the CCTV cameras vandalized, then a hidden camera can prove to be a boon. And as I said before, it’s nearly impossible to detect a hidden camera.

Camera detectors and Jammers

  • You can use camera detectors to protect your privacy when you are in a motel room or a locker room and suspect that it is under supervision. A camera detector uses alternately pulsating “laser frequency” beams that detect camera lenses up to a distance of 50 feet away. You can look through the camera detector and find any hidden camera in the room. Some hidden camera detectors also vibrate so as to prevent the voyeur from knowing that the camera has been detected. While some other models can actually guide you to the source of the camera by flashing an LED light.
  • A camera jammer on the other hand uses reverse frequency to block all wireless cameras and audio recording devices. While it cannot detect the presence of the camera, it definitely works in deactivating the camera and preventing it from relaying any footage.
  • These gadgets are fairly inexpensive and cost $40 and above. But it might be a worthwhile investment in the long run.

So the next time you feel that someone is spying on you, use one of the above mentioned gadgets to guarantee you complete safety and peace of mind.

February 19th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Security Cameras | One comment