Security systems are designed to act as a deterrent to help keep our belongings safe from criminals. If set up incorrectly or left unattended to, however, they may leave your home or business at greater risk than before.
To help make sure your system is protected against unwanted attention, we’ve drawn up a list of seven simple ways to improve its security, below.
Don’t Purchase a Second-Hand System
A security system can be modified by cyber criminals so that they can either disable your system remotely or gain access to sensitive material. That’s why it’s best to never buy a second-hand security system, particularly if it’s from an unknown source.
Pick a Respected Brand
Price is always going to have a say on the type of system you end up purchasing. That shouldn’t mean, however, that you end up choosing the cheapest option. Look at online reviews and try to choose a system that is both affordable and reliable. After all, your system will be uploading your recordings onto a cloud space provided by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is relatively unknown, you should ask yourself whether they’d have the security features in place to prevent a cyber-attack.
Choose a Wired Security System
The convenience of wireless security systems makes them a popular choice among consumers, but in terms of safety, they fall behind their more old-fashioned, wired counterparts. Why? Well, wired systems require someone to physically turn off the unit to disable them. Wireless security cameras, however, can be hacked into from anywhere on the planet.
Create a New Username and Password
Nearly every type of security system comes equipped with a login screen that requires first-time users to enter a default username and password to gain access to their recordings. The idea is that once the user has access to the system, they will then reset their username and password to something specific to them. Unfortunately, not everybody takes the time to do just that.
As the default username and password for each system is often available on the support pages of a manufacturer’s website, it’s vital that you change your details straight away to prevent others from being able to access your system.
Keep a Track of Your Logs
Once you’ve gained access to your security system, you’ll be able to view your “logs”. This is a section that details information such as the IP address, location, time, and type of device of the person that has logged into your system. By taking a quick look at this section every time you log in, you’ll be able to spot whether there’s been any unusual activity on your account. If there has been, change your login details immediately.
Always Update Your Firmware
Security system manufacturers usually only release any firmware updates if they or someone else has found a weakness in their system. As a result, if you don’t want to become a soft target, it’s important that you download and install any updates as soon as they’re released.
Limit the Number of Devices That Have Access to Your Account
Some higher-end security systems allow you to choose a set number of devices that have access to your account. As every type of device that can use the internet has its own unique IP address, you can literally pick just one or two devices that will be able to login to your account. This means that even if a criminal has access to your login details, they’d still have to find a way to hack into your device to gain access to your recordings.
