John Fox 
Humans are naturally born to socialize. However, we don’t always have a choice in who we live near. A nosy neighbor can intrude on your privacy, which can be irritating. When you want to have some time for yourself, or you need to discuss things with a family member, the last thing you want is … Read more
I always see the case where a person gets their safe and automatically assumes it will protect them and plops it in the middle of a room without a second thought. Don’t be this person; a safe is an amazing device for protecting you, but just as important is the location of the safe to … Read more
Working in security, I have a heightened sense of paranoia with all locks, and nothing scares me more than unsecured sliding doors. It’s easy with one look to see that the mechanism that comes with most sliding doors is shabby at best and can be easily broken through. Have you moved into a new home … Read more
A common question I get is from people worried about their security camera and how you can tell if it is on. This question usually comes up during or after a power outage or from people trying to protect their privacy and debating whether a camera in their area is filming them. In general, the … Read more
Despite the high-tech features of modern security cameras, they are still vulnerable to bugs. Working as a security installer, I get a lot of calls about video issues and reflections and glare on the videos that turn out to be nothing more than a bug falling in love with a camera lens. Bugs can be … Read more
Working in security, I have found that more people are requesting their security cameras to be hidden because of increasing levels of vandalism and theft. Learning how to Hide a camera outside can be challenging. But, with the right planning, you can have an undetectable surveillance system. Hiding cameras is not commonly done for security … Read more
Night vision is a critical feature of CCTV cameras. The trouble is it can be very difficult to capture images at night that are clear, detailed, and usable, and there is a plethora of issues and things that can go wrong. In general, three types of night vision are distinct for security cameras. Our article … Read more
As a security professional, I deal with many calls from people worried about bugs in their houses or someone trying to listen in on them. There are many devices out there these days for recording audio, and they have gotten so small that it’s almost impossible to detect them visually. In general, to block an … Read more
When people often purchase a security camera or mount one, they are surprised to see a red light when recording and wonder if this is an issue. In General, security cameras have red lights to imply they are on, to deter crime. Different red lights, including flashing ones, can mean different things depending on the … Read more
One of the most common questions about home protection is how long smoke detectors last. Knowing how long your smoke detector will last is crucial. Many smoke detectors have an electronic part lifespan of 8-10 years, while their batteries can last from 6 months to 1 year. Type of Smoke Detector Average Life Span Ionization … Read more
Not everyone needs continuous monitoring services, and some of us might wonder if it’s possible to use these Vivint cameras without subscribing to their service plans. By reconfiguring your camera settings and using an alternative storage solution, you can continue using your Vivint camera to monitor your home. Whether for security, pet surveillance, or simply … Read more
Got a supported NVR from Hikvision? Wondering why it won’t work in Google Chrome? The problem is NPAPI, and we have a solution. Suppose you own a Hikvision DS-7604NI-E1/4P, DS-7608NI-E2/8P, or DS-7616NI-E2/8P (Hikvision NVR or other Hikvision cameras and Hikvision devices), and you’re trying to view the recorded or live video feed in Google Chrome. … Read more
The major problem with many home security camera systems is that they are often overly conspicuous. Hiding a security camera might seem difficult, but it is not. Many small and easy-to-install cameras can be hidden in plain sight. For example, you can install an outdoor camera on your home’s roof or behind a plant. There … Read more
A bedroom door is a gateway between your private and public space. However, it can be an easy target for burglars and theft. How can you protect your bedroom door from burglars? Some people use doors with complicated locks requiring keys or codes to open. Others prefer cheaper alternatives like a deadbolt lock or a … Read more
Many people don’t know their Amcrest default password, IP address, and how to access it. Below I will show you how to change these and restore default settings so that your Amcrest outdoor camera is safe from malicious access. In many cases, the default password for Amcrest is “admin,” including the following other credentials. Username: … Read more
When it comes to showering during a thunderstorm, in general, according to the National Weather Service, the chances of injury are extremely small. Yet, relatively specific risk points are attached to being in the shower if your home is struck by lightning. If possible, avoid showering during a thunderstorm, but know that the chances of … Read more