In the past, security systems were designed primarily, for protecting homes from invasion. Although this remains as their fundamental function, they have been developed to serve extra purposes. The modern technology has made it possible for the systems to be a part of the home function. This allows for other options such as climate control, home automation, medical response and extra emergency functions.  You might not be based in an area with a high crime rate, you may consider the having a security system for the home security system additional benefits, which come with it.

2 popular home security systems additional benefits

Emergency response

The first benefit of home security systems is their ability to handle an emergency. They can alert the local security authorities, as well as calling on fire protection and medical services instantly. If you have hired a monitoring company, the police will be knocking at your door, once they receive an emergency alert. Nevertheless, some control panels in most security systems, feature emergency buttons, which enables your call for emergency services, when you do not have a security –related problem. This will come in handy, where you have somebody in the family who suffers a medical condition. With such a feature, you are able to call for health assistance, any time the person experiences a seizure.

Some security systems have fobs, to allow you administer them remotely.  With the right apps, it is also possible to control the systems using a smart gadget.  This is bonus to the older people since they can call for help, even when they are far from the control panel. During emergencies, time is an instrumental factor. The security systems ensure that you get assistance, when you need it. It is one of the most important home security additional benefits.

Home Automation

In general terms, home automation, points out to the process of linking several home functions, into one manageable system.  An advanced home security system takes care of your heating, cooling, and lighting systems as well as the door locks.  While the aforementioned extra features are not a requirement in every security system, you may try them when you are upgrading your home.  They can save you a lot of money, by allowing setting the right temperatures for your home and controlling the lighting system.  By keeping your home at optimum temperature, it eliminates the need for you to run the air conditioner. In addition, the lighting automation also helps you to save electricity and enhance your home security, by activating the lights when you are away from home. Of course, timers can control lights in your home but the automation system works faster and more efficient.

Another development in home automation is use of automated locks. These allow you to lock and unlock the door from inside or using the key. Moreover, you can close all the doors in your home, by touching a single button. If you are considering a security, have one with home security systems additional benefits.

Wireless security systems for homes have become very popular. Unlike their conventional counterparts, the wireless models give an assurance of optimum security.  Most homeowners, who install these systems, feel no need to worry since they think they have the best security systems. However, you should not celebrate yet since wireless home security hackers know how to go around it.  They are certain tricks that hackers, would kill for you never to know them, since they are their only route to your security systems.

Here are some of the secrets that wireless home security hackers do not want you to find out:

MAC filter is not the ultimate solution for barring devices from accessing your network. Every device, which is IP-based, it is a game system, computer, or a printer has a MAC address in their network interface. Your router will either deny or allow access into your network, based on the MAC code of the device requesting access.  The router works by comparing the external device’s address, with the enabled MAC addresses. This sounds as a great option for keeping hackers at bay, but it is not. They simply use software to know the kind of devices involved or allowed in your home security network and they clone one of the MAC addresses. With this, nothing will deter them from getting in.


WEP encryption is inefficient in protecting your network. This is because, it is easy to crack, and hence, it does not offer optimum security. People make the mistake of setting their encryption, during the installation and not bothering to change it with time.  This only gives burglars and wireless home security hackers an opportunity to access their systems. If you want to make it hard for hackers to get into your network, it is necessary to update your initial WEP to WPA2. The latter provides much security. Upgrading the router to WPA2, does not require you to be a geek, using the instructions, which are provided in the website of your provider, you could do it within minutes.


Disabling the remote administration component of the router- This can be a perfect strategy to prevent a hacker from taking control of your network. Disabling your wireless router's remote administration feature can be a very effective measure to prevent a hacker from taking over your wireless network.  Most wireless routers are programmed to enable you to control the router through a wireless network connection. This implies that you can access all the settings and other features of the routers, without the need of a computer connected to the router via an Ethernet cable. Although this is convenient, since you are able to control the router remotely, it provides a great opportunity for wireless home security hackers to access the admin console.


If you visit certain websites, where you are asked to live your emails and passwords, you may become a victim of session hi-jacking and man-in-the –middle sessions. Hackers can use apps such as AirJack and Firesheep to execute such attacks. These enable them to intercept your conversation and they can collect vital details, to get into your wireless security system later.  Make it harder for the hackers, by using a VPN service provider, which comes at an affordable monthly fee. Employ the few tricks above to discourage wireless home security hackers.

Today, working from home has become the order of the day.  Technology has made it easy for many professionals, to work from the comfort of their homes, which is a great move. However, thieves and burglars have seen this as an opportunity to break into homes.  By improving the home office security, you will prevent the thieves from accessing your workstation. It does not take much to secure your home office. These basic steps can help protect your property, yourself, and the information.

Make your property visible

Burglars like it when they can creep into a yard and leave unnoticed. The first step to enhancing home office security is by clearing all the obstructions in your home.  Trim the hedges and the trees in the yard, so that they do not offer a suitable hiding place for thieves. Arrange also the patio furniture in a way; it does not make it easy for an intruder to hide.

Shield your home from break-ins

The only way to keep intruders out is by protecting doors and windows. You can install deadbolt locks to keep your windows locked at all times.  In addition, make sure you do not leave ladders lying around your home as they can be used to access the windows in the upper store. If you have to keep a spare key, leave it with a trusted neighbor and not under a doormat or in a flower vase.


Invest in an alarm system

Deadbolt locks are designed to keep burglars out, but if they manage to get into the house, you need an alarm, to notify you of their presence. A monitored alarm system is very instrumental. Besides scaring away the intruder, it alerts you and the relevant security authorities.


Protect your computers


In a home office, you are likely to use a computer. Some home thieves are not only interested in the valuables, but they may also want to get into your system and steal one thing or too. Hence, it is important to protect your computers from such occurrences. To this effect, get an updated antivirus software, software firewall, and strong passwords. If at one time, you will need to destroy a hard drive, do it in a manner that will not expose your information to the wrong hands.


Prepare beforehand a disaster recovery plan


If it happens that burglars get into your house and takes everything including your work computers, it may jeopardize your business. To ensure that if anything happens, you are able to get back to business, before your clients start lodging claims, you must lay out a recovery plan.


Manage your keys


It is normal to give your keys to workers or contractors, but this can get you in trouble. Therefore, make sure you are in control of who gets to hold your keys and ensure nobody makes a copy of the same. If you employ the above guide, your home office security will be guaranteed.  All you need is to install some security devices, stay safe, and protect your information from hackers.

Nothing is important as your security. That is why homeowners go to the length of installing security systems in their homes. Most of the systems protect your property when a burglar breaks in. In most cases, they are able to get away with a few items, before the alarm snaps. However, there is a way you can stop them from entering into your property.  This does not require extra resources or any kind of expertise; you only need to employ a few protective measures. Here are some home security tips, which every homeowner should have at their fingertips:

1.    Install dummy cameras- If you cannot afford the expensive security systems, you will not lack money for this cheaper solution: dummy cameras. Although, they do not function as other security cameras, their sight is enough to scare a potential thief. These cameras should be installed where they can be seen. You can even use stickers to show that your home is under video surveillance. However, they will only work if an experienced burglar does not make out of them.

2.    Employ barred windows and high perimeter fences. These two signify that the property is heavily guarded. Fence all round and put enough measures to prevent anybody from climbing down to your yard.

3.    Keep a big security dog- Dogs bark loudly, and they bite. A burglar will not come near your home, if they realize you own a dog. Their loud voice helps to alert you instantly, after which you can ask for help.  A dog will take care of your property, even when you are not around. Just use a long rope to tie the dog and place a notice in the gate, notifying everybody, you have a security dog.