Decoy Cameras

Wherever we may be in the world, we live in a place where crime is inevitable. Despite law enforcement’s best efforts, crime happens. The best way to keep ourselves safe from this is to take measures to secure ourselves and our property.

One of the best ways to deter crime is through the installation of security cameras. There are different security cameras out there, such as the inexpensive Bullet cameras, the customizable C Mount cameras and the expensive yet most versatile Dome cameras. Two things that are common with these cameras is that they offer added protection, but they are pricey.

For people who are having problems with the cost of procuring and installing these cameras, there is an alternative for you. You can choose to buy fake security cameras. These dummy cameras offer the protection of deterring would-be intruders. However, keep in mind, as the name suggests, that they are fake cameras.

Fake security cameras are also known as dummy cameras or decoy cameras. They are non-functional cameras that are made and designed to fool would-be intruders. Think of them as scarecrows, which are just meant to scare away birds from a field.

They are designed to look exactly like genuine, functional cameras. However, fake security cameras come with a variation of prices too. The cheapest you could probably find are real cameras that are broken. You could install them and nobody will ever know they are actually broken. The more pricey ones are those fake cameras with features, such as a ability to simulate a pan and tilt or flashing lights.

The concept of utilizing fake security cameras for deterrence is to install them in areas that need minor security, such as areas where we want to deter vandalism or minor theft. You can install real cameras in areas that you really want to be protected and fake security cameras in less important areas. Innocent bystanders will never know the difference. So if you want to use fake security cameras, use them for small businesses, homes, or other areas that are not protecting very valuable items. Be warned that professional burglars or robbers will be able to determine if the camera is fake or not. This is why, to deter a major crime, your best bet is a real camera.

To make a fake security camera effective, you have to make sure that EVERYONE thinks it’s real. When I say EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE. No one should know they’re dummies. Not even your employees. This has to be your secret. A secret is no longer a secret if someone else knows, so keep it that way. That’s the surefire way to make sure you didn’t waste your money on fake security cameras.

There are a lot of these dummy cameras out there, all with different features. Like I mentioned, the pricier they are, the more features they come with. You just need to choose which particular camera suits your needs and the degree of how far you want to keep them to look realistic.

Crime is such a common thing these days, especially now with the state of our economy. The poor have become poorer, and the rich have become richer. Some suggest that is why some people are driven to criminal acts as a result of poverty. Well, we won’t go into who is obviously to blame for crime (hint: whoever did it), but how to protect your family and property.

Security is not a want. According to Abraham Maslow, the famed psychologist, this is one of our needs to survive as a human being: psychological and physical security. With the ever rising expenses, some people are not able to afford security cameras or security personnel to protect their businesses, and especially their homes.

This is where security signs come in. Let’s start this discussion with an analogy. Have you ever seen a cornfield with a scarecrow? The scarecrow actually does what it is named for: to scare away the crows who try to steal corn and other crops. Security signs work like this. They are there to scare away intruders and burglars away from your business or homes.

Security signs are made to be obvious and an eye catcher so that everyone who passes by notices your signs. These security signs will usually come with short and direct visual and written messages saying that your property is being protected either by a security alarm, surveillance, security personnel, and others. The moment would-be criminals see your signs, they will think twice about violating your home. Why would they risk getting caught by targeting a house that claims it has security when they can always prey on unsecured property?

The secret advantage with security signs is claiming you have actual security. You can put them up even if you don’t have an alarm system or surveillance cameras in the house. The will never know unless they take the risk and invade your home. However, like I said, no would-be thief would take the risk for fear of getting caught. They’d target other houses instead.

These signs are great since they can provide you with security and they can come cheap. The best strategy to use them is to put them in obvious places. They didn’t accidentally manufacture these signs to come in bright colors. They are like designed to catch the attention of passerby. Maximize the signs’ effect by putting them in obvious places in front and at the back of your property. People passing by will associate mentally as common knowledge that your house or business is protected. This “public” knowledge is enough to reduce the chances of you getting robbed by substantial percentages.

There are also security signs that warn rescuers to the presence of children or pets during an emergency. This will help rescuers to know the home’s residents and take quick action. Signs that caution are also set up to not only protect yourself, but others too. For example, you have a vicious dog and you don’t want pedestrians coming too close to your gate. You can post a sign up for this. So you see, these signs provide you with security and also help out in other means.

These signs may not provide actual security, especially when you post signs about surveillance cameras and you don’t actually have one. However, investing in these cheap signs can provide you enough protection to keep you safe. These are your first lines of defense. Coupled with decoy ameras, actual security cameras or an alarm, then you can have improved safety. Learn to use signs effectively but don’t put rely solely on them.

In all corners of the world, safety is a priority. Safety not only comprises of our own well-being but to the protection of our loved ones, hard-earned valuables and property. However, safety comes at a price. Safety for your home or business is an investment that pays for itself in the long run. It deters crime and vandalism from happening within the confines of your business or home, thereby preventing costly repair or replacement expenses.

It has been said that a man’s home is his castle. One way of fortifying this is with the use of security cameras. However, security cameras, like almost all pieces of technology out there, are pricey. It would only be natural that people would seek the safety they provide but at a lower cost.So, are there things like cheap security cameras out there?

Security cameras are expensive depending on the features they have to offer. As a simple answer to the question, yes, there are cheap security cameras out there but their durability and capabilities are limited.

An example of a feature that makes security cameras expensive is infrared technology that uses IR signals to illuminate surroundings for visibility during low-light conditions such as at night. IR signals can provide illumination to up to 100 feet for high-end cameras. Motion sensors and color discriminating features are an added expense as well.

Cameras that have the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) can also add to the expense of the product. Night vision is also a feature expensive cameras will have. Lacking features will limit what cameras can do but it will make them significantly cheaper. These cameras are not the ideal cameras to use if you want the full measure of protection and flexibility. Cheap cameras are conducive for well-lit areas.
There are three types of cameras out there: the Dome, C Mount and Bullet security camera.

The bullet security camera is the least expensive among the three types. Bullet cameras have a narrow and sleek design. It is encased in a tough material that makes them weatherproof. Another factor that can make a camera cheap is the material used affecting its overall durability. There are a lot of cheap security cameras that are low-maintenance, but there are some security cameras that are inexpensive due to poor manufacturing. Make sure you learn how to differentiate the two.

There are two ways in which you can get the safety you’re looking for but for a cheap price. The first one is by purchasing fake security cameras. Fake camera, or decoy cameras, are real-looking cameras. However, they do not provide you a live audio-visual feed. They are installed for the purpose to deter potential robbers or any acts of vandalism. Fake security cameras are manufactured to look convincing by putting in a blinking LED bulb that can give the vandal or thief a feeling that the are being watched. Obviously, they don’t provide you real security. Despite all that, fake security cameras are as cheap as $16.00. The price varies on how realistic they look.

The other option is to use a regular webcam and connect it to your desktop. You can wire your webcam to a location you want to watch over and have the feed available through your desktop PC. You can even have it record 24/7. If you want time-lapsed recording, you can use a program to have your webcam take pictures every 15-30 seconds. Webcams can cost for as low as $10.00.

The best security comes at a price. If you opt for cheaper options, you won’t be able to get the full protection high-end cameras can give you. However, that investment is better than none.

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The great majority of those that choose to install security cameras do so for security reasons. Maybe they have been victims of vandalism, robbery, theft, or know someone that has been victimized. Once you have installed an outdoor security camera, it is important to protect it adequately. We will now discuss the finer points of SECURING your security camera.

Usually, camera manufacturers, when designing their product, take into account possible vandalism by intruders. However, this is not always the case. Cheaper cameras will have cheaper housing, i.e metal housing versus plastic housing, which will fail if a vandal tries to damage the camera. Take design into consideration and look for cameras that are tough, well-designed, and hard to break. If the lens or movable parts are tough to target, you’ve got yourself a good start.

The next point to consider is camera location. It is tempting to put a camera juuuuuust out of reach, in order to facilitate maintenance, such as battery changes. If it is easy for you to reach, it will be easy to do so for vandals as well. Protect the camera, but don’t forget to protect cabling as well. Usually, flush-mounting a camera is a good solution, even though it may require a bit more work and might compromise the viewing angle of the camera some.

One feature worth looking into when buying a camera will be active tampering detection. A camera with an active tampering system will alert you if the camera has been moved and pointed in another direction, if the lens has been obscured, or if it has been tampered with in other ways. This is specially useful if you have many cameras to monitor simultaneously.

As you can see, placement is very important, both to the safety of your home or office, as well as the safety and security of the camera itself. You want to protect your likely expensive investment as best as you can, so that it can provide the peace of mind, and deterrence, that outdoor security cameras provide. A little planning before installation goes a long way towards achieving that goal.

As discussed earlier, there is a wide variety of security cameras.  There is at least one big aspect that differentiates outdoor security cameras vs. indoor security cameras: toughness.  Outdoor units, by design and purpose, must be able to hold their own against what can be extreme weather conditions.  Outdoor cameras are built with specially engineered heavy-duty casings to ensure that they will remain damage-free in spite of extended exposure to the elements.

Once you’ve established which particular areas around your perimeter you’d like to monitor, then the next step is to locate and assess potential camera locations.  Depending on this assessment you will choose either a wireless camera, a wired camera, or both.  Let’s delve into what are the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Wireless Cameras

Wireless systems are very popular due to their ease of installation.  This is because wireless cameras do not require a connection to an electrical power supply.  Another advantage, because of the reason stated previously, is that this makes wireless cameras easier to move them around and in locations not possible for hard-wired cameras.  This mobility however, may come at price, since most wireless cameras operate on batteries.  These batteries will have to be replaced, or in some cases, recharged regularly, which is something to keep in mind if the camera is placed in a hard-to-reach place.  This issue can be solved, however, with the use of solar-powered battery cameras, which will recharge themselves using solar energy.  Be aware that obstacles between the camera and the transmitter, as well as interference from devices on the same frequency, can affect the performance and range of a wireless camera.

Wired Cameras

If you choose to install a wired camera, be aware that installation may be difficult, depending on  the location of your wired camera.  Wiring has to be run to these cameras, although you may be lucky and already have a power source in or near the location where you are planning to install the camera.

A word of advice regarding camera installation, wireless or wired:  Consider the deterrence factor of having a camera installed on a high visibility area.  Prevention of crime can be the best benefit a camera can offer, rather than their ability to record acts for investigative purposes.  Worth mentioning are a third type of “camera”, the fake, or ‘dummy camera.’  This camera can be used in conjunction with real cameras to provide additional deterrence.

As you can see, wireless and wired cameras have their pros and cons.  Mostly, it depends on whether you want to front the initial installation cost for wired cameras, or know going on that some wireless cameras will require continued upkeep because of the batteries.