How a cheap security system could be doing more harm than good

If there’s one thing you can’t afford to scrimp on, even in the event of a global pandemic, it’s the safety and security of your home and your family.

However, while there is at least some wisdom in the sentiment that, “A little is better than nothing at all,” a cheap alarm system may actually be doing you more harm than good.

Here, we’ll be explaining why saving a few pennies on your security and intruder alarm system might not be the best course of action, particularly in a climate where so many of us are vulnerable.

Spotting a fake

You might think that putting up fake alarms and fake cameras will make burglars think twice before even attempting to set foot in your home.

However, veteran thieves will be able to tell they are not real and it might make them even more likely to target you, as they will use your indifference against you.

Reliability

Cheap security systems are cheap for a reason. It’s most likely to do with the components and the overall quality of the product.

It stands to reason that poor-quality components are not going to be as reliable as good quality components and will be more liable to break down and malfunction. Is that really something you want to worry about?

Trojan horses

There has been a major increase in recent years of cheap, wireless, internet-connected cameras that can be found everywhere from Tesco to Amazon.

These are cheap, often Chinese monitors that are really meant to be baby and pet monitors, not serious security monitors. They are also incredibly easy to hack into.

Indeed, these wireless cameras could effectively be inviting hackers into your home behind your back. So you’re much better off with a more ‘official’ CCTV setup.

Crash and smash

The “crash and smash” method is colloquially known as the most common way that burglars will deactivate an alarm system.

This is due to the 30-60 second grace period that most cheap alarms have built-in, that gives thieves up to a minute to find and destroy the alarm before it goes off.

A more advanced alarm system, however, will have anti-tamper protection and will go off if the burglar even attempts to open the hardware casing, let alone smash the alarm to bits.

Jambusters

Another common way to deactivate an alarm system is by using radio jamming technology to confuse the alarm sensors.

A cheap system is going to be open to this kind of attack and there’s very little you can feasibly do about it. A more evolved system, however, would be able to detect a jamming attack and will go off if it detects an attempted assault.

A cheaper model might also require an internet connection to function and could be effectively neutered if criminals were able to sever your internet or power. Modern, advanced home alarm systems, meanwhile, will have battery backup and will rely on their own frequencies to operate.

The insurance concerns

Finally, your home insurance premiums are going to be cut dramatically if you have a decent, verified professional home security solution in place. In this day and age, every little really does help.