Security cameras

[Vader809]

Can anyone recommend a decent camera? The ones that I have looked at usually need an app downloaded for the cell phones. I'm not sure about what is secure for some of these apps.

 

[LDUBS]

We have a Ring doorbell camera. It works pretty well. We also have 4 cameras on the house that we got through our Xfinity account. They are "OK" at best. I may end up moving or replacing them. To be fair, part of that is because of the lazy installation guy.

Both require a smart phone app. I don't know anything about the security of the apps beyond a password is used. It isn't an issue to me.

 

[Jim]

We also have battery-powered ring cameras and spotlights on the front and back doors. They didn't need wiring but do need decent wifi access to work.

Each unit has two batteries (costs extra fr the second one), but they last quite a long time between charges. We like them allot as we can see who is coming in, out, and around the house.

This is the exact model we have.
https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Spotlight-Battery-Security-Two-Way/dp/B0758L64L9/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ring+camera&qid=1624446489&sr=8-2

 

[jethro]

Yeah, almost all of them are going to require an app to be used. I have a fairly cheap model from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Security-Outdoor-Voger-Weatherproof-Detection/dp/B08FHS3W9X/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2M75LROHYT14U&dchild=1&keywords=security+cameras&qid=1624459789&sprefix=security+ca%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-5

Mine is an older version but it's the same idea. Can hear people, it records when there is an event... you can set it to do almost anything.

 

[KMixson]

I have a couple of systems in my place. I have a Ring doorbell camera which works pretty well with the Ring App. I have an Arlo system that has its own base station with 3 camera's. It had 4 camera's when purchased but one faded to red. The battery life is good and you can get battery replacement adapters so you will not have to change batteries. You plug the adapter into the wall if there is an outlet close by. I also have a couple of IPC360 cameras which I prefer over the the previous ones mentioned. They are easy to operate with the IPC360 App and you can tilt and rotate them with the app to see around the room. I had a Mole camera at one time but it quit on me.

 

[Popeye]

Can anyone recommend a decent camera? The ones that I have looked at usually need an app downloaded for the cell phones. I'm not sure about what is secure for some of these apps.

I would ask, what is your intended use for the camera? Something for front door security would be totally different than for monitoring backyard activity? My friend bought a 4 camera wired system from Best Buy a couple years ago and it came with a monitor and hard drive for storing the data. I personally use a couple of battery operated trail cameras in my backyard. One is very stealthily placed and the other is more prominently located but in a locked security box. Both those are more designed for after the fact rather than live action though.

 

[DaleH]

Ring? Isn't that the brand always mentioned for just easy is is to HACK into? ... and youse guys are using them for 'security' :shock: ?

 

[LDUBS]

Ring? Isn't that the brand always mentioned for just easy is is to HACK into? ... and youse guys are using them for 'security' :shock: ?

I have a Ring doorbell. Not sure what a hacker will get, other than seeing who is at my front door. It is pretty useful to see who is coming to the door. One time, a neighbor guy came to my front door to tell me one of my sprinkler pipes was broken. I thanked him over the Ring speaker from my daughter's house about 300 miles away. I could see the gusher from one of the other cameras. Fortunately I knew it would time out in a few minutes. A friend came over and turned that zone off until I got home to fix it.

I have four other security cameras (not RING) with overlapping coverage. On top of that is a monitored alarm system. Thieves don't seem to care about cameras so much. But still, I guess it is some deterrent for the rookie crooks.

 

[GTS225]

Ring? Isn't that the brand always mentioned for just easy is is to HACK into? ... and youse guys are using them for 'security' :shock: ?

First, nothing with a WIFI connection is truly secure, from a "hackability" standpoint. There's just too many good hackers out there. The videos of hacked camera systems seem to be only those that have internal monitoring capabilities, thus WIFI. And if one hacks into a doorbell camera.......BORING!
There's really nothing of value to hack into one, unless you're just looking to scare or harass someone. Sure, if you're the victim, it's unsettling, but what's to be gained, in the long run, from a hacker's point of view? There's no monetary benefit, other hackers would probably call you a piker for targeting such a mundane...........well, target.

Just my opine, in a three-week-old thread.....Roger

 

[DaleH]

Good perspective & info Roger! Thanks!

 

[GTS225]

What bothers me more, concerning doorbell and outside camera systems in general, is that law enforcement agencies are starting to consider the records stored as "evidence", and thus they can confiscate them without warrants.
It represents another source of intrusion into your private matters, and a way to gain access to your home, (again without warrant). And to add insult to injury, YOU are paying for the equipment and service, while the state, (or general public, if you will), get the benefit.

It stinks of socialism, but now I'm bordering on political speech, so I'll stop there.

Just my radical 2-pence.....Roger

 

[Popeye]

Everything I've read says police can request the data but you can refuse to give it to them if they have no warrant. The decision to not give them the data isn't yours to make if the data is stored in the manufacturer's cloud. Then the manufacturer has the say so on turning over the data. The majority of those manufacturers say they will only turn it over with a warrant.

Bottom line is that if you don't want the police from just taking your data, store it locally, and decline to surrender it without a warrant.

 

[GTS225]

And a pushy prosecutor will threaten you, and possibly charge you, with obstruction of justice, or interfering with an official investigation.
Some of them are just that bad.

Roger

 

[Popeye]

Let them try.

 

[LDUBS]

I don't know guys. I look at this differently. I witness a crime, I'm happy to share that with the PD. My camera witnesses a crime, they can have that too. That is a lot different than someone having access to my personal life. But (there is always a "but", haha), if I ever thought I was being monitored or something like that, then it definitely would be an issue.

 

[Popeye]

But just telling me that I MUST surrender the data is different than asking for it.

 

[LDUBS]

Yeah, I don't know about "data", but have no issue providing any information I might possess about a crime. But because someone is a witness doesn't mean they don't have rights. I think information can be obtained without a conflict with an individual's rights. And, you make a good point about the possible need for a warrant as a protection. I'm not a legal scholar, but think there might be laws that would prevent us from intentionally withholding evidence. So, if the PD says my camera might have captured something relevant, I don't think it unreasonable that I have to hand it over. Me personally, I would do it without a warrant. I can't think of a good reason why I wouldn't. But that is just me.

.

 

[KMixson]

If your camera records a crime and you hand over the information, they are going to look at that. What if, they see you doing something wrong that was recorded way earlier on the camera? Do you think they will let it slide? What if your HOA see's that your grass was 1/2" too high in the footage and comes after you for not maintaining your lawn after seeing it on the news? This comes to dash camera's. If you capture something on your dash camera it is a good idea to give them just as much as they need and no more. I have mine set up to do 3 minute loops. That way they can not go back and say he was speeding the day before and that shows he is irresponsible and must be at fault for the incident captured on the camera.

 

[GTS225]

Ya know, in 1913, our government started a "program" in order to financially support the upcoming world war. It was touted as temporary, and voluntary. There was a new letter agency formed in order to oversee that very program.
It didn't really involve much intrusion into our lives and/or "possessions", and the general populace thought it a pretty decent idea.

The problem is, that the "program", and associated letter agency didn't go away after the war. Instead, it got bigger, and more intrusive, demanding more and more.

Finally, we have today what is known as the IRS, and form 1040EZ.

You crack that window to let in a bit of fresh air, it's not long before all the blood-sucking creatures are in the house.

Roger

 

[LDUBS]

If your camera records a crime and you hand over the information, they are going to look at that. What if, they see you doing something wrong that was recorded way earlier on the camera? Do you think they will let it slide? What if your HOA see's that your grass was 1/2" too high in the footage and comes after you for not maintaining your lawn after seeing it on the news? This comes to dash camera's. If you capture something on your dash camera it is a good idea to give them just as much as they need and no more. I have mine set up to do 3 minute loops. That way they can not go back and say he was speeding the day before and that shows he is irresponsible and must be at fault for the incident captured on the camera.

YIKES! Your HOA monitors lawn moving to +/- half an inch!

I was given a GoPro a while back. I really need to learn how to use it as a dash cam and on the boat. The "loop" feature seems like a good idea.