Archive for February, 2008

Hidden Security Cameras - Pros and Cons

Hidden security cameras are concealed cameras that are used to monitor a suspicious subject or area without anyone being aware of their presence. Hidden security cameras are available for home security with a wide variety of features and come in all shapes and sizes. Since they are meant to remain hidden from the general population, they are frequently manufactured to look like other objects that have different uses. Clocks, smoke detectors, computer speakers, pens, and cell phones all may contain a hidden security camera.

History of Hidden Security Cameras

Initially, hidden security cameras were used by spy agencies around the world in James Bond type situations. Traditionally these cameras were used in industrial and commercial applications to monitor employees, watch building perimeters, and keep an eye on general storage areas.

Today many homeowners use hidden security cameras to monitor their property boundaries, vehicles, and other valuables on the property. Many concerned parents use hidden security cameras to spy on the babysitter and their children when left at home alone as well as spying inside their children’s cars.

Benefits of Using a Hidden Security Camera

The biggest benefit of using a camera that is hidden is the person that is being monitored will have no reason to change their normal activities to hide their intentions. Often times the only way to gather evidence of criminal activity is to use a hidden camera.

Negatives of Using a Hidden Security Camera

There is a tremendous amount of controversy surrounding the use of hidden security cameras, especially in the work place. Many people view their use as an invasion of their personal privacy. This is a very valid concern because it is very difficult to determine when they are being used inappropriately.

Hidden security cameras have been used for years in banks and convenience stores to prosecute robbers after the fact since both banks and convenience stores stress a policy of “no resistance” by their employees during an actual robbery.

Used by Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies and national security agencies use secret security cameras to monitor the activities of suspicious persons. The use of these cameras improves national security and saves lives. As always, some people disagree and see them as a big brother type invasion of their personal privacy.

Be very careful using these hidden security cameras because, oftentimes just like recording a phone conversation, if the other party does not have knowledge then it might be illegal.

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February 22 2008 | Security Cameras | No Comments »

Home Security Camera Setup and Configuration

Using a hidden home security camera setup around the house can save you a tremendous amount of time and add to your overall comfort when you are away.

Along Your Home’s Property Lines

You may want to setup a home security camera to get a permanent picture of any animal or human that comes on to your property. Having an actual picture is worth a thousand words. The use of these cameras can continually monitor the status of your valuables that must be left outdoors such as patio furniture, cars, trucks and construction equipment. To be most effective, your home security camera setup should be disguised as something else so as to avoid it being taken out by a sophisticated burglar. Popular disguises include trees and birds.

Inside your Home

The most popular setup for home security cameras is for monitoring our own children when we are not at home or out of town. This would also show you how your children are treated by a nanny or babysitter when you are far from home.

Being a victim of a fire at your house, you would more likely to be able to identify the source of the ignition if you had a home security camera setup that gave you views of every room in your house.

Inside the Company You Work For

Just like you should assume that every e-mail you send from work is being monitored, you also should assume that just about everything you do at work is being captured on camera. In this manner, your activities will always be beyond approach.

In Your Everyday Life

At every intersection in your city, there will soon be a security camera setup that resembles the setup you have at home except this one will send you a ticket for running a red light. Some people claim this is big brother type of invasion of their constitutional rights. Speeding tickets will be sent in the mail for any speeding infraction around the city. This type of enforcement saves a lot of money and usually presents indisputable evidence of the crime committed.

Caution

Just like recording a phone conversation without the other person’s knowledge can be illegal, so can recording a person’s activities with the use of a hidden home security camera setup. So if you think you need to use one, consult a lawyer to make sure you are not making illegal use of this technology.

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February 22 2008 | Security Cameras | 3 Comments »

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