10 Security Gadgets That Do More Harm Than Good for Your Home

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One of those things we worry about, like a slow leak in the basement that we know is there but it doesn’t bother us enough to fix it, is home security. You want to feel safe, protect those you love and keep your property safe. And, of course, investing in the latest security gadgets seems like a no brainer, right? Well, not always.

Some devices really do make you safer, while others can actually put you at risk of things you never thought to worry about. So, let’s talk about a few home security gadgets that might actually harm more than protect your space.

Biometric Scanners

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Fingerprint or retina readers sound like foolproof security measures straight out of a sci fi movie, and biometric scanners like them. But they don’t always work perfectly. These devices can fail for things like dirt, moisture, or even slight changes in your skin. Picture yourself trying to get into your house, both hands full of groceries, and your fingerprint scanner rejecting you over and over. Not all that secure and frustrating.

Smart Thermostats

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Smart thermostats are great for controlling the temperature when you’re not at home, but some of them track a frightening amount of information about your household. Hackers — and even third parties — can exploit this data. While your heating preferences might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, if you’re in the hands of a good hacker, they could tell a lot about when you’re home, or not.

Security Systems Which Are App Dependent

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Now many security systems even demand a smartphone app to control them. This may be convenient, but it can quickly become a problem if the app crashes or your phone breaks. And if someone gains access to your phone, they can control your entire security system. If you put all your eggs in the app basket, you could leave your home vulnerable in ways you hadn’t anticipated.

Overly Complex Alarm Systems

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Alarm systems are so complex, you’re more likely to stumble over the system than the burglar. If you are always setting off your own alarms by accident or trying to remember your pin codes and settings, the system may actually be doing more damage than good. If you’re fumbling with a confusing system, intruders can slip through the cracks, or worse, you’ll start ignoring alarms.

The Lock Doesn’t Lock: Smart Locks That Aren’t So Smart

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Locking and unlocking your door with just your phone or voice commands is what smart locks sound like. However, according to MB Direct, most of these locks can be hacked with the right technical know how. And what if your Wi-Fi is down or your phone battery dies? Even some smart locks have physical keys as backups, but if you’re trusting your smart lock for everything, you could wind up locked out of your own home, or worse, have someone else break in.

Poor Encrypted Wi-Fi Security Cameras

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The idea of keeping an eye on things from your phone is something everyone loves. But many Wi-Fi enabled security cameras do not have strong encryption and are a hacker’s target. The thought that someone can watch your home through the cameras you install for peace of mind is unsettling. Most of these cameras don’t encrypt the data they send over the internet, leaving you open to privacy breaches.

Voice Activated Assistants Hear Way Too Much

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Having Alexa or Google Home as your voice assistant can feel like having a helpful little robot in your house available to help you out at any time. But these devices are always listening, and it isn’t just for the “Hey Alexa” trigger word. It can mishear a command, or accidentally activate and record conversations, or even make accidental purchases. And of course, there’s the potential for hackers to hack these assistants and use them as a way to get into other smart home systems.

Security Systems That Are DIY and Lack Professional Support

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DIY security systems are cheaper and easier to install, but there are big drawbacks. There’s often no professional support to help if something goes wrong. You’re left to troubleshoot it on your own. Most of us are not experts in handling emergency situations or figuring out why a system isn’t working when it should. In addition, professionally installed systems are sometimes easier to bypass than these ones.

Bluetooth Doorbells

Smart Doorbell with Camera
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Though Bluetooth doorbells are meant to let you know who’s at your door, signal blocking devices can easily jam or disable them. Sure, you love being able to see visitors on your phone, but someone with the right equipment could block the signal entirely. And it leaves you no way of knowing who’s knocking — or worse, breaking in.

Fake Security Cameras

Red Flags That Make Your Home a Burglar's Dream
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Installing fake security cameras to deter intruders might sound like a cheap solution. But here’s the catch: according to Casa Security, seasoned criminals know how to spot the fakes. As soon as they figure out that the cameras are just for show, they’ll continue with their plans and leave your home defenseless. Using these decoys can make you feel safe when you are not, making them potentially even more dangerous than not having any cameras at all.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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