Best DIY Home Security Based on In-Depth Reviews

Home security systems have long been seen as a service that’s exclusively for homeowners, with the standard long-term contracts and wired equipment kits leaving out a large segment of the population: renters. The advent of DIY home security systems has given more people the chance to install security systems in their homes. In fact, the home security systems market is expected to grow to $55 billion by 2023, with well-known DIY brands like SimpliSafe considered major key players in this boom.

DIY home security systems are giving everyone—homeowners, renters, and even business owners—the opportunity to invest in security systems that they’ll be able to take with them wherever they go.

A Security System's Basic Framework

Keeping Your System Hacker-Proof

The Internet of Things has taken over and there’s no going back. Internet-connected devices are expected to outnumber humans 4-to-1 by 2020. And, as long as hackers exist, these devices are, or will be, vulnerable. While no single device you own will be completely hacker-proof, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.  

Better passwords - The first step towards a more securely connected home is changing the device’s default passwords and or making the ones you’re already using stronger. The 2019 Avast Smart Home Security Report found that “two out of five digital homes worldwide contain at least one device that is vulnerable to cyber-attacks.” Of those, 69% are at risk due to default or weak password credentials. The FBI recommends avoiding common words, simple phrases, or passwords that contain easily obtainable personal information, such as important dates, and the names of children or pets.

Unique passwords - Second, don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. With all of the accounts people have nowadays, it might seem easier to use the same credentials on all of them to avoid forgetting. But, with “credential stuffing” software, hackers can use leaked login information and quickly check for other accounts that use the same login credentials. If one of your account’s password is exposed, all of your other accounts may be at risk as well. 

Try a password manager - For many, coming up with more than one clever password can be a hassle. This is when a password manager can come in handy. This type of application or software lets you store login credentials for all your accounts securely, leaving you with only one password to remember—the software’s master password.  

Keep an eye out for updates - The same Avast report found that 31.8% of vulnerable devices are at risk due to unpatched software vulnerabilities. Since some devices are not programmed to update automatically, it’s important to regularly check for any updates to your system, or call customer support and ask if a patch has been released. 

Don’t forget your router - Routers are another entry point to all other connected devices in your home. Make sure to change their passwords and keep them updated as well. Lastly, the FBI recommends rebooting devices regularly, installing antivirus and firewalls, and investing in a secure router with cutting-edge security.

Verified Alarm Response: The best security add-on

False alarms from home security systems have long been a hassle for police. To give you an idea, authorities in Sandy Springs, Georgia used to respond to an average of 110 alarms per week. Out of those, more than 99% were false. Kenneth DeSimone, Chief of Police at Sandy Springs, says that around $750,000 were spent last years responding to false alarms.

To ease officers’ unnecessary workload and minimize the waste of police resources, the city established a false-alarm ordinance requiring monitoring centers to verify an alarm for a possible crime, fire or other emergency situation—via audio, video, or an in-person verification—before contacting the authorities. Since then, DeSimone pointed out that false-alarm rates have dropped by 87% and their capture rate is now 100%.

DeSimone believes their success is directly related to the new alarm verification requirements, “When you have tens of thousands of calls every year coming in from alarm companies it jams up 911 systems … what it does is really impact the amount of patrol that uniformed police officers can do and it slows down [response to] legitimate alarms.”

Many home security companies advertise their products as being able to dispatch authorities as soon as your alarm activates. DeSimone thinks this is consumer fraud. “That’s false advertisement. There’s not one alarm company in the US that dispatches police units … all they do is call us and say there’s a sensor that went off in this residence and if it’s not verified, they have no way of knowing what it is,” explains DeSimone. 

He assured us that authorities don't ever prioritize non-verified alarms. “Because there are so many false calls, police don’t take them seriously,” says DeSimone. In Sandy Springs, for example, DeSimone mentioned that the response time for unverified alarms could reach up to 40 minutes. Now, with verified alarms, this response time has been reduced to just five minutes.

DeSimone recommends getting home security systems that include alarm verification services, “The technology is out there. [Traditional] alarm companies just don’t want to use them … If you’re not able to take your smartphone right now and look at what’s going on with your alarm system, then it’s out of date.”

Monitoring centers can verify alarms through the camera’s video and audio features. Some companies offer these services along with their professional monitoring, whereas others offer them at an additional cost. Some also have an additional paid service that sends a private officer to take a look. Each company has their own policies so be sure to contact customer support to implement verified response effectively into your system.

Costs beyond the equipment

In an effort to prevent or reduce false alarms, many local governments require home security systems to be registered; if it isn’t, authorities might not respond to alarms or could charge additional fees if they do. Registration fees vary across cities or counties. You can usually find this information, along with other possible registration procedures or requirements, on your local police department’s website.

You might also be subject to false alarm penalties, depending on where you live. While some cities don’t penalize your first false alarm, others are not as forgiving, and can charge you as much as $200. False alarm costs can increase after the second false alarm and they’re also usually higher for unregistered systems.

Other Steps to Prevent False Alarms

• Remember your pins: Many false alarms are caused by people themselves. Make sure you and everyone in the household know the master pin—or their authorized user pins. Pressing the wrong pin or taking a long time to press it could activate the alarm. Remember, change default pins and don't use personal details such as birthdays or phone numbers. If you think you’re prone to forgetting your pin, opt for a key fob to arm and disarm your system.

• Faulty equipment: If you think one of your sensors is defective, contact customer support immediately. They may guide you in resetting the equipment or even replace it, if it’s still under warranty.

• Equipment placement: Some sensors are more sensitive than others. Pets could easily trigger them—maybe even rodents or insects too. If you think your pet is the culprit, contact customer support and ask them where and how you can place the sensors to avoid the issue. Be careful of where you place glass break sensors too. If they’re near the kitchen, where a plate may break, they could get triggered.

• Low battery or faulty power source: DIY home security systems with battery-powered sensors could be especially susceptible to this, since a sensor running low on battery can trigger a false alarm. While they will usually make a sound when the battery is dying, it’s good practice to check them frequently. Power outages or changes in voltage could also make sensors malfunction and trigger false alarms. 

• Incorrect installation: This is another issue that  DIYers might face often. If sensors and detectors aren’t correctly installed or placed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the equipment may not work correctly. Be sure to follow your system’s installation guide carefully. This could save you not only from false alarm penalties, but from voiding your warranty as well.  

• Secure doors or windows: Something as simple as the wind moving a door or a branch across a window could replicate someone trying to break in. Before you activate your alarm system, make sure your doors and windows are locked whenever you leave the house.

• Interfering signals: Wireless devices in your home are constantly sending information, and it’s possible for their signals to interfere with one another. If you’re noticing issues, try moving your base station or router to another location. Metal surfaces are also known to interfere or limit signals. You can also use a range extender to strengthen your devices’ connection capabilities.