Top 6 Ways To Maintain a Safe and Secure Home Automation System

February 9th, 2024



Home automation in Chico, CA is a great technological breakthrough in home security. With this system, you can remotely access, monitor and change setting of home devices from a web portal or mobile app. You can easily control door locks, lighting, security cameras, cooling and heating systems and other electronic controlled devices. But the fact that you need the internet to operate the system makes it highly susceptible to hackers. It is very easy for someone to penetrate the system if it is not properly secured. You must make sure that all connected devices and home network hardware are secure.

Here are 6 tips for protecting your home automation system from hackers:

1. Secure your Home Network

Developing a secure home network in Chico, CA should the first measure to keep hackers away. This includes having strong passwords, secure router, and a strong firewall. Have a firewall that will deny unrecognized devices from accessing the system and one that allows you to control requests from new devices. This enables you to control and detect hackers who could be trying to penetrate the system. Make sure that the Wi-Fi is protected since it can provide hackers with easy access to your system particularly Wi-Fi cameras. Your password should be a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers to make hard for hackers to crack.

2. Change Password Often

Though having a strong password is a quite effective measure to keep hackers away, it might not provide absolute security. You need to keep changing them now and then. You never know who is watching since hackers are very patient to learn the pattern so as to steal the passwords. To make sure that you are safe, keep changing the passwords frequently to confuse them. It is important to avoid using the obvious passwords such as birth dates but combine letters, numbers, and symbols to create a formidable password.

3. Check Your IP Camera Logs Frequently

This is one area that is highly susceptible to hacking. Checking your IP camera logs is a crucial measure to keep your Chico home security automation safe and secure. These cameras come with reviewable logs that enable you to see if anyone tried to or logged into your system. With such information available, it is easy to know if there is unauthorized person snooping around your system. This will inform your next move to keep the system safe and secure.

4. Keep Your Mobile Devices and Apps Secure

For a secure home automation system in Chico, CA, the security of your mobile devices and apps is crucial. These are devices that enable you to remotely access to your home automated system and thus they will be the main target for hackers. Make sure that the passwords to these devices are protected. Keeping strong passwords and changing them frequently will guarantee safety. It is also important to keep the app updates with the latest secure versions.

5. Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Most of the hackings are supported by public Wi-Fi since they are insecure. Avoid checking your system while on such Wi-Fi since it will give the hackers an easy to penetrate your system. Always make sure that you are using a secure network.

6. Install the Latest Firmware Version

If any of the devices in the system have firmware, make sure that you keep them updates. Always make sure that you are using the latest and most updated version. Most of the devices comes with easy instruction on how to update the software from the manufacturer.

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"I had the Alibi system installed several years ago. It has functioned flawlessly. The image quality is exellent both night and day and in all weather conditions. I particularly like the replay (which can be set at various speeds) and zoom functions of the system. Tech support from Crimefreeliving has been excellent. I have received quick responses to questions, and timely home visits — as when I changed IP carriers and my Alibi system needed to be reset. I have recommended Crimefreeliving to several friends."

Rich

"As a small business owner here in Chico we definitely saw the need for video surveillance. After expressing our needs and concerns Tim did an excellent job getting us set up with the set up with the appropriate equipment. He really took the time to address our concerns in a very friendly, professional and knowledgeable manner. I highly recommend Tim for all of your business and residential video surveillance needs."

Ron H., Owner/Auto Doctor

"I have to say I love having my security cameras at my home. Tim Truby did a wonderful job of installing the five cameras. He is very neat and cleaned everything up after the installation. He explained to me how to operate the monitor, my phone and IPad. However, I have had to call Tim because I'm not tech savvy and forget what he has told me. He usually just helps me over the phone and then all is well. I'm 80 years old and enjoy the comfort of knowing I have these security cameras."

Gloria

"Tim Truby designed and installed a 32 camera system for us here at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District. We had received several other quotes from security system vendors, but Tim’s quote was the least expensive. Tim also installed the system quickly and has always been available when we needed him. We are very happy with our security camera system and we can highly recommend Tim Truby for all of your surveillance system needs."

D. Weseman, Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Crime Free Living updated our old video system with a new 16 Channel HD Alibi Video Security System. The old system had been added onto by different installers which resulted in a cabling mess. There were cables that worked and cables that went nowhere. It was a mess. Tim sorted it all out and installed cameras that are very clear. He also installed a monitor for our cashiers to watch hidden areas, a monitor to watch the entry door, and a monitor that allows employees to watch the outside parking and gas pump area. All work was done on time and very professional! Will always recommend Tim and Crime Free Living.

S. AM PM Chico Arco Station

"I had Tim install an Alibi Video Security System at my residence and a couple business locations. The remote view option is invaluable to absentee owners or anyone who travels a lot. The clarity and quality of the cameras have allowed for viewing employee theft. The evidence provided from the HD video cameras was fantastic! Tim was professional and provided extra value from his law enforcement background."

J. Folsom Arco Station

"Tim, I want to thank you again for doing such a fantastic job on installing a wireless IP security camera system at our dream home. The extra time that you took to hide wires, and install a clean, professional system is much appreciated. I still can’t believe the clarity, quality, and ease of use of this new system. I wished that I would have met you before our original inferior system was installed by another company. Now, whether I am at home, or monitoring the system from around the world, I know that my home and family are safe and sound."

John M.

"In April of 2017, my husband and I made a phone call to Crime Free Living that turned out to be a smart and wise decision. Amazingly, in just a few hours, Tim installed four Dome Security Cameras, weatherproof enclosures, and hooked up into our home a 23" Full HD Widescreen Security Monitor. Even more than his professional expertise was the time spent with us in making sure that this system was working correctly and properly installed on our phones so that anywhere in our travels we can monitor our new home in Magalia."

Tieka and Don S.

"I have been using Crime Free Living for the last couple years ar work and at home and I really recommend this product. Tim is a very good service provider. If he can't figure it out, he's got good tech support with the system that he offers."

Gary D.

"I have known Tim for over 10 years. To date, Time with Crime Free Living has installed two separate surveillance systems for my company. With each system, Tim has listened to my needs and custom dsigned surveillance systems for my specific needs and within my budget. The equipment used is always state of the art, the workmanship is top notch, and Tim is the example of trustworthy. I would recommend him for any job."

Steve D., Down Range Indoor Training Center

images Certifications & Training

With 16 years of experience in law enforcement, Tim Truby, CEO, is fully certified in video surveillance and training.

  • Certified Advanced Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Academy Instructor Certification
  • California POST Certification in Specialized Surveillance Equipment
  • California POST Certification in Basic Crime Prevention
    • Advanced Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
    • Certified Alibi Security Dealer
    • Enhanced Risk and Threat Assessment (FEMA)
    • Incident Command System (100 & 200)
    • Certified Cognitech Video Forensic Investigator
    • Neighborhood Watch Toolkit Trainer
    • Computer Crimes/Investigations
    • Domestic Crisis for Crisis Negotiators
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