Although many Americans are convinced that crime is rising in the United States, the good news is that property crime and violent crime have been declining steadily during the last few years. What’s more, as we spend more time indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our occupied homes are even safer.
However, it’s critical to avoid complacency. As crimes decline, criminals grow more desperate and look for security vulnerabilities to target homes. That’s why it’s a good idea to avoid these home security mistakes at all costs:
Don’t Avoid Home Security Tools
It’s easy to avoid installing sophisticated security devices if you’re not comfortable using tools. However, you can easily install many home security solutions yourself, even if you lack mechanical skills. For more complex tools, you can always hire a professional. A one-time expenditure is easily worth your safety and privacy.
Remember, most burglarstake less than a minute to break into your home and around ten minutes to steal what they want and escape. Ten minutes is less time than most people take to go for a walk. Of course, before breaking in, burglars assess a home’s security. Here are some security enhancements that can secure your home:
- Sophisticated Lock: Forget the generic lock on your front door and use a sophisticated lock to keep intruders away.
- Security Door: Instead of a regular door, buy a security door that can’t be bent, dented, or knocked down by a thief.
- Motion Sensor Lights: Light up the dimly lit areas of your property with motion sensor lights. These lights only light up when there’s movement and are sure to surprise anyone lurking in your yard.
- Cameras: Check who is ringing your bell with a camera system for your doorbell. You can also invest in cameras for other hotspots in your home, such as your yard.
- Secure French Doors: Burglars love French doors almost as much as you do. At the same time, you like them for their aesthetic value, people with malicious intent like them because they’re easy to break. Fortunately, you can buy secure French doors that are harder to breach.
Don’t Forget About Cybersecurity
Although home intrusions have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, cybersecurity attacks have risen alarmingly because we’re spending more time online. Not only must you protect your home physically, but you must protect your home from the following dangers:
- Keyloggers: This sneaky software records your keystrokes for cybercriminals. Some keyloggers can also take screenshots.
- Spyware:This dangerous malicious software secretly transmits your data to hackers.
- Stalkerware: Stalkerware helps stalkers and predators monitor vulnerable people through webcams and GPS software.
Through keyloggers, spyware, and stalkerware, cybercriminals can grab your usernames and passwords, photos, videos, and more for identity theft, financial crimes, blackmail, and other nefarious purposes. Secure your computers and smartphones with top cybersecurity software, set strong passwords, stay away from untrustworthy websites, links, emails, and texts to protect your home. Read more at Betta Security.
Although it may seem like a lot of effort, protecting your home from physical and digital attacks is worth the effort. With the best tools and a few common-sense measures, you can secure your home.
