Security Cameras in Your Home. Is It Weird?
In short, no. It isn’t weird to have security cameras in your house. However, there are many things to consider when placing security cameras around your home. The main concern you need to think about is privacy—your privacy, your family’s privacy, and the privacy of guests in your home. While it may be tempting to think, “It’s my house, I can put cameras wherever I want,” it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure you respect everyone’s privacy. Balancing safety and privacy is crucial, and it’s important to be aware of the varying privacy laws regarding audio and video recording in your area before setting up your cameras. Privacy Concerns Even in your own home, some areas are expected to have privacy. In public spaces, bathrooms, changing rooms, and hotel rooms are considered private. Similarly, in your home, bathrooms and bedrooms should be treated with the same level of respect. Although it’s your house, placing cameras in these private areas can infringe on the reasonable expectation of privacy. If you feel the need to have a bedroom camera, ensure that family members and guests are aware of its presence to avoid invading their privacy. Security Cameras in Rental Properties Using security cameras in rental properties is a complex issue. Most rental platforms prohibit hidden cameras, and any use of security cameras, both inside and outside, must be disclosed in the rental description. While it is your property, tenants expect privacy. Outdoor and doorbell cameras are generally acceptable if disclosed, and they can be useful for managing access to the property. Products like the Akuvox Palm-Sized Doorphone Intercom, which includes a camera, two-way call feature, and card reader, are excellent options for providing secure access. Audio vs. Video Recording Laws regarding audio and video recording differ, but generally, both parties should be notified when recording. In some regions, recording someone without their permission is illegal, even in your home. Audio recording is particularly sensitive, so if it’s not necessary, it might be best to disable this feature. Always check local laws to ensure compliance before setting up your system. Informing people that cameras are recording can usually be done through signage or verbally. Deciding Where to Place Cameras Ensure everyone in your home is comfortable with the presence of cameras. Discuss the intended purpose of each camera to set clear expectations for monitoring. For instance, if the camera is for security and covers only entrances and exits, those might be the only areas monitored. If you need to monitor the living room to check on children doing homework, disclose this to everyone involved. Transparency will foster a more comfortable living environment. Addressing Concerns About Having Cameras Obsessive Monitoring: Constantly checking cameras can become excessive, especially if basic motion alerts are set and you have pets. Smart camera settings can help minimize unnecessary notifications, reducing the need for obsessive monitoring. Cameras with advanced features, like Uniview’s deep learning AI, can filter out mundane alerts. Hacking: Concerns about hackers accessing cameras are valid. While internet-connected cameras are more susceptible, measures such as strong passwords and network protection can mitigate risks. Wired systems or analog systems not connected to the network can provide more security against hacking. Wired vs. Wireless Systems: Deciding between wired and wireless systems depends on your needs and intentions. Wired IP systems are generally more secure for home use. Recording footage to an NVR (Network Video Recorder) instead of the cloud can further enhance security. Informing People They’re Being Recorded: It’s crucial to inform everyone in the house, including guests and workers, that cameras are in use. Posting a sign or verbally reminding them can serve as a courteous precaution and potential legal protection. Setting Time Restrictions: If family members are uncomfortable with constant recording, set cameras to operate only when the house is empty. Many smart camera apps allow for time-based operation, ensuring cameras are on during the workday and off when everyone is home. As long as everyone in your house agrees on the presence and placement of cameras, home security cameras can be highly beneficial for protecting and managing your property. It’s not weird to have cameras in your home, and with careful consideration of privacy and legal concerns, they can significantly enhance your home security. Explore Our Guide to Choosing the Perfect Security Camera for Your Home! For a comprehensive guide on choosing the right security camera, check out our detailed guide and learn more about the options available to secure your home effectively.
A New Era of Excellence: Introducing LoveIT – Beyond IT Services and Security
A New Era of Excellence: Introducing LoveIT – Beyond IT Services and Security Dear valued Partners, Clients, and Team Members, As CEO, I am both proud and excited to announce a transformative step in our company’s journey. We are evolving from Bluelight Technologies to LoveIT, marking a new era of enhanced service and nationwide presence. Background and Achievements under Bluelight Technologies Under the Bluelight Technologies banner, we’ve achieved remarkable success in the IT and security sectors. Our innovative solutions and dedication to excellence have not only set industry standards but have also paved the way for our future growth. Reasons for the Change The decision to rebrand as LoveIT reflects our expansion beyond traditional IT services and security systems. This change embodies our commitment to providing next-level services, adapting to emerging technologies, and our ambition to extend our reach across the nation. What ‘LoveIT’ Represents LoveIT stands for our passion for IT and our dedication to delivering superior services. The name signifies our enthusiasm for innovation and our commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction. It’s a promise to offer something more than just services – an experience that our clients can rely on and love. Implications of the Change With this rebranding, we are not only introducing a new name and visual identity, but we are also expanding our services to cater to a broader range of client needs. This transition will involve significant enhancements in how we deliver IT solutions, emphasizing security, efficiency, and reliability. Our commitment to our existing values remains strong, even as we expand our horizons. Looking Forward Our transition to LoveIT marks the beginning of our journey to becoming a leading nationwide brand in IT services and security systems. We are excited about the opportunities this expansion brings and are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of service as we grow. Closing Remarks Your support and trust have been the cornerstone of our success. As we step into this new phase, I am confident that with our shared vision and collective effort, LoveIT will set new benchmarks in the industry. We invite you to join us in this thrilling new chapter. For more information about our enhanced services and nationwide expansion, please visit our new website and follow our journey on social media. Together, let’s embrace the future with LoveIT. With heartfelt gratitude, Joseph Taylor CEO LoveIT
The Top 9 Reasons to Hire Professional IT Support
Perhaps you are the person that everyone comes to with computer problems and expects you to handle them. Or maybe there is a “techie” in the office who gets called on all the time for help, and because of that he or she is not fully able to do the job they were hired to do. On one hand you save money by not hiring professional IT support. On the other hand you are left to deal with frustration – yours or someone else’s, inefficiency, and lower productivity. Here are the top 9 reasons to hire professional IT support: 1. Let someone else keep up with the constantly evolving world of technology. If you are not an IT professional it is hard for you keep up with the continuous changes taking place in technology. You could end up spending significant time researching and implementing fixes. In addition, new viruses and other security threats are constantly emerging. It is the job of the IT professional to keep up with these changes and be there to implement the fixes. 2. Get your schedule back. You may notice an increase in IT issues with your system. The more time you spend trying to fix problems with your technology, the less time you get to spend doing the things that play to your strengths. An IT professional can handle the day-to-day issues that could be dragging you and your company down. 3. Get the most out of your existing system. With professional support you may be able to put off investments in new technology for awhile by fixing your current system and adding to its life. 4. Leverage technology to support your business for both the short and long-term. A well-trained, knowledgeable and experienced professional can show you the best way to use your current technology to make your business more efficient, productive and profitable. 5. Growth plan development. Another way an IT professional can help your business is by helping you develop a strategy that will support your goals for growth. This includes helping you establish a detailed plan and a budget. 6. Project management and assistance. If you still want to go it alone, but you need assistance with a special IT project, you can bring in an outsourced IT support firm to help you. Many firms will give you as much – or as little – help as you need. 7. Help desk services. Look for a firm that provides fast, expert, and reliable technical support when end-users have a problem. This is a great resource that can help you take a lot of those annoying issues off your plate. 8. Increase productivity. If your employees are handling their own IT problems or if you have a tech-savvy employee that everyone goes to for their issues, chances are that employee is not doing the complete job he or she was hired to do. By supplanting the function of IT support from the employee, an IT professional can help restore that employee’s productivity. 8. Get support outside of normal business hours. If your IT system is experiencing problems outside of normal business hours, an outsourced IT support company can provide 24/7 remote monitoring. There are many advantages to turning over your IT issues to an IT professional – what are your top reasons?
Vacation Home Security Tips
Vacation Home Security Tips How to Protect Your Property & Make Your Guests Feel Safe To create the ideal vacation home and ensure that your rental calendar is booked solid, you must invest in quality interior design, attractive exterior landscaping, and modern vacation home security. Even if you decorate the home exquisitely with soft colors and the most comfortable furniture, guests will only feel relaxed if they have no worries about personal safety or the protection of their belongings. Also, when your vacation home is unoccupied, you must be confident that nobody can burglarize or violate the space. Fortunately, with advanced surveillance devices and a comprehensive vacation home security system, there is no reason to leave your guests and your property in a vulnerable position. As a vacation homeowner, you can take action to defend your real estate with the following protective measures, some of which are rather simple and others of which feature cutting-edge engineering. Leave Instructions for Guests Informing guests about how to stay safe can be a tricky tip to implement because you want to provide them with clear instructions on vacation home security – but you don’t want to leave them feeling scared and insecure. Rather than giving a strict list of safety guidelines that may panic your renters, you can prepare a comprehensive welcome packet and include essential security guidelines. Make sure to stress the importance of locking doors at all times and remembering to shut the lights and curtains when they head out for the day or go to sleep at night. You should also include clear instructions for operating the devices of your vacation home security system. Get to Know Your Neighbors The eyes and ears of the people who live on all sides of your property are some of the most powerful equipment for effective vacation home security. Often, neighbors are the first ones to notice when something is amiss. It’s smart to foster good relationships with the people who live nearby and to keep them updated on your rental schedule. This way they will know to pay attention if any action is going on when the property is supposed to be empty. Mail and any fliers left on the doorstep are a loud and clear announcement that your vacation property is empty, and burglars prefer empty homes. You can ask kind neighbors to bring in your mail and collect any materials left outside the garage or entranceway. Conscientious neighbors will notify the police in case of intruders or any type of emergency; there are plenty of inspiring stories about alert next-door residents and how they stopped a robbery in progress. Shut the Windows & Close the Curtains Leaving the first-floor curtains wide open for anyone who wants to peep in is a great way to invite burglars to survey your rooms – especially when your property is unoccupied. They can take inventory of where your most valuable possessions are located, such as jewels, artwork, and technology, as well as figure out the most efficient routes through your home. Why provide burglars with incentive and opportunity to plan their perfect heist? In general, it is recommended not to leave any precious items within view through a glass door or window. This particular tip for vacation home security holds true whether the property is occupied or not. Even when someone is staying there, it is best if they keep their valuables tucked out of sight, and draw the curtains of the ground floor windows when they are not home. Also, you may want to consider installing a home safe for guests to use. Be Smart with How You Lock the Doors Smart locks are a fantastic feature to include in every vacation home security plan. These locks enable keyless entry, so you can monitor who enters your property and when. Even better, you can reprogram the smart locks to remove your guests’ access to the residence after their vacation stay is finished. Smart locks also do away with the need to leave a key for your guests if they arrive at an odd hour when nobody can be there to let them in. The risky, old-fashioned practice of finding a creative hiding spot and leaving a spare key under your flower planter is over! Pay Attention to the Peephole Peepholes provide anyone on the inside of your home with a fast and efficient way to check who is on the other side of the door, so they don’t open up to a complete stranger. However, not all peepholes are made the same. Gone are the days of the miniature, no-frills circular lens that gave residents a magnified and distorted view of whoever came to visit. The modern peephole is a smart doorbell camera that is fully integrated into your vacation home security system. It will provide you with a clear and full perspective of whoever is at the door. What about when nobody is home? Instead of putting your eye to the door, you can just glance at your smartphone screen and see who’s there. Other features include the capability to unlock the front door from the same screen and conduct a two-way conversation with visitors through your app. Smart doorbell cameras can also link with your motion-activated lighting and illuminate the lawn or entranceway instantly. These impressive gadgets are a critical part of your state-of-the-art vacation home security. Install Deadbolts & Interior Hinges Did you know that approximately 33% of all burglars enter through the front door? Nowadays, traditional door locks rank on the weaker end of tools for top-notch vacation home security. All types of regular locks can be picked and broken easily. In comparison, deadbolt locks are a considerably stronger method of keeping the doors shut. Installed deeper into the door frame, deadbolts offer much more resistance if someone attempts to break in by striking the door. Also, you should place hinges on the inside frame of the door, so burglars cannot knock out the hinge pins. Use Motion Sensors Motion-activated lights will
Is It Worth Upgrading to WiFi 6?
WiFi 6 is the latest wireless networking protocol. Professionally known as 802.11ax, it promises remarkable benefits compared to the previous 802.11ac standard, better known as WiFi 5. The WiFi Alliance also seeks to make it easier for users, devices, and software to identify various networking protocols. It does so by encouraging creators of all products and services that utilize WiFi to designate such networks by a numerical sequence. Key Features and Benefits of WiFi 6 WiFi 6 has the following advanced features: 1). Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). This feature divides WiFi channels into smaller frequencies in areas with high network demand. Multiple clients can conveniently connect to one AP simultaneously. The AP allocates smaller portions of the channel, known as resource units (RUs) to each client, which maintains network stability. 2). Multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO). It’s a complementary technology to OFDMA, in that it also enables a wireless network to schedule access for multiple users. They can stream data simultaneously through an 8-link upstream and downlink support, which allows compatible devices to share bandwidth equitably. 3). Target Wake Time (TWT): This function allows an access point to define specific times for separate stations to access your network. It saves battery life and increases network efficiency by activating access only when required. TWT is especially suitable for IoT devices. 4). Beamforming: Rather than broadcasting data in every direction, WiFi 6-enabled routers can detect the source of the request and transmit a localized data stream in its direction. Although beamforming isn’t unique to WiFi 6, it works better with this networking standard. These and other innovative features offer several advantages. One of them is faster speeds, which result in better throughput. Higher upload and download speeds are relevant in an increasingly interconnected world, with bigger and higher quality files. It’s convenient for tasks such as video streaming, Security Cameras, and online gaming. Other benefits of WiFi 6 include better traffic prioritization, network efficiency, increased battery life, and enhanced WPA3 security. How WiFi 6 Differs from Previous Networking Protocols WiFi 6 has a data transfer rate of up to 9.6 Gb/s, which is significantly higher than WiFi 5’s maximum of 3.5 Gb/s. Higher-order modulation (1024-QAM) technology enables an improvement of up to 25% in data transmission speed and overall network efficiency. WiFi 6 can accommodate up to eight simultaneous users per AP, compared to WiFi 5’s four. Innovative technologies such as OFDMA and MU-MIMO make this efficiency possible. While WiFi 5 only utilizes the 5GHz frequency band for data transmission, the latest networking standard uses both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands to ensure better throughput. Since lower frequency signals have longer ranges, WiFi 6 offers optimum coverage for both long and short distances. Another key difference is in the way networking standards utilize MU-MIMO. WiFi 5 only enables this feature for downlinks, while WiFi 6 allows bidirectional MU-MIMO. This means multiple users can upload and download simultaneously. What Does the Future Hold for WiFi 6? WiFi 6E offers a major improvement of the 802.11ax protocol. While WiFi 6 uses the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, WiFi 6E will also utilize the newer 6GHz band. According to the WiFi Alliance, it has 14 more 80 MHz and 7 extra 160 MHz channels. These additional channels are suitable for congested areas with lots of networks. Since they don’t overlap, they allow clearer internet access for connected devices. Other anticipated improvements to WiFi 6 include network efficiency through better uplink MU-MIMO, increased range through spatial re-use, and longer battery life for connected devices. What are WiFi Certified Devices? The WiFi Alliance is keen to ensure the smooth interoperability of WiFi 6 devices. Its certification program verifies that various security and performance features meet the required standards. As opposed to past tests that focused mainly on improved bandwidth speeds, WiFi 6 certification focuses on the performance of such devices in shared environments. Other than OFDMA and MU-MIMO compatibility, qualifying gadgets must also support WPA3 security, TWT, 1024-QAM, and 160MHz channels. A product with the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ seal provides quality assurance. Is WiFi 6 Worth It Now? WiFi 6 networks and devices offer backward compatibility with previous protocols. This flexibility and convenience allow you to enjoy the best of all available networks. You also experience improved network security and long-term cost savings. WiFi 6 is worth it, especially if increased bandwidth, fast data transfer rates, and overall network efficiency are your key concerns. As the pace of adoption rises, it makes more sense to invest in the latest routers, switches, and other networking devices that help you reap maximum benefits. At Bluelight Technologies, we always stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies. As a premium provider of IT solutions for more than 5 years now, we have the know-how to help you upgrade your systems to the best possible standards. Our skilled staff, timely shipping schedule, committed customer care reps, and world-class after-sale services make us your vendor of choice. Please contact us today for more details.
5 Reasons to Use IT Managed Services
An increasing number of companies are employing IT managed services. It’s not hard to see why. The business world is becoming more and more reliant on information technology. So many companies are realizing that they can save on costs while staying ahead of the competition in IT developments. By employing managed IT services, companies can improve efficiency. This is because they are concentrating on the rest of the business. While they can leave the experts to take care of the IT services. Keep reading to discover the 5 reasons why you should use managed IT support. 1. Cost-Effective One of the top reasons why companies choose managed IT services is because it’s much more cost-effective than hiring permanent staff. The resources required to manage your IT services can be immense. The demand for your tech-savvy staff members will gradually become overwhelming to handle. If you’re determined to grow your company, it’s important to outsource IT services so that your staff can concentrate on other stuff. For small and medium-sized businesses, it makes financial sense to outsource it to a professional IT management firm. This why the finance team can calculate exactly how much is required to manage the IT systems each month. Your financial team will surely thank you for helping them determine the budget for monthly operations expenses. 2. Access to Latest Tech Knowledge How can small and medium-sized businesses be expected to keep up with the latest development in technology at the time? By outsourcing your systems to IT managed services, you can leave the experts to address any issues. This means that you get access to the latest tech knowledge and resources to make sure your company stays ahead of the game. But the best part is that you don’t have to pay over the odds for it. 3. Maximize Uptime Uptime is the time in which a computer network is up and running. If you want to keep your company’s IT systems running all the time, it’s important to have managed IT support from the professionals. Emergencies and disasters happen. Your company needs to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. If you’re not downtime could cause untold damage to your credibility and ability to operate. By outsourcing your IT services to the experts, they’ll make sure your company has a business disaster recovery plan (BDR) in place in case of downtime. 4. 24/7 Service With managed IT services, you don’t just get the occasional check-in. But rather it’s a 24/7 service that ensures your IT systems are running properly all the time. No matter how big or small the problem, you could consult the managed IT services for a solution. You can sleep easy knowing everything is taken care of. But sometimes you won’t even notice that there was a problem. Before you know it, the IT managed support will have everything working soundly once again. This means that any slight glitches or pesky bugs will be taken care of immediately. 5. Security and Data Protection Do you work with other organizations and client data? It’s important that they can trust you. If they know that you have a secure IT system in place, they will have no problem doing business with you. With managed IT services, you confidently know that your client’s data is protected. Regulations and compliance are constantly changing. It’s difficult to keep up with the latest policy changes. By employing managed IT support you can rest peacefully that your system will comply with the regulation. IT Managed Services Now you know the reasons why employing IT managed services makes sense for your company. From ensuring that your client’s data is secure to make sure your company has the latest technology at hand, it’s important to outsource IT support. If you’re interested in obtaining IT services, get in touch with us today!
Small Business Security Systems – What You Need to Know
Small Business Security Systems – What You Need to Know Business security systems are just important to small businesses as they are to large organizations. Assets, data, and inventory are just some of the valuable things you have to protect. Small business owners sometimes consider investing in a security system as overdoing it. They feel that only large, complex operations need the tools in place to spot and/or deter theft. If you own a small business, the right security system can do a lot more than you think. Small businesses stand to lose a lot without protection. In addition to break-ins while their business is closed; they can also be robbed during the day. This puts their assets and their employees in danger. Many people don’t think twice about putting a security system in their homes. They want to take every precaution to keep vandals and thieves away. There’s a lot to lose if you fail to protect your business, too. You could lose profits due to shoplifting, fraud, and employee theft. These types of crimes cost businesses billions of dollars annually. Sometimes they go unnoticed until your annual inventory or audit rolls around. By then, you’ve lost even more without any way to know who is responsible. With the right video monitoring system, you can see what your employees are doing. If they are slipping cash or products in their pockets, you have the evidence you need to bring the theft to a halt! Security systems help deter crimes committed during the daytime or the night. Burglars and robbers know their chances of getting caught are much greater when their crime is caught on camera. The bottom line is that you stand to lose a great deal more without a security system. It’s well worth the investment. There are also lots of levels of business security systems, so you can get just the features you want and need. A security company that offers custom solutions makes it easier to fit security into your budget. Which Security System Is Right for You? Any business is vulnerable to robbery and theft, but some types of businesses are more likely to be robbed than others. Thieves often hit banks and jewelry stores for the high-value items they obtain. They expect to run into security systems in these businesses but are sometimes willing to take a greater chance of being caught in return for getting more cash or valuables for their efforts. Robbers steal from businesses like restaurants, retail stores, and convenience stores for other reasons. There are fewer people around, quick access to money, or less likelihood of getting caught shoplifting. You should consider the setting of your business and the types of risks you’re up against when choosing a security system. You might even talk with local police to learn more about the types of crimes being committed in your neighborhood. Find out what MO any current thieves are using and ask for their recommendations. No one knows more about the crimes going on in your area than the local police. Types of Business Security Systems Video monitoring is the basic security system that lets you view any area of your business whether you’re there or not. Video technology has come a long way from the grainy fixed cameras that only filmed limited areas. Modern video cameras let you monitor your business from any location at any time and record the images on your phone or computer. Video monitoring is also a versatile choice. It lets you keep an eye on your customers, your employees, and even what’s going on in the parking lot. When someone’s actions lead to criminal charges or an insurance claim, you have the evidence you need to prove your case. The cost of installing video cameras depends on the size of your business and the areas that you want to monitor. If you are a store with high-theft items, you want to cover the entire floor from every angle. If the main focus of concern is with the cash register, you can get adequate coverage for less. Another choice is to install pan/tilt cameras that give you different views from a single camera. Ask the security experts which options are right for your business. Catching intruders before they get inside your business will save you from loss and frustration. An alarm lets you and the authorities know when someone tries to break in or vandalize your business. It saves you from having to deal with a loss and the legal steps you have to take after the fact. Realizing that your business is equipped with an intrusion alarm will deter thieves and vandals who don’t want to risk getting caught in the act. To get the best use from an alarm, it needs to fit the size and use of the business. Like many other security features offered today, many alarms can be connected to your smartphone. You can receive messages whenever someone or something activates the alarm. You even have the option to see inside your business in real-time whenever there’s a cause for concern. Most of us are aware of the numerous security breaches happening today. Large banks, retail chains, payment processing companies, and credit card companies have all had data breaches to some degree. Although your business might not operate on a large scale like these, the data you store is just as valuable. It’s also vulnerable to hackers who want to access it. Nearly every business of any size uses computers and the internet to obtain, share, and store data. Some experts recommend storing data in the cloud. That way, you won’t lose your data if your equipment is stolen. It isn’t just your business that you need to protect. You probably know by now how it feels to receive a notice that your information has been hacked. Your customers or clients trust you to protect vital information including their social security numbers, phone numbers, banking and credit card information. A computer breach could lead
