Wireless Security 101

By Home Security Source Jul 2, 2009 | 3:55:00 pm
Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

 

Protecting Your Home


It’s hard to put a price on feeling secure in your own home. Your home is your sanctuary—a place where you return every day to rest, feel safe, and spend time with your family. If you have ever been the victim of a home invasion or a related crime, or know someone that has, then you understand how violating it feels to be targeted by a criminal. If you haven’t been in this situation—consider yourself lucky.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, home robberies occur every 12 seconds, and approximately 1 in 6 homes will be burglarized this year**. Now, more than ever, it is vital that you protect yourself and your loved ones with a wireless home security system.

Installing Wireless Home Security


There are many advantages installing new wireless house security, as opposed to traditional hard-wired alarm systems. Traditional systems are still effective, but they run off electricity supplied to them through electrical wires. Using battery-powered wireless sensors allows you to have a complete security system without running wires, which is a great solution for an older house. Many wireless home alarms can even notify the homeowner when batteries need replacement. Additionally, if there is a problem with the system, the alarm technician can easily find the problem, whereas hundreds of feet of wiring must be checked if a traditional alarm system is used.
Installation of a wireless system is a breeze when compared to conventional hard-wired systems. In the traditional setup, wires must be run through the home to every entry point and motion sensor, which includes all doors and windows. This can translate to a lot of time, headache, and money. Luckily, a wireless system is much easier to install, and it’s portable, so in the event of a move you can easily take the system with you.
While some people would have no trouble setting up the wireless alarm system themselves, it is recommended that an experienced security expert—such as the folks at ADT Home Security—set up the sensors for you. This way you can sit back and relax knowing that all the sensors and contacts in your home will be placed correctly and professionally. Installation of a wireless security system is generally very affordable, with most alarm monitoring companies offering specials to new customers.

Wireless Security Performance


Now that the benefits of installing a wireless home security system have been highlighted, you may be wondering how it works. Wireless home alarms run on radio wave frequencies that are transmitted from motion sensors and contacts to the central control unit/keypad. The wireless signals can extend for hundreds of feet and penetrate numerous walls and ceilings that might be in the way. While these wireless systems work virtually anywhere, if you live in a particularly old house or one with extra thick walls of concrete you should contact a security professional just to make sure that the building materials in your home won’t pose a problem.
The fact that the sensors communicate with the control unit wirelessly means that the system isn’t vulnerable to wires being cut by an intruder. Furthermore, the components of a wireless alarm system are powered by lithium batteries, meaning that in the event of a blackout or power to your house being cut off by a burglar, your alarm system will still function properly.

What Now?


A wireless home security system gives you the features you need, plus greater flexibility and easier installation when compared to a conventional hard-wired security system. If you decide that you want to implement a wireless home security system in your home, then it’s time to decide which system and monitoring service provider is right for you. Companies like ADT can help you design and implement a wireless system that will protect your family for years to come. Don’t wait - get started today, and attain the peace of mind that you and your family deserve.

*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT unless explicitly indicated. Bloggers featured on HomeSecuritySource.com are professionals compensated by ADT. Please visit our Community Guidelines page for additional details.

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Comments

By 12/3/2010 4:00:13 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

using a wireless camera system, how would an owner protect themself from exposure to a neighbor's or criminal's picking up the signal using a similar remote receiver? thus seeing inside the protected homeowners unit?



By Lucy 10/14/2010 1:14:53 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

What r the charges



By Home Security Source 10/12/2010 5:42:10 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi Kenwah, in the case you lose your wireless home security system KeyFob transmitter, you should contact your monitoring company ASAP. They should be able to let you know exactly what you need to do. With DIY security systems, you need to make sure there is the option of getting a replacement for your wireless home security system.



By Joanne Radcliffe 10/6/2010 4:56:22 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

How do I replace a 12v battery?



By kenwah 10/5/2010 10:41:51 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

If I lose or someone steals my key fob for my wireless home security system, what do I do?



By Home Security Source 9/29/2010 5:51:15 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi Linda, most ADT systems have the ability to have multiple user access codes, allowing for each member of the family to have their personal access code. ADT also offers ADT SafePass which is a small tag that can be places on a key ring and can be used instead of a code, which allows for each member of the family to be assigned a unique code. Please call at 1-888-238-2727 if you need further assistance



By Linda 9/28/2010 2:40:00 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I have ADT in my home now and I am very pleased. Does ADT have a touch key system for entry doors so all members of the family have their own entry code to punch in?



By Home Security Source 9/23/2010 9:36:19 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Melani, please contact your wireless alarm system provider, they should be able to tell you exactly what to do.



By Melani 9/23/2010 2:14:29 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Help! We recently bought a home with a Honeywell wireless alarm system. However, just last night it started to beep and show the letters "FC" on the display. We're told its because we switched from the landline to Comcast Digital Voice. This alarm is now driving us nuts. What can we do to make it stop?



By jean 6/10/2010 12:12:03 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Thank you for your feedback regarding the difficulty of interrupting RF waves - but, if this can be done(hopefully,it's not), what if the cellular backup won't pick up the disruption in time, allowing an intruder to enter? Will this result in no trace on the system logs? Is this possible? It seems that someone is bypassing my system but there is no trace in the logs. I'm re-securing (old technology) windows, doors, etc., but there will always be a point of entry (I need to get back in the house!)



By Home Security Source 4/27/2010 6:28:29 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi Nina, in order to get information on these services, it is highly advised you contact ADT directly by calling at: 1-888-639-0315



By Nina Reeves 4/27/2010 6:25:38 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

We acted in haste and need a lot more information. Such as Monitors per home, lay-out of our home and areas most valueables are stored. Outside Alarm rather than a inside Alarm. Have a shop 45 yds from house, can a Monitor be installed ther thru this package. We just need what is best for our home and areas it covers with Monitors, sensors, etc. To me a Monotor that covrs the entire house is best and a outside alarm that neighbors can her, as we are several minutes away from Sheriff's dept.



By Home Security Source 4/20/2010 10:41:41 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi, in order to get a proper answer regarding how many motion sensors can be installed, it is highly advised you contact ADT directly by calling at: 1-888-639-0315



By 4/19/2010 11:34:54 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

i saw in a flier that Adt can install many sensors all over the house. How come it was not offer to us.



By Home Security Source 4/9/2010 2:22:01 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi Joyce, you can get CellGuard service that will replace the land line. Safewatch CellGuard is a cellular product offered by ADT that enables your home security system to communicate with ADT’s customer monitoring centers. For more information please contact ADT directly at: 1-888-639-0315



By Home Security Source 4/9/2010 1:40:59 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi Mary, ADT wireless systems utilize sophisticated supervised technology that make RF blocking and or jamming very difficult, and because of this supervision technology, those devices check in with the home alarm system to alert the customer when there is a low battery and if the device malfunctions.



By Joyce 4/9/2010 12:55:32 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I have a 'wired' system and have been pleased with it. This is connected to my home phone line. I do not want to abandon my wired system, but is there away to work around having to have a home phone line for this??? The only reason I have a home phone is for this system.



By Mary Larson 3/23/2010 6:24:27 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I have an ADT wireless system and someone is bypassing the system. I think they are blocking the rf waves that go to the control unit. Can you tell me more of how this can be done or if there are other ways they can bypass a wireless system.



By Home Security Source 3/15/2010 4:20:49 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

You are correct in assuming that the alarm signal will not be sent to the Central Station. You will need to get Safewatch CellGuard backup which provides a dedicated cellular connection to ADT’s network of interconnected Customer Monitoring Center. Simply call 1-866-746-7238 to add that to your system.



By Bob 3/5/2010 4:05:10 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I currently have a hard wired system with you and I am very happy with it. I have always wondered what would happen if a burglar cut the phone lines outside my house. I would assume that you could not receive a signal when they broke in. How do I resolve that problem?



By 3/2/2010 8:28:04 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I just lost my wireless remote and called to have it replaced. Service rep told me a technician would have to physically come and reprogram the pad. She said it would be $125 for the first 30 minutes of the technician's time. And more to replace the wireless remote. I feel robbed and disappointed. Now I have to sleep with the fear that someone that knows where I live found the remote and could enter the house if they really wanted to.



By Patricia 2/23/2010 10:53:33 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

How about wireless for outside. I have a vandal who climbs over the fence and gets in if I leave the door unlocked and ADT off. ??



By Veronica Vasquez-Salinas 2/13/2010 7:56:08 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I've had ADT since 2006 (loyal customer),system dfaults consistently with 2 false alarms and battery indicators on ylw for replacement. Svcman last visisted 2 weeks ago,checked all alarm locations & replaced 1 battery,now ylw light on again, shwg #7 and then goes back to alarm, scary. Pls Advise or Help? Paid svcman $25.00 hopeing this would resolve my concerns.



By 1/22/2010 3:42:12 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Have any studies been conducted on the effect of chronic exposure to RF waves on people?



By jane 1/16/2010 2:06:32 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I had a wireless system and fussing with batteries that would eventually die was annoying. Also, the added complexity of having a transmitter and receiver in the mix I am sure reduces the reliability. Not to mention the fact that the wireless door contacts etc are all much larger and ugly compared to the far less noticeable hard wired type. I will stick with the more reliable hard wired system. thank you



By CJ 1/6/2010 4:20:41 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Can a wireless security alarm system be overrun by jamming the frequency that it's communicating on? By doing a high powered RF transmission with just "noise" on the exact frequency that the system is transmitting on could disrupt the sentry points right?



By Home Security Source 12/15/2009 9:19:34 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi Dorothy, You can contact ADT Security Directly and they can help assist you with pricing or visit them at http://www.adt.com



By dorothy przywara 11/25/2009 1:34:46 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I have had ADT for years, I would like to know just how expensive the wireless system would be, and can I change over from the wired system?



By All4Tech 10/22/2009 4:17:08 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

This is a very nice site. I must say it has lots of very good and valuable contents. What would also be very help and useful is to have a user comments and feedback section on the site. Something that would apply to the whole site in general and not to just an article or blog. Thank you.



By Home Security Source 10/14/2009 2:51:30 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Hi All4Tech ADT Security has some info on wireless security systems. Check out http://www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/security_systems. They have a few products including their QuickConnect & Safewatch Pro RF that have wireless components. You can also call #888-281-1765 to speak with an ADT rep



By All4Tech 10/14/2009 10:39:45 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Its all about going wireless these days. I did not know such thing existed for home security. I am going wireless. Is there any place I can find more about it? How much would it cost?



By Jim_in_KC 10/11/2009 5:20:15 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Does anyone know the cost of switching to a wireless system? JiKC



By Pierre 10/7/2009 8:22:55 AM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I went wireless and I am very happy with that decision. The installation was quick and moreover there are no wires! I highly recommend it.



By Kris 10/6/2009 7:32:49 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

Pretty interesting stuff!



By Joanna Stern 10/6/2009 7:25:02 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I would love to change my windows and rmove the wires... they make my house look old...



By IT Pro 10/6/2009 6:09:57 PM Posted in: Burglary & Loss Prevention, Home, House

I'm always amazed at how many unprotected wireless networks there are out there. It is pretty easy to secure, but it may be daunting for people who are not as savvy. Its good to see that a company like ADT will help set that up. I didn't know they offered that.



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