Month: May 2017

Mike Proudfit, CEO of Titan Alarm, Phoenix’s best Home and Commercial Security System provider, discusses how technology helps homeowners protect their property from burglars, even when they aren’t at home. Check out the recent interview on Titan Alarm’s home security capabilities and find out how you can protect your home today!

 

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Security can be a major issue when renting a house or apartment. In fact, renters are 85 percent more likely to experience a break-in than individuals who own their dwelling. In many cases, property owners do not make security a high priority — they choose not to install a home security system at their rental properties due to the cost or concerns over tenants damaging or failing to operate it properly. This leaves security-conscious renters in a position where they must fend for themselves.

How to Secure Your Rental Home

If you’re a renter concerned about security, there are several steps you can take to make your home safer. For instance, it’s important to know the front door is the most popular entry point for break ins — 34 percent of burglars use the front door to gain entrance to the home. Because of this, you will need a dependable door lock. Ask your property owner if they will install a deadbolt on the front door –— you could even volunteer to handle the project yourself. Even a chain lock will provide extra security at this vulnerable location.

Windows are another favorite point of entry for burglars, especially first-floor windows. If your windows do not have locks or if the locks are worn, you can install inexpensive alarms that detect strong vibrations such as when someone is attempting to break in. These devices contain an adhesive backing that makes them fast and easy to install — no drilling or wiring is required. If your apartment has sliding windows, placing a wooden or metal rod in the track will prevent a burglar from opening them from the outside.

Installing a Security System for a Rental Property

While upgrading door and window locks will make a rental property safer, installing an advanced home security system will provide extra protection and give renters peace of mind. Proprietors may object to the installation of a hardwired security system and many security companies won’t sell them to renters.

However, affordable wireless options are now available that are targeted toward tenants. These systems require no drilling or the laying of cables or wiring. They’re also easy to install and offer the advantage of portability, enabling renters to take the system with them when they move to a new apartment.

Another important benefit of wireless home security for renters is the utilization of cellular technology. This facilitates remote system monitoring, which is perfect for single people who frequently travel for work. Renters can use their smartphones or tablets to manage the system while they’re away from home. Cellular technology also enables a professional monitoring service to receive signals transmitted by the system without the need for a landline telephone.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. to Learn More About Home Security for Renters

Whether you own or rent, you have the right to feel safe in your home. Titan Alarm offers reliable, inexpensive security systems for renters in the Phoenix, AZ area that will provide around-the-clock protection for your residence. Contact us to learn more about your home security options and to schedule a no-obligation consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.

You depend on your home security system to protect you and your family against intruders. But have you ever considered the need to protect your home security system from hackers? Home automation hackers can exploit your system’s vulnerabilities, enabling them to remotely view your surveillance camera feeds, unlock doors, disable alarms or even capture private or intimate situations and post them online. Instead of having a secure home, you’re only left with a false sense of security that all is well — when just the opposite is true.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Security System From Hackers

 The good news is that there are many ways to keep hackers at bay and ensure your security system is fully protecting your property as it should. Tips for protecting your home security system include:

• Choose a high-quality system – Not all home security systems are created equal. Selecting a product from a reputable manufacturer that includes high encryption levels will minimize your susceptibility to hacking. A professional security system installer can help you make an informed decision.

• Change your passwords regularly – Your system will come with a default password — which you should change as soon as the installation is complete. Refrain from using birthdays, your kids’ names or other obvious terms for passwords that even a novice hacker could easily decipher. Instead, make it a complex combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Also, when it comes to passwords, longer is always better. Update your password frequently — at least once per month.

• Don’t use public Wi-Fi Connections – When possible, access your security system via a secure Wi-Fi connection. Avoid using public Wi-Fi, as this makes it much easier for hackers to detect your login information and get access to your personal data.

• Use a secure router – If you have a wireless router at home, make sure to properly secure it. This will not only protect your home security system from hackers, but also your computers, smartphones, tablets and other connected devices.

• Monitor your camera logs – Many security camera systems feature logs that indicate the IP addresses that have attempted to access the cameras. Regularly check the logs to identify any suspicious entries. If something seems amiss, immediately change the access codes and contact law enforcement officials.

• Disable the remote online monitoring feature when not in use – The ability to monitor surveillance camera feeds remotely is a valuable security system feature. However, it also gives hackers additional opportunities to break into your system. A safe practice is to keep this feature disabled when you are not using it.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for Additional Ways to Protect Your Home Security System

For more than a decade, homeowners throughout the Phoenix, AZ area have put their trust in Titan Alarm, Inc. to keep their family and property safe. We sell and install brand-name home security systems equipped with the most advanced encryption and other effective security features that will prevent hackers from gaining access.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

If you have an older security system protecting your home, it probably uses a traditional telephone line to transmit signals to a central monitoring station. However, the advent of wireless technology has made a telephone an even more integral component of a modern security system. Specifically, you can now connect a phone and alarm system without relying on a landline.

Smart Alarm Systems

Recent technological developments have caused security systems to evolve. Smart security systems are very different from systems of the past. Basically, a smart security system puts more control in your hand. With older systems, you would always have to go through the security company to make changes to your system. Now, you have the most control when it comes to your system and your protection.

You can access and control your security system directly through devices at your home. You can get into the system directly in your home, wherever it is installed. Even when you’re not at home, you can still use the system through any device that is connected to the internet, like a laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Another feature of smart alarm systems is that they are highly interactive. You have the ability to access and edit your security settings and preferences at any time and from anywhere. When you’re on vacation, you can switch on the lights every evening to deter burglars. If you leave home for an evening out but realize you forgot to lock the front door, you can lock it.

The biggest perk of a smart security system is that you can use it from anywhere. As long as you are connected to Wi-Fi or have data roaming on, you can access your system. Unless you are in an area with no Wi-Fi and very limited satellite towers providing internet access, you can use your system whenever you need to.

Smart alarm systems give you even more benefits than older models. It gives you the power to choose exactly how you want to use your system and lets you use it wherever you are.

The Benefits of Cellular Technology for Security System Monitoring

If you’re like most people these days, you probably have a smartphone within easy reach as you read this post. The same cellular technology that transmits signals to and from your smartphone can also deliver signals to a security system’s monitoring station. Connecting your phone to an alarm system via wireless technology for monitoring purposes offers advantages over a hardwired connection

With a wireless connection to your home or commercial security system, you don’t have to worry about cut wires. With a landline phone connection, an enterprising burglar can disable a security system’s monitoring capabilities simply by cutting the phone line outside your home. This can’t happen with wireless technology. When you’ve taken the time and made the decision to install a video security system and spent the money on the system, you don’t want it to be compromised so easily. A security system is supposed to give you a greater peace of mind — and if you are constantly worrying about the integrity of your landline-connected security system, it is not doing what it should be doing. A wireless connection through your mobile phone takes away the worry that you may feel with a wired system.

Many homeowners have already ditched their landline phones, as the use of smartphones often makes them redundant. Wireless monitoring prevents the need to take on the expense of reinstalling and maintaining a landline phone. It would be unfair to require someone to use a landline for their security system. You would not only be taking on the new cost of installing and maintaining your security system, but also that of a landline that would never be used.

Abandoning landlines is common amongst many different demographics. With younger generations, it is increasingly common that a person has never had a landline in their home. When your security system is adapting to advances in technology, you know that it will continue to do so in the future.

Security alarm monitoring is helpful to both homeowners and business owners. Everyone wants their loved ones and belongings to be safe at all times. But you can’t always be there to keep an eye on your home yourself. That’s where your security system comes into play. It can help you do all of the things when you’re away that you would want to do from home.

For a business owner, your business is your livelihood. No matter what type of business you have, you probably have things on your property that are key for your business. Retail store owners keep their inventory on-site, and many businesses have expensive tools and equipment. A burglary could be devastating to a business owner. Installing a security system could help prevent something bad from occurring at your business. Even if an incident were to occur, a video monitor could help catch the criminal and get back whatever was taken.

The ease of use and convenience you get from using cellular technology is unbeatable. When you’re relying on a security system to help keep your home and family safe, you want it to be able to work as well as possible. This type of system will give you the peace of mind you’re looking for.

You Can Also Manage an Alarm System Through a Phone

A smartphone can also serve a convenient, user-friendly remote management tool for your security system. If your system includes security cameras to monitor your property, you can use your phone to view live and recorded camera feeds while you’re at work, running errands or traveling. You will be able to keep a close watch on your kids or pets or simply check on the status of your property even if you are many miles away.

In the past, you needed a landline to set up and access your security system. However, with new technology, that is no longer the case. With the increasing popularity of smartphones, security systems adapted along with the new technology. These technological advances make using your security system much easier. So if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need a landline for a home security system?” the answer is “no.”

Other ways you can manage your alarm system through your phone include remotely locking and unlocking doors if you need to let people inside your home while you’re away, as well as turning interior and exterior lights on and off. You’ll even have the power to control thermostat settings and the operation of home appliances, which can make your home more energy efficient. Most of these “smart” security systems provide immediate text, email or phone call alerts whenever someone or something trips a sensor or activates an alarm.

A simple way to control the security features of your home is through an app on your mobile phone. However, you need a smartphone to be able to use this tool. The app you use will depend on the security system you have in place. The company that made your system may have developed their own app for your phone or made the system compatible with an already established app, such as Alarm.com.

Mobile applications make security for your home and business simple. Everything you need is all in one place and they have a simple interface and may even give you a tutorial on how to use them. With other types of security systems, like a landline-connected system, you would have to phone in, wait for someone in the call center to answer and then finally make your request. You can do the same thing in seconds when you use a mobile app. Depending on your system, you can do the following things all through your phone:

• Close garage doors

• Lock doors and windows

• Turn lights on and off

• Watch live video from cameras set up inside and outside your home

• Communicate with your security company

Using your cell phone to access your security system makes it simple. If there is even the potential for an emergency, you want to be able to access your system as quickly as possible. Mobile technology allows you to use your home or business security system whenever you need to, whether it is an emergency or you just want a quick check.

How to Connect a Phone to an Alarm System

The best way to connect a phone to an alarm system is to enlist the services of a professional home security company. If you live in the Phoenix, Tucson, or Mesa, AZ area, Titan Alarm, Inc. has the experience and expertise to design and install a state-of-the-art system featuring wireless phone connectivity. Contact us for more information and to schedule a no-obligation home security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

 

If you’ve installed a security system to protect your home, you might not have given much thought to how it actually works. Today’s systems consist of a series of integrated devices that work together seamlessly to deter and detect intruders and trigger alarms. They also offer monitoring capabilities to ensure the prompt dispatching of first responders when an emergency occurs.

The main components of home security systems include:

• Control panel: The control panel of a home control security system serves as its main hub or “nerve center.” It’s where you can arm and disarm the system, control its various functions and communicate with the monitoring service.

• Motion sensors: Motion sensors detect movement — such as when an intruder attempts to gain access to your home — and notifies the control panel.

• Window and door sensors: Many security systems feature sensors on the windows and doors that notify the control panel if someone tries to break in.

• Cameras: Surveillance cameras provide views of your property so that you and the monitoring service can spot potential signs of trouble.

• Alarms/detectors: Fire and burglar alarms, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors send a notification to the control panel and deliver audible alerts to make residents aware of an emergency.

• Monitoring service: The best security systems include monitoring by a professional monitoring service that receives signals from the control panel and assesses the extent of the emergency.

How Security Systems Are Powered

Of course, it takes a lot of “juice” to run the various security system devices. The system operates via low-voltage electrical power supplied by a transformer installed in a wall of your home — it’s not wired directly into your home’s electrical system. The security system also includes backup batteries located inside the control panel that ensure continuous operation in the event of a power outage.

What Is the Delivery Method for the Electrical Power?

Traditional security systems are hardwired, meaning that the sensors, cameras and other devices are connected to the transformer and control panel with electrical cabling. However, technological advancements have led to the development of wireless devices that operate via self-contained batteries. These devices are programmed to send a signal to the monitoring service when the batteries run low.

Communication between the control panel and the central monitoring service can occur via landline telephone, wireless cellular or Internet technology. The problem with the former method is that as severe storm could knock down the power lines or a burglar could cut the phone line running into your home, which will prevent timely notification of the monitoring service. That’s why many homeowners are opting for a wireless security system set-up.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for Reliable Home Security System Installation in Phoenix

 Titan Alarm has been providing effective, affordable home security solutions for residents in the Phoenix, AZ area for more than a decade. We can design and install a state-of-the-art security system you can count on to keep your family and property safe. Contact us to schedule a free in-home security consultation today!

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

One of the most beneficial aspects of installing a home security system is the ability to have around-the-clock off-site monitoring. A professional monitoring service can receive signals from your system’s control panel and devices when suspicious or potentially dangerous activity occurs on a 24/7 basis. The service’s trained security professionals can then determine whether it is necessary to dispatch first responders to your home.

In a traditional hardwired system, the transmission of the signals occurs via telephone landline. However, landlines are susceptible to power outages due to violent storms or blackouts. An enterprising burglar can also prevent signal transmission simply by cutting your home’s telephone lines. And as more people are choosing to opt out of hardwired phone service and are relying solely on cell phones, many homes these days no longer have phone line connectivity.

This raises an important question: Do I need a landline for a security system?

You Can Have a Monitored Alarm System With No Landline

Wireless technology is now replacing hardwiring in many aspects of our lives – including the security systems we rely on to keep our families and property safe. Wireless monitoring eliminates concerns over cut wires and power outages, while still providing a prompt, reliable signal to the central monitoring service. No-landline options for home security systems include cellular and Internet-based solutions.

Cellular Monitoring Systems

While cellular systems were once relegated to acting as a backup to hardwired service, improvements in technology have now made it possible for them to serve as reliable primary monitoring solutions. Wireless monitoring works in a similar fashion as cell phone technology: strategically located cell towers deliver the signals between your home and the central monitoring services. In sparsely populated areas where cell towers are scarce, transmission occurs through a cellular transmitter installed on your property.

With cellular-based monitoring, you can remotely manage and monitor your security system with your mobile device, enabling you to keep an eye on your property while you’re away. You can also receive alerts via phone, text or email when suspicious activity occurs. Many cellular systems include video verification so that the monitoring service can determine whether there is an actual emergency or just a false alarm.

Internet Monitoring Systems

You can also have a home security system that relies on Internet monitoring. These systems typically connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network, enabling the use of wireless technology to send signals to the central monitoring station. You can expect the same level of reliability as when operating your home computers and other Internet-connected devices, while also enjoying the remote monitoring and management functionality afforded by cellular technology.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Provide the Right Security System for Your Needs

Whether you opt for an alarm system with no landline or a traditional hardwired system, you can trust the professionals at Titan Alarm for complete system design and a fast, efficient installation. If you live in the Phoenix, AZ area, contact us to schedule a no-obligation in-home security system consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

 

Most of us view our pets as members of our family. A home security system can help keep your furry friends safe — systems with remote monitoring capabilities even enable you to keep an eye on your pets while you’re away from home.

However, pets can pose challenges to homeowners with security systems. One of the biggest issues is the triggering of false burglar alarm monitors or fire alarms, which can happen when pets activate the motion sensors when moving about your home. Not only does this result in a needless response by the fire or police department, but it could also lead to fines levied by your local municipality if too many false alarms occur.

 How to Use a Security System With Pets

The good news is that you may be able to configure your system to accommodate pets or simply keep them out of its range. There are also numerous pet-friendly security systems on the market today. Examples of effective solutions for using a security system with pets include:

• Limiting their roaming area – You can keep pets from triggering motion sensors by preventing them from entering the areas of your home where you’ve installed the sensors. For example, you can place your pets in a basement or spare bedroom before leaving for work or school. If your critters need more room to wander, consider installing gates to fence off specific areas.

• Changing sensor orientation – Motion sensors are generally designed to point toward the ground. You can change their orientation by installing them upside down so they point in an upward direction, as well as lower to the ground. This enables them to detect humans, but not animals as they walk along the floor. This method does require a deviation from the system’s designed installation process, so it is best to enlist the services of a trained professional to handle this type of setup.

• Disarming motion sensors – Home security systems typically have a “home” and “away” mode. The former entails the activation of only the external entry sensors when an intruder attempts to enter your property, while the latter enables the function of both external and internal motion sensors. Keeping your system on the “home” mode disables the internal sensors and can prevent the triggering of false alarms by your pets. However, you will not experience the system’s full protection benefits while you’re gone.

• Installing pet-friendly alarm systems – You can also purchase and install security systems for pet owners equipped with “pet immune” sensors that are designed not to react to small or medium-sized pets (generally less than 70-80 lbs.). These devices work by altering the sensor’s heat sensitivity. Place the sensors at higher elevations to prevent them being triggered by larger animals.

 Titan Alarm, Inc. Offers the Best Security Systems for Pets — and People — in Phoenix, AZ

Titan Alarm is your source for state-of-the-art residential security systems that will keep your family safe. We can also show you how to choose a security system with pets in mind. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation in-home security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.