Have a security cam Take these essential steps now

In the old days, remote monitoring of your home meant spending a lot of money on professional installation and monthly monitoring contracts. Today, you can order and install some cameras on your own, a smart doorbell, or a full-blown security system.

Before you buy the cheapest option you can find on Amazon, take a pause. Those five star reviews may not be valid. Tap or click for a tool that can help you spot fake reviews.

Counterfeiting is one thing, but some home security tech just isn’t up to snuff, like these five video doorbells that failed security tests. Oh, is that so.

Securing your cameras isn’t difficult once you know what to do. First on the list? Good old two-factor authentication.

1. Enable an Extra Layer of Security
Two-factor authentication used to be a nice security bonus. Today, it is mandatory for countless sensitive accounts. If your home security system doesn’t use 2FA, you may want to start shopping.

As a quick refresher, two-factor authentication or 2FA is another layer of security on your accounts that requires you to enter a code to finish logging in on any new device, browser, or system – usually is sent via text or email. Tap or click here for a crash course in 2FA.

Once you have 2FA enabled, dig into the settings for your specific setup. Most cameras and more widespread systems have several measures in place to keep your feed only for your eyes.

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Then you need to consider the big picture. How secure is your router? If you haven’t adjusted its settings recently, I’m sure you have something to change.

It is not as complicated as it seems. I’ll walk you through it. Tap or click here to get step-by-step instructions on how to secure your router.

2. Bad Passwords Won’t Cut It
Unique, strong passwords are important for each account you create, but take special care with those associated with anything that offers a view into your home.

Don’t make the mistake of using whatever you choose for other accounts as well. If you reuse the same login information, hackers only need to breach one site and they will have access to all your accounts.

Here’s an example: Let’s say your favorite baseball team is the Cubs. If you’re a fan of the Cubs, there’s no way you’ll forget their stunning World Series win in 2016. So, to remember your code, use the phrase “the Cubs won the 2016 World Series” and abbreviate it as “cwtwsi2016”. Replace a few characters and cases, and you’ll have “cwTw$i2016” – a more complex password that’s not only harder to guess but easier for you to remember.

Find Hidden Spy Cams: Are you staying in a rental or hotel room anytime soon? You should check out the hidden cameras that can keep an eye on your every move. This way.

3. Check for Updates
Camera manufacturers regularly release firmware and software updates to patch critical bugs and security holes. The problem is they don’t tell you. It is up to you to check for updates. If your cameras are too old to receive an update, replace them.

When it comes to updating Internet-connected devices, it’s as easy as connecting to the Web, checking for updates, and hitting “Install.” If your system has a dedicated app, pop in from time to time to check for updates.

Do this regularly. Mark your calendar, ask your smart assistant to set a reminder, or leave a note somewhere you can see.

It would be best if you stay up to date on the latest in hacks and breaches as well. Companies are compromised all the time, and you want to know about it so you can take action to protect yourself. Tap or click here to sign up for my Fraud & Security Alerts newsletter for the easy way out.

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Over the years, I have recommended its sponsor, SimplySafe. You order everything you need online, then set it up yourself in about 30 minutes. It’s very easy. This means that no vendor or installation crew is bothering you.

Even better, I negotiated a deal just for you. For a limited time, save 20% on your SimplySafe security system, and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.

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