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The security camera industry is booming and it’s not hard to see why. There are so many benefits to having one, from protecting your property to capturing evidence of crimes.
However, there are still a few people who choose to install fake security cameras as they are cheap and work as a deterrent thus providing a false sense of security.
Others use them to create an illusion of wider coverage. They are often made to look like real security cameras, making them hard to detect.
You may put as many dummy security cameras as you want but the experienced criminals are smart enough to quickly spot the fake ones.
Here are some ways to find out instantly if the camera is fake or a real one.
Blinking LED Lights
Blinking LED lights is an indicator of a fake camera. Outdoor security cameras use infrared LEDs that illuminate the area being surveilled, but fake ones use regular LEDs.
The infrared light helps in night vision for capturing the footage at night whereas the led lights are blinking just to grab attention and make you feel as if the camera is in recording mode.
Quality of Material
The quality of the material used is visibly cheap. Real security cameras use metal or metal alloy for housing, while fake ones use cheap plastic. The metal alloy housing is durable, resistant to corrosion, and energy-efficient.
Camera Location
The security camera location can also reveal if it is a genuine one or not. Real security cameras are generally placed in strategic spots, usually inconspicuous places. For example, many security cameras are placed in the entryways and exits of buildings.
Cable Quality
The quality of cables used in real cameras is superior and thick. Fake ones use thin cables that are usually of poor quality.
Real security cameras use high-quality cable wires, usually copper or aluminum, while fake ones use thin cables made of plastic or copper.
Almost all modern security cameras have a single cable. Some older cameras may have a dual cable, but these cameras are rare now. But to identify a decoy camera, the single cable will be thin whereas the real ones have a thick cable.
The wiring or kind of wires is not a strong indicator of genuine cameras or cheap replica cameras. Many dome cameras don’t have any visible wires.
Branding Location
Branding is easily noticeable in a real security camera. The manufacturer’s logo is placed at a prominent location whereas fake ones, on the other hand, are branded with generic labels.
Motion Detection
Just like blinking lights, a few fake security cameras may have motion detectors that make the camera move in the direction where there is some movement.
In reality, security cameras have inbuilt motion detection sensors that start capturing as soon as they detect motion without physically moving the body in any direction.
Power Source
The source of power for a camera can also give away the authenticity of the camera. Most dummy cameras are powered with AA rechargeable batteries.
Real ones, on the other hand, use power from the mains. The real ones are DC powered from the main electrical unit of the house.
IP Rating
Real security cameras have an IP rating that indicates the level of security they provide. Fake ones usually don’t have an IP rating.
Conclusion
It is important to learn and understand the characteristics and common features of a real outdoor camera to successfully fool a would-be criminal.
Experienced criminals will often notice even the smallest nuances of your security system, making it that much more important that you expertly camouflage your dummy system.
Hopefully, this article will help property owners understand what to look for in a fake security camera!
Related Topics
- Top Wireless Security Cameras for Home.
- How to Block Neighbor’s Security Camera.
- Can tenants install a security camera in their Apartments?
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