Garden Security Cameras + WiFi

[Quarky]

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of Garden Security Cameras with Wi Fi connection?

Cameras can be purchased quite cheaply, and usually have an SD card for video storage. They may be powered by rechargeable battery and/or a power lead.

Problems arise it seems when data is attempted to be uploaded via a Wi Fi connection to a secure location. These cameras are advertised as uploadable to a mobile phone and cloud storage. However I think I might be locked in to one particular cloud storage provider, and to his monthly rental charge. If the WiFi connection works at all.

Any comments gratefully received.

[Anastasius]

I went through three or four of all flavours but they all had one thing in common. C-cubed. Useless manuals, flakey software. In the end I bit the bullet and bought a Nest outdoor camera. Not cheap and there is an annual charge for video storage but it does what it says on the tin.

[Old Grumpy]

I'm sure I read somewhere that devious individuals can apparently monitor timing of internet traffic from these sort of cameras and get a good idea of when you are likely to be out of the house.

OG

[gradus]

Not quite as sophisticated but I sometimes use an infra red camera to see what is eating plants. A bit inconvenient as I have to take out the card to read it on the pc but now I now what the cats get up to! (not eating plants)

[Anastasius]

I'm sure I read somewhere that devious individuals can apparently monitor timing of internet traffic from these sort of cameras and get a good idea of when you are likely to be out of the house.

OG

Highly unlikely, OG. Possible, yes, for GCHQ !


Quarky...what is the reason for wanting the cameras ?

[Old Grumpy]

Highly unlikely, OG. Possible, yes, for GCHQ !


Quarky...what is the reason for wanting the cameras ?

https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/news/hackable-security-cameras

Not quite what I said, but possibly more worrying!

I

[Quarky]

Many thanks for replies; they are helpful.

The main reason for installing a security camera is that I have a converted stable block at the bottom of the garden, with some valuable equipment. Probably 99% of the time it would pick up local wild life, but that would not be its main purpose.

The point about vulnerability of a wi fi connection is well taken. I might rely on an internal SD card instead.

[Dave2002]

Many thanks for replies; they are helpful.

The main reason for installing a security camera is that I have a converted stable block at the bottom of the garden, with some valuable equipment. Probably 99% of the time it would pick up local wild life, but that would not be its main purpose.

The point about vulnerability of a wi fi connection is well taken. I might rely on an internal SD card instead.

Is it theft or damage you are concerned about? If theft, isn't it quite likely that thieves would take or damage the security camera? Using wifi should at least enable you to capture scenes up to that point.

Other security measures might be more effective, or you might need to consider a more comprehensive approach.

[Anastasius]

Need to know a bit more about why you think wi-fi is not possible. I use it outside all the time without any issues. The downside with a lot of these cameras is, as I said in my first post, that they are C-cubed (Cheap Chinese ****). Flakey software/incomprehensible manuals/never updated/poor security.

There is no reason that I know of why you cannot connect to any other 'cloud' on the internet.

Have you looked at this company for a more 'standard' solution ? https://www.ultrasecuredirect.com. They have good technical support and after-sales service and their products are well chosen.

[Anastasius]

https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/news/ha...curity-cameras

Not quite what I said, but possibly more worrying!

I

Exactly so and something that I have been banging on about ever since the "InternetofThings" raised it's head. I'm just waiting for someone to harness all these (for the most part pointless devices) into one gigantic BotNet and carry out a DDoS attack on the DNS servers across the internet. Google's would be a good starting point. Bye-bye internet.

[Quarky]

Just wondering whether I could connect a standard security camera + recorder e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/1080x720-SA...14&sr=8-4&th=1

Connect to a PC in the stable block which has a WiFi connection, and upload via the PC and existing Wi Fi connection to somewhere more secure?

[Old Grumpy]

Exactly so and something that I have been banging on about ever since the "InternetofThings" raised it's head. I'm just waiting for someone to harness all these (for the most part pointless devices) into one gigantic BotNet and carry out a DDoS attack on the DNS servers across the internet. Google's would be a good starting point. Bye-bye internet.

Hence the footer, I presume.

We have few Smart Things at Grumpy Towers - not so sure about the people either!

[Constantbee]

Just wondering whether I could connect a standard security camera + recorder e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/1080x720-SA...14&sr=8-4&th=1

Connect to a PC in the stable block which has a WiFi connection, and upload via the PC and existing Wi Fi connection to somewhere more secure?

How much do you want to spend and how 'smart' is your home already? Channel 5’s The Gadget Show (Fridays 7pm) featured a review by Craig Charles of the Arlo Security Camera, available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg-s3B9Hh2k

It’s probably at the top end of the domestic price range. If nothing else you’ll get some idea of what would be involved in setting it up and the extent of surveillance offered.

We're still using the cheap infra red night time camera we bought to record the badgers. It turned out to be quite robust for the price. Badgers btw now into the second generation and Boris junior growing fast. Shutting the gate at night helps to keep them out, but they always find other ways in.

hth

[Quarky]

How much do you want to spend and how 'smart' is your home already? Channel 5’s The Gadget Show (Fridays 7pm) featured a review by Craig Charles of the Arlo Security Camera, available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg-s3B9Hh2k

It’s probably at the top end of the domestic price range. If nothing else you’ll get some idea of what would be involved in setting it up and the extent of surveillance offered.

We're still using the cheap infra red night time camera we bought to record the badgers. It turned out to be quite robust for the price. Badgers btw now into the second generation and Boris junior growing fast. Shutting the gate at night helps to keep them out, but they always find other ways in.

Many thanks for that - I'm more concerned with Bad Guys rather than Badgers! But clearly more research required.

In the short term, I can protect myself by moving sensitive equipment indoors, and taking it to the shed whenever I need it!

[johnb]

Though a good idea in itself, installing security cameras doesn't stop a burglar stealing your stuff, it merely provides images of them to help the police (if the police are sufficiently interested). Also, if the thieves are aware of the cameras all they have to do is wear face coverings or balaclavas and make sure their clothes aren't distinctive.

A loud burglar alarm combined with security lights might be another (or additional) option.

You could always ask the police themselves for advice.