Home Automation: 八月 2014

2014年8月31日星期日

How to Secure Your (Easily Hackable) Smart Home

As more devices and appliances with Internet capabilities enter the market, protecting those devices from hackers becomes critical. Unfortunately, many of these non-computer, non-smartphone devices — from toilets to refrigerators to alarm systems — weren’t built with security in mind.

So what can someone who’s already bought one of these devices do? When it comes to the so-called Internet of Things and the connected home, it’s best to proactively secure the home network. There is no antivirus software for a smart TV, but you can protect your Wi-Fi network so hacking the TV doesn’t become a backdoor into your home.

The risks of the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is a catchphrase referring to commonplace devices and appliances — such as thermostats, automobiles and refrigerators — that are connected to the Internet. It also includes Internet-connected “wearable” devices, such as fitness bands or Google Glass. The market for Internet of Things devices will hit $7.1 trillion by 2020, according to estimates from analysis firm International Data Corp.

Connecting everyday devices to the Internet seems like a great idea, but users need to be mindful of the risks, warned JD Sherry, vice president of technology and solutions at Tokyo-based antivirus-software maker Trend Micro.

“No one is going to keep the door to their house unlocked,” Sherry said. “You need to think [the same way] about the appliances on your network.”

2014年8月25日星期一

Smart Homes Draw Security Concerns

As homes get more connected to technology, security researchers are sounding the alarm on the vulnerabilities smart homes may pose.

The home automation market is expected to soar to $16.4 billion by 2019. But with that surging growth, researchers are asking for more attention to be drawn to the security of these devices to make sure they don’t reveal too much about home owners should they fall into the wrong hands.

Smart home devices run the gamut: a garage door that opens automatically as you approach the house; a thermostat automatically adjusting to fit your comfort level; even your oven adjusting its temperature based on the recipe you’re using.

Smart homes promise to offer home owners greater convenience, but security experts are concerned about devices that are able to remotely track you when you’re away from the house, monitor household activity through embedded cameras, and provide keyless entrance, Builder Online reports.

“Looking at the rate at which new products come to the market and the connectivity outside the home, all of a sudden there’s a lot of personal information being transmitted over the Internet,” Hagai Feiner, founder and CEO of Access Networks, told Builder Online. “The more intertwined those devices are into our lives, the more risk is present. It’s becoming a bigger issue as we have more and more devices that are looking at our patterns — and this is where technology is going. The more products we have that are learning and that transmit to the Internet, the more risk we have of those devices being hacked and information being held by rogue identities.”

HP Fortify on Demand created the IoT Top 10, an educational effort to explore the main security problems for internet-connected home devices.

In a recent study, the group tested 10 of the most popular smart-home devices and found that 70 percent of them presented serious vulnerabilities — with an average of 25 vulnerabilities per device — says Daniel Miessler of HP Fortify on Demand. Most of the devices that posed concerns collected personal information that included addresses, health information, and credit card numbers. The data is being transmitted — often unencrypted — over users’ networks and across mobile apps and cloud services, which could open up home owners to a potential data breach.

The study also found that 80 percent of the devices failed to use strong authentication measures and permitted weak passwords such as “1234.”

As researchers continue to raise the discussion of security in smart-home devices, they are urging home owners to also be smart about which products they choose. They encourage home owners to use products that have strong authentication measures and to choose better passwords in keeping their data safe.

2014年8月21日星期四

DIY or Professional: Which Alarm System is Right for You?

Today, many products and services that were traditionally handled by experts are available in a do-it-yourself (DIY) format, and home security systems are no exception. To help homeowners find a reliable security system that can help protect their homes and loved ones, here are a few differences in DIY and professionally installed home security systems.

You better shop around.
Most homeowners opt for a professionally installed system because they want to be sure their families and belongings are protected and, let’s face it, most of us aren’t technically or mechanically savvy. A professionally installed system gives homeowners the peace of mind they seek.

If you’re looking for a professionally installed system, it’s easy to find credible alarm companies that supply quality products. Simply click here and enter your zip code to get matched up with local companies that are members of theElectronic Security Association (ESA) . Once you select a company, a security professional will be sent to your home to perform a walk-through assessment and work with you to create a custom system that suits your lifestyle.

With a custom alarm system, you can add on professional alarm monitoring from a central station. A monitored alarm will ensure that your home is protected whenever the system is activated – it could be when it’s unoccupied or when your family is asleep. If danger arises, a central station operator will be able summon first responders to your home on your behalf. In addition to professional monitoring, many of today’s systems allow homeowners to control their alarms remotely and receive alerts via a smartphone or tablet.

There are several places to shop for a DIY system, including big box retailers, online marketplaces and even crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Many consumers turn to rating and review websites to help them navigate the sea of products. Once you’ve found a system, it’s up to you to decide how much equipment your home requires based on its size and layout. You may need to purchase additional units to ensure that your entire home is secure.

The installation situation.
Professional installation offers a hands-off approach for homeowners. After your home’s assessment, a trustworthy technician will install your new system, walk you through the steps to successfully operate the system, and answer any lingering questions. Security companies that are members of ESA employ highly-experienced technicians who install complex security systems every day, so you can be sure that your system will function properly.

Maintenance your peace of mind.
If you’ve chosen the DIY route, it’s time to open the box and get down to business. Setting up a DIY system isn’t rocket science, but getting the components of your system to communicate with one another may make you wish you had a degree in engineering. It’s imperative that you follow your system’s instructions closely, since a faulty installation can leave your home vulnerable to break-ins.

System repairs can be complicated and frustrating, but when professionals are involved, you won’t have to do any heavy lifting. Just pick up the phone and contact technical support. Skilled operators can troubleshoot the issue and set up a time for a technician to repair or replace your system if necessary. Many companies also offer support on their websites via live chat, email, how-to guides and instructional videos.

Whether it’s caused by human error or defective equipment, a malfunctioning DIY security system can be a headache – especially when you can’t get help. Depending on the length and terms (or existence) of your warranty, you may be able to call the manufacturer for support. However, be prepared to take notes or stay on the line for a while – you might responsible for making the repairs yourself.

With an abundance of products and features to choose from, selecting a security system for your family can be a challenging task. But, regardless of whether you take the DIY or professional route, pursuing the safety of your home and loved ones is always a step in the right direction.

2014年8月19日星期二

How Alarm Systems Work

Electronic alarm systems are made up of three component parts designed to detect, determine and deter criminal activity or other threatening situations. An alarm system can detect an event such as an invasion, fire, gas leak or environmental changes; determine if the event poses a threat; and then send a notification about the event.

Detect

The component of an alarm system that detects activity is called a sensor. Here are some common types of sensors that may be used to protect your home.

Door and window contacts are switches that indicate the opening or closing of a door or window. The switch is mounted to a door or window and is held closed by a magnet attached to the frame. When the door or window moves away from the magnet, the switch opens and it is sensed by the alarm control panel.

Motion Sensors can detect movement or motion in a large room.

Glass Break Detectors are designed to constantly listen for the sound of breaking glass. When the glass break detector hears the sound pattern caused by shattering glass, it sends an electronic signal to the alarm control panel.

Shock Sensors can detect an intruder that is using force to pound through a wall, roof or other area of the structure.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are used to detect carbon monoxide; an invisible, odorless, colorless gas. Upon detection of CO, the sensor will send a signal to the control panel, which will then emit an audible alarm.

Panic Buttons send an immediate, discreet call for help upon the press of a button.

Environmental Sensors react to the presence of water or sudden increases or decreases in room temperature.
Smoke Detectors are designed to detect fire. There are two types of detectors: ionization and photoelectric. The most common smoke detector, ionization, is best used to detect flaming fires without a lot of smoke. Photoelectric detection reacts to smoldering fires that produce large amounts of smoke. Both technologies are required to perform at the same level in a fire and provide the same amount of warning. The most effective smoke detector is one that combines both forms of detection.

A Keypad is a device that is used to arm and disarm an alarm system. Keypads are generally installed near the entrance or exit of home. If a door or window is opened when the system is activated, the keypad will immediately initiate an alarm.

Determine

The alarm system control panel is the brain of the system. It carries out the decide function by processing the information it receives from various sensors and responding accordingly. For example, if a door or window is open while the system is disarmed, the control panel ignores the event. But, if a window is opened while the system is armed, it will immediately respond by sending a signal to your alarm monitoring center and triggering an audible alarm.

Alarm system panels have built in communicators that transmit and receive signals via a phone line. These signals are sent to a central alarm monitoring center where trained dispatchers monitor alarm system signals. In the event of a triggered alarm, a dispatcher will contact you to verify the emergency situation and if necessary, contact the police or fire station on your behalf.

Deter

An alarm panel responds to a triggered alarm by activating physical alarms such as a siren and/or strobe lights. These devices are used to scare an intruder away from your premises or alert you of a threatening situation such as a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide.

The component parts of an alarm system work together to detect, determine and deter danger in your home. To ensure your equipment will function properly in the event of an emergency, it is important to conduct regular testing on your systems. Contact an ESA member company for more information.

2014年8月15日星期五

Smart home systems a no-brainer for growth, researchers say

Smart home systems and services will ring up sales of $18 billion in the U.S. this year and could more than double to $39 billion by 2019, fueled by security and home control products, Strategy Analytics predicted in a report Thursday.

The opportunities in the sector are drawing in big consumer brands like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Samsung.

Professionally installed control and entertainment systems are the largest segment of the market, with 48% of sales today and forecast to be 37% in five years, Strategy Analytics analyst William Ablondi told IBD. The market is increasingly moving from high-end, custom-installed systems to do-it-yourself and mainstream consumer products, he said.

Interactive security systems and services are the second biggest slice of the smart home market, with 29% of sales now and estimated to reach 35% in 2019, he said.

Self-monitoring and control systems are the third biggest part of the market, with 13% of sales now and unchanged in the 2019 forecast.

ADT (NYSE:ADT) and Vivint currently lead the security service segment of the market, with each having more than 800,000 residential subscribers. Comcast’s (NASDAQ:CMCSA) Xfinity Home service and AT&T’s (NYSE:T) Digital Life service also are in the chase, Strategy Analytics said in a press release.

Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW) has a big lead on Home Depot (NYSE:HD) for the do-it-yourself customer with its Iris self-monitoring and control system. But Staples (NASDAQ:SPLS), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) and others are selling Insteon devices, home automation networking technology that enables lights, thermostats, motion sensors and other appliances to interoperate through power lines.

Apple’s HomeKit software announced in June showed that the consumer electronics giant is interested in the smart home market as well.

Google signaled its desire to be “a disruptive force” in the market by acquiring Nest smart home devices and Dropcam security cameras, Ablondi said.

Separately, research firm Parks Associates on Thursday said nearly 4% of U.S. households will have a smart home controller by year’s end, rising to nearly 6% in 2015. Such devices can control lighting systems, garage door openers, networked security cameras and programmable thermostats.

“The majority of smart devices installed today were acquired as part of a security or home controls system deployed by providers such as ADT, Comcast or AT&T,” Parks Associates analyst Tom Kerber said in a press release. “However, consumers are starting to buy individual products such as smart programmable thermostats and smart smoke detectors in greater numbers and install them as stand-alone devices — but with the expectation that these new devices will interact with all existing and future devices in the home.”

On Wednesday, Microsoft selected 10 home-automation startups that it will support in an accelerator program it announced in June with American Family Insurance. More than 400 startups applied for the program, Steven Guggenheimer, a Microsoft corporate vice president, said in a blog post.

2014年8月14日星期四

smanos Career Opportunities (Americas)

The complete smanos smart home system lineup speaks self-install or DIY. From wireless, app-enabled alarm and automation systems to remote security, energy and health management, smanos solutions cater to today’s homeowners’ digital and mobile lifestyles and ensure they have complete control, comfort and visual confirmation right at their fingertips within a few short minutes and easy steps.

General Manager (Chuango and smanos Americas)

Location:

California