Evil home security cameras

[zahc]

I want to start leaving bikes on my front porch, but I'm worrying about somebody stealing them. I have a locking gate but somebody could easily force it. I'm usually against internet-connected cameras because of privacy and network security, but am I being too paranoid? At least it's outside. Is it possible to get a secure internet-connected security camera or is that an oxymoron? I'm not really ready to have a security camera DVR.

[K Frame]

Det cord.

It's the APS gift that keeps on giving.

[AZRedhawk44]

I want to start leaving bikes on my front porch, but I'm worrying about somebody stealing them. I have a locking gate but somebody could easily force it. I'm usually against internet-connected cameras because of privacy and network security, but am I being too paranoid? At least it's outside. Is it possible to get a secure internet-connected security camera or is that an oxymoron? I'm not really ready to have a security camera DVR.

Give the camera device a static IP (or a DHCP reservation so it gets the same IP) and block that IP address from being able to exit your home network, at your router.  Or, when configuring it with a static IP address, don't give it a gateway address.  It won't know who the router is on your home network and won't be able to send data out.

The only drawback is it won't be able to retrieve any automatic updates for its firmware or operating system... but if it ain't broke then it don't need any anyways, IMO.  Especially if it's effectively sandboxed like I describe.

It'll still be able to write to storage server devices on your local home LAN, as long as your home LAN is a single flat subnet.

[grampster]

Remote operated det cord and a pit bull.

[RocketMan]

Moat with a drawbridge.

[Jim147]

Fill the moat with detcord.

My camera is many layers removed from my secured dsl.

[Andiron]

What AZRedhawk said.  Or go straight up airgap and allow it no contact with the home network at all.

I've got a pretty nice Lorex NVR setup,  but I refuse to use their chicom DDNS at this point.  All the cameras are outside, but it still rubs me the wrong way.

If you ever do go with a larger system,  NVR all the way.  CAT6/POE beats the hell out of managing a bunch of different power supplies or having a transformer next to the DVR.

[Pb]

I don't know how effective a camera would be in stopping someone from stealing something off your porch. 

You might get a video of a stranger walking off with your bike, but I don't think that would help much.   

[MillCreek]

I don't know how effective a camera would be in stopping someone from stealing something off your porch. 

You might get a video of a stranger walking off with your bike, but I don't think that would help much.   

On the local FB pages, I see pictures and videos of this all the time, and the OP never subsequently posts that an arrest was made due to the picture/video.

[ConstitutionCowboy]

I want to start leaving bikes on my front porch, but I'm worrying about somebody stealing them. I have a locking gate but somebody could easily force it. I'm usually against internet-connected cameras because of privacy and network security, but am I being too paranoid? At least it's outside. Is it possible to get a secure internet-connected security camera or is that an oxymoron? I'm not really ready to have a security camera DVR.

I'm old fashioned. I'd set up a hammock on the porch and sleep there with a 12 gauge.

A trip wire connected to a flash-bang might be good for those cold nights when you need to sleep indoors ...

Woody

[zxcvbob]

If you don't configure a gateway address, will other nodes on the LAN be able to find it?  (that's an interesting idea)

[AZRedhawk44]

If you don't configure a gateway address, will other nodes on the LAN be able to find it?  (that's an interesting idea)

Depends on the protocols it is running.

But a flat LAN can be fully functional with all peers, if there is no gateway at all or one is not configured.  You just get no internet access or ability to access any resources outside your immediate subnet.

In the case of a Ring camera with no gateway configured, you can give it DNS by putting in the address of your router/DHCP server, which typically also functions as a proxying/caching DNS server.  And CIFS/SMB windows file sharing protocols have network discovery protocols for finding file servers and authentication servers on a flat network.  Not sure if they use SMB, or FTP, or some other file transfer protocol for uploadnig video from the device to a storage location.  But as long as that target is on the local LAN, it should work.

Of course, if its only storage option is "cloud based" and they don't let you configure a local storage solution, then you're probably screwed and won't be able to configure it like I suggest.

[MechAg94]

I'm old fashioned. I'd set up a hammock on the porch and sleep there with a 12 gauge.

A trip wire connected to a flash-bang might be good for those cold nights when you need to sleep indoors ...

Woody

Well, you could get one of those spring loaded noise maker alarms that sets off a 12 gauge shell (no shot).  Set one leading to the bikes or tie one or two to the bikes.  Any sort of noise maker alarm that alerts you in the house that someone is on your porch. 

[Silver Bullet]

On a saner note  , you can buy a wireless doorbell and get an optional motion detector.  You can plug the chime/receiver into any socket of the house.  You can install the doorbell button/transmitter on the front porch, but chances are the thieves won't push it.  Get a motion detector and the chimes/alarm will go off before the thief even gets on the porch, depending on where you aim it.

The doorbell and the motion detector can be screwed on or stuck on.  They both transmit back to the chime/receiver. 

[Ben]

On a saner note  , you can buy a wireless doorbell and get an optional motion detector.  You can plug the chime/receiver into any socket of the house.  You can install the doorbell button/transmitter on the front porch, but chances are the thieves won't push it.  Get a motion detector and the chimes/alarm will go off before the thief even gets on the porch, depending on where you aim it.

The doorbell and the motion detector can be screwed on or stuck on.  They both transmit back to the chime/receiver. 

Really, for what Zahc is looking for, something akin to the Ring floodlight cam would be the option. You get the video evidence, the floodlight comes on, and you get an alert so you can either tell them to get lost or shoot them, depending on where you live. 

[Silver Bullet]

Oh, yeah, I forgot about the camera to get ID for the police.  

Otherwise, I only paid $20 for the doorbell and another $20 for the motion detector.  All I had to do for setup was pick 1 of 50 different tunes and then pair the doorbell to the motion detector by first turning one on and then the other within 10 seconds while triggering the motion detector.  I did the same thing with the door button which I put on the back door (I already have a regular doorbell on the front door, we just can't hear it upstairs).  I think I could pair the door button and motion detector to the doorbell with different tunes to make it obvious which is being triggered, but I didn't bother to do that.  

Then a volume button on the doorbell sets 1 of 4 volume levels, and they're plenty loud in my house.  Couldn't be much easier or cheaper, except for having to read really tiny print on the instructions.

But I suppose det cord is nice too!   

[HeroHog]

My cam was roughly $60 on Amazon a good while back. WiFi based and is able to upload files by email and/or FTP or be accessed live over the web as long as your WiFi has web access. Motion or timer activated. I use motion activation and have the images FTPed up to my web server so that I have the images even if they get in the house and steal ALL my electronics!

https://www.amazon.com/FDT-Megapixel-Outdoor-Wireless-Security/dp/B08372LHY3

http://herohog.com/FDT/20200824/images/A20082416252210.jpg

Now that we live in an apartment and I can't mount it outside, it lives in our bedroom window watching over our Red SUV.

[Silver Bullet]

Well, you could get one of those spring loaded noise maker alarms that sets off a 12 gauge shell (no shot).

I hadn't heard of that device, but I came across it by accident on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017LTJAL2?pf_rd_r=QV2CG4E714T3GRW70ZAS&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

Bisley Alarm Mine

[Ben]

I hadn't heard of that device, but I came across it by accident on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017LTJAL2?pf_rd_r=QV2CG4E714T3GRW70ZAS&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

Bisley Alarm Mine

Interesting. I've never reloaded shotgun blanks before. What do you replace the shot with? Or do you just leave an empty wad, or what?

I don't know that I'd use one of these as every day security, but in troubled times, they seem like a good option.

[MechAg94]

You might also consider putting out a bait bike first to see what happens the first couple weeks.

[lee n. field]

Moat with a drawbridge.

+ caltrops & razorwire

[Silver Bullet]

Lots of cool toys on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Cyalume-ChemLight-Military-Ultra-High-Intensity-5/dp/B00CJI6TTM/ref=pd_sim_200_12?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00CJI6TTM&pd_rd_r=ea7d45ad-2c1a-41f8-9e14-c6d765461c63&pd_rd_w=itN00&pd_rd_wg=iIvSE&pf_rd_p=64e5d61b-7067-445e-bd1c-f84491d96b7e&pf_rd_r=H3ZRZJREM9XK0K6MJD0Z&psc=1&refRID=H3ZRZJREM9XK0K6MJD0Z

https://www.amazon.com/Econ-Alert-Poor-Perimeter-Alarm-Booby-Trap/dp/B085JZLC2T/ref=pd_sim_200_5/139-1804384-6634724?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B085JZLC2T&pd_rd_r=ea7d45ad-2c1a-41f8-9e14-c6d765461c63&pd_rd_w=itN00&pd_rd_wg=iIvSE&pf_rd_p=64e5d61b-7067-445e-bd1c-f84491d96b7e&pf_rd_r=H3ZRZJREM9XK0K6MJD0Z&psc=1&refRID=H3ZRZJREM9XK0K6MJD0Z

https://www.amazon.com/FITH-OPS-Signaling-Device-Reusable/dp/B07Z5H5J9F/ref=pd_sim_200_2/139-1804384-6634724?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07Z5H5J9F&pd_rd_r=ea7d45ad-2c1a-41f8-9e14-c6d765461c63&pd_rd_w=itN00&pd_rd_wg=iIvSE&pf_rd_p=64e5d61b-7067-445e-bd1c-f84491d96b7e&pf_rd_r=H3ZRZJREM9XK0K6MJD0Z&psc=1&refRID=H3ZRZJREM9XK0K6MJD0Z

[zxcvbob]

Interesting. I've never reloaded shotgun blanks before. What do you replace the shot with? Or do you just leave an empty wad, or what?

I don't know that I'd use one of these as every day security, but in troubled times, they seem like a good option.

I don't know how well Clays or Red Dot might work, but generally you use about 70 grains of black powder, and something like low-density foam for the wadding.  (smokeless powder might eat the foam)  If you can crimp the shell over the foam, that's gotta help a little but it's probably not necessary.

[Boomhauer]

On the local FB pages, I see pictures and videos of this all the time, and the OP never subsequently posts that an arrest was made due to the picture/video.

Same here, with the added bonus of a relative of said *expletive deleted*it head always finds the post and bitches about all of the hate directed at their precious scum bag, usually whining with some variant of “You don’t know what he’s going through in his life”

[griz]

Fill the moat with detcord.

APS:  When you absolutely, positively need to be as thorough as possible.