Today’s homeowner has more security considerations to account for than ever before, from porch pirates to smart-home cyber hacks to old-fashioned intruders. Then, add in the fact that many log and timber homeowners have the unique challenge of remote living and may need to monitor their home from afar, and it’s clear: Home security isn’t as simple as locking the doors anymore.
Luckily, as threats have grown more advanced so have prevention methods, and homeowners’ shopping habits are starting to reflect that. According to research titled “What Home Buyers Really Want” by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in 2024, security cameras, video doorbells and wireless home-security systems ranked as top technology features desired by respondents, ranking only behind a programmable thermostat.
These devices can massively improve your home’s overall security, but they come with their own pros and cons. Ready to learn more about what’s on the market — and what’s worth the cost? We’ve got you covered.
Lock Up with Ease
Take a look at any recent review of top home security systems, and names like SimpliSafe and Ring often stand out, but there’s a whole host of options out there. So where to begin?
“The biggest decision point is DIY vs. DIFM,” explains Jeff Sandoval, the director of Electronics Marketing at Kwikset, meaning do you want to Do It Yourself or have someone Do It For Me? “The next decision point is who will use it,” Jeff adds. “Think about service providers, guests and the primary resident.”
For situations where the primary residents will mainly be accessing the home, he points to Kwikset’s new Halo Touch fingerprint lock, which capitalizes on biometric technology to make locking up super easy. It’s compatible with smart-home systems and can be controlled remotely from Kwikset’s app so you can lock/unlock, manage users, view lock activity, receive notifications and more. “Plus, a standout feature is the rechargeable battery, providing longer-lasting power —an ideal solution for people in remote locations where frequent battery replacement isn’t practical,” Jeff adds.
Monitor from Afar
Let’s start with one unique challenge many owners of log and timber homes face: the need to monitor their home (or the job site of their future home) from a distance. VOSKER’s rugged security cameras that use 4G-LTE mobile connectivity and run on a long-lasting battery pack with solar backup (no Wi-Fi or electricity needed!) let you stay connected to your property from anywhere. Depending on the model selected, the battery can last anywhere from four months to a year, so you don’t have to worry about leaving for the season.
Prevent Porch Pirating
If you’ve ever had a package stolen off your porch, you’re not alone. The research and reporting platform security.org estimates as many as 58 million Americans became victims in 2024. The problem has grown so ubiquitous that these thieves have earned themselves a nickname — “porch pirates.” These individuals steal packages off front porches in hopes of finding treasure inside (and not just another refill on mundane household items), and according to security.org, their gamble pays off, resulting in an estimated $12 billion in merchandise lost last year.
Doorbell cameras like those from Ring or Google Nest can at least discourage porch pirates, but another solution gaining traction is secure package drop boxes for residential front porches. Models like those from Keter or Wayfair allow packages to be easily dropped in via a chute, then securely retrieved from a locked door. It’s worth noting however, solutions like these do require cooperation from delivery drivers.
Shore Up Smart-Home Cyber Security
While it may not be your first thought when it comes to protecting your home, with the advent of smart-home systems, cyber security is now home security. “Unfortunately, the rapid proliferation of devices in the home creates a weak point simply by a large number of cheap consumer devices being on a single Wi-Fi network, like it is in most homes today,” explains Michael Oh, the founder of TSP Smart Spaces, which specializes in the integration and automation of custom smart home systems.
“That doesn’t mean that just because you have a ‘smart home’ that you’ll be the target of an attack, but you should realize that having dozens of connected devices means you must be more thoughtful about what devices you install,” he says. Michael offers these three tips to ensure your smart home system isn’t doing more harm than good:
- Many smart locks allow for multiple people to enter with different codes, but homeowners forget and simply share the same code with others. Family, friends, cleaners, the repair tech and the delivery driver all have THE code. Remember, giving someone a shared code is like leaving the house completely unlocked. Take advantage of smart-lock features like personalized codes to be more secure.
- Wi-Fi-based security cameras can easily be jammed. If you’re serious about security, then you should use cameras which are hardwired for both power and connection to the network.
- Use the guest-network feature of your Internet router, if it has it. Both for guests, but also for smart home devices that only need to connect to the cloud to function. That way, if a device gets hacked, it’s less likely to provide access to other devices. For instance, an electric car might need a Wi-Fi connection for access to certain features like remote unlock. Use your guest network for that one.
