One day a friend of mine came to my house and with a sad expression on his face told me “Earlier when we came back from the sea, we found that our home was being stolen.
We were sure that our doors and windows were closed, and no one could open them in a short time. Additionally, we had our neighbors who had installed a surveillance system a long time ago.
Once, when we realized that we decided to ask our neighbors to do a favor and playback his camera’s video to know what exactly happened.
But unfortunately, our neighbor’s son told us that their security systems are fake and the cameras mounted outside the home are fake and they didn’t record anything from the theft.
So, I ask you to tell me how to know fake security camera from real one. ” He finished his speech with this important question.
Well, In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some hidden signs to distinguish fake security cameras from real ones.
Plus, We’ll also give you tips on avoiding being scammed by one of these fake cameras.
Before we dive into any detail, let’s see
Table of Contents
Why do People Pick Fake Security Cameras?
In brief, there are many reasons why people might pick fake security cameras. Some for threatening burglars, and others for protecting real cameras. Here are the reasons
- Fake security cameras are a great way to stop criminals and burglars from entering your property.
- Fake cams are a cheap solution for homeowners who want to save money and protect their unique places, as real security cameras can be quite expensive.
- Fake surveillance cameras are used to hide the real ones from people’s sight and keep it protected.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to know that fake security cameras can be ineffective in preventing crime.
So if you’re looking for a way to make your home or business safer, investing in a real security camera system is a better option than relying on fake ones.
Now
The 7 Differences to Know Fake Security Camera From Real
It Is interesting for you to know more than one signs that help you to differentiate between a fake security camera and the real one.
Based on our experience we know most of the differences between real and fake security cameras. We look at every camera according to the below list:
Factor 1: Shape
The shape of a security camera can be a good indicator to know if the security camera that exists in front of you is a real camera or not.
For example, Real security cameras are larger and more realistic in their appearance.
Moreover, real cameras have small holes in their shapes for the microphone and sensors of the camera.
On the other hand, Fake security cameras are often made to look like real ones, but they are usually much smaller.
Plus, Fake cameras have a solid shape, they don’t have any holes for sensors or microphones.
Factor 2: Lights
One of the simplest tricks that professionals use to know if the security camera installed is real or not is by looking at the camera lights.
Every camera has LEDs exist around the lens and they are used when the night vision of the camera is turned on to make the camera capture clear footage at night.
As a general rule of thumb, Fake security cameras will often have bright lights, and the lights are always flashing.
In contrast, Real security cameras have low-glow LEDs or no LEDs at all if they rely on infrared technology to record images in low light conditions.
Factor 3: Power Sources
Another factor that you should put into consideration to know fake security camera from real one is to notice how the camera is powered on.
Real security cameras have 3 types according to the power source
1- Wire-free cameras are powered by batteries.
2- Wired Cameras need to be plugged into an outlet to get power.
3- PoE cameras that are powered by Ethernet cable.
While fake security cameras are powered by a battery or power adaptor to turn on the red fake LEDs or do not have any power source at all.
So if you see a camera that looks like it’s plugged into an outlet but doesn’t have any coaxial or ethernet wires running to it, there’s a good chance it’s fake.
Factor 4: Network Connections
At day it’s difficult to know if the security camera is real or fake when there’s no light coming from the camera.
In this scenario, you have to find a new way to figure out if the camera is real or fake like looking at network connections or power cables as we mentioned above.
Let’s make it simple, A real security camera will be connected to a network, either through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.
This connection is necessary so that the footage from the camera can be transmitted to a computer or other device for monitoring purposes.
So, if the installed camera is real it’ll have an ethernet cable connected to it, or it’ll have a wifi signal.
On the other hand, A fake security camera, will not be connected to any sort of network whether by cable or through wifi.
So, if you don’t see any cable coming from the camera, or you don’t find any wifi signal while you open the WiFi on your phone, then this camera is fake.
Pro Tip: From signal cables, you can know if the camera is on and recording or not.
Factor 5: Security Camera Movement
In case you see a PTZ security camera installed at any place you can easily know if it’s real or fake from its movement.
To make it obvious, Fake security cameras have no movement or very limited movement if it exists.
While PTZ real security cameras have more movement options as camera owners can control to move it down, up, right, or left to get a better view of their surroundings and capture more details.
Not that PTZ cameras are more expensive than their fake counterparts, but they’re worth the investment if you want to improve your home or business security.
Factor 6: Locations
Another way to know If a security camera is real or fake is to look at its location, and where the camera is directed.
Homeowners tend to install their surveillance cameras in the best locations that provide a clear view of the property and its environment.
So, If you see a camera placed in an area where it would be easy for someone to tamper with it or obscure its view, there’s a good chance it’s fake.
After all, why would someone go through the trouble of installing a fake security camera if it’s not going to deter crime?
Well, sometimes fake security cameras are installed in obvious places to win criminals, and burglars’ attention while real security cameras are hidden near the fake ones and monitor every movement that happens around the fake ones.
Factor 7: Manufacturers
When you become near to the security camera that you don’t know if it’s real or not, look at the brand name printed on its body.
Often, fake security camera manufacturers use generic brand names, and they sell the cameras under these names.
In this case, all you have to do is to search for them on the internet or ask professionals for more information about these brands.
If you can’t find any information about the company online, or the real location of the company, then it’s probably a fake security camera.
Otherwise, Trusted security camera companies have anything you want to know online on well-designed websites that are full of information about their products.
How to Spot a Fake Security Camera Like Professionals?
The professionals who spot fake security cameras do so by looking for a few key important signs. Here are some things to look for if you think a security camera may be fake:
1. The camera may be too small or too big for the intended purpose. A fake security camera is often made smaller or larger than a real one to save on manufacturing costs.
2. The quality of the image produced by the camera may be poor. Fake cameras often have fuzzy or pixelated images due to their low-quality components.
3. Another cost-saving measure used by manufacturers of fake cameras is the material of the camera body cover. The casing of the camera may be made of cheap materials that look unfamiliar or out of place.
For more watch the next video to know How to Spot a Fake Security Camera.
Source: The Security Experts
How do you know if you’re buying a legitimate security camera system?
Aside from it being a fake or real security camera, There are a lot of other factors that you should take care of before picking your camera. Let’s discuss
First, do some research on the company selling the security cameras and see if they are an established and reputable business with good customer reviews or not.
Second, It’s also important to make sure that the security cameras themselves have good reviews.
Third, take a close look at the features of the security camera system. Make sure it has all the features you need and that it is compatible with your home router and other devices.
A good security camera system should offer both wireless and wired options, as well as support for night vision, motion detection, and more.
Forth, Ensure that a money-back guarantee or warranty option is available before your purchase your security device.
Experts always recommend doing this, especially with security camera systems as they are exposed to a lot of problems that may damage them and the whole system.
Are there any benefits to using fake security cameras?
Using fake security cameras can have several benefits depending on your needs and what you really want.
For one, they can be used as a visual deterrent to potential criminals, making your home or business less likely to be targeted.
Additionally, they can help give the illusion of 24/7 surveillance, even when there may not be someone monitoring the cameras constantly.
Moreover, you can use fake security cameras as camouflage for the real security camera that records what is happening.
Conclusion
Anyway, Security camera systems are a great way to prevent crime and keep your property safe even if you are using fake security cameras.
On the other hand, in case you travel or just visit your neighbors and suspect their cameras are real or not, then you can look at the key factors that we mentioned above to know fake security camera from real one.
By following the tips mentioned above, you should be able to tell the difference between a fake security camera and a real one.
Remember, if you are ever unsure, it is always better to err on the side of caution and assume that the camera is real. This will help ensure your safety as well as the safety of your belongings.
