Ask Slashdot: Linux-Based Home Security

Grady Martin writes: I got a new job. Everything about it is perfect, except for one thing: The overwhelming majority of affordable housing within driving distance lies in an area known for its high crime rate. A home security system would afford some peace of mind, and a system whose code I could tinker with would afford even more. What Linux-based options are available? What experience do you have with such systems?

Comments

Needs to be Linux?

[alvieboy]

> "lies in an area known for its high crime rate. A home security system would afford some peace of mind"

Don't know if any runs Linux (and I sincerly doubt it), but perhaps getting a Doggie would help. For sure, you'll get a few false positives, but overall it's the best security you can get. :)

And yes, they bark really loud.

Alvie

Re:Needs to be Linux?

[LifesABeach]

Caution, big teeth there exists monotonically increasing big poop.

Worry about everything else first

[Anonymous Coward]

Moved to a high crime area a decade ago and to this day have only had one issue (car break-in after leaving stuff visible). No home security system, no guns. In general, pull your head our of your arse and pay attention to your surroundings. Don't walk around flashing you iPad that's connected to your home sec system. Don't have ear-buds in listening to the hipster mix of the day. Everyone of my neighbors that's had issues was either 1. dealing drugs or 2. walking around flashing electronics and ignoring the world around them. Meet your neighbors, be friendly, be engaged.

Linux?

[Anonymous Coward]

A *BSD system would be more stable across updates. Plus the base system is made by people who don't just make it up as they go along.

Re:Just Don't

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

Home security systems is a "problem" that has been completely solved in hardware. No DIY system, Linux or otherwise will compare in regards to available sensors, reliability, speed, battery backup, cellular backup, and more of a hardware panel.

As someone who has installed dozens of different security systems, I agree wholeheartedly. DO NOT go with half-baked DIY system.

Look for multi-zone systems by Moose, Ademco, Honeywell, or other security companies. I don't recommend wireless systems for multiple reasons- they can be jammed and the batteries go dead at the worst possible times. If you absolutely have to use wireless components, use the minimum possible and hard-wire the rest.

Look for systems that have "home" and "away" modes.
Mount the panel in a secured location (locked closet).
Run the siren wires through metal pipe all the way to the siren (especially outside). Your alarm system will be useless if a $2 pair of wire cutters can be used to clip the siren wires.
Mount the siren high up in an inaccessible location or cage it.

There's a lot more to it than this, but don't go cheap, avoid wireless if possible, and get a solid, programmable system.

Monitoring isn't peace of mind.

[holophrastic]

If you're constantly checking your cameras and your feeds, and waiting for notifications of motion, that ain't peace of mind. Peace of mind is specifically the opposite -- i.e. not checking, not being notified, not being worried that every time you're underground or in an area of poor reception that someone is breaking into your home.

Peace of mind is knowing that it's someone else's problem. That means that the alarm doesn't go to you, it goes to someone else, like an alarm monitoring company, and that they'll deal with the problem -- including calling you as much as it takes to reach you. That means you can leave, go on vacation, go to the movies, and not care.

Especially considering that high crime rate is less of a problem when you aren't home -- because you aren't in any danger.

Just put up entry contacts -- doors, windows, glass-breaks. Motion sensors are generally irrelevant if you have any ambulatory pets. Then let it be someone else's problems. Cameras fight insurance fraud, but do nothing in terms of security, unless you've got someone watching the feeds.

And damn it, befriend your neighbours, ensure that they know your routines and your vacation schedules.

Beyond that, you aren't going to stop Ethan Hunt, no matter what you do.

Re:Monitoring isn't peace of mind.

[deathguppie]

My house was broken into with the alarm blaring. It's happened to a couple of my neighbors too. Someone pulls up they smash in the front door. Then spend about 30 seconds rifling through the house looking for valuables and then get in their car and run. The security system did nothing but make noise, and yes the cops were called. So what. Even if they would have been able to react immediately they would never have been able to get here in time.

So I put up some cameras in places outside, totally visible in areas that you can't walk around behind them. I have a small linux based home server/backup system that is built into a cabinet downstairs anyway, so I put zoneminder on it. If someone actually enters the house I get a message, and I can call the police. But it doesn't happen. No one wants to walk up in front of the cameras, and yes I know they could wear balaclavas or some crap, but they can't walk around the neighborhood like that without someone calling the cops, and the whole idea is to be inconspicuous.

There is no sure fire cure, and anyone who really want's in will get in. The idea is to make it more difficult than it's worth.

Re:Get serious...

[geoskd]

Because otherwise what the system runs is irrelevant and makes very little sense to tinker with it. If you *really* enjoy the tinkering, install a primary security system and get a secondary as an add-on to play with.

The entire point of a security system is deterrence. The thing you have to understand is that, even if you have 4k video, DNA evidence, and a signed confession, the police will not do a damned thing to help you. If you're in a tough enough area, they wont even send a cop; just take a statement over the phone. At the end of the day, once the crooks have your stuff, you've already lost, so your only hope is to scare them off before hand.