30 People Who Have Security Cameras Are Sharing The Worst Things They’ve Caught On Them

To learn more about security cameras and what experts say about them, we reached out to Rebecca Edwards, a lead safety reporter for SafeWise. She told Bored Panda that there are many benefits of owning a home security camera, especially if you have one with a two-way talk.

"Not only can you use it as a tool to keep an eye on potential intruders, but you can also watch out for package thieves, see when the kids get home from school, verify the landscapers came, and even catch the dog when he makes a break for it," Edwards said. A security camera is a great option for those who do not "have the budget for a full-blown monitoring home security system."

The expert mentioned that a camera, "particularly one that’s watching the front entrance of your home," is one of the most effective devices to maximize safety at your own home. "Burglars and even folks who break into cars don’t want to get caught. They want to be in and out as fast as possible," she added. 

"The presence of a camera can make them think twice and move on to another home." In case something bad happens, you "have a lot more for the police to go on if you caught the bad acts on camera." 

When asked about the most common types of cameras, Edwards told us that it has to be the wireless ones that use Wi-Fi to transmit and store video images and clips. "These cameras typically use a mobile app so you can get updates about what’s happening at home no matter where you are."

She continued: "Of all the wireless cameras out there, I think that doorbell cameras are probably the most widely used. They usually have a good price point, are easy to install, and give you the freedom to talk to people at your front door even if you’re out running errands or in a meeting."

So if you want to upgrade your home security system and are in the market for a new camera, there are some features you should consider. Edwards noted that one of the most important qualities would be motion activation. "This means your camera starts recording when it senses motion. So if someone is creeping up on your porch, you’ll be alerted," she explained. 

Another important trait is the two-way talk (or two-way audio): "Cameras have both a mic and a speaker that let you hear what’s going on and let you talk through the camera to any person or animal who’s activated the camera." 

Then there’s the night vision. The expert told us that most burglaries usually happen during the day, "but car break-ins are more common at night. A camera with night vision lets you capture valuable information that can help you identify a thief or capture license plate numbers if they have their own getaway car."

Lastly, see if the camera can be connected to a mobile app and could send you notifications. "This lets you know what’s happening at your home in real-time," Edwards said. "It gives you the chance to call for help or try to scare off an intruder before they actually break into your home. It literally gives you eyes on your property from anywhere." 

However, these devices also come with a few drawbacks. Edwards warned that cameras aren’t as big of a deterrent as they once were. "Many criminals have gotten savvy to cameras and obscure their identity rather than choose not to swipe a package or do some other bad act." 

Also, as with all things that connect to the internet, there are some privacy risks linked to security cameras. Firstly, there’s always the possibility of being hacked. 

"We’ve all seen stories about cameras being hacked and people talking through nanny cams and doing other creepy things. But this type of breach is the exception, not the rule," she added. "If you secure your device and your home Wi-Fi network properly, it will be very difficult for someone to hack into your camera feed." 

If you’re concerned about privacy, Edwards advised you to look for a camera that is compatible with end-to-end encryption. "This is the best way to keep your video footage private—even big tech companies like Amazon or the maker of the camera itself can’t access video or images that are protected with end-to-end encryption."

The security expert would like to remind you, dear readers, that it's not always legal to record videos and audio of other people. There are certain security camera laws and regulations you need to consider, but "the rule of thumb is to keep security cameras out of places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Places like bedrooms, bathrooms, and your neighbor’s backyard are all off-limits," she concluded.