If you have ever wondered How do you know if a security camera is fake?, in Nivian we explain how to tell the difference between a real surveillance camera and a fake surveillance camera
1.How to spot a fake surveillance camera?
⏩ Las fake surveillance cameras, also known as simulated or non-operational cameras, they are simple surveillance camera housings without the internal electronics that allow the capture of images.
These security cameras are intended to serve as criminal deterrent at a very low cost and without the need for installation or maintenance since they work with AA batteries. Unlike most real cameras, whose installation tends to go unnoticed, fake cameras are often intentionally placed in a conspicuous place, so that anyone passing by perceives them and feels watched not knowing if the camera is fake or not.
The simulated cameras of Nivian, have a authentic casing and real elements typical of a video surveillance camera, they have an intermittent light that appears to be recording, as well as LEDs and real wiring, and they even activate automatically when they detect movement. In addition to this, Nivian includes in its boxes a video surveillance area sign to place in the facilities and warn of the possibility of being recorded in a public area. In this way, we ensure the verifiability of our security camera.
When looking for a video surveillance camera installation, a type of mixed installation, where the operative cameras are located in the most important places and the false ones serve as support, since nobody will know if they are false cameras or not.
2. Differences between real and fake security cameras
It is essential to have knowledge of the main differences between the two in order to know what kind of fake surveillance cameras to avoid and determine which real security cameras suit our requirements.
And that is why there are seven main determining indicators:
🔷 LED lights
🔷 Covers
🔷 Place of installation
🔷 Wires
🔷 Types of cameras
🔷 Brands
🔷 Motion tracking
-
LED LIGHTS
Currently, security cameras are equipped with infrared lighting to allow night vision to be obtained when ambient light conditions do not allow it.
LED lights are bright red lights that are difficult for the eyes to see, making them difficult to detect from a distance. That way, if they don't blink in the dark, you'll know you're looking at a fake surveillance camera.
- COVERS
One of the most relevant characteristics at first sight, are the materials used. Real security cameras are made up of an aluminum shell and yet fake security cameras are made of plastic.
- INSTALLATION PLACE
When we install security cameras outside, we can check their verifiability. Being exposed outdoors, the fake surveillance cameras will not resist wind and rain due to its low quality plastic material. In addition, false cables exposed to the outside are more easily damaged.
In contrast, real security cameras can be installed anywhere outdoors without fear of inclement weather.
- CABLES
The visibility of the wiring is something to take into account to detect the operation of the surveillance camera. If it lacks wiring, it is most likely a fake, although there are also wireless cameras, real wireless security cameras do not have cables in plain sight.
- TYPES OF CAMERAS and BRANDS
The most common model of fake security cameras are usually bullet cameras or dome cameras. These two models are easy to imitate, although most wireless cameras have distinctive designs and are more difficult to imitate.
The brand name is an easy way to identify future fraud. The most common brands are Nest, Samsung, Arlo, Ring, Panasonic, Bosch, Hanwha, Techwin.. among other. Also, if the mark on the camera cover is not visible, it may be a fake security camera.
- MOTION TRACKING
The incorporation of motion sensors in fake security cameras are becoming more and more common. The key is that fake surveillance cameras don't follow movement exactly, but simply rotate back and forth continuously. However, real cameras will never make physical movements when someone walks by.
↪ En definitiva, siempre existe una pequeña posibilidad de que una cámara de apariencia falsa sea real, o de manera contraria, una cámara de apariencia real sea falsa. Aún así, con los tips ofrecidos por Nivian, it will be easier for them to detect when a security camera is fake.
