Spotting a fake security camera is not an easy thing. One needs to know a few details about the security cameras to differentiate between the two. Most of the time, home owners, and companies tend to use fake security cameras to show as if their place is secured, and no one can cross the boundary.
In this article, we will help you spot fake security cameras. Even though there are several reasons why people use fake security cameras. However, for a layman it is important to know all the methods to spot a fake security camera. You must be wondering why that is so.
Well, the reason why I am emphasizing that you should be able to spot the fake security camera is to enable you in finding the best security camera. There are several companies selling fake security cameras.
Why do people use fake security cameras?
The reason why someone will install fake security cameras varies for every person. We have enlisted a few reasons when people will think of having fake security cameras.
They are cheap
Fake security cameras are far cheaper than the real ones. People tend to buy these cameras to fill the empty spaces around their walls.
For instance, if someone has bought a security camera system with 10 CH and you find out that these are not enough. Then you must try having a few fake security cameras. It will cover the entire area, and the intruders will think that your place is on high alert.
Can fool the criminals
Some average criminals who are always in search of a place will stay at bay. They mostly do not know the difference between a fake and a real security camera so chances are that they can be fooled.
So, if you are running a shop, where you cannot afford to have the real security cameras, then you should go for the fake security cameras. It is a common reason why people prefer having fake security cameras.
Easy to install
As these are fake security cameras so one is not supposed to invest in the system for storage, or any other thing. You simply put these cameras at the desired place, and then turn the switch on. They will feel like real security cameras. Doesn’t it sound fun?
How to find out the fake security cameras?
Now coming back to the main question, that is how to spot the fake security cameras? Well, it is not very difficult. A few simple tricks will be enough to discern if someone is fooling you by having the fake security cameras.
Check the lights
The most obvious thing on a fake security camera that will help one decide if the cameras are fake or not is the light. The fake security cameras have blinking lights. If you have used outdoor security cameras, you will already know that real security cameras do not have red blinking lights.
They do have lights but those are red infra-red lights. These lights are to detect motion at night, and give the user a clear image even in dark. So there is no point in blinking of red lights on a real security camera.
The reason why they put the constantly blinking lights on the fake security camera is to grab people’s attention. Otherwise, someone will not look up and check if there is any fake security camera. If you ever see such blinking lights on a security camera, while you are buying some, skip that item because you are being fooled.
The cables and wires
A wired security camera is connected with cables to transfer both data and power. It automatically implies that these cameras will have thicker and wider cables. You can compare the internet cable with the security camera’s cable.
If you ever see that the cables with a wired security camera are very thin, then it is a clear indication that these are fake security cameras. As the fake security cameras are quite cheap, the manufacturers do not pay much heed in creating them.
They will always use thinner cables, as they are more affordable. In some cases, you might not be able to check the wires, but even from far away you can easily understand if they are as thick as the internet cable coming to your house.
Constant motion
There are several types of security cameras, and one such amazing outdoor security camera type is the Pan tilt zoom security cameras. These security cameras can move, but only when there is someone, and the camera has detected it.
The fake security cameras are made in a way to move automatically. They do not move, but they keep a swivel phase. It will be constant. Remember if you see that a security camera is moving without any type of obvious motion near it, then it is a fake security camera.
Such cameras are common in malls. A layman will never get it, but for an expert it will be a very obvious sign of a fake security camera.
No Wi-Fi signals
If you ever see the wireless security cameras, and feel that they are fake, then there is this amazing trick for you. As the wire-free or wireless security cameras will be operated with Wi-Fi connection, thus you can search for the connection to find out if they are fake or real.
All you need to do is turn on the Wi-Fi of your mobile phone. And now roam around the security cameras. If you are unable to catch any Wi-Fi signals, then it is a fake security camera system.
You can try this method, when you see thin cables attached to the camera. Most of the time, the real wireless security cameras also have thinner cables, and that will make you think if the cameras are real or fake.
You may like to read: Security cameras that work without Wi-Fi
The brand logo
If, in case you know the local or international famous brands manufacturing the best quality security cameras, then it will be very easy for you to spot a fake security camera.
A fake camera will not have the exact logo. You can tally the fake logo, and learn about the authenticity of a security camera. It is very simple. All you need to do is google the brand, and find different similar security cameras. There you will see images, having the logo of the brand.
If the logo is at the exact same spot as shown in the image, then it can be a real security camera. If not, then you have successfully found out the fake cameras.
Applications to find the fake security cameras
There are several applications at google play store designed to spot the fake security camera. As all the security cameras are now connected though the internet, thus, someone can easily find out the available data about the security cameras at a particular place.
It would be useless to discuss how those applications extract the data, as more important than that is the application’s availability. You should search about it on Google, and download the best application.
Thus, you can easily get to know if the cameras you are checking are there or not as some applications will also help you find the location of the security cameras. It should be done when there is some dire need to learn if the cameras around someone are real or fake.
The manufacturing
A branded security camera, manufactured by some reliable brand will never look cheap. But the fake security cameras can look cheap, and someone who already has security cameras at his place will easily spot the difference between a fake built security camera and a real one.
If you are checking the outdoor security cameras, then they should be built with an outer metal body painted in black or white. However, if it is plastic and that too of some low quality, then chances are that it is a fake security camera.
However, you cannot entirely rely on this method, as it is quite subjective, and there can be people who are using cheap security cameras but they are real.
Differences between a real and fake security camera
To make it easier for you, we have added this simple table, which will explain how the real security camera differs from a fake security camera. Sharing this information is necessary, as a layman might neve know if a vendor is selling the fake security cameras.
| REAL SECURITY CAMERAS | FAKE SECURITY CAMERAS |
|---|---|
| The LED or IR lights do not blink in a real security camera. | The IR or LED lights are the catch. They would blink constantly. |
| The outer cover of real security cameras are made up of high quality metal, silicone, or plastic | The outer cover of fake security cameras is always made up of cheap plastic, it will feel like a cheap toy. |
| The marking of the brand on a real security camera will always be at the same place. You can check for it at the site of the company. | The markings on a fake security camera will never be on a fixed place. It will be at a different place than the one shown by the company. |
| The cables of the real security cameras are thicker. | The cables of fake security cameras are very thin. |
| The real security cameras will only move whenever it will detect motion, and whenever it will move, the movements will always be very slow. | In fake security cameras the movements are very fast, and constant. It feels like the camera is swivelling unnecessarily. |
Conclusion
Spotting fake security cameras is necessary for your security. Your government or the local mall administration might be fooling you. Therefore, you should know how to differentiate between a fake and a real security camera.