Keep reading to get the long answer about how burglars disable your alarm and how to prevent that from happening. Still, some providers have landline options, notably ADT and Protect America. The signal is more reliable with these hardwired systems, so they’re especially good for rural areas. If you have a phone-line-based security system, a savvy burglar might cut the power, or telephone line, or both. They may cut the line, then enter the home and disable the alarm for good. They could even wait nearby for the alarm to use up all its backup battery before they loot the house.¹ First off, data breaches are a threat to your wireless alarm systems. And we don’t mean that you just need to be careful if someone hacks your security provider’s databases. If you continuously repeat password-email combos, a data breach of another site could expose your alarm. You’re also vulnerable to signal jamming. It isn’t easy to jam the signal and disrupt the alarm transmission, but it happens.² Finally, when the alarm goes off, make sure someone responds right away. Usually, that’s the police, but if your system is self-monitored, you need a person with eyes on their notifications at all times. If someone shows up at home immediately after a breach, that’ll limit the burglar’s damage. And good news is, home security providers like Frontpoint and Vivint provide some decently-priced monitoring plans. You can also try putting up another security system’s sticker/sign (or even a generic sticker/sign) if you prefer. We also suggest getting some cameras and investing in professional monitoring. Even if your system is jammed, your cameras will still record footage that can help you catch the intruder. With professional monitoring, you can always have a second pair of eyes on your property. There are some downsides to professional monitoring, though. You’ll pay a monthly fee to your monitoring service. You might also pay your city for an alarm permit, depending on where you live. And if your system ever goes off for no reason, the city may fine you for a false alarm. If you have a monitored smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector, it should still work locally when the phone line’s down (meaning that you should hear it in your home). But depending on how it’s set up, it may not be able to communicate with the fire department or other emergency responders. You might have to make those calls yourself. Check out our reviews for smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to learn more.
