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Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by actually_a_dog on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @02:20PM (#32254388)
In any case, the cost of a dog bowl and some free tennis balls is minimal compared to the potential benefit if even one break-in is prevented.

When I sold security systems, I learned that one of those lawn signs alone that says "Protected by XYZ Security" has a deterrent factor. Cameras (even if they're fake or deactivated/unmonitored) also have a pretty significant deterrent factor. See https://www.angi.com/articles/do-security-signs-and-decals-s...

Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by registeredcorn on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @02:40PM (#32254687)
I agree with the majority of your statement, but I would personally shy away from a specific "Monitored by company" sign, because I try to avoid advertising my security procedures. "Oh, they use Y instead of X? Guess I'll need to bring that other device, instead." I suppose a home owner could be really tricky, and just buy the sign for Y, but have a security system for X?

Oh! On a technical note, I was watching a TV show recently (Better Call Saul...?) where someone broke into a persons house undetected. When the home owner found the person and asked how they got in so easily, the person stated that they "Cut the phone line", and that was apparently all it took. Know if there's any truth to that?

Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by actually_a_dog on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @04:44PM (#32256674)
Yes, there is some truth to it. Many older systems communicate with the central station over an ordinary telephone line. More modern systems will use either a cellular communications link or VOIP.

But, the real truth here is that most criminals are pretty unsophisticated and won't even bother cutting phone lines or other cables. Most break-ins also happen through the front door, so, although it sounds great (and it is actually pretty great) to have contact sensors on every window and blanket the whole place with motion detectors, it's not really necessary. If anything, you only really need sensors on the first floor, because in spite of how the movies sometimes depict these sophisticated, cat burgler types, it's mostly just thugs who bash in or take a crowbar to your front door. That's also why advertising exactly what company your security system is from isn't a big deal: they don't care. They see "security system" and just move on to the next house.

Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by registeredcorn on Thursday July 28, 2022 @11:14AM (#32265438)
Interesting! I hadn't considered that. :)
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by classichasclass on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @03:33PM (#32255603)
Not in this house. The alarm system has a cell connection. By the time you find it, the alarm signal will have already been transmitted.
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by Thorrez on Friday July 29, 2022 @03:41AM (#32274126)
Would a cell jammer stop it?
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by 2OEH8eoCRo0 on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @02:27PM (#32254469)
"Protected by Glock"
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by kQq9oHeAz6wLLS on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @06:27PM (#32257836)
My favorite: "There's nothing in here worth dying for."
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by scarecrowbob on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @02:36PM (#32254607)
"Free firearms inside"?
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by cinntaile on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @03:17PM (#32255357)
Sounds like a bad idea either way, the trespasser might return the favor.
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by samatman on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @07:51PM (#32258635)
Is your claim that there is a class of people who invade homes while carrying a firearm, but will only use it if the other person also has one?
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by cinntaile on Thursday July 28, 2022 @07:14AM (#32262840)
Yes, assuming "use" means pull the trigger while aiming at a person. If you get threatened by a gun then you'll be more likely to shoot. Do you find that unlikely to be true?
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by samatman on Thursday July 28, 2022 @09:45AM (#32264195)
I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.
Re:Fake Dog for Home Security by cinntaile on Thursday July 28, 2022 @10:43AM (#32265016)
You're evading the question. When you ask me to explain my reasoning I would normally expect you to do the same. Or just say you don't care enough to properly reply, that's also fine by me. Now you spin it back to me by implying I am some sort of idiot instead, which is not very nice.