Ethan Brooks

Learning how to update router firmware is one of the most important things you can do for your home or business network security. Router manufacturers release firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. Despite this, most people never touch their router after the initial setup, leaving their networks … Read more

If your router still uses WEP or WPA (not WPA2 or WPA3), it is outdated and unsafe. You can confirm this in about two minutes by opening your device’s Wi-Fi settings, signing into your router’s admin page, or checking the security label printed on the back of the router. This guide walks you through each … Read more

Security cameras are legal on your own property, but where your security cameras can and can’t legally point depends on one key rule: you cannot record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Front yards, driveways, and public sidewalks are fair game. Bedrooms, bathrooms, and a neighbor’s fenced backyard are not. I broke … Read more

If your video doorbell wakes you up every hour with notifications about strangers walking past, you are not alone. Many homeowners install a doorbell camera only to realize their front door sits just a few feet from the public sidewalk. The constant motion triggers, the recordings, and the battery drain become a daily headache. I … Read more

Imagine a stranger watching live footage of your front door, your kids coming home from school, your daily routine. That is exactly what happens when a video doorbell account gets taken over by an attacker. Our team has spent years analyzing smart home security vulnerabilities, and the threats to doorbell cameras are more common than … Read more

If you’re weighing a smart lock vs traditional deadbolt for your front door, the choice isn’t really about which one is “more secure” in absolute terms. It’s about which trade-offs fit your life. Our team spent three months testing both styles side by side, reading hundreds of Reddit threads in r/homesecurity and r/Locksmith, and talking … Read more

Yes, smart locks can be safe for renters when you pick a model that fits over your existing deadbolt, comes from a reputable brand, and respects your privacy. No technology is bulletproof, and smart locks bring their own risks like hacking, landlord tracking, and bricked devices, but for most renters the convenience and control outweigh … Read more

If you’ve ever asked yourself “what happens to a smart lock when the batteries die or Wi-Fi drops,” you’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns for anyone considering (or already owning) a smart lock, and the good news is simple: nothing dramatic happens. Modern smart locks are designed with multiple fail-safe … Read more

Learning how to set up temporary guest codes on a smart lock safely is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home security routine. I have spent the last three years testing smart locks across multiple homes, Airbnb rentals, and family properties. In that time, I have programmed hundreds of guest PINs, … Read more

Smart lock security is not a yes-or-no question. I learned this the hard way two years ago when a lock on my own back door went from “convenient” to “concerning” in a single afternoon, and the warning signs had been quietly building for months before I noticed them. Since then, our team has personally tested … Read more