If you value the security of your home, it is probably a good idea to install an indoor home security camera for times like when you are away from home (or even when you are home).
I love indoor security cameras. Whenever your smart security cameras detect motion, you will receive an alert on your mobile device and with some models through a home assistant device like Google Mini or Amazon Echo. In addition, a home security camera is relatively inexpensive (especially compared to the pricey professional-grade security systems, easy to install, and very durable. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best outdoor and indoor cameras on the market.
What Should You Look For In An Indoor Security Camera?
I cannot stress this enough: A home security camera should be at the top of your list when it comes to home security. Not only do they provide you with an extra level of protection, but they can also help you keep an eye on things when you’re not home. But with so many different home security cameras on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Here are a handful of use things to look for when choosing an indoor home security camera:
Resolution:
The higher the resolution of the camera, the better the quality of the image. Look for a home security camera that offers at least 1080p resolution.
Field Of View:
The field of view is the number of degrees that the camera can see. The wider the field of view, the more the camera will be able to see. Look for a home security camera with a field of view of at least 120 degrees.
Night Vision:
If you want to be able to see what’s going on even when it’s dark outside, look for a home security camera that offers night vision. Many home security cameras will let you see up to 25 feet in complete darkness.
Two-Way Audio:
Many home security cameras come with two-way audio. The feature of two-way audio isn’t a deal-breaker for me when it comes to home security cameras, but I’ve had models that didn’t have two-way audio and this functionality is something you will find yourself using quite a bit.
Nest indoor cameras have up to 1080p HD video, audio, and UV night vision. Nest Aware lets you store 30 days of data in the cloud and detect people, so you are sure to receive notifications that matter.
Nest Aware lets you save and share memorable moments, such as your baby’s first steps. It will alert you when it detects activity in a particular area, like a doorway or bike rack.
Google Next Indoor Cam Specs
Indoor/Outdoor Usage: Indoor
Brand: Google
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Room Type: Bedroom, Living Room, Classroom, Study Room, Hallway
Item Weight: 7.2 ounces
Price: $99.99
Pros
Elegant and compact
Owned by Google so you know you’re getting a quality product + quality support
User-friendly
Having a 130° viewing angle
3 hours of free cloud storage
Paid plans recognize faces (it might feel creepy at first but it’s awesome!)
High-quality video + high-quality two-way audio
Cons
Videos are minimal without subscribing, which I understand. It’s all about that subscription model nowadays.
There are a lot of reasons to buy the Google Nest Indoor Cam! For one, it’s a great way to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. With its HD video and two-way audio, you can check in on your kids or pets and make sure they’re safe. Additionally, the Nest Indoor Cam can be used as a nanny cam or pet cam to make sure your loved ones are being well taken care of. And if you ever need to call for help, the Nest Indoor Cam can act as a security camera, providing valuable footage that can be used to identify intruders or help the police solve a crime. If you’re looking for a versatile and reliable home security camera, the Google Nest Indoor Cam is a perfect choice.
A powerful punch from this miniature marvel will protect your home. The Ring Indoor Cam allows you to monitor your home remotely. A motion detector notifies you whenever someone moves, so you can view, hear, and speak to them remotely. The small size allows it to fit in many places, and with its simple plug-in installation, you’ll have it working in no time. Use it indoors so you can easily see your house from anywhere.
The Blink Mini HD Cam is a plug-in indoor security camera with two-way audio, motion detection, and Alexa compatibility. Using Mini, you can enjoy infrared night vision and HD video from anywhere in your home. In my opinion, it is the most compact and discreet indoor security camera we looked at.
With this high-definition, wired security camera, you’ll be able to watch over your home and see and hear what’s happening. Blink Mini enables you to communicate with people and pets at home using your smartphone.
Connect your camera to Wi-Fi, plug it in, and then add the camera to your Blink app. You can engage in live view, watch recorded videos, and arm and disarm Blink Mini with your voice using a supported Alexa-enabled device. I absolutely love the seamless connection and utilization of controlling this device with my voice.
Blink Mini Compact Indoor Cam Specs
Field of view: 110° diagonal
Resolution: Daytime HD video in 1080p, nighttime HD video in infrared (very underrated feature IMO)
Frame rate: 30 frames/sec
Size: 2 in. x 1.9 in. x 1.4 in. (50 mm x 49 mm x 36 mm)
Weight: 1.7 ounces (48 grams)
Available colors: White, Black
Smartphone requirements: iOS 12, Android 6.0, Fire OS 7
App: Blink Home Monitor
Audio: Two-way speaker output
Price: $84.99 for 3 cameras OR $34.99 for 1
Pros
Cost-effective. Get high-quality home security for around $30? Great value. You can get 3 cameras as a bundle for nearly $80 which is enough coverage for most homes.
Sharp video quality
Solid construction
High-quality images
Easy to install. Blink and Ring completely get it. They make installation and setup so simple.
Cons
The MicroSD slot is unavailable. Not a deal-breaker, but it’s nice to have that slot.
I debated adding this one because do we really expect a semi-known brand to compete with the likes of Google, Amazon, and Ring? When I thought about it, I find myself asking, ‘Why not the YI 1080p Home Camera?’ It is an affordable security camera. It does have smart detection and cloud search. And the camera does all of those quite well too. YI was one of the first home security cameras I put in my home. In fact, I still use Yi on another one of my properties because I trust the device so much.
As the YI Home Cameras use 1080p HD video, the picture quality during the daytime was excellent when the connection was good. You can see more of the picture by turning your smartphone left or right. The night vision on the camera is also surprisingly quite good, so there’s no need to worry about that either. You can tell a dog from a cat, or a friend from an enemy by using this camera. You can talk with your kids using the security cameras with two-way audio when you’re not at home. When looking for an indoor security camera, the YI does check the boxes on the four criteria you should prioritize when shopping for one of these devices. The YI is not the best indoor home security camera, but it definitely is a solid choice. As mentioned earlier, it’s ol’ reliable for me, which is saying something.
YI Security Home Camera Specs
Indoor/Outdoor Usage: Indoor
Brand: YI
Connectivity: Wired
Product Uses: Indoor
Room Type: Living Room
Weight: 4.2 ounces
Price: $89.99 for 4 cameras
Pros
Installs easily. In-app step-by-step instructions are on point.
The YI app is one of the easiest apps to operate.
Cloud search for Pro
Smart Alerts
Low-priced
Cons
Compared to the other models reviewed, the playback video can feel clunky and glitchy.
There’s a slight delay in connection which you really only notice when you activate two-way audio.
From time to time (especially when there are firmware updates), you have to reconnect the device, which can be a pain in the butt. Reconnecting is relatively easy, but it does take time and is annoying.
What Are You Waiting For?
I’m still shocked by the number of people who haven’t taken advantage of this relatively inexpensive home security device that has so many benefits. In my opinion, every home should have a security camera. A home security camera is a great way to deter burglars and keep an eye on your home while you’re away. But are there more reasons why you should have one?
Here’s a handful I thought of: A home security camera can act as a deterrent to burglars. If a burglar knows that their every move is being watched, they’re less likely to target your home. There’s a reason why fake security cameras are a thing. It’s because they work effectively as a deterrent. A home security camera can also give you peace of mind while you’re away from home. Hard to put a price tag on peace of mind. Whether you’re on vacation or at work, it’s comforting to know that you can check in on your home at any time.
A home security camera can help you keep an eye on your kids or pets while you’re not home. Whether you want to make sure your kids are getting home from school safely or make sure your pets are behaving themselves, a home security camera has you covered. We use our indoor camera while on vacation to keep tabs on our pets. The two-way audio also lets us talk to them. A home security camera can be a valuable tool in the event of a break-in. If a burglar does manage to get into your home, footage from your security camera can be used to identify the culprit and bring them to justice. One of my favorite things to check out is footage of people breaking and entering with their mugs captured in pure 1080 resolution. A LOT of perps have been brought to justice because of these inexpensive (but not cheap) security devices. If you don’t have one yet, do yourself a favor and invest in one today.
Do you have a Ring Video Doorbell? If so, the chances that you are taking full advantage of all the amazing features it has to offer are probably slim. Most people get their camera, install it, create the basic settings, and are finished. Little do they know, making a few simple upgrades to your settings can really beef up your home security and home automation. I wanted to share some cool tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your Ring Video Doorbell. This home security device isn’t crazy expensive, but when you leverage it to its full capacity, you really feel like you are getting the complete value from it. Plus…why not squeeze every ounce of awesomeness from your Ring video camera? Whether you’re looking to create a custom motion detection zone or want to know how to lengthen video recordings on-demand, we’ve got you covered.
As with most security doorbells, Ring Doorbell detects motion and button presses. Despite its simplicity, it does contain some exciting features and tricks. Here are some tips you need to apply to your Ring video doorbell. A lot of these are super easy to do and in my opinion, are no-brainers.
Tip #1: Sharing Access
Your family can also benefit from knowing when someone rings the Doorbell. It’s up to you whether to give your kids access (I don’t), but having your significant other know how to use the Ring camera is very important. You can do this by opening the Ring Doorbell app. You can invite other users to the device by tapping the “Shared Users” option. Before the user can use the service, they must create a Ring Doorbell account (which takes like a minute).
You will receive an alert whenever someone pushes the Ring Doorbell. A motion detector outside your door generates a signal similar to this. The function works regardless of whether a person rings the Doorbell.
Motion detectors are sometimes too sensitive, sending alerts for even the slightest motion (and I’ll admit these can’t get annoying if not set up properly). When this occurs, you can adjust the sensitivity in the app. You can change the motion sensitivity of the Ring Doorbell as follows:
Select a specific doorbell from the Ring Doorbell app.
Click on Motion Settings > Zones and Ranges.
You can now adjust the sensitivity of each zone.
And it’s not just motion sensitivity either. There are multiple motion-based settings you should explore and customize to your liking: motion detection, motion alerts, and motion warnings.
Ring Doorbells can record video for as long as you need using the Ring app. When you are not available, you can record with the app. This way, you can preserve your device’s battery life. On top of that, sometimes you need to see more than 10 or 15 seconds of video to figure out what’s going on.
To adjust Ring Doorbell’s recording length:
Launch the Ring app.
You can adjust the settings of a specific device.
Select ‘Device Settings.’
Click on ‘Video Settings.’
Select ‘Video Recording Length.’
Tap ‘Max Recording Length’ to set your desired recording length.
There are three options to choose from 15, 20, and 25 seconds. Individual Ring Doorbells can also record at different lengths.
This is all about protecting your security with this smart home device. Most people have Ring to protect physical things on their property. But what about digital? Enabling two-step verification will give you that added level of security to protect your personal data. You have to enable 2FA within the Ring app.
How do you enable two-factor authentication in Ring? Go into your Account Settings and under the Account Security section select the “Two Step Verification” option. You can either use a text message or the Authenticator App to verify the codes.
You’ll have to recharge the Ring Doorbell every three months if you decide not to use the doorbell wiring.
It displays the remaining battery power and sends you an alert when it runs out. While recharging isn’t exactly easy (you can’t use it during charging), all you have to do is remove the device and plug in a micro USB cable on the back.
Tip #6: Use IFTTT For More Awesome Features
This little tip will up your smart home game quite a bit. And there are some fun things you can do. There are also some triggers you can create that will make your home more secure. You can connect your Ring Doorbell to IFTTT (available for both iOS and Android devices) to ensure it can do even more things, such as integrating all kinds of products and services.
What Is IFTTT?
IFTTT is a free online service that helps you automate tasks between different web services. IFTTT is short for “If This, Then That.” Essentially, IFTTT lets you create so-called “recipes” that trigger an action whenever a certain event happens. For example, you could create a recipe that sends you an email whenever it rains in your area. In the case of Ring cameras, you could create a recipe that has your smart home lights blink, when the doorbell is rung OR you could have a movie pause while you’re watching Amazon Prime. I’ve seen some cool recipes where porch lights will turn on when the Ring doorbell detects motion. IFTTT recipes are created using a simple drag-and-drop interface and there are hundreds of different channels (web services) that you can use to create your recipes. I also love that there are pre-built Ring recipes you can connect to your devices rather easily. IFTTT is a great way to automate simple tasks, and it’s completely free to use.
You can control many things with the Ring Doorbell. With IFTTT, the sky’s the limit and Ring Doorbell gains a lot of incredible functionality.
Don’t Have A Ring Camera Yet?
These days, it seems like everyone has a Ring camera. And for good reason too! Ring cameras are one of the best ways to keep an eye on your home and its exterior, whether you’re there or not. With Ring cameras, you can see who’s at your door, check in on your kids while they’re playing in the backyard, and even keep an eye on your pets while you’re away. But that’s not all Ring cameras can do. They can also help you stay connected to your neighborhood by sending alerts when someone is approaching your home, and they can even help you deter crime.
One of my favorite features of Ring cameras is the neighborhood alerts you get through the community. And this also bears mentioning that you don’t even need a Ring device to be part of that community. You can download the app and get all the community alerts without the device. But…the devices are pretty cool. It helps you stay apprised of crime in the area and how to protect your property more efficiently. If you’re looking for a way to keep your home safe and secure, a Ring camera is a great option. If you don’t have one yet (or some other home security camera), make it one of the next purchases you make.
These tips and tricks are just a handful of the real basic ones. The Ring app has a lot more to offer and so does IFTTT. Bookmark this page and come back because we plan on updating it regularly with all the cool tips and tricks we find for your Ring camera.
Are you looking for a way to keep an eye on your home while you’re away? Do you want a security camera that is easy to use and doesn’t require any installation? If so, a home security light bulb camera may be the perfect solution for you.
I’ve been seeing these smart bulb cameras pop up on ads and in social feeds and really wanted to know what they were all about. Did some digging and reviewed a handful of these clever home security gadgets to really see if they are truly something anyone could utilize or add to their smart home setup. A smart bulb camera is an innovative approach to maintaining your security. Security cameras are common nowadays to maintain security at homes and offices. However, one of the easiest and most affordable security cameras you can find is one of these light bulb cameras. These cameras allow you to effortlessly put in a security camera fixed in a light bulb socket.
If you are also thinking about purchasing one, then here is a light bulb camera review for you to make your choice easier. All of the smart bulb cameras we looked at require a Wi-Fi connection and you can use your smartphone to activate it. Depending on where you place these smart bulbs outside, you could also use them for outdoor security and put them in your office as well.
Features Of A Light Bulb Camera
Before moving forward to the light bulb camera reviews, let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a smart bulb camera:
Resolution
It is probably the most significant factor to consider when purchasing a smart bulb camera. Imagine you see someone sneaking into the backyard of your home. If your light bulb camera’s resolution is not high enough, you might not be able to recognize who was trying to sneak into your home. A higher resolution also means your camera is able to pick up detections more accurately. So it is wise to choose a light bulb camera with 1080P resolution. If the smart light bulb doesn’t have it, I wouldn’t get it. With camera technology (especially for home security use) evolving like it has, I’m still shocked at products that don’t have 1080P resolution.
Motion Detection
When buying a smart bulb camera, you should keep in mind its range and angular coverage. As bulb cameras are round, they provide 360-degree angular movement, which is the standard angular coverage. Besides, you should choose a bulb camera with a motion detector that can sense movement up to at least 30 to 35 feet.
Memory defines the storage capacity of your smart bulb camera. They come with their own memory and can support memory cards up to 128 GB. However, they do not come with their own memory cards, and you have to buy them separately. Is it annoying to have to buy additional memory? Yes. But this is unfortunately the standard we have to live with.
Night Vision
Keeping an eye on your place at night is somewhat hard. You hear a noise and peak out the windows…and if you’re like me can’t see anything. So a security camera with a night vision feature is crucial. Many smart bulb cameras in the market support the night vision feature. The ones we looked at below have some of the best night vision in this niche. If you can’t easily monitor your home or property at night with your device, you shouldn’t get it.
Easy To Use
Some smart bulb cameras come with remote control and you can control some with an app on your smartphone. Being able to easily control the device is paramount. Ideally (and this goes with most home security devices), if it doesn’t have an app OR it doesn’t work with Google Assistant or Alexa…it’s a hard pass.
Light Bulb Camera Reviews
For this light bulb camera review, we looked at three Wi-Fi smart bulb cameras we’ve been hearing a lot about.
This little gadget is perfect for keeping an eye on your home or office when you’re not around. Just screw it into a light socket and it’s good to go. You can even view footage from your phone or tablet! Out of the smart light bulb cameras we reviewed, this one was the easiest to install and get up and running. Some other features of note include:
Its top feature is the advanced night vision feature.
You can easily switch between infrared and white light night vision.
You can easily replace it without extra wiring.
It comes with 360-degree angular coverage and humanoid movement detection. So there is no risk of blind spots.
It contains its own cloud storage and supports up to 128 GB of memory cards.
You can playback videos any time and save your memories as well.
If you find any issue with your smart bulb camera, connect with their customer support. It is available 24/7.
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know what a PTZ bulb camera is. But trust me, once you learn about this intuitive device, you might find yourself wanting one. Aside from being a security camera that looks like a regular light bulb, it easily screws into a standard light socket and can rotate 360 degrees to give you a complete view of the room or area. Plus, this one comes with an app that allows you to watch live footage or recordings from anywhere as long as you have a stable connection to the Internet. Some other notable features of the Wyzlink PTZ camera bulb:
1080P resolution with advanced night vision. You can easily switch between normal and light night vision (this is a fantastic feature).
It is easy to install since it is wireless. Once you install the E27 light bulb, you can install the app on the smartphone and connect the smart bulb camera with Wi-Fi using the app.
Its two-way audio feature sets it apart from other smart bulb cameras. This is probably the biggest edge over the rest of the market. It has a built-in microphone and records audio as well.
It contains 360-degree angular coverage and robust motion detection. When it notices any moving object, you get notifications through your smartphone. Out of the smart camera light bulbs we looked at, the Wyzlink probably has the best motion detection.
I don’t think the XVIM is as good of a smart camera bulb as the previous products reviewed, BUT…there are several features of this bulb where I think XVIM can really grow and make a name for itself in this new emerging market. There are some features where the XVIM performs well which is why I wanted to include it with these other smart bulb camera reviews.
Like the others reviewed, it is wireless and simple to install.
It comes with a 1080P resolution and an advanced night vision feature.
It provides you with synchronized video and a 360-degree far-reaching aerial view.
You can easily install it in an E27 bulb without extra wiring.
It can only be connected to the 2.4G router and does not support 5G Wi-Fi.
You receive a notification when the camera notices any moving objects on your smartphone.
It has a built-in microphone to provide two-way audio, allowing you to communicate with your family via a smartphone app. It’s not as clear and crisp as the Wyzlink’s two-way audio feature, but it is something we expect XVIM to improve on in the next iteration of this product.
One that I’ve recently seen make waves in the light bulb security camera market is the Keillini light bulb camera. Despite what the company says when it comes to a low price (low compared to home security options), this unit still runs slightly more than traditional light bulb security cameras. However, this compact security device does come loaded with features, which pack on the value to help justify a slightly higher price tag. And we’re not talking hundreds of dollars here either. Depending on which light bulb camera price you’re comparing it to, the Keillini is about $5-$10 more per unit.
For the most part, the Keillini light bulb camera functions and operates just like any other light bulb camera. The app is super smooth with a seamless setup. A couple of things that separate Keillini from the rest of the market. One distinct feature that I think is super clever of this and puts Keillini in a different class is the blaring alarm. Literally, with a push of a button in the app, you can send a blaring alarm noise to scare animals or intruders. It’s a clever hack and a little addition worth mentioning. And…this is a light bulb security camera that actually lights! Most of these on the market don’t have lights. Major eye-roll, I know. It was one of the first things when I started looking at these that I was shocked that they didn’t have lights that actually worked. Other notable features include:
Smart Light Bulb Cameras: Simple + Easy Home Security
The smart bulb cameras mentioned above can be a fun gadget to add to your home security. It’s not a bad decision if you purchase one. The 360-degree coverage combined with 1080P resolution in each of these is excellent for security purposes. If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to improve your home security, you might consider investing in a light bulb camera. Here are a few reasons why light bulb cameras are a great option for home security. First, light bulb cameras are relatively inexpensive (some of these are under $50) making them a great option for budget-conscious homeowners. Additionally, light bulb cameras are easy to install and can be used with most standard light sockets. Another hidden benefit of light bulb cameras is that they offer a wide field of view (360 degrees!), allowing you to monitor a large area with just one camera. Plus, light bulb cameras (at least the ones we reviewed) are often equipped with night vision capabilities, so you can keep an eye on your property even in low-light conditions. And light bulb cameras (well…any camera for that matter) can deter criminals and help you gather evidence if your home is broken into or your personal property is damaged. The sight of a camera may be enough to discourage would-be burglars and the recorded footage can be helpful in identifying suspects and catching them before they strike again.
So how religious are you about making sure your apps or OS are updated? Do you apply updates for your phones or tablets (iOS or Android)? Do you ever think about how many devices are connected to your home network? Just stop and think about it for a minute. I regularly check my Google Home app wifi section to see all the devices connected to my network (it still gives me heartburn). Your smartphone, laptop, smart TV, streaming devices, outlets, lights, tablets, Google Minis, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, heck…even your refrigerator in some cases all need an internet connection. And that’s not even counting the number of people in your house who are using devices at the same time (our family record is 20 all at once!
It’s no wonder that your router sometimes struggles to keep up with your internet bandwidth demand. But…did you know you can improve your home network’s performance by simply updating the firmware on your router? It’s really easy to update as well and I’d dare say this is one of the most overlooked hacks you can do to improve your router’s (and essentially your network’s) performance.
Your Router And Firmware Basics
Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way. A router provides an internet connection to your various devices. Every router comes with preinstalled software to control and manage protocols, known as firmware. It administers all the features and router’s security mechanisms. Firmware is very important to the proper functioning of the router.
The firmware also needs to be updated from time to time. But why should you update it? Let’s discuss why you should update your firmware (and do it immediately)…
Why and How To Update Your Router Firmware?
Whether you’re a first-time router user or an experienced one (or just a novice user of the internet), it’s important to keep your firmware up to date. It’s not that difficult to do either. Often newbies hear the words “update” and “firmware” and immediately think: ‘I can’t do this!’ Just tuck those fears away. It really isn’t that difficult. Updating your firmware takes a skill level 2 (out of 10 to do). If you can read and follow instructions, you got this. And it’s the first thing on your list of to-do’s the second you finish reading this article.
Why Should You Update Your Router Firmware?
The biggest reason to update your firmware is for security. We talk exhaustively about security measures you can do here at DDID because your personal information and data are very important. Your router’s firmware serves as a firewall to protect your devices from hackers. According to the FBI, Russians hacked hundreds of thousands of routers in 2018 and those threats haven’t stopped. With the recent events of the Russian-Ukraine conflict, those cyberattacks and threats are increasingly growing.
The biggest way for a hacker to attack your router is through its vulnerability. A router is vulnerable to malware and hackers if it is not updated. That is why it is HIGHLY recommended to update your firmware. In addition to that, you might also notice improvements in the router’s specifications, along with its security protocols.
In many cases, people prefer to buy a new router, which is fine. If your router is more than three years old, that’s probably a good idea. While buying a new router can improve speed, range, and security, it is unnecessary in some cases. That’s because a router with updated firmware is capable enough to protect your connected devices.
Every router company and internet service provider promotes updating your firmware. But why don’t they update it automatically? If your router is directly connected to ISPs, it will update automatically. Service providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, have higher prices, but they also offer to update your router automatically through their rented equipment.
On the other hand, you will need to update the firmware manually if you have a local service provider or have your own router. Because of this, it is really important that you regularly check for firmware updates.
How To Update The Latest Firmware?
Like we said above, downloading and installing the latest firmware is quite easy. Here’s how you can do it:
Check the model number and name on your router.
Visit your router company’s website and go to their downloads section. There, you will find old firmware as well as new updates. It is recommended to check the date to make sure you are downloading the right one.
Once you find the right one, click on download and update by following the instructions.
Another viable and effective option is to Google your router’s name and model number + “firmware update”. Here’s an example of what I did for my Gryphon AX router. Generally, the download page (or update page) will be the first organic result (don’t click on the paid ad).
Many router models and companies allow you to use third-party firmware. It offers additional features and better WiFi signals. Depending on the router and the third-party firmware, I generally recommend not doing this. The reason? Using third-party firmware might also come with spyware or malware. Yes, you might get better wifi signals and speed. Yes, you might get better features. BUT…if a router I’m using doesn’t come with its own firmware software with robust security measures and easy-to-install updates, I’ll use another router. Since these are open-source firmware and are not updated regularly, hackers can easily attack them. Therefore, it is better to stick with a trusted and credible manufacturer’s firmware. There are some third-party software and applications that I love to use (third-party apps for my drone, for example), but when it comes to hardware that has access to so much personal information, I generally steer clear of it.
Some Parting Thoughts About Updating Your Firmware…
Check and update your firmware now! It’s an easy process and it could mean the difference between a smooth-running network and one that keeps crashing. Plus, if you ever have any problems with your router, updating the firmware can oftentimes be the solution. Remember to always keep your router’s firmware up-to-date. It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to improve its performance and security. Most models require annual firmware updates. Another thing to keep in mind: pay attention to any vulnerabilities in your router that can lead to malware or cyberattacks. Do a little Google research on your router. Even some minor bugs can cause huge inconveniences. Keeping your router firmware up-to-date prevents such issues and keeps the network secure.
Using Google Assistant is a powerful tool for a lot of things. It’s incredible information not just at your fingertips, but also on your lips. If you want to leverage Google Assistant in order to accomplish a task or prompt, you have to use Google Assistant Commands, which are short sentences you say or type into your Google Assistant to achieve your goals. It’s possible to utilize these commands with a simple wake word like “OK Google” or “Hey Google”. One of the most underutilized aspects of Google Assistant commands is to improve your health.
There are so many clever ways to use Google assistant commands to improve your health. Maintaining excellent health and adhering to the most delicate health habits is definitely made easier with the support of Google. You can use Google Assistant health-related commands to learn about your wellness, health, medicine, track your nutrition, track weight, count calories, locate gyms, locate health clinics, find fitness studios, find doctors, and a host of other incredible health-related functions. I absolutely love using Google for health. It almost becomes obsessive at first but making it part of your daily regimen can really make you aware of how important your health is.
Get Nutrition Information
Google Assistant is a handy tool that can help you get nutrition information on the go. Just say “Hey Google, how many calories are in a banana?” and you’ll get an answer right away. You can also ask about specific nutrients like protein or vitamin C, or find out how a food fits into your daily diet.
Single-ingredient foods like apples or eggs can be found in Google Assistant’s nutrition information. Query your Google Home:
“What is the caloric content of….?”
“How much sugar is there in this?”
“How much protein is there in……?”
Count Your Calories
When it comes to managing your weight, every little bit counts – and that includes counting your calories. But who has the time to sit down and calculate everything you eat in a day? That’s where Google Assistant comes in. Just say “Hey Google, count my calories” and it will do the work for you. It’s as simple as that!
Keep detailed tracking of your calories with Google Home and Calorie Tracker. Ask Google to speak to Calorie Tracker on your behalf: “OK, Google, speak to Calorie Tracker.”
If you use Lifesum or Fitbit Plus to track your diet and hydration, Google Home will also keep track of that information. Caloric intake, water intake, and macro-and micronutrients can all be stored in the device.
Again, choosing the appropriate applications is the key to utilizing Google Home to aid in your daily mindfulness practice. When you instruct Google Assistant to start a new meditation session, it will do so. There is a “Talk to Calm” option.
Personally, one of my favorite mindfulness hacks is connecting Google Home to Headspace. It’s easy to do and you can have meditation, mindfulness, and sleep exercises ready to go on notice. Headspace has a broader range of commands, such as the following:
“Tell Headspace I’m ready to meditate,”
“Ask Headspace for today’s meditation.”
When I’m ready to go to sleep, I’ll tell Headspace.
You can ask Headspace to help you sleep if you need it.
Getting a Google Mini and connecting it to your headspace account is a much more effective way than using headphones each night for rest and relaxation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep with headphones on only to wake up with sore ears.
Relax
Using Google Home, you may connect it to the Relax Guru app to help relieve tension and anxiety on a daily basis. There are guided meditations, breathing exercises, and even soothing sounds which I just love. All you have to do is say:
“Talk to the Relax Guru.”
“Ask the Relax Guru to help me relax.”
Taking care of one’s own well-being is vital for not only your mental and emotional health but it trickles into your physical health as well. There aren’t many apps that link with Google Home when it comes to personal care, so this is an area where the smart speaker might use some work. On the flip side, I could see the health app market exploding the more wearables and smart home automation becomes a commonplace reality for most people.
You can ask Google Home for information on nearby doctors, get your medicines filled or transferred, or get health-related advice on your symptoms and problems from the virtual assistant. Be warned that this simple health command is not meant to diagnose medical conditions. If you have MetLife as a health insurance provider, you can ask Google to contact MetLife and look up things on your own such as:
“How much does a root canal cost?”
“Where can I find a dentist?”
“Where can I get an eye doctor?”
For those who aren’t covered by MetLife, you can use Google’s Health Services Finder tool to identify nearby providers of all kinds, including doctors, nurses, and specialists. To discover an optometrist or hospital near you, say “Hey, Google, find an optometrist” or “Hey, Google, find a hospital.”
Take A Look At Symptoms and Medical Disorders
Again, using Google to find symptoms or get medical info is not a substitute for expert medical advice, but you can use Google Home to learn more about your symptoms. Just type or say whatever question you have, such as:
“How do you manage a sore throat?”
“What are the signs of diabetes?”
“What do you do for a fever?”
Talking to WebMD is also an option. You can connect WebMD to your Google Home for online healthcare information. You can get answers to queries like:
If you’re short of workout ideas, want to check your heart rate on the fly, or want to keep track of your workouts, Google Assistant can help.
Getting fit and staying healthy requires dedication and effort, but it can be tough to stay motivated and consistent. Fortunately, there are a number of tech products that can work together to help you reach your fitness goals. For example, Fitbit offers a line of wearable fitness trackers that track your steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Google Home, on the other hand, is a voice-activated assistant that can provide reminders and motivational words of encouragement. Can you link the two together? Heck yes!
By linking these two products together, you can create a system that helps you to stay on track with your fitness goals. For instance, you could set up Fitbit to automatically sync with Google Home so that it provides updates on your progress throughout the day. You could also program Google Home to give you a daily rundown of your step count and calorie burn rate. In addition, you could use Google Home to set reminders for when it’s time to go for a run or hit the gym. By utilizing the power of technology, you can make getting in shape easier than ever before.
Learn About Your Health and Exercise Habits
It’s just Fitbit either. Lifesum, Runkeeper, Strava, MyFitnessPal, and many other applications can be synced with Google Fit. And if you utilize these applications and devices, you can use Google Fit to monitor your progress throughout the day by asking it questions like:
“What’s my heart rate?”
“How many steps have you taken today?”
“What’s the calorie burn rate?”
One of the biggest hacks to the health and wellness game is being aware of your health. Leveraging the tech Google provides is just one easy way to keep you up to date on your health and wellness. Whatever your needs are, these Google Assistant Commands are your best bet for finding the answers you’re looking for in terms of health, wellness, fitness, or relaxation.
Is Google The Tool You Need To Improve Your Health?
Google Assistant is a powerful health and wellness tool that can help you track your fitness, activity, and nutrition. It can also provide you with personalized recommendations based on your health goals. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, Google Assistant can suggest healthy recipes and workout routines. If you’re trying to quit smoking, Google Assistant can provide support and resources to help you kick the habit. Google Assistant can also help you manage stress and anxiety by providing relaxation techniques and reminder alerts. And as we’ve listed earlier, there are a number of health categories you can leverage Google to help improve your health. Overall, using Google Assistant to track your health can improve your overall health and wellness. But here’s the key: you have to be the person to make that first step, that first action in improving your health.
Guest wifi networks can be a lifesaver when you have guests over and don’t want them to use up all your bandwidth, don’t want them to know the password to your main network, or when you need a separate network for your printer or other devices. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up a guest wifi network on your wifi router. We’ll also give you some tips on securing your guest network so that your guests can’t access your main network’s files and devices.
Setting Up a Guest Network On Your Wifi
In this digitally connected world, everyone wants to stay updated, be it at the home, office, or a friend’s house. It’s hard to say no to someone visiting your home when sharing a WiFi password. Sharing a network leads to slowdowns, network disruptions, and security issues. However, setting up a guest network on your WiFi helps overcome these issues. Depending on the router, you can also do some cool things like (slow the bandwidth of your guest network). One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone gets immediate access to my network only to upload photos to cloud storage or update all their apps on their smartphone.
A guest network benefits the network owner in so many ways. Guest networks enhance internet coverage, decrease the slowdown ratio, and eliminate potential security issues.
What Is A Guest Wifi Network?
A guest network is separate from a person’s primary internet connection. It restricts and prohibits the connected devices from accessing the main network. All devices connected to the guest network cannot access the main network.
The guest network has its SSID that differs from the SSID of the main network. Sometimes the devices connected to a guest network are infected (despite the device’s owner knowing or not). If set up properly, these infected devices most likely can’t infect your personal devices on your main network. Guest networks leverage network owners to keep their devices secure from any malware or malfunction activity.
Setting up a guest network on Wifi is easy. It simply depends upon the router settings. Most routers allow an additional network by routinely logging in as administrators. Some routers require manual settings to access the guest network. However, most of the routers follow the same settings. What is listed below are general instructions on how to set up a guest network. Depending on the router you have, these steps might slightly differ.
Step 1: Access Router’s Admin Dashboard
This is actually easier than one might think. Open any browser of your choice. Type IP address in the address bar. Now press Enter to proceed further. From there you’ll want to enter the admin login information. If you’ve accessed this before, use those credentials. If not, they’re most likely listed on your router.
Step 2: Go To Wifi Settings
When you enter the IP address and press Enter to proceed further, you will see the router’s admin panel. Click on the option of Advanced (or something similar) to access additional settings.
Step 3: Access Guest Network Settings
Click on wireless settings and select the Multiple SSID option (or something similar) from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Setup Guest Wifi
Setup guest Wifi by following these general steps:
Guest network options are usually switched off by default. Enable the guest network from the status field and Turn it on (or enable).
Now name your guest network. Type any name you like in the SSID field and press Enter. This will be what the public sees when trying to connect to your wifi.
The Access Control will open a drop-down menu. Choose the option of WAN. This option restricts the guest users from accessing any file from the network. This is really important. And if someone wants their network storage accessible to everyone, they should choose the option of LAN-WAN.
Step 5: Secure Guest Network
Security of the guest network is vital to restrict any malfunction. One of the biggest mistakes I see when folks set up a guest wifi is they keep it open for anyone to access without security measures (password). To secure your guest wifi network, follow these steps:
Choose the option of WPA/ WPA2-PSK from the drop-down menu of Authentication Type.
Create a strong password and remember it for future use.
Click on the option of Save to save all the settings.
A little tip: Remember this area in your admin dashboard because it is a home network security best practice to change your guest wifi regularly (at least once a month).
Network security is one of the key reasons to create a guest network. The ones who have access to the password on your main home network may also have access to all potential devices connected to the internet. Smart speakers, WiFi cameras, streaming devices, and printers are all connected to the same network. A guest wifi network prohibits access to all devices connected to the router. There are major security benefits of implementing guest wifi.
And it’s not to say that people you want to share your wifi password with at home do not pose any security harm or threat to others, because 99% of the time they don’t (at least maliciously). But…sometimes, their devices are infected with some malfunctioning activity that passes the security threat to other users. I’m sorry, but you can’t control what others do on their own devices on other networks. And when they connect to your main wifi network, it could present a potential security danger. In such a case, a guest network builds a security wall, restricts access to the main network, and ensures minimal security risk.
Data safety is the priority of everyone. Once you have successfully created a guest network, the next step is to secure your network from external threats. Make sure all of your IoT devices are secured by following these steps:
Monitor Internet Usage
Some routers provide statistical information about bandwidth usage. This allows network owners to check who is currently using the Internet and for how long. I can also block certain websites and types of content they access. This again depends on the type of router you have.
Limit The Use Of Bandwidth
Set limit on bandwidth use with wifi guest access management. This enables the owner to keep a check on excessive bandwidth usage activities. As mentioned above, my biggest pet peeve is when a guest gets access to our network (guest wifi or not) and immediately starts the downloading party.
Opt For The Most Advanced Encryption
While installing wifi, you will see security options named WPA, WPA2, and WPA3. WP3 is considered the most advanced security option to encrypt wifi signals, but it is only available in newly released routers. WPA2 is readily available and considered the best option. As for your guest wifi, to make it secure you want to have the best option. Start with WP3. If that isn’t available then try WPA2 and so forth.
Keep Your Guests Connected With A Guest Wifi Network
A guest network enables network owners to share the bandwidth with others without sacrificing the integrity of their network security. This maintains a secure connection and ensures that the devices are not prone to threats. Setting up a guest network provides convenient and smooth internet access and reduces interference with sensitive data. Guest wifi networks are a great way to keep your guests connected and also help you secure your own network. All you need is a spare router and about 10 minutes of your time!
