3 Messages
Security and privacy issues with SimpliSafe
There are several security issues with the SimpliSafe system that I have voiced to customer service, in which they said they would pass on to the development team.
The following issue was brought up 8-12 months ago and it still exists.
If you have the "Interactive package', you are able to have the SimpliSafe app on your phone. This "feature" sends a text each time your system is armed and disarmed. This is good.
Another "Feature" of this plan is that your SimpliSafe app acts as a FOB. The FOB is one of the most powerful items to your system. You do NOT need a password, pin or code to turn on and off your alarm system. This poses a security issue. If you are near your home door to enter and someone sneaks up on you, demands your phone, they can turn off your alarm. This is a low possibility but it still exists. It's the same as keeping a FOB on your key chain.
I suggested a few times (different calls) for the app to have a PIN. Type in the pin before accessing the app.
Another security issue, is more to privacy. With the Interactive SimpliSafe package, if you have a camera inside your home, every time you turn the alarm on or off, your camera records for 30 seconds. If you have a camera in your living room and turn the alarm on, everyone in the living room is being recorded for 30 seconds. You cannot delete these videos and SimpliSafe customer service cannot delete these videos. they remain on the system for 30 days. I called customer service and mentioned, that to me it's useless to record after I set my alarm to on or turn it off for the camera to record. The answer was to remove the camera from the settings or just unplug the camera (same thing).
Another security issue is, unless you use a panic button to set off your alarm, when your alarm goes off, SimpliSafe doesn't contact the Monitoring Service for 30 seconds. I know this because a SimpliSafe rep told me this.
That is 30 seconds of being in an unsafe home and/or having your home burglarized before the monitoring service gets the call. Add to that, the time it will take the monitoring service to contact you to ask if you are home or not before they contact law enforcement.
I feel safer having any alarm service but I do not feel that safe or confident in SimpliSafe to ever recommend it to others.
The following issue was brought up 8-12 months ago and it still exists.
If you have the "Interactive package', you are able to have the SimpliSafe app on your phone. This "feature" sends a text each time your system is armed and disarmed. This is good.
Another "Feature" of this plan is that your SimpliSafe app acts as a FOB. The FOB is one of the most powerful items to your system. You do NOT need a password, pin or code to turn on and off your alarm system. This poses a security issue. If you are near your home door to enter and someone sneaks up on you, demands your phone, they can turn off your alarm. This is a low possibility but it still exists. It's the same as keeping a FOB on your key chain.
I suggested a few times (different calls) for the app to have a PIN. Type in the pin before accessing the app.
Another security issue, is more to privacy. With the Interactive SimpliSafe package, if you have a camera inside your home, every time you turn the alarm on or off, your camera records for 30 seconds. If you have a camera in your living room and turn the alarm on, everyone in the living room is being recorded for 30 seconds. You cannot delete these videos and SimpliSafe customer service cannot delete these videos. they remain on the system for 30 days. I called customer service and mentioned, that to me it's useless to record after I set my alarm to on or turn it off for the camera to record. The answer was to remove the camera from the settings or just unplug the camera (same thing).
Another security issue is, unless you use a panic button to set off your alarm, when your alarm goes off, SimpliSafe doesn't contact the Monitoring Service for 30 seconds. I know this because a SimpliSafe rep told me this.
That is 30 seconds of being in an unsafe home and/or having your home burglarized before the monitoring service gets the call. Add to that, the time it will take the monitoring service to contact you to ask if you are home or not before they contact law enforcement.
I feel safer having any alarm service but I do not feel that safe or confident in SimpliSafe to ever recommend it to others.
undeleted
1.2K Messages
3 years ago
They can do the same thing with your keys and a pin code.
"if you have a camera inside your home, every time you turn the alarm on or off, your camera records for 30 seconds."
Somewhat agreed, but I don't lose sleep over it. Plus, since we are discussing extreme circumstances, what if someone stole your phone, went to your house, turned off the alarm, and walked in. Might be nice to have that recording no?
"when your alarm goes off, SimpliSafe doesn't contact the Monitoring Service for 30 seconds."
You have to blame the people that constantly set off false alarms for this. This is pretty standard and works the same way on our alarm at work (non SS).
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route_66_guy
174 Messages
3 years ago
Every time I test my system, COPS is on the phone to me in less than 30 seconds. Frankly I am amazed at how fast they have responded.
I just recently installed 2 SS cameras and am a bit disappointed. The sound never works and the quality of the video in darkness is horrible compared to my Ring cameras.
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johnbarner
1 Message
3 years ago
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undeleted
1.2K Messages
3 years ago
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lance843
Advocate
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793 Messages
3 years ago
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blakeitso
2 Messages
3 years ago
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sevensiamesecats
Advocate
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2.2K Messages
3 years ago
You may not agree with the design, which is fine. Many others don't either.
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