Most home security systems are designed to keep out criminals and strangers. However, sometimes you may need to quietly leave the house without triggering the system to turn on. There are many different types of home security systems so your situation may vary. However, you can bypass magnetic and button-based alarm systems or even surveillance cameras in some special ways so you can sneak out unnoticed.
1. Fooling Magnetic Sensors
1. Find out your ideal escape route.
Magnetic sensors in your home are usually installed in windows and doors. You need to choose a door or window that is easily accessible and an escape point. If you want to get out of the window, make sure the next escape route is safe.
1. Windows on the upper floors of houses are usually quite difficult to pass safely without the help of additional tools, such as stairs. Therefore, windows on the upper floors are best avoided.
2. If you plan to exit through a window, the best option is to exit through the ground floor and a window no higher than chest height.
2. Check the alarm mechanism to make sure it is magnetic.
Usually, the magnetic sensor looks like a metal box. Sometimes, these tools have exposed magnets, usually dark in color. The sensor has two parts. One sensor is attached to the box, while the other sensor is attached to the moving part of a window or door.
1. When the magnetic force on the stationary magnet and the moving magnet is cut off, an alarm will sound.
2. Magnetic sensors are almost always mounted on a door or window frame, whether on the top, bottom, or side.
3. Some magnetic sensors cannot be tricked because they are located inside the keyholes and doors.
3. Use a magnet to outsmart the sensor.
You have to be careful when doing this because some sensors may be of such good quality that this technique fails. Sometimes, however, you may be able to attach a fridge magnet to the sensor to trick it so that the alarm on the door or window stays off even when it’s open.
1. For more advanced magnetic sensors, you may need additional equipment, such as a screwdriver, to separate the moving parts of the sensor on the door or window. Place the sensor in a stationary sensor location so that the window is considered still closed.
2. Before removing any part of the sensor, you may need to take a photo of it with your phone. This way, you’ll have a photo as a reference to put it back together later.
3. You may be able to check if the fridge magnet is working by attaching it to the sensor and performing a security check, if possible. If the sensor reads that the open window is still closed after the magnet is applied, the technique is successful.
4. Restore the condition of the doors and windows as before.
Once you’re back, you’ll need to screw the alarm back into place to prevent thieves from taking advantage of your temporary escape. To do this, simply close the doors and windows tightly, then remove the magnet used to trick the sensor.
1. If you remove any moving parts of the sensor because the system is more sophisticated, you will need to put it back in its original place. If you don’t remember how to install the mechanism, take a look at the photo that was taken.
2. Bypass Button Based Alarm
1. Determine the path to the outside of the house.
Button alarms, like magnets, are also commonly installed on doors and windows. [4] Choose an exit that is easily accessible, such as a door that is not in a congested area and is easy to open. To escape from a window, you should prioritize windows no higher than chest height to reduce the risk of injury from a fall.
1. Falling from the second floor or higher place can cause serious injury or even death. For this reason, you should stay away from windows on the upper floors.
2. Recognize the alarm in the house.
Button alarms usually have a thin plastic cover with buttons. When the door or window is opened, the button is released and the alarm is activated.
1. Sometimes, the button is located in the center of the cover and is positioned so that it is depressed when the window or door is fully closed.
2. Some button sensors have covers that protrude so that the sides form an indentation in the door or window. This alarm button is usually located in the middle of the indentation.
3. Block the alarm button.
By tucking an object over the button to hold it down, you can trick the alarm because the sensor assumes the door or window is still closed. Depending on the situation, the way to perform this trick varies greatly. Sometimes, you can:
1. Open the door or window slightly. Once the button is accessible, but not yet activated, use an ice cream stick to hold the button and prevent the alarm from sounding.
2. Use stiff textured cards for sensitive alarms. If opening the door or window slightly can trigger the alarm to go off, use a thin, stiff material, such as a hard card, then tuck it into the space between the button and the door or window to hold it in place.
4. Tighten the button barrier.
To prevent the alarm from triggering after you leave, you need to fasten the alarm barrier in place to prevent the alarm from sounding. Usually, you can use a strong adhesive, such as black duct tape, to secure the alarm holder and keep the buttons pressed.
1. Most doors and windows are painted. Be careful when applying duct tape to the surface. Sometimes, adhesives can damage the paint when removed.
2. For a more permanent result, you can glue the button barrier in place. However, this method will make the point vulnerable to being exploited by thieves.
5. Release the button barrier when the alarm is off.
The button barrier installed may appear too obvious in the window that it will need to be removed once you have successfully passed the alarm. Since removing the barrier while the alarm is still active risks triggering the alarm to go off, wait until the alarm is completely off before removing the barrier.
3. Avoiding Surveillance Cameras
1. Observe the conditions around you.
Some cameras are fixed in place, but some can move around and produce wider shots. You’ll have to study the type of camera used to determine the visibility if you want to sneak in without being seen.
1. Multiple cameras usually point to one important point, such as a corner of a room, a door, or a main entrance. This camera may only focus on that point. There are also cameras that focus on a wider or more distant view, such as a hallway or even the side of a building.
2. Often, there are other objects around the area being watched, such as boxes, chairs, tables, and other objects. You may be able to hide behind these items so the camera doesn’t see them.
2. Determine the path to be followed.
If you know there’s a downward-facing camera, you may be able to get past it by walking sideways. If the camera is shooting from a distance, you may be able to sneak up close to a wall to escape. Plan an escape route before starting the action so you know the best way to get out.
1. You can draw potential routes to avoid the camera on a piece of paper to evaluate each option. Make a simple plan of the room you’re traveling through, mark areas that might be visible from the camera, and draw the safest possible escape route.
2. Some cameras are equipped with a wide-angle lens for a wider view. To deal with this tool, you should assume that the camera’s field of view is slightly wider than expected.
3. Stay alert when sneaking.
You may find it odd to walk with your torso to the wall to avoid the camera’s view, but if you can see the slightest bit of clothing or body part, you could be caught. For this reason, you should always avoid as far as possible from points that might fall into the surveillance camera’s line of sight.
1. Before snooping around, you may want to visualize the scene captured by the camera’s perspective to make sure you don’t miss anything.
2. When sneaking behind an object, such as a chair and table, try to stay as close to the object as possible. This will reduce the visibility of the camera mounted on top.
3. When sneaking behind objects, such as tables and chairs, make sure you keep a safe distance from being caught and keep your body tight to prevent any body parts or clothing from being caught on camera.
4. Come back with care.
When you get home, especially after you’ve had fun with friends, it’s easy to forget the camera is there and just walk past it. You should avoid the camera in the same way as when you leave so that there are no traces of you leaving the house.