5 Ways Smart Homeowners Prevent Break-ins Before They Happen

Reviewer
Reviewed by John Brown
Last updated: May 2026

Most burglaries last less than 10 minutes. An average home burglary takes place during the day, through the front door, while the resident is at work or shopping. In the Netherlands, a home burglary occurs every 8 minutes. And most could have been prevented.

The uncomfortable truth is that most homes make it easy for burglars. No visible cameras. No motion alerts. A front door that can be forced open in seconds. Burglars don't want a challenge. They want an easy target, and they decide within 30 seconds whether a home qualifies.

But the way people secure their homes has changed. Not with expensive alarm systems or monthly monitoring contracts. Not with fake camera stickers or a neighbor who 'keeps an eye out.' Just a few smart, affordable adjustments that make your home look like the wrong target.

This is exactly what works, and why.

What Most People Do Wrong

Most homeowners think about security reactively: after a neighbor has been burgled, after something has gone missing from the front porch, or after they see a suspicious car parked three times in one week. By then, the feeling of vulnerability is already there.

The other common mistake is relying on sham security. Things that look like deterrents but don't actually work. Experienced burglars have seen them all.

❌ A spare key hidden under the doormat or in a fake rock

❌ Relying on neighbors to keep an eye out when you're away

❌ Fake camera housings with no recording inside

❌ An alarm company sticker without a real alarm

❌ Only thinking about security after something has already gone wrong

None of these make your home more difficult to approach. They just make you feel like you've done something. Below are the five things that really make a difference.

Video Doorbell V2

Now only £80 £106

A 2K wide-angle video doorbell. Battery-powered or wired. No subscription. Free next-day delivery.

✔ Battery or wired operation
✔ 2K HD with 155-degree wide-angle lens
✔ No subscription fees ever
✔ Built-in two-way audio
✔ Instant motion alerts to your phone

The 5 Things That Really Work

1. Install a Camera by Your Front Door

The front door is the point of entry for more than half of all home burglaries. It is the most visible part of your house and, for most people, the least secured. A video doorbell changes that instantly.

As soon as someone approaches your door, you receive a notification on your phone. You can see exactly who it is via a live 2K feed with a 155-degree wide-angle view, and you can speak to them through the built-in speaker. A delivery person, a stranger, someone you weren't expecting: you are in control, whether you are in the next room or on the other side of the country.

The Finex Video Doorbell V2 installs in minutes, works on both battery and wired power, and connects to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks for a stable connection. Footage is stored on your own SD card. No subscription needed to see what happened at your front door.

2. Cover Your Blind Spots

The front door gets all the attention. But side gates, garden sheds, back doors, and garage entrances are just as common entry points, and most homes leave them completely unguarded.

A wireless outdoor camera correctly positioned plugs those gaps. The Finex Solar Camera is built exactly for this: no cabling needed, no electrician, no drilling near a power source. It mounts to any wall with the included bracket, is solar-powered supplemented by a built-in battery, and sends instant motion alerts to your phone as soon as something moves.

The key is in the positioning. Most people place a camera facing straight ahead. What really works is to place it diagonally to cover the approach path, so you get the alert before someone reaches the door, not after they've already tried the handle.

3. Make Your House Look Actively Monitored

Visible security is a deterrent in itself. A burglar makes a risk assessment before acting. They weigh the chance of being caught against the potential reward. Anything that increases that risk tips the calculation in your favor.

A camera they can see, a motion-activated floodlight, and an audible alarm all contribute to that calculation. The Finex Solar Camera has a built-in LED floodlight that automatically activates upon motion detection. In the dark, a sudden bright light is often enough on its own. The Finex Video Doorbell V2 also has a visible indicator light and a two-way speaker, allowing you to respond in real-time, even when you're nowhere near.

The goal is not to catch someone red-handed. It's to make them decide your home is the wrong one, before they even try.

4. Lock Down Your Access Points

A camera tells you what happened. A smart lock changes what can happen. Most standard door locks can be forced, bumped, or picked with simple tools in less than a minute. A smart lock changes the mechanics of the door itself and adds a layer of control that you can operate remotely.

The Finex Smart Door Handle gives you five ways to open the door: fingerprint, personal code, included access card, physical key, or via the app. It registers every entry, so you always know who entered and when. If someone tries to tamper with it, you will receive a notification.

Remote control is the part most people don't expect to need until they do. If you realize you didn't lock the front door while already at work, or if you need to let someone in while you're not home, you can arrange it in seconds via your phone.

5. Make Sure Your Images Are Truly Yours

This is more important than most people realize, and this is where many popular camera brands quietly take advantage of you.

With most camera systems, your footage is stored in the cloud on the manufacturer's servers. That sounds convenient until you realize: if you cancel your subscription, the footage disappears. If their servers go down, you lose access. If there's a data breach, your home footage is exposed. And you're paying 10 to 15 euros a month for that arrangement.

Finex cameras store footage locally on an SD card inside the camera itself. It's yours. You access it via the Finex app, for free, at any time, with no subscription standing between you and your own recordings. If something happens at your home, the footage is there. Period.

Why It Works, According to a Security Expert

"Most burglars make their decision in under 30 seconds," says Richard Bosman, a certified security consultant based in London. "They're not looking for a challenge. They're looking for the easiest house on the street. A visible camera, a motion-activated light, or even just a doorbell with a live feed immediately changes that calculation. You don't need a bunker. You just need to seem more trouble than the house next door."

Whether you're guarding a large garden, keeping an eye on the garage, or simply want to see the front path: the goal is the same. Be visible, be responsive, and ensure that any footage you record is actually accessible when you need it.

Real Customers, Real Stories

  • Anthony (London)
    ★★★★★

    "Someone tried to get into our garden at 2 AM through the side gate. The camera caught them on their way in, sent me a notification, and when the floodlight turned on they ran away. In the morning I had the footage and I shared it with the police that same day."

  • Lizzy (Birmingham)
    ★★★★★

    "My doorbell is now on my phone, wherever I am. Last month I was in Lisbon and someone rang the doorbell late at night. I could see them, talk to them, and tell them I wasn't home but was watching. They left. That alone was worth it."

  • Frank (Manchester)
    ★★★★★

    "Installation took maybe 15 minutes. The instructions are clear and everything you need is in the box. I'm not very technical and had it up and running before lunch."

  • Emma (Liverpool)
    ★★★★★

    "Before that, we had a Ring camera. As soon as you add up the subscription over a year, you realize how much you're actually paying just to see your own front door. We switched to Finex and the quality is just as good, and we don't pay anything monthly."

Smart Security, Without Subscriptions

While most security camera brands entice you with a low purchase price and then charge you monthly for access to basic features, Finex works differently from the start.

✅ No monthly fees

✅ All footage stored locally on your own SD card

✅ Full access and control via the Finex app, at any time

✅ No cloud dependency, no data storage with third parties

And thanks to dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), you have a stable connection, regardless of which network you use at home.

What Sets the Finex Video Doorbell V2 Apart

Most video doorbells are too expensive, tied to a subscription, or unreliable when you really need them. The Finex Video Doorbell V2 is:

✅ 2K HD with a 155-degree wide-angle lens

✅ Battery or wired, your choice

✅ Compatible with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi

✅ Two-way audio to speak with anyone at your door

✅ Instant motion alerts on your phone

✅ Pairs with Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Amazon Alexa

✅ Built-in alarm to deter unwanted visitors

✅ Easy DIY installation, everything is in the box

✅ Footage stored on SD card, no subscription required

Peace of Mind, Even When You're Not Home

Whether you're on vacation, at the office, or simply sleeping at night: knowing that you still have control over what's happening at your home makes a real difference.

The Finex Video Doorbell V2 sends you a notification the moment motion is detected, or when someone presses the doorbell. You can see who's there, talk to them, and decide what happens next, all from your phone, wherever you are. Deliveries can be rerouted. Visitors can be greeted. Unwanted guests can be calmly and clearly told that you are watching.

And because the footage is stored locally on your SD card, you're not dependent on a subscription to access it or a server to keep it safe. What happens at your front door stays on your terms.

No stress. No surprises. Just peace of mind.

URGENT: Limited Stock Due to High Demand

Since the Finex Video Doorbell V2 has been recommended by several Dutch tech and lifestyle magazines this year, demand has been consistently high and stock levels low.

Currently, Finex is offering an exclusive temporary deal for new customers:

Only EUR 99.95, including free next-day delivery (order before 11:59 PM) and a 14-day risk-free trial. Try it at home with no obligation. If it doesn't provide the peace of mind, control, or ease of use you expected, simply send it back. No questions asked. Full refund.

This offer is limited. Once current stock is depleted, delivery times will increase. Don't wait for something to happen to take your home security seriously.

Video Doorbell V2

Now only £80 £106

A 2K wide-angle video doorbell. Battery or wired. No subscription. Free next-day delivery.

✔ Battery or wired operation
✔ 2K HD with 155-degree wide-angle lens
✔ No subscription fees ever
✔ Built-in two-way audio
✔ Instant motion alerts on your phone

Why 100,000+ customers chose Finex