For those unfamiliar with the term, a dummy security camera is an imitation of a functioning security camera which can not record images. Before deciding to purchase a dummy security camera for either the inside or outside of your home or business, you should evaluate all of the advantages and disadvantages.

A big advantage to the dummy security camera is the significant cost savings over the real thing. While real-time security cameras cost upwards of hundreds of dollars, dummy security cameras typically are no more than $30. The initial cost savings allow you to purchase more cameras to give the illusion of a broader security system.

It is most useful to use dummy security cameras interspersed with a few legitimate cameras in case criminals are able to spot the fakes. They are then more likely to drop their guard and behave as if they are not being taped, making it much more likely they will do something criminal in camera range and be caught in the act.

Among the myriad disadvantages of dummy security cameras is the ease of spotting them. Experienced criminals are particularly adept at identifying dummy cameras, particularly less expensive models.

In addition, dummy cameras offer no real protection and only mislead owners into a false sense of security, seeing as how you have no actual proof of who the criminal was in the case of an actual break-in. An effective security system should include some kind of live monitoring, which can not be provided unless something is captured by the camera.

Criminal activity usually becomes greater than it initially was after a dummy security camera has been uncovered. This is likely from your security system's weaknesses having been identified and then exploited, giving confidence to criminals attempting to breach the remainder of your security system.