Proactive Vigilance AI
The Vigil
Practical notes on home security, business resilience, and living thoughtfully with AI.
Smart home
Networks, cameras, hubs, and the devices that run the house.
Sep 11, 2026 · Note
Aim the camera at the job
A camera pointed at the front walk has a clear purpose. A camera that also records a neighbor’s window or the family’s private rooms may be collecting more than…
Sep 3, 2026 · Note
Get the account with the installation
The installer finished, the lights respond, and the doorbell rings on a phone. Before calling the job complete, make sure the system belongs to an account you c…
Aug 26, 2026 · Note
What still works when the internet stops?
An internet outage and a power outage are different problems. A smart device may still have power while its app, remote access, or cloud features stop respondin…
Aug 18, 2026 · Note
Check the support date before the price
A discounted camera or smart hub can still work long after its manufacturer stops providing security updates. Before buying, look for the support policy for the…
Aug 10, 2026 · Note
Guest WiFi is not optional
If visitors use the same network as your cameras and laptops, they can see more than the doorbell app. Most homes never split this. The kids’ friends, the plumb…
Aug 6, 2026 · Note
The camera you forgot
Cloud cameras keep working after you stop thinking about them. The app is still signed in. The video still goes to a vendor you picked two years ago. The email…