Keeping your home and family safe is key, but sometimes that means you have to sacrifice some sleep. Thankfully, there are a number of great tools out there to help you stay healthy while on duty. Here’s a list of the best free monitoring tools for keeping your home safe and healthy!
Best Free Monitoring Tools
1. TweetDeck
TweetDeck is a social media listening software that allows you to organize social profiles and social conversations in one dashboard.
How it works:
First, connect your Twitter account by clicking on the ‘Add Account’ or ‘Connect’ button under the social accounts heading.
After connecting social web profiles, you can view recent activity directly on each social network page.
2. TweetReach
TweetReach gives you a free “snapshot” report on the potential reach of any tweet that includes a given hashtag, keyword, or username. With analytics provided by Union Metrics, the tool offers a free signup for which you’ll be able to see who’s talking about which topics, how many impressions you’d get on a post about that topic, and more. TweetReach’s snapshot reports are free for the first 100 tweets, and the company offers paid plans starting at $49/month thereafter.
3. Mention.com
Mention is a social media mention monitoring tool that tracks social media conversation across the web, blogs and social networks.
It’s a very simple way to see what people are saying about your brand or industry, especially considering you’ll be able to track keywords, competitors and even specific employees–all for free!
Note: at the time of this writing all social media mentions were limited to 1000 mentions unless you have a paid account. Also note that only 3 projects can be created with this version.
After you’ve signed into your account, you can add social media keywords as projects.
How it works:
When adding a social media keyword project on Twitter, you’ll want to include the social network name and mention frequency type . Then enter your keyword once on both screens.
To set up social monitoring of your brand or competitors, click on ‘Social’ from the top nav bar and then select ‘Brand Monitoring.’
You’ll want to specify which social networks you’d like to monitor (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Blogs). Then decide what kind of mentions you’d like to follow:
- Mentions Only
- Favorites Only
- Mentions & Replies (recommended).
4. Social Mention
Social Mention aggregates all of the blog, microblog, image, and video content related to the search term you provide from a variety of search engines and social networks. This makes it easier to digest and view what’s being said about your brand in one comprehensive view.
5. Google Alerts
Google Alerts is a social listening platform that allows you to receive media notifications on keywords and topics.
How it works:
First, create your Google Account.
Next, click the ‘Create alert’ link under the ‘Alerts’ heading (this will navigate you to a page where you can set up social accounts).
In the dropdown menu for social networks (in this example we’re using Facebook), select a social network or list of social accounts that you’d like to monitor.
This social media monitoring platform also offers RSS feeds for each subscription so you can view recent activity from blogs or websites – this feature comes in handy if you want to track social media mentions from an individual blog post or web page.
6. Hootsuite
Hootsuite works like TweetDeck — but for all of your social networks. From your Dashboard, you can carry out social monitoring, scheduling, campaigns, and analytics — all in one place. Hootsuite integrates with Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Google+, and although it’s free for individuals’ accounts, businesses and enterprises have to purchase paid versions.
7. Twilert
Twilert is social media listening software that sends email notifications when specific terms are mentioned online.
These email alerts help keep you informed of what’s being said about your brand or business.
How it works:
To get started with this social media monitoring tool, first sign up for a free trial and log into the social media listening software.
Next, enter your social network name and social media keywords (separated by comma).
After setting up a keyword alert, you’ll be able to configure the parameters for email notifications (which social networks will receive the alerts? Which social accounts will they come from?) and selecting an email address that you’d like to send them to.
As with many social networks, mention frequency type, social networks and frequency can all be changed as needed.
8. Lithium (formerly Klout)
Lithium — which recently acquired the social media monitoring tool, Klout — offers a “social response” tool that allows you to manage, understand, and respond to the direct outreach you get from other users on social media. The tool integrates with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more to help you visualize where people are talking to (and about) you the most, so you can focus your customer engagement in all the right places.
9. Twitter Advanced Search
Twitter Advanced Search allows you to find recent tweets containing specific words or phrases.
How it works:
The interface is fairly intuitive – log into your Twitter account, then click on ‘Advanced search’ link in the top right of the social media dashboard.
Here, you can enter a keyword or phrase that you’d like to monitor (Twitter will only return results containing your keywords).
10. Boardreader
Boardreader does what its name suggests — it crawls message boards and discussion panels to see what people are saying about you and your brand in the dreaded comments sections, which otherwise seem impossible to parse through. Commenters often have stronger words than social media posters, so make sure you have a thick skin before diving in.
Best Network Monitoring Tools Free
1. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor (FREE TRIAL)
Another formidable network monitoring product is Paessler PRTG Network Monitor. This tool has climbed to be one of the top network monitoring tools in the world on account of its fast-paced design and variety of features. Network autodiscovery with PRTG Network Monitor allows you to scan devices connected to your network by IP range. Scanning the network in this way means that you don’t have to manually configure everything from scratch.
Key features:
- Network, server, and application monitoring
- Autodiscovery of connected devices
- Alerts on status errors
PRTG Network Monitor includes network, traffic, application, and cloud monitoring so that you can stay on top of current developments. The user interface is on the whole very clear-cut and while some displays can be confusing, once you’ve become acclimatized to the product this isn’t too big an issue. The health of your infrastructure is color-coded and can be displayed in dials and graphs so that you see how well everything is performing.
Pros:
- Drag and drop editor makes it easy to build custom views and reports
- Supports a wide range of alert mediums such as SMS, email, and third-party integrations into platforms like Slack
- Supports a freeware version
Cons:
- Is a very comprehensive platform with many features and moving parts that require time to learn
One of the biggest attractions of PRTG Network Monitor is its flexible pricing structure. There is a freeware version of PRTG Network Monitor that supports up to 100 sensors. If you need more than 100 sensors you can download 30-day free trial.
2. Cacti
Cacti® is another of the monitoring warhorses that has endured as a go-to for network monitoring needs. It allows you to collect data from almost any network element, including routing and switching systems as well as firewalls, and put that data into robust graphs. If you have a device, it’s possible that Cacti’s active community of developers has created a monitoring template for it.
Cacti supports SNMP polling, which itself covers a wide range of network devices. You can also extend Cacti’s capabilities to use scripts, queries, or commands for data collection, and save it as a template to use for polling other devices for similar datasets. Cacti leverages the power of RRDTool, an open-source data logging and graphing system for creating graphs from the stored datasets. RRDTool’s data consolidation lets you store collected data forever and is limited only by the size of your storage. Cacti also allows you to add multiple users and give them access with or without edit permissions, which is perfect for service providers and enterprises with a large NOC team.
3. SolarWinds ipMonitor Free Edition (FREE TOOL)
At the number one spot on this list, we have SolarWinds ipMonitor Free Edition. While SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor has drawn lots of attention as one of the most scalable network monitoring solutions on the market, ipMonitor has stood alongside it as a good tool for SMBs. With SolarWinds ipMonitor you can monitor network devices and servers from a centralized location.
Key features:
- Free version with a full paid alternative
- Self-hosted Web system
- Discovers devices connected to the network
- Alerts for system problems
- Tracks network device statuses
One of the things that makes this product great for smaller organizations is that the setup process is very lightweight. When starting out with SolarWinds ipMonitor you are taken through the configuration process with a Startup Wizard. This holds your hand until you get to an autodiscovery feature that recognizes devices connected to your network automatically.
4. Nagios Core
Nagios® is the great-grand-daddy of monitoring tools, with only ping being more ubiquitous in some circles.
Nagios is popular due to its active development community and external plug-in support. You can create and use external plugins in the form of executable files or Perl® and shell scripts to monitor and collect metrics from every hardware and software used in a network. There are plugins that provide an easier and better GUI, address many limitations in the Core®, and support features, such as auto discovery, extended graphing, notification escalation, and more.
5. Zabbix
Zabbix is considered by many to be the king of open-source network monitoring. This platform has been used by brands from Dell to Salesforce as well as countless SMEs. Zabbix offers a network and infrastructure monitoring experience that covers all the bases. You can monitor your infrastructure for high CPU and memory utilization. If you need to monitor your network performance you can also monitor network bandwidth usage too.
Key features:
- Free forever
- Network and server monitoring
- Alerts on system problems
This product offers a comprehensive environment through which you can conduct network, server, cloud, services, and KPI/SLA monitoring. It also offers users a healthy range of templates for popular technology providers. This includes the basic infrastructure monitoring mentioned above as well as the ability to monitor configuration changes.
Notifications and alerts are also included in the Zabbix product. You can send notifications via email, SMS, Jabber, Ez texting, or a custom script. You also have the ability to completely customize the content of your notifications. This allows you to determine the information that you send to your first point of contact. For instance, you can include details such as date and time, hostname, items’ value, trigger values, host profile, user macros, and escalation history.
Pros:
- Open-source transparent tool
- Uses both SNMP and ICMP for broader monitoring ranges
- Offers useful templates for quick insights
Cons:
- No paid support option – not ideal for large enterprise environments
In the event that no one responds to your notification, you can escalate it to another member of staff automatically. This is one of the features that make Zabbix a standout product on this list.
What are Some of the Benefits of having a Home Security System.
Home security systems can offer a variety of benefits, including reducing the risk of burglary, theft, and other crime. The best home security systems are those that are easy to use and maintain, as well as ones that provide adequate protection against potential threats. To find the perfect system for your home, you should consult with a professional safety consultant or purchase one from a store specializing in home security systems.
How to Choose the Right Home Security System
When choosing a home security system, it is important to understand the specific needs of your home. For example, if you live in a small apartment and want an installation that will cover all of your entrances and exits, you might not want to consider a system that does not have this feature. Additionally, it is important to choose a system that is appropriate for your budget and needs. Some systems are more expensive than others but will offer greater levels of protection.
What to Look for in a Home Security System
Some things you should look for when shopping for a home security system include: the type of camera or sensors used (motion or still), how many cameras or sensors are included (a set number perimeters will be more effective in detecting burglars), whether voice recognition capabilities are included (this can help you manage multiple accounts at once), how quickly alerts can be sent out (if there is an emergency), Whether 24/7 monitoring is available (this can keep tabs on activity in your house during off hours), and whether automated updates are available (these updates can help prevent false alarms).
How to Get Started with Home Security.
There are many types of home security systems to choose from, but the best one for you will depend on your needs and budget. To get started, choose the right system for your home and family. In addition to choosing a security system that is appropriate for your specific needs, make sure to research the different features and benefits of each product.
Set Up and Use Your Security System
When you set up your security system, be sure to follow these steps:
– Connect your security camera to your computer
– Choose an appropriate password
– Configure motion detectors and panic buttons
– Add time limits and passwords for access
– Enable software updates
– Get more information about the security system from your installer
Learn About the Different Types of Home Security Systems
There are many different types of home security systems, but there are three main types: traditional home security systems, camera/smart home security systems, and virtual assistant or automation home security systems. Traditional home security systems use a live or recorded video camera to watch and monitor your property. They also have a password-protected door and window system, panic buttons, and motion detectors. Camera/smart home security systems use computers to control various devices in your house, such as lights and locks, to protect you from intruders. Virtual assistant or automation home security systems connect to your telephone line to provide a secure interface with your current home automation products. These systems can also be used without a live camera or microphone, making them ideal for small homes or apartments.
Tips for Safe Home Security
One of the most important ways to stay safe and healthy in your home is by choosing a security camera that is specific to your needs. The best way to determine which camera would be best for you is to ask your friends, family, or neighbors about their experiences with security cameras. Once you have narrowed down your options, make sure to purchase the right camera!
Get Security Tips Every Month
A crucial step in keeping your home secure is having regular security tips delivered directly to your door. This can include things like staying aware of potential dangers around the home (like burglars), checking for suspicious activity (like signs of a break-in), and using common sense when it comes to security measures (like not leaving keys out).
Keep Your Home Secure at Night
Nighttime is a time when burglars are especially likely to attempt theft, so it’s important to keep your home secure by taking steps like installing an alarm system and keeping windows closed while you’re away. Additionally, make sure you have appropriate locks on all doors and windows, and keep any valuable items locked up securely in a safe place during visits from relatives or friends.
Conclusion
Home security is a necessary safety precaution for any home. There are many different types of home security systems available on the market, so it’s important to choose one that will fit your specific needs and goals. By choosing the right security system and setting up it properly, you can ensure your home is safe at all times. Additionally, learning about the different types of home security systems can help you choose the best one for your situation.