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April 10, 2026
ADT vs. Surety Alarm.com: Which Home Security Platform Protects You Better?
Many people who end up with ADT don’t get there because they researched every option and concluded ADT was the best. They get there because ADT spends more on advertising than almost any security company in the country. The name is everywhere: on yard signs, TV commercials, stadium sponsorships, and the top of every Google […]
Continue readingApril 8, 2026
How to Secure a Vacation Home or Rental Property with Alarm.com
Vacation homes, second properties, and short-term rentals share a common problem: they sit empty most of the time. An unoccupied property is an easy target for break-ins, vandalism, and the kind of slow-moving disasters (burst pipes, failed furnaces) that go unnoticed until the damage is severe. Traditional security companies want long contracts and on-site technicians […]
Continue readingApril 7, 2026
Surety Earns the Alarm.com Gold Partner Award for the Fifth Year in a Row
We’re proud to share that Surety has received the Alarm.com Gold Partner Award for the fifth consecutive year. Alarm.com presents this recognition annually to the top companies on its platform based on volume, quality, and customer engagement. Earning it every year since 2021 is a milestone that means a great deal to our team and […]
Continue readingApril 3, 2026
How Much Does a Home Security System Cost in 2026?
Home security system pricing varies enormously — from fully self-monitored DIY setups that cost nothing beyond the hardware, to professionally installed systems running $80 or more per month on a locked-in contract. Most people shopping for a system have no clear sense of what a fair price looks like, what’s included at each price point, […]
Continue readingApril 1, 2026
Alarm.com Key Fobs: Models, Compatibility, and Programming Guide
A key fob is often the fastest way to interact with your security system. Instead of walking to a panel and typing a code every time you leave or arrive, you press a single button on your keychain and the system responds. For households with children, elderly family members, or anyone who would rather not […]
Continue readingMarch 30, 2026
Why Does My Alarm.com System Keep Going Off? (False Alarm Causes & Fixes)
Few things are more frustrating than a security system that won’t stop crying wolf. You’re jolted awake at 2 a.m., your phone is blowing up with notifications, and when you check the house — nothing. No intruder, no broken window, no emergency. Just your alarm system going off for no apparent reason. If this sounds […]
Continue readingMarch 23, 2026
Qolsys IQ Panel 4 & 5 Explained: Features, Setup, and Alarm.com Integration
IQ Panel 4 vs IQ Panel 5: Which Should You Get? If you’re shopping for a new Alarm.com security panel, the Qolsys IQ Panel 5 is the one to get. It runs Android 14 on a Qualcomm DragonWing quad-core processor, includes PowerG+ out of the box, has a 13MP PortraitView camera, and supports Z-Wave Long […]
Continue readingMarch 20, 2026
Professional Alarm Monitoring Explained: What Happens When Your Alarm Goes Off?
Most people arm their security system at night and hope they never need it. But what actually happens if your alarm goes off at 2am while you’re asleep? What if you’re on a flight, in a meeting, or on vacation in another time zone? If you’re self-monitoring with app notifications only, the answer depends entirely […]
Continue readingMarch 16, 2026
PowerG Motion Sensors For Alarm.com: PowerG PG9914 Pet-Immune PIR, PG9984P Dual-Tech
Benefits of PowerG Motion Sensors with Alarm.com PowerG motion sensors bring professional-grade detection to Alarm.com-based security systems. Unlike consumer-grade WiFi or Z-Wave motion sensors that rely on short-range, congestion-prone wireless protocols, PowerG uses a dedicated, frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) radio with 128-bit AES encryption. This means the signal between the sensor and your panel is […]
Continue readingMarch 9, 2026
Alarm.com Smart Locks Explained: Z-Wave & PowerG Locks, Yale, Kwikset, Schlage Integration
Smart locks are one of the most practical additions to an Alarm.com security system. When integrated with your panel and the Alarm.com app, they let you control access remotely, track who comes and goes, assign individual user codes per person, and tie door locking directly into your security automations—all without a separate smart home hub […]
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