It seems like every big company—from Google and Amazon to telephone and cable TV operators—now sells home security services and equipment.

Rather than spend thousands of dollars to have a security company install a system, you can do it yourself for a couple of hundred dollars and monitor things on your smartphone. But does any of this tech do any good?

In this episode, we’ll look at the pros and cons of professional systems vs. inexpensive DIY options, and run down some free security practices that will make your house less attractive to burglars.

Read Checkbook’s full report on home security strategies, including ratings of installers.