False Alarms are costly

Unfortunately, cheaper, older security motion detectors can’t distinguish between a 150 pound man and a squirrel or even some papers blowing around. This causes police and firefighters to respond to false alarms. False alarms caused by the elements or animals are common (in the millions each year) and occur with business as well as residential systems. On average, a police officer uses 20-40 minutes to respond to an alarm. Multiply that out by millions of false alarms. This problem drains resources. The Drain In the U.S., 94-95 percent of police responses to burglar alarms are false. The cost comes to $30-$95 per incident $1.8 billion total in the year 2000, says the Center for Competitive Government at Temple University. Some of this money goes towards preventing and remedying wear and tear on first responders’ vehicular equipment. Wind, papers and animals aren’t the only problem; prank or ridiculous 9-1-1 calls also factor in, and so do carelessness, mistakes and even frighten

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10 Christmas tree safety tips

My friends at Schlage want you to have a safe holiday season. Did you know that Christmas trees can kill? Not by falling on you, but by burning down your house. Between 2006 and 2010, about 230 home fires per year were responded to by U.S. fire departments, killing an average of four people each year and injuring many more. Though not common, Christmas tree fires usually cause serious and costly damage. Eighteen percent of these fires were caused by a heat source too close to the tree. Improper disposal of the tree is also implicated as a cause. Here are tips to prevent this very preventable type of residential fire. Choose fresh over cheap and dry. The fresher the tree, the less likely it will pose a fire hazard. Look for flexible needles that don’t break, and a trunk with sap. Keep the water coming. The tree stand should contain a continuous source of water and be sturdy enough to resist toppling by kids or pets. Don’t choke the cord. Attach only three maximum strings of lights

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8 Tips to prevent post Holiday Credit Card Fraud

With your cards being used online, over the phone and in person it’s easy to lose track of purchases. The key is keep good records and be diligent about your security. Here are eight great tips that will go a super long way in preventing post holiday account takeover in the form of credit card fraud. #1. To ensure your best chances of escaping fraudulent activity involving your credit card (which can occur even if the card isn’t stolen), follow these tips: Go over every transaction online and account for it. Inquire about unfamiliar purchases with family members who are permitted to use your card. Immediately phone the card issuer if you spot a suspicious transaction. #2. Document order confirmations. Screenshot the final confirmation page of your purchase, and save the confirmation e-mail. #3. Personal information protection. Before you buy online, review the website’s privacy policy regarding personal information requests and how this will be used. Consider it a red flag if yo

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Holidays increase Risk of Online Scams

The holidays mean a surge in online purchases done with laptops, cell phones, tablets and desktops. One way to be scammed is via pop-ups (on legitimate sites, but that are not connected to the site) that ask for a survey. After you complete it, you’re offered what seems like a free product. You then unknowingly set yourself up to be enrolled in a program to purchase more products—after giving your credit card information. It’s easy to get sidetracked by pop-ups, says iovation’s Jon Karl, VP of Corporate Development in Portland. But he asks: “Who is that business on the other end of the line; do you know them? Because there s lots of opportunities to spend your money with somebody you don t know.” iovation is one of the biggest online fraud protection companies in the world. “You have to be really careful when you re clicking on offers that are coming to you,” he adds. Shoppers should be skeptical and limit how much personal information they give out. “You really shou

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How to design a secret Safe Room

Your house can easily have a “secret room,” for its novelty, for children and for a safe hideout from intruders. Entrances to these rooms are concealed by normal looking household features such as bookcases. Purpose Designing begins with determining the secret room’s function: a hideout? fantasy playroom? a space for meditation or writing your novel? Location Next, figure out where to have it. It’s easier to figure this out if your house is under construction. Otherwise, it can be located centrally, or inside a room or even in the basement. A smart option may be unused space such as beneath a staircase, in a huge closet or inside a storage room. Furnishings To save money, do as much remodeling, restructuring and furnishing as you can (including drywalling, painting, etc.). Hire professionals for electrical and plumbing unless this is your line of work. The room also needs proper heating, cooling and ventilation. Secret Entrance It’s best to have an expert design a spectacula

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McAfee 12 Scams Season of Sharing Sweepstakes: Win a Dell Ultrabook!

It’s that time of year again. Yes, I know it seems like we just got past the spooks from Halloween, but the holidays are just around the corner. While we are busy buying gifts and making travel arrangements, cybercriminals are making their lists, and checking them twice, as they prepare to unleash a host of scams designed to take advantage of the seasonal surge in online shopping and sharing. Since it only takes one scam to spoil your holiday season, it’s a good idea to get familiar with our list of the 12 Scams of the Holidays, and learn how to avoid them. To help you stay protected as you search high and low both on and offline for the perfect presents for your loved ones, McAfee has released its annual 12 Scams of Holidays list full of digital dangers to be on alert for as you surf the web for holiday deals and steals and how to be safe in the coming months and beyond. And to make sure that we all have a safe and merry holiday, McAfee is hosting the Season of Sharing Sweepstak

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5 Ways To Protect Your Mobile From Prying Eyes

Do you know how to keep your phone from the prying eyes of exes, strangers, cops, other officials and even your own spouse? Here are tips to keep your mobile safe and secure. #1 Common Sense When it comes to the police, cooperate; this will lessen the chance of mobile confiscation. Though you aren’t required to talk to the police without an attorney present, and don’t need to fork over your passcode or give up your phone just because they ask for it, don’t be a pest, either. In general, police need a warrant to search your phone. #2 Lock down your Phone Encrypting important data is crucial for those who want to keep prying eyes—be they the police, a vindictive ex or a nosy coworker—from gaining access to their mobile device. The method of encrypting varies from one mobile device to the next, but here are some guidelines: Android and iOS phones come with native data protection for encrypting. Take advantage of this. Remember, other models also offer encryption features, and t

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