Home Safety

Online Safety – 6 Tips for You, Your Family and Friends

security online

Just as it is a good idea to secure your home, you should ensure your safety online.

With hacks, scams, malware and identity theft, the Internet poses multiple risks.

The good news is, by taking a handful of security precautions you can greatly reduce your exposure to online threats.

 

1) Keep your network updated.

Are the operating systems of your equipment up to date? Check to make sure you have the latest security updates installed. This includes computers, antivirus software and your router.  Check to see if your router uses a WPA2 password. WEB passwords are older and insecure.

2) Change your passwords periodically.

Set a reminder to change your important passwords. Also, be sure to change any default passwords that come with equipment when installed. That includes wireless doorbells, security codes, and routers.

3) Practice email safety.

Malware and scams are looking for a way into your computer.

  • If you don’t recognize the sender, don’t open it.
  • Don’t click on suspicious links, even if the email appears to be from someone or an organization that you know – their email could be hacked, or it could be a phishing site.   When in doubt, send them a separate email or contact them another way and ask if they sent the message. If it is not from them, they will appreciate knowing about it!

4) Research before you download.

That new streaming service or third-party software ad might look good, but a quick web search to verify legitimacy and check user reviews can prevent many headaches later.

5) Check your credit.

Set up notifications so you know if any changes are made to your accounts.

6) Be a Selective Sharer. 

Social Media creates many opportunities to share our personal information online. Be cautious about what you share, particularly when it comes to information that could be potentially used to impersonate you or compromise your passwords and logins.

 

Looking for more security tips?  Follow the Secur-Tek Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SecurTekNC

It’s October – Take a Bite Out Of Crime

October is National Crime Prevention month. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) encourages everyone to join the effort to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®.” In 1984, A Presidential proclamation designated October as Crime Prevention Month. Since then, NCPC has been working with local law enforcement, government agencies, civic groups, schools and businesses to help spread the word about crime prevention and personal safety. The NCPC and your efforts can create safer, more caring communities and promote the importance of public vigilance to combat crimes.

For those of us living in Wake County, the Wake County Crime Prevention Unit is a fantastic resource for all sorts of information, classes, events and local news.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit is a proactive program that provides the public with information to help identify and minimize the risks of becoming a crime victim. These programs teach citizens how to enhance security and safety for themselves and their neighborhoods.

The Crime Prevention Unit also offers classes that teach citizens how to report a crime and what information is important to gather before calling law enforcement. They also help organize community watch programs where communities work as a team to observe activity in their neighborhood.

The Crime Prevention Unit has programs for children and adults. If you are interested in additional information about the Wake County Crime Prevention Unit and their programs check out http://www.wakegov.com/sheriff/divisions/Pages/crimeprev.aspx and click the services button on the left side of the page. While you are there, review the News and Events or sign-up to be connected through Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Leaving On Vacation? Here’s Your Handy Home Security Checklist

 

First – start by creating the illusion that somebody is actually still home!

You can achieve this by:

  • Setting your lights on timers to be set on/off at different times in different rooms
  • Set your radio, sounds system or television to turn on and off; creating the sound of someone at home
  • Leave a car in the driveway – have someone move it from side to side occasionally (close family member, friend or neighbor)
  • If you normally leave a few toys around or hose uncoiled in the yard – do so. The idea is to look like things are as normal!
  • Curtains Closed — or Open?  You may think closing your curtains will prevent people from peering inside your home. However, closed curtains also stop those who aim to help — the police, your neighbors or friends — from seeing inside your house. So, what should you do? Leave your curtains exactly as you usually keep them when you are at home. Remember – you want to create the illusion that things are normal. You should never leave expensive items, like jewelry or computers, out where they are visible from the window.
  • Arrange to have your landscape trimmed. Nothing signals “not home” stronger than an unkempt yard, especially one that is normally regularly manicured.

Run by the post office (or do it on-line) and cancel your mail and newspaper deliveries. Or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to collect them for you while away.

Stow away your valuables and important papers. Lock up any valuable jewelry, deed to your home, title to your cars and small electronic devices. Things that are relatively small and easily transported are the main target of thieves. They want to get in and out fast, carrying as many valuables as possible. If you don’t have a safety deposit box, store these types of items in a fireproof lock box. Great places to put the lockbox are in children’s bed or playrooms, laundry room, garage or kitchen. Thieves will always look in master bedrooms and living spaces where adults hang out. 

Remove Your Spare Key(s)  That plastic rock, above the door-frame, under a mat/flowerpot isn’t fooling anyone. If a criminal figures out you’re away on vacation, it’s likely that (s)he will first check your porch and obvious locations for a spare key.

Don’t announce you are leaving or your whereabouts right before or during your vacation via Social Media.  Many of us enjoy keeping up with friends and family via social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The perceived anonymity of the Internet can encourage us to share personal information without fully realizing that there could be complete strangers viewing our daily musings. So try to refrain from posting those pre-vacation thoughts and plans and hold off posting pictures and statements showing you at fun or exotic location away from home until later. In addition, be careful what you say on your home, home office answer machine, voice mail or auto email response. People trying to reach you don’t need to know that you’re out of town — they just need to know that you can’t respond right now.

For the highest level of assurance – Alert Your:

  • Home Security Company – Double check that your door and window alarms are activated before you leave. Also, leave a house key and the code with someone you trust and provide the police and alarm company with their name and phone number. 
  • The local Police – Call the non-emergency number and let them know of your vacation timing. Often times they will send a patrol car by you home occasionally to inspect the property for abnormalities. Leave them a number where you – or someone you trust – can be reached. 

Right before leaving – to save yourself and the environment – Pull the Plug!  Disconnecting the power to electronics, like computers, routers, televisions, and other appliances can save you money while you’re gone and eliminate the worry. Turning off your garage door opener is also an effective way to keep thieves from opening it with a universal remote. Finally, never leave a portable GPS in your car when parking at the airport. It’ll alert thieves that you’re not home and give them a convenient map to your house.

We at Secur-Tek wish you and you families a safe and worry-free vacation holiday!

For more information about staying safe with a home alarm system while at home or away, call us at 919-387-1800, email  khenke@secur-tek.com or check out our website at  www.secur-tek.com.

Secur-Tek proudly serves the North Carolina communities of Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro

Security & Home Automation