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Increase Security with a Life Size Card Board You

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A cardboard cutout of you or a cardboard action figure of a WWE wrestler is a creative and inexpensive way to DIY home security that adds a layer of protection to your home security system. And it doesn’t cost a lot and it’s kind of fun.

I’m serious!!!!

This is not an idea I just thought of one day, it’s one I stumbled upon by accident.

A few years ago a “speakers bureau” I work with actually went ahead and had a 6 foot cardboard cutout made of me for a trade show they were doing at a Boston area convention center. While I was flattered, I was certainly amused.

The bureau president called me and told me what he was doing then offered the life-size me to me once the show was over. I was like “What am I going to do with that?” and he made a joke that it could keep my wife company while I was on the road, and actually a cardboard me that doesn’t talk or talk back would be appealing to my wife so I picked it up from him.

I brought it home and put it in my garage and let the dust collect on it. Then I had a kid. And at 1.5 years when she started walking she eventually came upon the cardboard me and it startled her. Her mom trying to explain that was as funny.

Then shortly after I had a party and brought someone into my garage to jump in the car for a packy run and the cardboard me scared the heck out of them. Since then about a dozen people have been jostled by it. Now it’s just funny!

Now, especially when I travel, the cardboard me is standing in front of the TV. My wife loves him. I’m a little jealous.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Securing a Home with Automation

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You know how much you love to and rely on controlling your TV from your couch? I’m a little dumfounded when I can’t find the remote. And by the time I do, I could have easily changed the channel and found what I was looking for, but the process just isn’t the same without the remote control. The operative word in “remote control” is “control”.  While remote certainly is the benefit, it is control that adds to the experience.

Let me say this another way. Yes you can stand in front of your TV and switch channels, but you will quickly get bored and settle for something you may not want. Where-as with the remote, you have a whole different level of control that lets you jump around and handle the TV and the entertainment experience in another more satisfactory way. We wonder how people ever functioned without a remote. Actually, that’s easy to answer. There were less than 20 channels. People watched maybe 4 of them. So there weren’t many options. It was easier back then to be content.

Today we have so many functions within our homes that it seems primitive that many don’t have the ability to control them from one place whether remotely or within the home. Automated systems and remote security systems like ADT Pulse™ and ADT Pulse™ for business allow homeowners or operators of a business to control a building’s key functions without even having to be present.

Get control over:

Home Security systems

Video monitoring

Heating and cooling systems

Lights

Automated alerts: your homes automation and home security monitoring can send calls, texts and emails to your mobile or work email letting you know if there’s beam an attempted burglary, or even if a pipe bursts.

Increase your homes security and save time, money and enjoy the conveniences of remotely controlling your home.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADT Pulse™ on Fox News. Disclosures

Burglars Pose As Doctors, Victims Take Pills

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There is unfortunately no limit to how naïve (and stupid) and vulnerable the public is to the evil (and creative) criminal mind when it comes to home security and burglary.

I haven’t seen reports of this happening in the US, yet, but in Turkey which is somewhere over there, burglars are actually donning white coats, and stethoscopes and knocking on peoples doors to burglarize them. They begin to use a ruse that may involve instantly reducing high blood pressure or another ruse conning the victim into ingesting a heavy sedative knocking them out.

Humans need to be led. Meaning we need leaders such as Presidents, Dictators, Prime Ministers, Generals, Police, Teachers etc. We need authoritarian figures to tell us what to do. Otherwise many of us would be wandering around bumping into walls (visualize that!).

Criminals know that we bow to authority so they pose as police, fire, inspectors, and DOCTORS.

The Turkish police were so alarmed by this trend they set out to test the public with their own “pose as a doctor” scam with a placebo pill in hand and got an astounding 86 percent of people to take the pills!!!

Can you say OMG!?!?

In other parts of Turkey the police tested people at apartment complexes to see what kind of apartment security systems may be in place. Most buildings have some form of intercom with a buzz-in system to let people in. But when the police would randomly select an apartment number and the person responded, the cops would state “I’m a burglar please open the door” Ands of course the police were amazed that every time they tried this, someone at the building would eventually let them in.

Come on people, I’m trying here. Is anyone listening?

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADTPulse on Fox News. Disclosures

Role Play Your Way to Personal Security

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Home security and home burglary protection is more than just installing a home security system. The best defense includes a great offense and a solid strategy incorporating a well thought out plan.

Outside of Detroit I worked with local law enforcement to conduct a security seminar at a credit union. This was no ordinary “How to Protect Yourself”, this was a mock robbery done as robbery response training. Best part, cops were the robbers.  And they were good, real good.  Five cops who have watched every cops and robber movie including “Dog Day Afternoon” with Al Pacino were tasked with numerous robber roles. Some as simple as strolling into the bank and passing notes all the way to jumping on the banks counters with assault rifles in masks and screaming profanities demanding the credit unions staff to hit the floor.

It was very realistic and some people cried. Pregnant staff wasn’t allowed to participate and many bowed out. This training was not for the faint of heart. Once the robbers left, the participants had to follow through with what the aftermath response would be and bring the event to a closure.

My role was to observe and when completed to rehash the event and elicit a response from each participant. The energy in the aftermath was a mix of excitement, confusion, fear and relief that it was over.  Everyone in attendance was affected by what they went through. Meaning they were emotionally moved by the process.

At the conclusion of the event the mood was gratitude and a sense of empowerment. People were grateful it wasn’t real, but empowered by the experience. Role playing as we did gave insight to what a real life robbery would look like and once the attendees understood the mechanics of it they felt they were better prepared to effectively respond in the event of a real robbery.

While a mock home invasion may not be on your list of “to-dos,” having a discussion with your fellow dwellers about their response should be. Asking “what if” questions and visualizing different scenarios is one step towards an effective response plan.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADTPulse on Fox News. Disclosures

Dumb Criminal Gets Caught Wearing Victims Clothes

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A traveler was in a bus station and put his bag down for 2 seconds to get some food and the bag disappeared.  He called the police and they made their way down to the bus station.

The victim lost a laptop, black and white motorcycle jacket and a black Kiss concert T-shirt.

Now if I was a thief, which I’m not, and I stole something, I wouldn’t hang around the crime scene. My thinking is that’s probably a good way to get nabbed. So anyway the cops came and investigated.

So what do they see? A person walking around wearing a black and white motorcycle jacket and a black Kiss concert T-shirt.

The rest of the bags contents including the laptop, was hidden across the street at a car dealership.

Bags are stolen all the time. Pocket books off the back of chairs, laptop bags sitting next to you in a café or airport, and briefcases in a business luncheon. The list goes on. We think we are safe because people are generally honest. However predators lurk amongst the honest people and snap up their belongings in an instant.

One way thieves steal bags is via a “distraction crime”. They see your bag sitting to your left and they distract you on your right as their accomplice takes your bag.

To protect yourself without having to stress out and stare at a bag all day consider a few things:

Whenever putting a bag down, put it between your feet. The chances of someone taking it diminish.

If you must put it on a chair wrap the bags strap around a chair arm or leg.

Purchase a ‘Bag Alarm” which is like a mini home security system that affixes to your bag and senses movement alerting you to potential theft.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

13 Year Old Busted In Home Invasion

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In California gang members are recruited in their tweens. Kids as young as 12 and 13 are on the streets and engaged in theft and violence like never before. Other big cities aren’t much different. In Boston, where I live, a few kids had passed through my yard and I informed them of what they were doing and my dog started barking. Immediately one pulled a knife out and started yelling profanities and threatened me and the dog!

I called the State Police and they came right down. The kids were 12, 13 and 14. Nothing surprises me anymore.

At the wee hours of the morning in Santa Rosa, CA, 4 residents were awoken to a kid coming through a window and then he opened the door for his accomplice. Obviously they negated a home security system. Immediately they pulled a gun and demanded cash. As it got intense one of the residents was pistol whipped.

Apparently the motivation of this encounter was due to a “disrespect issue”. Shortly after the incident the victims were treated and the home invaders were arrested. The 13 year old was already on probation for another incident.

While this situation ended without anyone getting killed and the little gangsters nabbed, it could have easily gone much worse. Regardless of the motivation of the home invaders, a home security alarm could have very well prevented this whole thing from happening.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Most Unwanted Criminals: Dumpster Divers, Sly Spies, and War Drivers

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There is no shortage of bad guys, identity thieves, and hackers trying to separate you from your money. They range from previously discussed pickpockets, Trojan viruses, and ATM skimmers to dumpster divers, spies, and wireless hackers.

Dumpster Diver Dan is a liar who poses as a garbage man and turns trash into cash. Dan dives into dumpsters and trashcans seeking financial statements, credit card applications, and any other personally identifiable information he can piece together. Once the puzzle is complete, he may have enough data to take over existing accounts or create new ones in your name.

Invest in a quality crosscut shredder and shred everything with any information that can be used against you.  Names, account numbers, statements etc. Consider turning off paper statements and going entirely digital. Invest in identity protection, too, because even if you shred sensitive documents, your accountant, school, or doctor may toss your data in the trash.

Sly Spy the Silver Fox may pretend to be a free Wi-Fi hot spot, acting as an “evil twin,” providing wireless Internet access through her laptop while sniffing your account information, logins, and personal data. If you have file sharing turned on, she can browse your PC’s folders and files, and even plant a malicious program that gives her backdoor access whenever you connect to the web in the future.

Never choose an “ad-hoc” computer-to-computer wireless network that may imitate a legitimate wireless connection. It’s best to invest in a cell-based Internet, requiring a username and password. Always wait until you’re on a secure network before doing any banking or shopping. And turn off file sharing whenever you do connect to a hotspot.

Derek the Driver (as in war driver) navigates your neighborhood and local office parks on foot or in a car, seeking out unprotected, unsecured wireless connections to exploit. He hops on your Internet and looks through your data. Worse, he can use your Internet connection and your IP address to conduct illegal activities like downloading child porn, sending spam, or launching hack attacks. It gets scary when the law knocks on your door, blaming you for what a war driver did using your Internet connection.

Learn how to secure your wireless Internet connection at www.McAfee.com/wireless. It is important to observe basic security precautions to protect your identity. However, the safety of your information with corporations and other entities that you transact business with is very often beyond your control. Consumers should consider a McAfee Identity Protection product that offers daily credit monitoring, proactive identity surveillance, lost wallet protection, and alerts when suspicious activity is detected on your accounts.

Robert Siciliano is a McAfee consultant and identity theft expert. See him explain how a person becomes an identity theft victim on CounterIdentityTheft.com. (Disclosures)

Don’t Forget About Garage Security

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When you think about home security you may not think about garage security because you don’t actually live it in. But a garage is often one of the best ways for the bad guy to break into your home, especially if it’s an attached garage.

Criminals scope out the exterior and seek the path of least resistance. If the garage has an entrance door and a garage door they will determine which is easiest to compromise.

An entrance door that has small windows is easily compromised when a little window near a door lock is smashed and the burglar reaches their hand through and opens the door.

Once they are in the garage they have access to the interior door which is often unlocked. I’ve seen footage of burglars breaking into a garage and using the homeowners own chainsaw to cut through a door or wall to gain access to the home. This method won’t trigger any interior door alarm sensors because the door is never opened.

Garage doors are easy to break into with a coat hanger as demonstrated in this video on YouTube. Another way would simply be to drill a hole thru the door and slide a coat hanger in pulling down on the emergency pull cord.

Both of these tactics can be remedied by installing a zip tie as demonstrated in this YouTube video.

In my garage my home security system includes a sensor on the door, so if the door is opened the alarm goes off. There is also a motion sensor in the garage so if all else fails the motion sensor picks up movement. And to document anything happening there is a home security camera connected to my ADT Pulse system.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADTPulse on Fox News.

Another Reason To Secure Your WiFi

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Sounds crazy but in every presentation I do I stress the importance of making sure your wireless connection is secured to prevent sex offender neighbors or whackos parked in front of your home or business from surfing for child porn and downloading it to your PC or theirs via your internet connection.

The AP reports in Buffalo NY “Lying on his family room floor with assault weapons trained on him, shouts of “pedophile!” and “pornographer!” stinging like his fresh cuts and bruises, the Buffalo homeowner didn’t need long to figure out the reason for the early morning wake-up call from a swarm of federal agents.”

Guys wireless got jacked by a child pornographer.

Once a predator uses your Internet connection to go to into the bowels of the web, your Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is connected to your ISP billing address, is now considered one that is owned by a criminal. If law enforcement happens to be chatting with that person, who’s using your Internet connection to trade lurid child porn, then someone may eventually knock on your door at 3 AM with a battering ram. Hackers can use a virus to crack your network and gain remote control access, and then store child porn on your hard drive.

This is the kind of “breach” that can cost you thousands in legal fees, your marriage, relationships, your job, and your standing in society.

Anyone using an open unsecured network risks exposing their data or having it used as a portal for committing crimes over the web. There are many ways  for a bad guy to see who’s connected on wireless and to gain access to their information.

When setting up a wireless router, there are two suggested security protocol options. WiFi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) which is a certification program that was created in response to several serious weaknesses researchers had found in the previous system, Wired Equivalent Privacy.

Follow your routers instructions to set up its security or find yourself a 14 year old to do it for you.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing home security and identity theft on TBS Movie and a Makeover.

Beauty Queen Guns Down Home Invader

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An ex-con picked the wrong home to invade.

Imagine you’re in bed counting sheep dreaming of clouds and flying unicorns. Suddenly there is a knock on the door, which is startling to most people who wake up to the presence of noise and especially that of a knock at 3am.

In your discombobulated state you shuffle over to the door and open it to see who it is, they give you some song and dance and you open the door. Next, a hand wrapped over your face nose and mouth.

In my world this would never happen as previously described. In my world when the door is knocked on or the bell is rung a ferocious toothy German shepherd would lose her mind trying to get through the door, while I’m looking at my security cameras to see who is at the front door.  At the same time I’m accessing an intercom to begin dialog all the while ready to press a panic button on my home security alarm.

If the person at the door is in uniform I’m calling the police to determine if they are supposed to be there. If the person is someone I do not know there isn’t a reason they can give me that will motivate me to open the door.

If all else fails I have plenty of backup beyond the burglar biting beast.

Fox News reports “the invader barged into the home at around 3 a.m. after she responded to a knock at the front door, according to a police report. He allegedly grabbed the 110-pound beauty queen around her nose and mouth and dragged her to an upstairs bedroom. The woman’s fiancé said in an interview that he was quickly awakened by the altercation and ran to her side.”

“I attacked him and took a severe beating to the head,” “But I got him off of her long enough for her to scramble to the room where she keeps her pink .38 special.”

She shot the suspect several times – hitting him in the chest, groin, thigh and back. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At least 4 shots. Dang girl, DANG! Three shots in the front and one in the back, she got him running away!!!!

It was believed the intruder conspired with a pizza delivery man who frequented the home recognizing a $60,000 diamond ring on her finger along with the pizza dude being tasked to change hundred dollar bills each time they bought a pie.

Displaying material wealth can lead to these situations.

For anyone of any income level, spending a buck a day on a home security system is a no brainer. It’s all about priorities people!

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADT Pulse on Fox News.