Surprising as it may be, home security does not start and end in the home. As with all modern technology, thieves and burglars will be using more modern techniques in order to access your home without your knowledge. With more advanced CCTV technology, thieves are also having to up their game using data stealing techniques, odd scanners and apps designed to help people replace lost keys. Unfortunately many technologies designed to help people can easily be changed and used for nefarious means, so it is important to make sure that your attitude towards vigilant home security does not just stay at home. Here, Mike from CCTV & door entry security specialist Rentrifone discusses the most commonly made mistakes regarding security outside the home.
Lending or Leaving Your Keys
Ever leant your keys to a friend or relative so that they could feed the cats, collect the post etc. while you were on holiday? Relatively harmless right? However unfortunately a new app; KeyMe, and similar apps, could make something so innocuous an easy way to access your home, with the ability to scan your keys to a general server which can then be printed or cut from blanks at any nearby KeyMe’s kiosks. A slightly unnerving realisation, but something that could easily be done.
In fact nowadays with current 3D printing technology, you might not need the app at all, just your phone and a 3D printer, if you have the knowledge to transfer a set of 2D images to create a 3D rendering.
Key Duplication Apps – The Original Intent
Unfortunately the original intent for key duplication apps such as KeyMe were for key owners who wanted funny little quirky key designs in a number of novelty shapes, from bottle openers to celebrity faces. A relatively harmless app that used your phones photo capturing software to upload a 3D image of the key in question to the online database, which could then be rendered, 3D printed and delivered to your door complete with novelty key head. A fun idea in theory, sadly a frightening concept in practice, as this information could easily be stolen by the wrong person, particularly if they have knowledge of where you keep your keys, and they would only need to have them for a minute at most.
Unattended Bags
‘Only for a second’ is ample time for someone who is practiced at their craft, particularly if they have been watching you for a while to see where everything is kept. Abductions have been made from children being unwatched for ‘just a minute’, so to be burgled when your back is turned is certainly not uncommon. If you can, keep your bags on you at all times or carry all important items on your person so that they are close to you.
Staying Safe
While it is not entirely possible to stay safe 100% of the time while out and about, it is important to stay alert when in unfamiliar places or if you have a habit of getting your phone out every 5 minutes to check it. Thieves can easily grab your keys with sleight of hand if they know where you keep them, and duplicating keys is becoming easier nowadays as people start getting a little more complacent with losing and finding things.
Yes technology is constantly finding new ways to improve and make our lives quicker and easier. However it is also making us less alert and more trusting of random technology and when it comes to home security, this could be our downfall. It is important to always remain vigilant, even when out and about.