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.
People nowadays prefer to install advanced surveillance and alarm systems in their homes to prevent burglaries. Some people also tend to install smart doorbells and package vaults to prevent porch pirates from stealing their delivered parcels. This sort of security (smart doorbells and vaults) measures can secure your packages and prevent hefty losses.
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
In today’s world, it is important to stay vigilant and take all the necessary measures to ensure your home is properly protected. While in some places, having a regular home security system might be enough, other places with high crime rates might need to take certain additional methods to ensure that their family remains safe. In that regard, people might have questions: should you install bulletproof glasses in your home, or will a pistol keep you safer in the event of a burglary? The latter might be a better option for you if you have a license to own firearms, and might even be necessary in certain neighborhoods. After all, you do not want to wake up to a break-in, and not have any way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Additionally, in spite of the fact that home security now mostly relies on technology, it seems equally important to follow standard safety methods, such as installing Residential Fencing, adequate lighting, and strong windows and doors to safeguard your home. This may help you minimise the possibility of theft to a fairly large extent.
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.