One Solution For Home Door Security

I just recently viewed a video from shattergard.com. It shows the above door security device called the OnGard Door Brace in action. I must say it does a pretty good job. Below is the same video I watched. The company has this to say about the product which is located on their website:

The majority of home security devices serve as psychological deterrents only. Alarm systems, “Beware of Dog” signs or even surveillance cameras are simply not enough to stop the new breed of violent criminals. For instance, when an alarm sounds, typically the intruder has already entered your home. And sadly, criminals can do the “unthinkable” between your alarm sounding and police arriving on scene. Simply stated, alarm systems rarely keep the bad guys on the outside of your home. Don’t allow inferior security devices and methods lull you into a false sense of security.

Consider these alarming statistics:

In the United States:

• A burglary occurs every 15.4 seconds.
• Approximately 1,596,008 burglaries occur annually.
• Approximately 1,300,000 violent crimes occur annually.
• Up to 78% of break-ins occur forcibly through a locked door or window.

Enter the patented ONGARD security door brace.

Unlike an alarm system, the OnGARD door brace actually prevents a criminal from gaining entry. Five years in development, the unique two-piece design utilizes both the strength of the existing floor and a space age polymer – the identical material in US military fighter planes.

Praised by locksmiths, security professionals and even law enforcement, the OnGARD easily withstands up to 1,775 pounds of violent force, resisting door kick-ins, sledgehammers and even battering rams.

Easily install on most wood, concrete or tile floors, etc.

E-ZPass Agencies Warn of Email Phishing Scam

Here is an article that I read in the Washington Post by the writer that call himself Dr. Gridlock. Its an important email phishing scam that I believe needs to be shared so that people are aware of the dangers of this. Read on!

E-ZPass agencies warn of phishing scam
By Robert Thomson July 9

  
By now, many people have learned to ignore pleading e-mails from close friends who say they’re trapped in a foreign country and need your money. That’s a relatively easy fraud to spot. Since when did your close friend start speaking zombie English? But a new scheme hides behind an American institution: The E-ZPass transponder used to quickly pay tolls.

Transportation agencies that administer E-ZPass accounts are warning their customers to beware of an e-mail scam that begins with a claim they haven’t paid their bills.

E-ZPass scam letter:

The Virginia E-ZPass program provided this sample of the e-mail scam.

People targeted by the scammers are not necessarily E-ZPass users. James Paul of Annandale said in an e-mail that he discovered one. “Not being an automobile owner, and never having driven in the Lexus lanes, I wasn’t surprised to see it in the spam filter,” he said. “The sending address being in France was another tipoff.”

The sending address that the e-mail reader sees at first glance may not be the full address, but rather something like, “E-ZPass Info,” or “E-ZPass Customer Service Center.” Where the actual e-mail address appears, the address may be different. The one Paul spotted had a designation suggested it originated in France. The one in the sample provided by the Virginia E-ZPass operators has a standard “.com” sender address.

The subject line also may vary. The one in the Virginia sample says, “In arrears for driving on toll road.” In the fake message that Paul received, the subject line is, “Payment for driving on toll road.”

The body of the message will say something about you failing to pay for using a toll road.

Overall, the e-mail looks very official. It has the purple color you see on the highway signs and at toll plazas. It even had a link that purports to lead to the agency’s “Phishing Policy.” Paul described that reference as “a bit cheeky.”

To me, the most chilling thing is that the scammers spell “E-ZPass” right. Almost nobody outside of government can do that.

Bottom line: Control your outrage or fear about an unexpected bill. And don’t click on the link provided to obtain a copy of your invoice. The scammers are after your private information. Just delete the e-mail. E-ZPass bills generally come in the U.S. Mail.

If you have any doubts, call the customer service center for the agency that holds your account. For Virginia accounts, that’s 877-762-7824. For Maryland accounts, it’s 888-321-6824.

I haven’t seen any form of this scam e-mail that indicates it comes from any particular agency that issues E-ZPasses. The scam logo is a generic “E-ZPass Service Center.”

Robert Thomson is The Washington Post’s “Dr. Gridlock.” He answers travelers’ questions, listens to their complaints and shares their pain on the roads, trains and buses in the Washington region.

New Protection From NSA Mobile Phone Snooping

Looking for an excellent solution to cell phone privacy? Read what two people have done to help secure your privacy from those who want to violate your cell phone privacy. Below is what their website offers in the form of a secure cell phone with a secure operating system. You can obtain more information at their website at https://www.blackphone.ch/ and https://silentcircle.com/

In 2011, Mike Janke, former U.S. Navy SEAL and security specialist, approached Phil Zimmermann, cryptography legend (Internet Hall of Fame inductee; creator of PGP and ZRTP) about a partnership to create the world’s first communications network built for privacy.

Jon Callas, creator of Apple's Whole Disk Encryption, joined as CTO and Silent Circle's founding team was made. Their idea was to create an encrypted communications service with easy-to-use tools available to all who appreciate a little control over who has access to their conversations.

Silent Circle has matured into the world's most trusted solution for mobile privacy serving individuals, businesses, and governments in over 130 countries with a truly revolutionary ecosystem of software, services, and devices.

Headquartered in Switzerland with employees in eight countries, Silent Circle has revolutionized how the world communicates - securely.

Here is some information on their secure cell phone that can be found on their website:

Blackphone combines a custom operating system with leading applications optimized for security. The result: an unparalleled product ideal for people who recognize a need for privacy and want a simple, secure place to start.

Blackphone's unique features put privacy back in your hands.

• Bundled with privacy enabled applications
• Smart disabling of WiFi except in trusted hotspots
• Comes with years of key security subscriptions
• Remote Wipe and anti-theft features

Blackphone comes unlocked and features several pre-installed privacy tools, all fully enabled for at least two years of use.  These tools include the Silent Circle suite of applications, including Silent Phone, Silent Text, and Silent Contacts; anonymous search, private browsing, and VPN from Disconnect; and secure cloud file storage from SpiderOak. (Source: https://www.blackphone.ch/ and https://silentcircle.com/)

This may be the privacy protection we all are craving. But rest assured there is someone or some company out there that will try and break this system just to once again invade your right to privacy.