Home Security -Master Lock Weakness

The Master Lock 175D

It is easy to open up a Master Lock 175D. I use to use them to lock up my firearms in their pelican cases and my gate doors to my backyard. Please be aware of how thieves can pick these locks.

Take a look at the youtube video below. It is easy and fast to pick this lock.



There is another lock I have yet to see if there is a way to pick this one…the Shrouded Padlock No. 177D.

Best Used For:

* Residential Gates and Fences
* Sheds, Workshops and Garages
* Storage Lockers
* Tool Chests and Tool Boxes

There will always be people who figure out how to pick/ by pass these locks, but it is good for you to always be on top of the weaknesses of the locks you use…it makes you situational aware and keeps you from falling complacent and not give you a false sense of security.

Personal Security - Choosing to Own a Gun for Protection

Whether you are looking to carry a firearm to protect yourself or your family, choosing a handgun or rifle for protection requires the open eyed decision to commit to the training and responsibility that comes with gun ownership. Do not take this lightly.

It requires some research as well. I knew someone who was in the military for a while and never owned a gun. Now married and with a family, there are at least two guns in that household. The following are just a few checklist items that were followed:

Check 1: Research your state gun laws. A good place to start is your local law enforcement department, whether it’s the Police or Sheriff’s department. You can check online, but things in cyberspace sometimes are not updated – local law enforcement is your best bet!

Check 2: Your gun of choice. That is a personal preference. Revolvers are almost always reliable alongside shotguns. In this day and age there are semi-automatic handguns and different type of caliber guns! Getting comfortable and knowing the pros and cons of the weapon is a plus! Revolver picture at upper left.

Check 3: Training and gun safety. Taking a gun course that covers everything from your state gun laws, gun safety, and shooting is the right way to go to cover your basis. If your State allows concealed carry, this is a good course to take knowing gun laws, and a good capability to have - carrying concealed or even in your vehicle. Plus these courses puts you in good contact with other like minded gun owners and exposes you to training opportunities. Semi-Automatic pictured at upper left.

Check 4: Maintenance. This requires proper cleaning and storage of your gun.

Check 5: Firing your weapon. Go to a local gun range and fire your gun! The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel with it and become better equipped to handle a dangerous situation like a home invasion. Some gun clubs have rental guns so you can "test drive" different guns. And, I have not ever been to a gun club that id not have people willing to give you advice and let you fire their guns. You have to be safe and comfortable with the gun(s) you own. Shotgun pictured at upper left.

There are many programs and to start visit the NRA website or its blog site, http://nrablog.com.

13 Things An Identity Thief Won't Tell You

Courtesy of of Reader's Digest Magazine

Former identity thieves confess the tactics they use to scam you.

1. Watch your back. In line at the grocery store, I’ll hold my phone like I’m looking at the screen and snap your card as you’re using it. Next thing you know, I’m ordering things online—on your dime.

2. That red flag tells the mail carrier—and me—that you have outgoing mail. And that can mean credit card numbers and checks I can reproduce.

3. Check your bank and credit card balances at least once a week. I can do a lot of damage in the 30 days between statements.

4. In Europe, credit cards have an embedded chip and require a PIN, which makes them a lot harder to hack. Here, I can duplicate the magnetic stripe technology with a $50 machine.

5. If a bill doesn’t show up when it’s supposed to, don’t breathe a sigh of relief. Start to wonder if your mail has been stolen.

6. That’s me driving through your neighborhood at 3 a.m. on trash day. I fill my trunk with bags of garbage from different houses, then sort later.

7. You throw away the darnedest things like pre-approved credit card applications, old bills, expired credit cards, checking account deposit slips, and crumpled-up job or loan applications with all your personal information.

8. If you see something that looks like it doesn’t belong on the ATM or sticks out from the card slot, walk away. That’s the skimmer I attached to capture your card information and PIN.

9. Why don’t more of you call 888-5-OPTOUT to stop banks from sending you pre-approved credit offers? You’re making it way too easy for me.

PLUS: 13 Things Your Financial Adviser Won't Tell You

10. I use your credit cards all the time, and I never get asked for ID. A helpful hint: I’d never use a credit card with a picture on it.

11. I can call the electric company, pose as you, and say, “Hey, I thought I paid this bill. I can’t remember—did I use my Visa or MasterCard? Can you read me back that number?” I have to be in character, but it’s unbelievable what they’ll tell me.

12. Thanks for using your debit card instead of your credit card. Hackers are constantly breaking into retail databases, and debit cards give me direct access to your banking account.

13. Love that new credit card that showed up in your mailbox. If I can’t talk someone at your bank into activating it (and I usually can), I write down the number and put it back. After you’ve activated the card, I start using it.