Home Security and Personal Security Tips

One of the most feared crimes is burglary. The threat of being a victim in your own home is bad enough but to be subjected to a crime a second or third time simply increases the fear of householders in an area. The quiet enjoyment of community life is ruined. Most householders and car owners have at some time felt the fear of crime, with the elderly and vulnerable most at risk. It makes sense to take steps to tackle crime in an effective way by reducing and preventing crime before it can happen. Home security is the best way to reduce your chances of being burgled. A lot of burglaries are spur of the moment, as a burglar may see an open window or other easy point of entry and take their chance. Basic tips: Visible burglar alarms , good lighting, and carefully directed and limited security lighting can act as deterrents. But make sure that lights don't disturb your neighbours, and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes. Fitting a 'spy hole' allows you to see who is at the door. Having a door chain means you can open the door a little way to talk to them. Make sure that any improvements you make don't stop you from getting out of your house as quickly as possible if there is a fire. Spending money on security measures can seem daunting, but it is a good investment, will last a long time and can add value to your property. Contact your council or local police for help. They may be able to advise you on the best measures to protect your property, and may even have grants to help cover the cost. Securing your property will make you safer in your home, and make your home and your belongings safer while you are out.

,b>Older People Older people may feel more vulnerable to some crimes, but are actually less likely to become victims. A few simple steps can also help reduce your risk of crime. Think about getting a personal alarm to use if you trip or fall at home. Fit door chains and spy holes, or ask the council to help you if you own your home. Many councils have security schemes that are aimed at older or more vulnerable people. You could ask them for advice. Phone the Age Concern information line on 0800 00 99 66 or visit the Age Concern website

Car Security Most car thefts are carried out by opportunists and can be deterred. Car crime affects everybody living in an area and be reduced with some simple measures: Don't leave valuable items on display Do use steering wheel or hand brake locks to prevent theft of your vehicle - especially if your car is an older model and does not have an immobiliser fitted. If possible, park in a busy well lit area.

Sandra Hornby is a consultant providing services in Home Security also in personal security and vehicle security

Home Security Systems Provide a Safe Environment for Family Members

There were 4 million household burglaries in the United States, nearly 500,000 resulted in bodily injury, and 20,000 resulted in homicides, frightening statistics. Additional statistics reveal that a home without a security system is three times as likely to be burglarized as compared to one which is equipped with a security system. These facts make it obvious that a home security system will reduce your chances of intrusion, and can protect your life and property. It is therefore necessary to conduct an extensive home security review, to determine the appropriate systems necessary to secure the safety of yourself, and home.

Several points should be kept in mind while conducting a home security review. Security needs should be a first consideration. While it may be obvious that you should be the best judge of security requirements, a security expert has the experience to evaluate your home for vulnerabilities that are not obvious to a layperson. After a full examination of your home, a security specialist will be able to make note of all soft spots, and suggest the kind of equipment necessary to strengthen these soft spots.

The next consideration is security monitoring. Security monitoring can be a sophisticated central monitoring service, or a simple home security system, cost and needs are the determining factors. The central monitoring services are ideal because they ensure that appropriate measures are taken whenever an intrusion is detected. A monitoring team that works from a central station verifies every suspicious activity the moment it receives an alert. While an ideal deterrent, this type of monitoring is relatively expensive, and subject to the experience and professionalism of the company. You must find out if the central monitoring station is certified by Underwriters Laboratory; that it has a power back up system that can run for 10 to 15 hours; that it is run by trained staff; that it alerts local authorities within seconds of receiving a security alert.

Less costly is a simple home security system consisting of a control panel, a couple of magnetic switches, a motion sensor or two, and an alarm device. This can be hard wired or wireless. The more advanced systems feature a video camera that can be monitored by family members. The biggest advantage of this system is that it scares away potential intruders. This may happen when an intruder sees a yard sign, a decal sign or any of the installed sensors or video cameras. There is a one-time installation charge, with no recurring expenses.

While there are no guarantees, any home security system could scare away potential intruders. Any type of prevention will go along way to reduce the likelihood of a break in, or home assault by a stranger. Remember, the main objective of any home security system is to provide a safe environment for family members, and to limit the loss of property.

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Best Home Security Companies. Visit http://home-security-usa.com/ for more information.

Home Security Patio Sliding Glass Doors

As promised at the end of part 4 of this series, in this section I will deal with Patio Sliding Glass Doors. Quite often homeowners install sturdy locks on their front doors but leave their patio doors and sliding glass windows "wide open" to illegal entry.

Burglars love these because they are so easy to open. Usually, sliding doors and windows are at the side or rear of the home so they are more secluded than the front door, this makes a perfect place for burglars to hide and enter.

There are two main risks that need to be protected against.

1. Forcing the lock.

The standard lock that is fitted to most sliding doors and windows is very easy to pry open, an additional stronger lock should be fitted to give more security. Something as simple as lying a broomstick in the runner can offer some protection provided it is a good fit.

However Dead Locks are much better, they will prevent the burglar from using the door or window to remove stolen property unless they smash the glass and that is a very noisy and risky thing for them to do.

2. Lifting Out.

Many sliding doors and windows can be lifted out of their tracks from the outside. You can prevent this by putting two metal screws through the track above the sliding part of the door or window, the screw will need to be adjusted to allow the door to operate correctly.

Double Hung Windows

To lock a double hung window, you will have to drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window, and through that into the bottom of the top window being careful to avoid the glass unit, if you have any doubt about your DIY abilities get a professional tradesman to do it. Once the hole is drilled a pin can be inserted, locking the window shut.

To use the window for ventilation, you should partly open it (less that 4 inches) and making a second set of holes, the window can then be used for ventilation.

Remember, open windows and doors, even if secured, should never be left unattended while you are gone or asleep.

This section is quite short but I thought the information was important enough to deserve a section of it's own. In part six we will be dealing with Burglar Alarms.For more vital home security tips and information about how to protect your home and family please visit http://www.homesecuritynews.info You may reproduce this article provided you maintain an active link back to http://www.homesecuritynews.info

Home Security Patio Sliding Glass Doors

As promised at the end of part 4 of this series, in this section I will deal with Patio Sliding Glass Doors. Quite often homeowners install sturdy locks on their front doors but leave their patio doors and sliding glass windows "wide open" to illegal entry.

Burglars love these because they are so easy to open. Usually, sliding doors and windows are at the side or rear of the home so they are more secluded than the front door, this makes a perfect place for burglars to hide and enter.

There are two main risks that need to be protected against.

1. Forcing the lock. The standard lock that is fitted to most sliding doors and windows is very easy to pry open, an additional stronger lock should be fitted to give more security. Something as simple as lying a broomstick in the runner can offer some protection provided it is a good fit. However Dead Locks are much better, they will prevent the burglar from using the door or window to remove stolen property unless they smash the glass and that is a very noisy and risky thing for them to do.

2. Lifting Out. Many sliding doors and windows can be lifted out of their tracks from the outside. You can prevent this by putting two metal screws through the track above the sliding part of the door or window, the screw will need to be adjusted to allow the door to operate correctly. Double Hung Windows To lock a double hung window, you will have to drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window, and through that into the bottom of the top window being careful to avoid the glass unit, if you have any doubt about your DIY abilities get a professional tradesman to do it. Once the hole is drilled a pin can be inserted, locking the window shut. To use the window for ventilation, you should partly open it (less that 4 inches) and making a second set of holes, the window can then be used for ventilation. Remember, open windows and doors, even if secured, should never be left unattended while you are gone or asleep. This section is quite short but I thought the information was important enough to deserve a section of it's own. In part six we will be dealing with Burglar Alarms.

For more vital home security tips and information about how to protect your home and family please visit www.homesecuritynews.info

You may reproduce this article provided you maintain an active link back to www.homesecuritynews.info

Home Security Systems Provide a Safe Environment for Family Members

There were 4 million household burglaries in the United States, nearly 500,000 resulted in bodily injury, and 20,000 resulted in homicides, frightening statistics. Additional statistics reveal that a home without a security system is three times as likely to be burglarized as compared to one which is equipped with a security system. These facts make it obvious that a home security system will reduce your chances of intrusion, and can protect your life and property. It is therefore necessary to conduct an extensive home security review, to determine the appropriate systems necessary to secure the safety of yourself, and home.

Several points should be kept in mind while conducting a home security review. Security needs should be a first consideration. While it may be obvious that you should be the best judge of security requirements, a security expert has the experience to evaluate your home for vulnerabilities that are not obvious to a layperson. After a full examination of your home, a security specialist will be able to make note of all soft spots, and suggest the kind of equipment necessary to strengthen these soft spots.

The next consideration is security monitoring. Security monitoring can be a sophisticated central monitoring service, or a simple home security system, cost and needs are the determining factors. The central monitoring services are ideal because they ensure that appropriate measures are taken whenever an intrusion is detected. A monitoring team that works from a central station verifies every suspicious activity the moment it receives an alert. While an ideal deterrent, this type of monitoring is relatively expensive, and subject to the experience and professionalism of the company. You must find out if the central monitoring station is certified by Underwriters Laboratory; that it has a power back up system that can run for 10 to 15 hours; that it is run by trained staff; that it alerts local authorities within seconds of receiving a security alert.

Less costly is a simple home security system consisting of a control panel, a couple of magnetic switches, a motion sensor or two, and an alarm device. This can be hard wired or wireless. The more advanced systems feature a video camera that can be monitored by family members. The biggest advantage of this system is that it scares away potential intruders. This may happen when an intruder sees a yard sign, a decal sign or any of the installed sensors or video cameras. There is a one-time installation charge, with no recurring expenses.

While there are no guarantees, any home security system could scare away potential intruders. Any type of prevention will go along way to reduce the likelihood of a break in, or home assault by a stranger. Remember, the main objective of any home security system is to provide a safe environment for family members, and to limit the loss of property.
Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Best Home Security Companies. Visit http://home-security-usa.com/ for more information.

Home Security Locks and Hinges

Having dealt with the doors on your home in article 3, next I would like to take a look at locks and hinges.

Many homes use the lock-in-knob, this offers you convenience but it does not offer security from break ins. The fact is that many lock-in-knob type locks can be opened using a simple credit card, your home is just not secure if you are using this type of lock.

Lock-in-knob type locks are fine for internal doors that you want to lock for privacy reasons, but all exterior doors need a deadbolt lock to give the level of security required. With this type of lock when you operate the key the mechanism slides a strong metal bolt from the door into the door's frame.

These are the things you should make sure of when you buy a deadbolt lock:

The bolt extends at least 1" into the front edge of the doorframe. The strike plate is attached through the trim to the doorframe with screws at least 3" long. The lock has a rotation case hardened shroud that prevents it from being twisted off with a pair of pliers or other tools. There are two common types of deadbolts:

Single Cylinder Deadbolts

They have a thumb turn on the interior side. They are easy to use and could speed up exit in the event of an emergency like a house fire. Remember if they are used near a window they can be opened by breaking the window and reaching through. This type of deadbolt lock will not prevent a burglar from using the door to remove your property.

Double Cylinder Deadbolts

Use keys on both sides of the lock. This type of lock is more suitable if there is glass window within 40" of the lock, but they can present a potential fire escape hazard. This type of deadbolt lock can delay a burglar that wants to use the door to remove your property. The final part of the locking mechanism is the strike plate; this is attached to the doorframe with screws. The metal bolt of the deadbolt lock slides into the strike plate to secure the door to the doorframe.

A high security strike plate is needed to keep the metal bolt from being forced from the doorframe when locked. A high security strike plate should have at least 4 screws that are a minimum of 3 inches long.

Finally its time to consider the other edge of the door, there is no point in having a great deadlock fitted to a door with weak hinges. Many door hinges are often fitted with the same 3/4" screws as used for common strike plates. Replace these with 2" to 3" fully threaded screws so the hinges are anchored to the doorframe.

Make sure that the hinge pins are not exposed to the outside so a potential burglar can remove the pins to gain entry.

Hinges should be pinned by installing a partially threaded screw into the frame side of the hinge. The unthreaded portion of the screw is left exposed and the head of the screw is cut off. Then a corresponding hole is drilled into the door and hinge on the opposite side, so that when the door is closed the exposed portion of the screw fits in to the door, so preventing the door from the being lifted from its hinges.

Having a good lock fitted is only half the story; you must look after the keys, as many as half of all burglaries take place without forced entry. It is surprising how often the burglar just uses a key.

Make sure your keys don't fall into the wrong hands, the following tips should help: Never carry identification on your key ring or holder. Change the locks and keys when you move into a new house or apartment. Know who has keys to your home.

Don't give keys to maintenance or deliver people. If you must leave a key leave it with a trusted neighbor.

Make sure that each member of your family knows where his or her key is. Never hide a key outside. Burglars always know all the hiding places. Do not hang keys on hooks within plain view inside your home.

Well that just about covers the locks and doors on your home, apart from one very important item, Patio or Sliding Glass doors, these are so important that I have written a separate item about them for the next article in this series.

For more vital home security tips and information about how to protect your home and family please visit www.homesecuritynews.info

You may reproduce this article provided you maintain an active link back to www.homesecuritynews.info

Wireless Home Security Systems

Adding wireless home security systems to your home or office can be quite easy as long as you know what you want and how to install them. With just a few simple facts in hand, you can quickly be on your way to finding what you want from the various wireless home security systems.

Prior to choosing wireless home security systems, you must decide a few things.

First you must look over your home to determine how many doors and windows will be used with the system. Next you must determine where you want your control panel and keypads. While some people find it is more convenient to have them close to the front door, others prefer to have them closer to the bedrooms. You can also have them in both places if you so choose.

You must also find out how far these doors and windows are from the system?s main sensors. If you are using wireless home security systems, they cannot be too far from the sensors or else they won?t be able to communicate with them.

Do you want a monitored system? For a small monthly fee, various companies? can ?watch? your system. For a less expensive alternative, you can choose a basic system that connects a dialer to your home phone that can dial previously chosen numbers in the case of an emergency.

Motion detectors are also an option, but you may want to reconsider having them if anyone in your house, including pets, have a tendency to roam during the night or whenever your system is enabled.

Now that you have this information you can begin to look through the various options for wireless home security systems. The first step is contacting a reputable company that you know and trust.

When choosing the correct wireless home security systems model, make sure that you choose a system that monitors every zone in your home. With wireless home security systems you must be certain that it can perform correctly by reaching even the furthest zone.

Lastly, a user-friendly system is a must. If you don?t know how to use wireless home security systems, then they won?t do you much good in an emergency.

Be aware that when choosing wireless home security systems, each contact device takes batteries. It can be a bit pricier then a hard-wired system due to the fact that you must pay for service calls to replace the batteries. But this can be avoided if you buy them and install them yourself.

Speaking of installation, installing wireless home security systems can be quite easy to do yourself since they do not require any hard-wiring, only basic tools that you have lying around your house.

As previously discussed, the first step to installing wireless home security systems is figuring out where to put the control panels and sensors. Once you have done that, you are almost on your way to having your home ready to go in case of an emergency or break-in.

By following the instructions that come with wireless home security systems, you can quickly install your system while saving money. But, if you prefer to have it done for you, you can easily call a contractor, or a company specializing in this type of system, to do it for you.More Information and resources about Home Security at: Home Security Information

Home-Based Business Safety and Security Issues

 by: Vishal P. Rao

Anyone that operates a business from home knows that home-based business security issues often come up. This is just part and parcel of running any home-based business.

Realistically, in order to be successful at a home-based business, a business owner needs to release their address and phone number to potential clients or buyers eventually. Even if this is not done, it is rather easy for potential clients and buyers to research and discover the phone number and location of a home-based business.

Therefore, it can be harrowing at times, for home-based business owners in the issues of safety and security, especially if their home-based business is indeed, in their home, exposing their family members to security and safety issues and risks, as well as themselves.

This is not to say that undue measures should be taken, or that undue fear should pervade. A home-based business is really at no more risk of crimes against person or property than a personal residence or any other type of business.

Pre-cautionary measures should however, within normal guidelines be employed, to prevent any untoward occurrences during the course of a business day and after office hours. These measures can include, but should not be limited to the following:

1. The locking of doors and windows as is convenient and the implementation of safety and security devices, even when the building is occupied. Many home-based business owners don't feel that they may legitimately keep the doors and windows "locked", as they may feel that this will inconvenience their clients. This is not true, as any visit to a corporate building will soon prove.

Whenever visitors enter a corporate structure, they are usually scrutinized well by cameras, security personnel and other safety and security methods. As a home-based business owner, you do have every right to employ locked doors and windows, and even implement security cameras and other devices. It is your right under law, and clients, overall, will understand this.

2. The use of structural security measures, such as deadbolts, dogs, fencing, and one-way viewing glass inserted into doors. Measures such as these are used routinely by homeowners and a business within a home does not rule out the use of these deterrents.

3. The use of a separate phone line for business needs. This is only a small added expense per month, but when clients call, no one in a home-based business person's "family" will inadvertently answer, thus lending to the belief that the business is not attached to a personal residence in any way.

4. The use of legitimate business e-mail addresses. No personal addresses should be used. If a business address is used, it leads clients to believe that the business is larger, with more employees present in the building.

5. Routine office hours should be kept. Answering the phone and taking orders ONLY within set regular business hours will prevent clients from "showing up on the doorstep" after certain hours, and will lend a more professional air to a business.

6. Keeping background noise down during office hours. Clients are quick to "pick up" on background noises. On a professional level, an office should be as quiet as possible, with no interruptions by "family" or "friends". This also is a safety measure, as clients will assume the business is strictly unattached from the residence if they sense no background noise.

7. Emergency phone numbers should be posted in clear view. This includes fire, police, and other emergency numbers.

8. A system of "check points" can be established, whereas a friend or family member can regularly call or enter the building or home, to determine if all is well.

9. An emergency system needs to be in place. Any unwanted visitors or unwanted attentions by others need to be reported completely and thoroughly to authorities, as soon as these instances occur. This is especially true if threats or accusations occur. Business owners do not need to "put up" with aggression or unwanted visits by clients.

10. Common sense is the best detriment to tragedies occurring in a home-based business. Never open the door to strangers, never work alone late at night in a deserted area, never deliver anything late at night to a bad neighborhood, or otherwise put yourself or your family in jeopardy. If something doesn't "feel" right, trust your instincts.

As you can see, running a business within the home doesn't need to be fraught by peril. It does require that safety and security measures are implemented, but this is true of any type of business. Remember, "safety first, money later"!

Vishal P. Rao is the editor of http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources for starting a home based business. He is also the owner of the http://www.work-at-home-forum.com - an online community of folks who work at home.

Home Security: Exterior and Interior Lighting

Home Security Exterior and Interior Lighting

It is a well-known fact, that satisfactory lighting is a very valuable deterrent to crime. Whatever lighting might help reduce your risk of becoming a victim, the right lights, utilized properly will be the effective deterrent to burglars and other intruders and improve your home security.

Exterior:
Outside lights are critically important, especially near doorways and at the rear of your residence, where break-ins typically occur. All round security lighting that is set-up high out of reach, and is tamper proof, will greatly improve your home security and help to protect your home.

Lighting in carports and garages is critical. An automatic garage opener is the best choice. All the best garage door opener fitted today use a light that operates when the opener is activated, lighting the garage interior. In carports, it's best to leave a light on permanently, have a light on a timer, or use a motion sensor to activate the light.

It is best to use a motion detector on all exterior lights that are not left switched on. The principal benefit of this for home security, especially in the backyard, is that the light warns you that someone is in your yard. When there can be some problem that dogs, cats, or even birds will trigger off the sensor and cause the lights to come on, if you set the sensitivity of the sensor right this will not be a issue. In the front yard, any type of lighting will be efficient, but make sure that the lighting design covers the entire front and sides of the home. Sensors can be utilized however they will be prone to "false alarms" induced by things like people walking down the sidewalk, or also kids playing.

Inside:
Whenever you go out for the evening, I suppose that like most people you leave a light on, the Police call these lights "burglar beacons". A burglar beacon is a single light that is left on so you do not return to a dark home when you get back.

Regrettably these lights are a sign for the burglar that you are out. When you go out for the evening or away on holiday make certain several lights are left on, in different parts of the home, and furthermore a radio, put them on timers, from the exterior your house should look as if someone is home at all times to improve your home security.

That's it for this time; in the next article we will look at sorting out the doors on your home.

Roger Overanout

For more vital home security tips and information about how to protect your home and family please visit www.homesecuritynews.info

Use Of Home Security Cameras Increase

Unfortunately, the world is not as safe as it used to be. With crime in the home on the rise, more and more people are looking at options to make their homes more safe and secure. One option for home security that is becoming very popular is the use of home security cameras. These types of video systems can give a homeowner the sense of security and the peace of mind that they are looking for. Now, people can record their nanny or babysitter while they are away, see who is at the door before answering it, and find out if someone is on your property without having to go outside and possibly expose themselves to harm.

The home security camera options are vast. There are many sites on the Internet and a variety of catalogs that offer many different types of home surveillance equipment. You can buy a ready-made system for a reasonable price, or have a custom-designed system that is more costly but also very effective. They can also offer advice about the best kind of system for your needs and your budget.

There are both wireless and wired options for security cameras. Most people tend to go with the wireless choice, because anyone can install them in a short amount of time and they are easy to use. However, some people prefer the traditional CCTV option with wires to install. However, all of these types of security systems work with the equipment you already have. For instance, you can have live color images sent to your TV, or have them recorded on your VCR. If you need additional recording time, you can always choose to go with a digital recorder, which is more expensive but also gives you a lot more latitude in how much footage you need to record. These systems are weatherproof so that they work inside or outside, depending on your needs.

A homeowner can choose a simple camera, large or very small to mount in any place they desire. They can also get additional security items, such as motion detectors and night vision cameras. The variety of surveillance equipment is endless, and you can monitor any area you want to. The only factor is how much you are willing to spend on this kind of security stuff for your home.

One factor that is extremely important to consider when choosing a home security camera is camera resolution. A camera with a higher resolution will have a much clearer and sharper picture. So paying more for a higher resolution camera makes sense in the long run because you will have the kind of quality picture you need for your home security. Choosing a home security system does not have to be difficult or costly. Most security cameras can be installed easily and will provide you with the peace of mind you crave.
Bob Hett offers great tips and advice regarding all aspects concerning Security Cameras.
Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.securitycamerasreview.info

Top Ten House Alarm and Home Security Devices

A mans home is his castle, as the saying goes. But homes today dont normally feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a house alarm, and preferably a managed home security system, is needed to ensure your homes security. Not only does installing a home security system improve the safety of your family and possessions, but it can also decrease your home insurance costs. The Top Ten House Alarm and Home Security Devices list highlights ten devices and features of home security systems that can make your house a safer place.

The Top Ten

10. Talking Devices help you to understand the status of your home and monitoring as well as program the system. Some security systems feature talking master control panels, key pads or remotes. The talking feature may not result in great conversation, but it will help you understand your system a little better.

9. Some home alarm systems include extras like Key Fobs and Remotes to control the system at a distance. Somewhat similar to a cars key fob, home security key fobs include buttons to activate and deactivate the house alarm system. Some even include a panic button that activates the house alarm and alerts the proper authorities in the event of an emergency. Remote controls are similar and often larger. The features of remotes vary greatly and can include a full key pad, a talking feature and a panic button as well.

8. Yard Signs and House or Window Decals advertise your homes protection. The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm companys yard sign (SIA Research Update, Security Industry Association, October 2001). Some choose to post the signs to deter possible break-ins without actually installing a home alarm system. While this effort will lower the odds of an attempted burglary, a yard sign alone cannot fully protect your home.

7. A Back-Up Power Supply is important in maintaining home security even during a power outage, when the risk of break-ins and looting is increased. Your home alarm should be effective even when your power is not. The easiest to maintain back-up power supplies use standard size batteries. Look for a model that uses rechargeable batteries to lower your maintenance costs.

6. Smoke Detectors add another layer of protection to your home, especially when they are integrated into the home alarm system. Not only do smoke detectors indicate a fire and give you time to escape safely, but when included in a home security package, they automatically notify the managing company and the fire department. Some systems even integrate the power supply to the smoke detectors. That means you dont have to change the batteries ever!

5. Wireless Systems protect your home without adding extra cords to trip over or extensive installation of in-wall cords. In wireless house alarm systems, each sensor or keypad communicates with the master control panel via radio frequencies or existing wiring in your home. A burglar will never be able to disarm the system by snipping the wires. This ensures the system is fully integrated and monitoring all parts of your home without using up your outlets or creating an obstacle course of wires for you.

4. Extra Key Pads are also important. Exterior mounted key pads can provide secure keyless entry to your family. Some systems also offer remote control key pads which are lightweight and portable. A home alarm system that features a security code with a key pad increases the security of your home. A monitored system can also lock down entry after several repeated, failed attempts at entry which indicate a possible break-in attempt.

3. Key pads may not always be enough to keep burglars out. Sensors on Windows and Doors reduce the risk of a burglar entering undetected and are a key part of a home alarm system. Motion Detectors within the home also increase the level of security. The most sophisticated motion detectors include a feature to ignore pets movement to avoid constantly setting the alarm off inadvertently.

2. Installation, Monitoring, and Repair Services increase not only the level of safety but the convenience of keeping your home safe. A house alarm alone cannot notify the police or fire department in the event of an emergency. The most complete systems include buttons to notify police departments, fire departments and medical help instantly. Another advantage offered by the best monitoring companies is live customer support and full service installation and repair of the system by employees who have been background checked, licensed and drug tested to ensure your safety. Finally, some companies even offer relocation services to keep you secure even when you move.

1. The classic Master Control Panel is vital to any home alarm system. The central hub of the system, the control panel is usually wall-mounted in an easily accessible place. The panel receives information from all other sensors and key pads, computes it, and transmits relevant information to the monitoring company. If you choose to arm the system from the panel when you leave the house, the master control panel also receives the disarm code when you return home. Some can even be disarmed by telephone!

Of course, this list is not comprehensive, and the needs of every home and homeowner are different. For more tips on choosing the right home alarm system and features to protect your house, I recommend visiting Alarm One Inc at http://www.alarmoneinc.com/home/ . They offer many different products and fully monitored home security systems.
Jordan is enjoys reading, ice skating and watching Law & Order. For more information on home alarm systems, please visit Alarm One Inc at http://www.alarmoneinc.com/home/.

Home Business PC Security For Dummies

The Internet is a powerful tool for home-based businesses. If used effectively, it can be your best friend; but if you dont secure your computer, it can be your worst enemy. Im sure youve had your fill of warnings about the latest killer computer virus. So Im not going to harp on about the latest threat, or the potential for damage. What I WILL do is provide some protection tips and links for the layperson.

The Internet is a powerful tool for home-based businesses. If used effectively, it can be your best friend; but if you dont secure your computer, it can be your worst enemy. Im sure youve had your fill of warnings about the latest killer computer virus. So Im not going to harp on about the latest threat, or the potential for damage. What I WILL do is provide some protection tips and links for the layperson.

(And now for the obligatory disclaimer: Im no tech-head Im an advertising copywriter and website copywriter. So this article is certainly not definitive or exhaustive. Its simply an overview of some useful and easy to use solutions which should meet most of your requirements. I have no affiliation with the vendors or their distributors, and would encourage people to shop around before buying.)

When you run a home-based business with one or two computers the main things you need to protect against are malicious hackers, worms, viruses, hijackers, trojans, spyware, and adware. For most people, the following tools are all you need.

Firewall e.g. Outpost Firewall Pro

Basically, a firewall stops unwanted stuff getting in. Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro is powerful and easy to use. You can get it from http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/ for USD$39.95. It claims to provide the following protection.

Detects and blocks all intrusions by hackers
Blocks data theft attempts
Operates your computer into stealth mode, making it invisible to intruders
Analyzes your inbox and Quarantines Internet worms and viruses
Monitors network activity of your PC
Protects your children from illegal, inappropriate web sites
Provides full access to a thorough history of your connections
Prevents data leak from your PC
Averts invasions of your privacy through the Internet
Conceals your surfing habits when browsing the Web

As a general note, your firewall will be the hardest security software to use because it'll ask you a lot of questions, such as:

Such and such program is trying to connect with such and such server on the internet.
Such and such server is trying to connect to your computer (these are the ones you have to be very careful of, as they may be people trying to hack your computer).
A particular application has changed in some way. Do you want to make changed components shared with all other applications which interact with it?
A program is attempting to change a registry value. Is that ok?

You'll also get a lot of these sorts of questions when you first install the firewall. Once you've set up a few rules, they'll go away because the rules will handle most things.

You can also set the firewall to block active content (javascript, activex, etc.) on websites you visit and emails you receive. If you normally visit only trusted websites and you don't get much spam, you don't really need this feature. But if anyone is visiting dubious sites, or if you get a lot of spam, or you're just very careful, it's a useful feature. TIP: If you do a lot of web surfing, configure Outpost so that whenever you visit a new site, it asks you if you want to allow or block active content (select Options | Plug-Ins Setup, then click Settings, then choose the Exclusions tab and check the box at the bottom of the screen Add Web sites to the exclusions list on the first visit).

Virus Protection e.g. BitDefender 8 (Standard)

Basically, virus protection identifies and quarantines known viruses on your computer. You can get BitDefender 8 (Standard) at http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/products.php?p_id=2# for USD$44.95. It claims to provide the following protection.

Scans and disinfect infected files on access, minimizing data loss
Allows you to recover infected documents
Filters against viruses that spread via instant messaging and file sharing software
Monitors your file system, registry and Internet activity
Blocks infected e-mail messages

TIP: Set your virus protection up to do a full system scan every night. (If you choose BitDefender, do this by clicking Antivirus from the left of the main window, then clicking on the Scheduler tab.)

Various Free Utilities

Basically, the following tools grab the things the virus and firewall software miss.

Adaware http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=adaware&tg=dl-2001. Scans your PC for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components and cleans your system, so you have more privacy while you surf the Web.
Spybot - http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=spybot&tg=dl-20. Searches your hard disk and registry for threats to your security and privacy.
Spyware Blaster - http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=spyware+blaster&tg=dl-20. Prevents spyware from being installed on your computer.
CCleaner - http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=ccleaner&tg=dl-20. Cleans up junk and temporary files and invalid registry entries and gives you a lot of extra space on your hard drive.

TIP: Update and run each of these utilities at least once a week. Youll be surprised what youll net especially if you havent purchased a full firewall system and anti-virus system.

Conclusion

In my humble opinion, its well worth your while to invest in a firewall application and an anti-virus application. There are a few freeware programs out there that claim to do the same job, but in my experience, they dont quite measure up. And when it comes down to it, theyre so inexpensive especially in comparison to the cost of downtime and/or computer repairs!

Outpost and BitDefender offer online purchases, and send you a license key in an email, which you then use to download the product. You can pay a little extra for them to send you a CD.

The applications listed above certainly arent the only ones available. Im not even claiming theyre the best. But when used together diligently, you should find you have a lot less trouble with your computer, youll have the peace-of-mind of enhanced privacy, and youll minimize the risk of lost income due to downtime.

Good luck!

Glenn Murray is an advertising copywriter and search engine (SEO) copywriter and heads copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at mailto:glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com for further details or more FREE articles.