Security

Cyber Protection on Cyber Monday Isn't Enough

While Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day of the year, it is also a time when consumers can be careless and open themselves up to the risk of identity theft. This online shopping bonanza marks the start of the holiday season, and IdentityHawk wants to remind consumers to take precautions to protect their identities online and offline.

According to Jeff Paradise, executive director of IdentityHawk, "Cyber Monday kicks off the holiday shopping season and the season of being extra vigilant with online identity protection. Identity fraud can be detected online, but it doesn't necessarily start there."

Results from the 2011 Identity Fraud Survey Report conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research indicate that of all identity theft victims, 40% had their information misused while making an online purchase, compared to 13% for purchases made over the phone or through the mail.

"Consumers need to be aware that personal information is compromised in a wide variety of ways – ranging from stolen wallets, mail theft, purchases and financial transactions to computer hacking and large scale data base breaches," explained Karen Barney, director of programs for the Identity Theft Resource Center. "During the holidays it is important to remember to be especially vigilant in safeguarding your personal information."

In light of Cyber Monday and the start of the holiday shopping season, IdentityHawk provides the following protection tips for staying safe both online and offline. Read more

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iZON Room Monitor Catches Thief

by jessica on Fri, 2011-10-14 05:00

Just a couple of months ago we told you about iZON, an app-based room monitor that allows you to view and listen to what's going on in your home from anywhere – right on your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad. This handy device has already come to good use! An elderly woman in South Florida used it to capture video of a thief burglarizing her home. The theft triggered iZON's motion detection, capturing video to a private YouTube account, and ultimately led to the arrest of the perpetrator. Busted!

Dru Ackerman, whose story was first reported on CBS-12 in Boynton Beach, FL, was concerned that someone was entering her residence while she was not home. Having learned about iZON's motion detection capabilities from her son, she purchased and quickly set up iZON to monitor her front door. The very next day, iZON automatically captured video of a neighbor entering her home and stealing prescription medication.

"The police... could not believe that we had video of the person doing the crime", said Ackerman's son. "The officer was so impressed with the video, he wanted to purchase [iZON] for his home!"Read more

iZON Remote Room Monitor Streams Video to iOS Devices

by jessica on Tue, 2011-08-30 14:29

Are you going out of town and worried about leaving your house unattended? Or nervous about leaving your baby with a sitter for the first time? With the new iZON Remote Room Monitor, you can view and listen to what's going on in your home from anywhere – right on your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad.

iZON is an app-controlled video camera that, when combined with its companion Stem:Connect App, will alert you when there is motion or noise. It will even automatically record the activity to a free (and private) YouTube account.

iZON can be placed on any horizontal surface or mounted to a ceiling. It sits on a magnetic base and tilts and swivels, allowing you to point it exactly where you want it. To set up, download the free Stem:Connect App, then just plug iZON in and set it up on your local wireless network. Then just create a secure user account and you're ready to start streaming live audio and video.

The price isn't too bad either. You can pick it up for $129.95 at www.steminnovation.com and in select Best Buy locations.Read more

Smartvue Unveils S9 Wireless HD Video Surveillance System

by jessica on Wed, 2011-01-26 12:36

This week at MacWorld, Smartvue is unveiling an all-in-one wireless HD video surveillance system called the Smartvue S9. An easy way to keep an eye on your home or business, the S9 is easy to use and works with almost any Mac, PC mobile or tablet device.

Smartvue S9 features include:

Total Surveillance Solution with Cameras, Servers, Apps, and Remote Monitoring
Runs from almost any Mac/PC browser or mobile device
HD 1080p video cameras with full PTZ control
Long range 802.11N wireless built-in
1TB to 3TB high-capacity video storage
Plug-and-play installation
Free video management service to remotely monitor video
Easy to use point and click interface

Read more

Logitech Intros Two New HD Digital Video Security Systems

by jessica on Tue, 2010-08-03 16:30

Do you ever worry about what's going on at your house when you are away on vacation? Or wonder if your kids made it safely home from school? Logitech today introduced Logitech Alert, an HD digital video security system that lets you monitor your home both inside and out.

Two systems are available, the Logitech Alert 750i Master System and the weatherproof Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master System with night-vision. Both master systems come with a smart HD camera, PC and Web software, and free remote viewing on a computer (PC or Mac), or smartphone.

Both systems can be set up in three steps: install the Logitech Alert software, connect to your network, and plug in your camera. That's it. Logitech's HomePlug AV networking uses your existing electrical wiring and outlets to connect your cameras to your network.

The cameras capture HD 720p video, feature a 130-degree wide-angle lens have a 2GB MicroSD card for storage, enough space for about a week of video (depending on the amount of motion-triggered recording). The system's built-in DVR automatically starts recording when motion is detected, and the recorded video is automatically backed up when your computer is connected to your network. Read more

Vue Personal Video Network Now Available

by jessica on Wed, 2009-09-16 15:29

The Vue personal video network is a multi-camera system that lets you create your own video network and delivers live video wirelessly for you to see and share from your computer or flash-enabled mobile device.

The Vue system is a network of small, battery-powered wire-free cameras. The cameras stream real-time video directly to the Internet, viewable on most browsers. A low-power technology called FrameMesh allows the cameras to operate for up to a year without changing the battery.

It's easy to set up too. All you have to do to view live video (other than mount the cameras) is log onto your password-protected online account from your computer. No need to load software, run power cords, or configure your home network to operate. Read more

Preventing Laptop Theft

Many people will be traveling this holiday season to visit family and friends and will bring their expensive laptops along on the trip. Most of these travelers will not have considered that thousands of laptops are stolen from airports every week. Thieves are ready to capitalize on the increase in air travel during the holidays and the chaos of the holiday season.

At airports alone, 12,000 laptops a week are lost according to a survey by the Ponemon Institute. And, that number is sure to increase this season.

While the loss of an expensive laptop can dampen the holiday spirit, the potential for identity theft will hang over the victim's head well into the New Year. Credit card, Social Security and bank account numbers are just some of the pieces of sensitive information that can be lifted from a stolen computer. Read more