Smoke & Heat Detectors- Smoke detectors are available that will interface with your security system. The smoke detectors that are already in your home can’t be tied into your security system. The device that the builder put in your home is either electrical, battery operated, or in some instances both, if you have the better quality detectors. Lifesaving smoke detectors should be in every home. If you elect to add some to your system, your existing detectors should be left in place, as they are still able to help give early warning in case of a fire.

If you add a smoke detector to your system it should be placed in the highest point of your home as possible, as smoke will rise no matter where it originates. Some homeowners elect to place one in the basement and top floor, and some want one added to every floor.

The technology that makes most of these devices work is “photoelectric technology.” This means that the detector basically takes a snapshot of the density of smoke that enters its chamber, and wants to see a density increase as it samples every few milliseconds. This technology makes the detector much more discriminating then its inexpensive counterparts.

Many of these devices also detect temperature change with their built in heat detectors. This means that the device will go into an alarm condition, if the temperature in its area of coverage is rising rapidly, even if there is no smoke yet. Independent heat detectors are also available, if you would like an added degree of protection in areas such as kitchens, furnace rooms, attics and fireplaces. (Required to meet code, in some municipalities)

There are many advantages to adding fire devices to your security system. Some of them are:

* Your detector is on all the time, even if your alarm is disarmed.

* The devices work off the power from your alarm system and use its backup power supplies should power fail.

* The siren will emit a tone that is audibly different then a burglary siren, so that you can differentiate.

* Your dispatch is being made without you having to call for help yourself. This gives you more time to gather your loved ones and pets for immediate exit.

* A dispatch will take place even if you are not home. Typically flames will be coming through your roof, by the time your neighbors see them, and call for help. This early response may save your pets and a good portion of your home.

* Insurance companies often give an additional discount, off your homeowners insurance, for having a fire system. These devices could effectively pay for themselves, after a few years.

(INSIDE SCOOP!)
Some municipalities will not dispatch their limited resources to an automatic fire alarm, unless it is designed completely to local code. This is a very expensive endeavor that, many homeowners in those areas can’t justify. Businesses will have to do this, in order to get an occupancy permit. Check with your local fire authority before investing in smoke or heat detectors that will not get a response.

Matthew Francis Alarms@expertsknow.com

22 year veteran of the alarm industry
Installer, salesman, licensed alarm company owner, monitoring station designer, promotions and marketing director with one of the worlds largest security dealers. He now works as a consumer advocate, teaching consumers how to buy or get systems for free (without being taken). He is committed to being unbiased.
His web site is http://www.expertsknow.com

The old order changeth, yielding way for the new. This adage especially holds true when you consider the latest advances in technology and the way they have changed modern business practices, and also the socio-economic fabric of countries. The Internet has made the transmission of vital information and data possible in a matter of seconds, and this has revolutionized the functioning of various organizations.

Yet these techniques have ushered in major responsibilities also. The first and foremost is to protect data against leakage. Though IT experts are on their toes devising all possible means to ensure one-hundred-percent security, hackers still manage to breach it. Sometimes, the lapses occur due to the negligence of the employees of an organization. The lapses can be either due to carelessness, or they may even be intentional. Whichever the case, it is important that the organizations should take steps to ensure that there is no breach in their security systems. There are many ways to ensure this.

First of all, before introducing a new technology, the organizations should conduct a test-run to ensure that there are no lapses when the technology is actually put into practice. The employees who would handle data transmission work should be adequately trained so that there is no negligence on their part. Also, technologies keep getting upgraded. This means that the organizations also need to ensure regular training for their employees.

People receive spam in their email boxes. These mails contain viruses that may affect the computer system or break through its security. You need to install firewalls and anti-virus systems, and keep upgrading them regularly. Anti-virus software like Norton Anti-Virus can be updated regularly, and helps to protect against these viruses. Also, avoid opening emails that seem to have come from suspicious sources. The best option is to delete them.

Over the past few years there’s been a worrying increase in the number of spoof e-mails that claim to be from eBay or Paypal. These are an attempt to gain your username and password so that fraudsters can use your account for illegal activities.

Even more worrying is the sophisticated tactics that they now use. Sometimes it’s very hard indeed to tell whether an email really is from eBay, or whether in fact it’s a spoof.

This article aims to raise your awareness of what to look out for. Act carefully, and there’s no reason why you should ever fall victim to one of these spoofs again.

Typically a spoof email will try to firstly grab your attention. The most common is an e-mail telling you that your eBay account has apparently been suspended, and that you need to sign in to check your status. You’ll then see a link that takes you to a website that is made to look like the real eBay sign-in page. This will ask for your eBay username and password.

NEVER click on a link in an email that is asking you to give your username and password. Ebay will NEVER ask for these details in an email.

Of course the email telling you that your account has been suspended is just one example of a spoof. It may be in the form of an email informing you that you’ve become a powerseller, an unpaid item reminder, or even an “ask seller a question” email. All could be spoofs.

The important thing to remember is don’t click on any links in an email that takes you to eBay. If you’re in doubt, open up a new browser window, and go to eBay yourself manually.

Anything that looks suspicious probably is. Spoof eBay sites are often VERY realistic. You cannot tell it’s not in fact a real eBay page. I’ve seen examples where even the web address is very cleverly disguised.

Use the above information, as well as a little common sense, and you’ll be fine. Remember too that it’s not just eBay that has spoofs - Paypal, online bank accounts, and investment accounts, amongst other things, are all sites which are spoofed.

Chris Vendilli is the owner and found of a company called 3 Rivers Auctions. The 3 Rivers Auctions Company is known for selling people’s unwanted items on eBay consignment via the Trading Assistant Program, helping people start their own eBay Businesses, and generally providing helpful information to ensure your own eBay success.

Please visit http://www.3riversauctions.com to get on the eBay fast track. Also, be sure to sign up for the free discussion forums and newsletter to get more helpful eBay related tools and info delivered right into your inbox!

Have you ever bought a product or service from the internet?

Yes? Me too. You’re not alone…

Some of the reasons why most people are shopping online are: they can buy anything at anytime because Internet shopping is available 24 hours, all the time.

You can shop from the convenience of your home. You can avoid traffic and crowding at the malls.

Online shopping is one of the best ways to locate hard-to-find items not available in your local stores.

Whatever you buy can be delivered by mail to your house.

Most online stores and companies provide excellent values and discount prices because they do not have to pay the overhead of owning a physical business that will cost them insurance, employee pay, taxes and more.

VeriSign, Inc. says that online sales recorded during the prime holidays shopping season was about $2.2 billion dollars.

According to a study by Forrester Research Company, by 2010, online sales will reach $331 billion dollars.

More consumers are shopping online today than a year ago. The range of products they buy are many: software, hardware, electronics, digital products, music, toys, e-books, books, programs, DVD, flowers, pets, jewelry, clothes, air tickets, insurance, cars, prescription drugs, comic books, games, gifts and more.

They are flocking to buy from online bookstores, software stores, online computer stores, target stores, pet stores, liquor stores, drug stores, music stores, furniture stores, fabric stores, the Disney store, outlet stores, surplus stores, discount stores, thrift stores, gift stores, candy stores, lingerie stores, sports stores, video stores, sex stores, department stores, game stores, clothing stores and others.

Be a smart and savvy online shopper. Shop wisely and safely.

Here are a few tips to help you do your online shopping safely.

(1) Shop at the websites of companies that you know and are popular offline.

If you’re not sure of the company, request their catalog or brochure first.

Be sure they have a physical address and phone, as well as an e-mail address. Call them and speak to a human being first.

Check with the yellow pages and the Better Business Bureaus to be sure the company is legitimate.

Read all the fine print and the refund policy before you place an order.

You may read about product reviews and what other shoppers have to say about a company at:
http://www.epinions.com, http://www.consumersearch.com, http://www.productopia.com, http://www.deja.com

Here are some internet shopping agents’ sites:
http://www.comparenet.com, http://vo.infospace.com, http://bottomdollar.com

To read about reviews on shopping stores, regarding ease of use, pricing, selection and service go to:
http://www.gomez.com, http://www.bizrate.com , http://www.ratingwonders.com

To read about web business frauds and get help to avoid being a victim, go to:
http://www.fraud.org , http://www.bbbonline.org , http://www.webassured.com

(2) Keep a record of all your purchases.

Most people are by nature disorganized and unable to keep records. Learn to keep records of all your online purchases. This will help you keep track of your spending and shopping.

Print all receipts or save them on your computer in a folder named “receipts”.

This will help you locate orders that you placed but were never delivered.

The more organized you are the less negative online shopping experience you’ll have.

(3) Keep all your important personal information safe.

Don’t give them to strangers who may call you over the phone or request them by e-mail.

Personal information includes: your address, e-mail address, phone number, social security number, drivers license, age, information about your family.

Don’t give them to any stranger and, also, teach your children not to do so.

(4) Keep your passwords private.

When creating a password, avoid using phone numbers, birth dates or social security numbers.

Be creative. Use a password that is not easy for others to guess, and yet not easy for you to forget.

Change your passwords often. Use phrases to help you remember them.

Don’t disclose passwords to anyone.

(5) Use a credit (but never debit) card to make your payment.

Be sure to keep all credit card payment receipts. Check your credit card account statements to be able to spot any unauthorized charges.

When you buy certain goods and services from some companies, sometimes they will keep billing you thereafter. So scrutinize your statements. If you see a charge you’re not sure of, call the billing merchant and check it out.

Keep your credit cards secure.

Avoid making a payment using your credit card on a public computer.

Report any lost credit cards immediately and have them cancelled. Don’t give anyone that you don’t know your credit card number.

(6) Read the return policy before placing an order.

Be sure that you read and understand the return policy and warranty.

(7) Read and understand the company’s privacy statement (or policy).

A privacy statement tells you how and why a business is collecting your information, and how that information may be used.
You may find the company’s privacy statement (or policy) at the very bottom of the home page or inside their “Terms & Conditions” or “Terms of Service” (TOS).

(8) Use a secure browser and server.

Be sure whatever browser you’re using complies with the industry’s security standards, such as secure sockets layer (SSL).

This security protocol scrambles or encrypts the personal information you send over the Internet to ensure your transaction is secured.

How do you know if the server is secure where you’re making a payment?

If a Web site is using secure technology, its Web address begins with https and a tiny locked padlock appears at the bottom right corner of the screen.

(9) Check out a few stores and compare prices before buying.
Look for hidden costs such as shipping and handling.

(10) Use Yahoo Search Engine for all your searches.

Yahoo continues to be, not only the largest online company, but also, the best Search Engine.

Unlike the other popular Search engine, which keeps companies in a sandbox for many months and refuses to give them rankings for many months, Yahoo is pro business and gives immediate rankings to companies and business.

Their search result is also excellent. That may be one reason why 60% of people online (including me) love Yahoo.

Also, they have the most reliable and the best hosting service in the world.

For these reasons, I strongly recommend you use Yahoo to do all your searches.

Happy and safe online shopping.

Warmly,

I-key Benney

Visit Maychic’s website at: http://www.maychic.com

And also Maychic’s Amazon.com Store at:
http://www.maychic.com/amazonstore

Download free “TMT Power Secrets” Book-1 at:
http://www.tmtworldwide.org

These days it seems as though home security has become an industry focused on the newest and most cutting edge of gadgets and systems. From night vision surveillance cameras to bulletproof glass in home windows, the times, as Bob Dylan once sang, they are a changing. However, no matter how high tech the home security low down becomes, there is one piece of home protection equipment that you may have forgotten to order with your stealth alarm system. A real gem of a device that has been used with proven results for thousands of years. Not only will it alert you of potential danger, it may even fetch the newspaper for you. Known as man’s best friend they are also one of man’s best defences when it comes to home security. Yes, the humble and loyal guard dog.

Assuming that you have the means and space to keep a substantially sized dog on your property, perhaps the first thing to consider is whether you want a guard dog or a watch dog. The majority of dogs are watch dogs by instinctual manner, they will bark and become suspicious when something disturbs them (some on the other hand will approach strangers in the hope that they come bearing gifts of doggy treats, and than proceed to roll over for a belly rub). Some breeds have been trained to be better, or more alert, watch dogs than others. As well almost any medium to large sized dog has a certain air about him or her that seems to say, “You really want to mess with me?” Think about it, if you are walking down the street and you see someone walking a Corky you are far less likely to be alarmed or cautious than if you saw a bullmastiff coming your way. When talking about actual guard dogs, not your garden variety household watch dog, we are talking about a dog that has been trained and often bred for the purpose of guarding and defending your home.

Where a watch dog may bark, the threat often ends there (so hence the term “his bark is worse than his bite”). With a guard dog the opposite is true. While some people take it upon themselves to train their dog to be a guard dog, other folks opt to buy an animal that has been trained by an expert (who will typically be a dog breeder as well) in this field. Somewhere in between lays guard dog training classes, or private instructors that you may find listings for in larger cities or online.

A guard dog, while generally kind and calm with its master and family, is not the sort of animal that you let run free in the neighbourhood. It is an animal that has been trained to defend and at times even attack in order to protect its masters and property. They are strong, athletic dogs whose wolf and wild animal genetics have been honed and put to use in order to defend and protect. This is not to say that every guard dog is waiting to bite someone’s face off. On the contrary, as with almost all domestic dogs, if they are well handled and cared for from puppy-hood then a guard dog can have a gentle, sweet temperament around not only its owners but those people that its masters assure the dog are not a potential threat.

There are many things to consider when contemplating a guard dog. One key point is that training a dog solely to attack and physically do harm to other people is quite often considered illegal as it is in essence training the animal to be a weapon. Guard dogs should be on alert for all kinds of intruder or disturbances, from people to other animals or loud sounds. But at the same time they need to be well trained, aware of when, and only when it would be appropriate to actually do more than just bark. Always check the laws in your area or country when it comes to guard dogs, as some breeds are even illegal to own or train as guard animals in certain places. A middle ground between barking and attacking is a guard dog that has been trained to simply attempt to restrain the intruder (one method of this type of training is Schutzhund training).

Another important factor is the size and breed of the dog. Common breeds of guard dogs with successful track records include (but are not limited to) Akitas, Chow Chows, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Dogue de Bordeauxs, Fila Brasileiro (a somewhat rare breed from Brazil), Rottweilers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Boxers, Great Pyreneeses, and yes, even the misunderstood Pit Bull Terrier.

Before you rush out to buy a guard dog though, or look at Fido your pet poodle and wonder if he’s trainable, consider that a guard dog requires a lot of care and attention. As well you will need to put up signs on your property warning visitors (and potential intruders) of your canine home security system. Should you decide to get a guard dog, love it and treat it as you would any dog, as you rest assured that your age old home security system is on guard twenty-four-seven. Ready to both bark and play fetch at the drop of a hat.

Jessica Cander is a versatile professional freelance writer who contributes to a wide variety of web sites, including the Home Security Facts web site.