The military has used radar since World War II. It lets us detect incoming planes before they attack and allows us to track weather patterns worldwide. Since its inception, though, radar has gained another use: To help us see what’s above us much more clearly.
5 simple ways to protect your home this winter
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Winter months can bring some serious challenges for homeowners. Icy driveways, slick walkways and frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage.
Whether you tough it out or take off to warmer climates, you want to keep your home safe over the winter months. That means you need protection from thieves while you’re away. Protect your home with the security system that protects Kim’s family, SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to save 40% on a home security system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.
Slippery, snow-covered roads can be challenging for firefighters, police and paramedics responding to emergencies, so you need a plan in place to protect your home until help can arrive. Here are five steps you can take to protect what’s most important to you.
1. Think like a thief
Thieves are always looking for moments to strike, and winter offers plenty of opportunities. They target “snowbirds” who leave their homes for months at a time for warmer areas.
They pose as delivery or service crews (driveway not shoveled … hmm, there’s a flag no one is home!) to scope out neighborhoods, and we all know about porch pirates, who take your deliveries right from your doorstep.
But what do thieves hate? A great security system.
2 Get a solid home security system in place
Our sponsor SimpliSafe takes home security to the next level and can help put your mind at ease. SimpliSafe is a wireless security system that is super easy to set up and easy to use, too.
SimpliSafe offers door and window sensors and pet-friendly motion detectors for security. The loud 85dB siren in the base station, with the option for a second 105dB siren, will drive off most burglars.
This security system doesn’t just protect you from intruders. SimpliSafe also has sensors for freeze warnings, floods, carbon monoxide and smoke detection. You also get a panic button in case you feel you’re in danger inside your house.
5 clever scams making the rounds you need to know about
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Another day, another scam. Or should we say scams? There seems to be no end to discovering crooked schemes that use every means imaginable to trick people out of their information, data and finances.
Everyone’s received text messages from unknown numbers. Sometimes it’s a service or business you use that isn’t in your contacts. It could be your food delivery app letting you know that your grub is on the way. It could also be the first step in a scam. Tap or click here to learn how the scheme works and how to keep from falling victim to it.
Anyone can see the layout of your home and what you paid for it - Do this to stay safe
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There’s more information about you online than you probably realize. Your hacked passwords, your address, even your credit card details.
Details about your home are everywhere, too. Government sites and resources like Zillow and Redfin list everything from what you paid to the very layout of your house.
58% of workers fed up with their computers - Are you?
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Work laptops come with all sorts of problems. At first, you might be excited at the prospect of using tech you didn’t have to pay for. After all, many people can’t afford a laptop, so it can seem like a blessing in disguise.
10 most-stolen dog breeds and 3 smart ways to protect your furry friend
Few things terrify a pet owner more than finding out their furry friend disappeared. In the U.S., around four million dogs go missing each year. Pet owners have a lot to worry about: medication, closing gates, so the dogs don’t get out and even outright kidnappings.
Why women can see more colors than men
Being able to see color is a significant evolutionary trait. We can see how blue the sky is or how beautiful fresh flowers are. But, it turns out not all of us see color the same way, and scientists now believe women can see more colors than men. So why is this?
Have a SimpliSafe system? There's a brand new HD outdoor camera to add to your home's arsenal
SimpliSafe.com
When it comes to home security, you need a company you can trust. Traditional home security companies are all about the bottom line. You work with a salesperson to find a system, someone comes over to install it, then you’re locked into a long contract with high monthly fees.
Smartphone security: Do you need a VPN on your phone?
Compared to computers, smartphones have weak defenses and easy-to-crack passwords. They’ve also got a ton of valuable data. Just think about everything on your phone.
Chances are your work email is connected, which means a savvy cybercriminal could steal your company’s secrets. There’s also your contacts list, which is stuffed with phone numbers and maybe even emails.
Ding, dong: 6 funniest moments caught by video doorbells
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Sure, you probably know all about the ways doorbell cameras like SimpliSafe can boost your home security system. Connect them to your phone, and you get a 24/7 live stream of everything going on in your home. With these nifty tools, you can catch burglars, find missing children and even tell your neighbors about a fire.
6 essential features you need in a home security system
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Most people who don’t have home security systems yet are probably still planning on installing one in the future. How many times have you left your home thinking, “I wish I had some kind of protection system in place?”
How carbon nanotubes will change the world
In 1991 a Japanese physicist created a new form of carbon. These tiny threads of carbon turned out to be amazingly strong and durable. Now known as carbon nanotubes, this amazing material is set to make an enormous impact on the world of engineering. But how exactly will it be used?
Royal Marines using jet suits to board a ship
Jet packs used to be just a thing in science fiction movies. But they have finally become a reality. The British military is trying out these amazing pieces of tech to board ships, and seeing them in action is truly amazing.
Headed back to the office? Best way to keep an eye on your home from anywhere
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You know the stress of being a parent. When the kids were young, you jumped at every sneeze, cough and wobbly step.
Now that they’re young adults or teenagers, there are different stresses. Are they driving while distracted by texts and social media messages? At home, are they safe? Are they being responsible for getting home on time from school, not raiding your liquor cabinet and staying out of trouble?
Clever uses for your old phone: Security camera, alarm clock, emergency calling
Most of us have a drawer full of old gadgets lying around. Letting them pile up and collect dust isn’t just a waste of money but also a missed opportunity. You’d be surprised by how many useful things your old phone is capable of. In this Komando DIY, we’ve got four things you can do with your old smartphones after you upgrade.
10 surprising smart home devices you didn't know about
For a long time, smart homes were more trendy than commonplace. Now, technology is taking over the home, making our lives easier than ever before.
You probably know about smart switches, lights and music players. Actually, there are a ton of other devices you may not have imagined could be digitized. For example, smart forks and frying pans can make your dinner routine a breeze.
How to download your photos from Facebook
There are several reasons why you might want to download your Facebook photos. You may simply want a backup, or perhaps you want to create a photo book or share them through another platform. You may also want to preserve them if you are planning on leaving Facebook and deleting your account. Ready to back up your Facebook adventures? Here’s how to save your photos for posterity.
How to delete your Facebook and Twitter accounts for good
Social media sites were created to keep us connected, but you may find yourself wanting to disconnect for good. Figuring out how to delete your account isn’t easy if you’re not sure where to start. In this Komando DIY, we will show you how to delete your Facebook and Twitter accounts right from your phone.
Comparison: SimpliSafe vs. ADT vs. Vivint
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This is pretty cool. We wanted to do a visual comparison to show you how SimpliSafe is the better choice for home security, so we decided to look at two big-name competitors — ADT and Vivint.
You never know what’s going to happen when you compare a sponsor to its competitors, but we were thrilled with what we found.
White-hat hacker shows how easy it is to scam even a digital pro
Stephanie Carruthers makes her living breaking into phones, private accounts and more. But don’t worry — she’s doing it to help keep you safe. This IBM privacy expert and professional hacker shows Kim just how easy it is to get fooled by a digital criminal. Check out her tips for recognizing scams and keeping yourself secure online and offline.