Austin Home Security is all about being prepared.

You have used the advice provided by your Home Security Blog. You have a home security system that you arm religiously. You have taken steps outside your home to provide an uncomfortable environment for intruders. 

And then you tell Facebook that you are going on a vacation to Asia next week...  Consider this, then read the following article Please Rob Me!

Here are some Home Security Austin Facebook Tips.

At NTX Security we offer free security related information and suggestions to our community and our potential clients in Austin Security, Dallas Security, and Fort Worth Security, security blog, news articles and our free on-site security evaluations. Please feel free to send this article to someone you care about or whom you feel could benefit from this information. Click here for Business Security or here for Home Security.

Recently Readers Digest featured an article with an insight in the criminal mind of a burglar. Here are 21 tips from assorted sources listed below:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use your bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flier in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a trusted neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway that no body's home. 
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can look through the glass to see if the alarm is set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company 'alarms' the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there, too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door  - understandable! But also understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, or not too heavy, I'll take it with me. 
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy an inexpensive device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook. 
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address. 
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job. 

At NTX Security we offer free security related information and suggestions to our community and our potential clients in Austin Security, Dallas Security, and Fort Worth Security, security blog, news articles and our free on-site security evaluations. Please feel free to send this article to someone you care about or whom you feel could benefit from this information. Click here for Business Security or here for Home Security.

On behalf of the extended NTX Security family we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

May God continue to bless our nation, our state, our community, and our families.

When it comes to security, no one has done more for our country than the service men and women of the United States.

Thank you for your service. 

A Home Security Company in Austin, TX warns users of popular social network sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc., to resist revealing all personal information even your friends and family. 

Too often social networkers forget just how vulnerable they become when they post seemingly innocent information about themselves or their activities. Just setting your security levels to reduce those who can view your page is not enough.

Here are some quick Do's and Don'ts to get you back on the safe and narrow:

Do:

• Take advantage of the security settings available to you from your preferred social outlet.
• Scrutinize available information about your children i.e. Schools etc.
• Think before you post - Could this come back to haunt me? If yes, then don't post.
• Log out of Facebook. Google your name followed by Facebook to see how others may see you (Ex. John Smith Facebook).
• Have a good time and enjoy social networking - just be safe.

Don't:

• Post private information about your schedule or upcoming trips. (EVEN if only friends can see your profile.)
• Put your home address on your profile or page.
• Post pictures that reveal sensitive data i.e. house number, license plate number, childrens school etc. 

Here are some interesting links for reference:

Think Twice: That Facebook Update Could Get You Robbed

Burglar Steals Laptop, Gloats via Victim's Facebook Account

Facebook Security

10 Solid Tips to Safeguard Your Facebook Privacy

At NTX Security we offer free security related information and suggestions to our community and our potential clients through our website, blog, news articles and our free onsite security evaluations. Please feel free to send this article to someone you care about or whom you feel could benefit this information.

Frisco Business Security: Watch for Burglars Targeting Business with Flat Screen TVs

Frisco Business Security Company offers 5 tips to protect your business from these flat screen bandits.

1. Take extra effort to secure TV's to the wall. Anything you can do to delay its removal will deter thieves from taking the time to steal it.
2. Have a 24/7 fast response monitored security system with a GSM Cellular backup communicator in case your phone lines are disabled.
3. Use glass breakage and motion detectors. Glass breakage detectors are essential if used properly as they will detect the intruder while he or she is still on the outside of your facility. Motion detectors are used to pick up any interior movement once the intruders are inside the building.
4. Use exterior sirens and strobes where applicable. Strobes should reduce police response time by helping them find the location faster.
5. Invest in a professionally installed video surveillance system that includes cameras with Wide Dynamic Range capabilities. This allows the user to have a face-on shot of exterior glass without the back lighting nightmare caused by many inferior solutions. (See Example Right)

**Bonus - Call today 888-696-8926 to schedule your Free, No Obligation Security Evaluation  **

NTX Security is a Frisco Business Security Company. For more information about NTX Security visit our website or call 888-696-8926.

5 Low Tech / Low Cost ways of protecting your office or suite from Office Creepers.

1. Require everyone to sign in and out when they leave the building. Yes, your employees will hate it, but it has to be 100% in order for it to be effective. This is also helpful in the event of an emergency.
2. Require every employee to present a customized PVC Photo ID badge when signing in daily. This ID badge should be worn prominently throughout the day while at the office (not in a purse or wallet). Stop anyone you see in your office without a badge. Owners and managers - this starts with you. I have seen many security measures blown off by management only to become the "Program of the day" by employees.
3. Issue a customized ID badge to be worn prominently to every visitor. You could take this to the next level by having badges color coded by different days of the week to assist in identifying an impostor. (Blue = Monday, Green = Fridays etc).
4. Provide employees a place to lock personal belongings (i.e. a desk drawer or locker).
5. Incorporate security and safety awareness in weekly staff meetings. Office Creepers not only impact your employees, but your customers, and ultimately, your company as well. No one wants to make a call to a customer to inform him or her that a laptop with their private data has been stolen.

• Ensure that you have a face shot of all visitors of your building or suite.
• Every entry and exit should have a  camera with an effective angle and clear shot.
• Place cameras in all common areas and main hallways .
• At all entry / exits and periodically throughout the facility, post that Video Surveillance is in use.

Please call 888-696-8926 or here to request our free security risk assessment.

Plano Business Security Company warns businesses to be extra careful during the holiday season.

We are seeing news reports daily of crimes involving businesses from petty theft to violent crime. 

The Washington Post and others are blaming the economy for the recent spike in shoplifting.  (See article excerpt below)

NTX Security is a Plano business Security company that encourages all retail business owners and managers to take 5 simple steps to help protect their business during and after the holiday season.

1. Post a greeter at all entry / exits. This provides an extra element of customer service and reduces risk for shoplifting, especially if they check receipts vs. purchases.
2. Have a clear face shot of all persons entering the building. This is accomplished by using a quality high resolution zoom varifocal camera.
3. Direct traffic in and out of the store to reduce opportunity for grab and go crimes.
4. Coach employees on what to look for, and more importantly, how to respond to a potential theft.
5. Schedule your FREE Risk Evaluation with NTX Security today.

*****************************************************************************

By Ylan Q. Mui

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 24, 2008; Page D01

Retailers have blamed the global financial crisis for a litany of ills over the past year: slumping sales, mass layoffs and bankruptcy filings. Now, they are looking to the economy to explain recent spikes in shoplifting from their stores.

Though individual retailers do not publicly report crime data, a survey of 52 national chain stores released this month by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), a trade group, showed that 84 percent reported an increase in shoplifting since the recession began. About 80 percent said organized retail crime had also jumped, and more than half said robberies and burglaries have risen, as well.

Read Full Story Here

***************************************************************************** 

Business Security:

Businesses Say Theft by Their Workers is Up

Companies find that trusted employees often commit the crimes, and they believe the recession is to blame.

By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN / WSJ

In October, an accountant at 321 Takeoff Inc. in New York became suspicious after an employee who normally filed weekly expense reports for around $80 began requesting $120.

When Alona Fromberg-Elkayam, the branding agency's president, approached the employee, she says she was met with flimsy excuses. She fired the employee, a midlevel designer.

Read More Here

In 2006, the American workforce accounted for 47% of all inventory shrinkage. Although this number itself is staggering alone, 16 out of the 24 types of retail businesses reported employee thefts well above this average.

The Top Five Retail Markets for employee theft:

1. Convenience Stores - 82.5%
2. Optical - 61.5%
3. Electronics/computers/appliances - 60.4%
4. Furniture - 53%
5. Discount Stores - 52.4% 

Take steps today to reduce your exposure to employee theft by scheduling your FREE Security Risk Assessment here or call 888-696-8926. 

Stats provided by 2006 National Rertail Security Survey - University of Florida

In virtually every security evaluation, we offer potential clients the opportunity to protect their garage as part of the complete security solution. 

Why?

1. As the article states below, garages are an easy target with many big ticket items that can be sold quickly and easily.
2. When your garage is not protected, it compromises the overall protection of the home.

 What security concerns do we see from the garage?

1. Loss of tools, golf clubs and other items of importance that reside in an open garage.
2. Vehicles stored in garages are often unlocked and the garage provides cover for intruders. Many times, personal items are left in autos that can make your identity vulnerable. 
3. Many times people leave the door unlocked between the garage and the home.  Check this door routinely and especially before you retire for the evening.
4. Criminals like cover.  What could be better than an open garage with an empty home?  The intruder could shut the door then come right through the wall if he or she desired. 
5. Finally, one of the most important garage security concerns - Fire Detection. Your garage is likely full of flammables and igniters. Your cars, electrical panels, lawn mowers, possibly even water heaters. We encourage at least one heat detector in every garage especially when there is a bedroom above the garage.  If a fire started in your garage, would the smoke detector inside the home sound before tragedy struck above?

 We recommend the following to enhance your home security through the garage:

1. Overhead garage door contacts.
2. Remote key fobs to assist in arming and dis-arming with a panic button feature.
3. Indicator light to identify the status of the alarm - especially when there has been an alarm event. 
4. Heat detection.
5. Alarm contacts on all pedestrian doors and windows. 
6. Glass break detectors on accessible windows.

Contact NTX Security today for your Free Security Evaluation.

********************************************************************* 

Denton Record-Chroncile 

11:58 PM CST on Wednesday, December 3, 2008