Are QR Codes safe to use?

Quick Response (QR) codes are relatively easy to use and have become a commodity during the pandemic. Many more people are willing to use these codes (or forced in some cases) because of the “avoid touching” culture that continues to be embedded in our minds. The thing is that many of the new ways of doing things from the past two years will probably stick around for good. Are cybercriminals taking notice? Of course, their job is to master our behavior to then use it against us.

If we’re using QR codes, then why not modify these and embed malicious sites to steal personal information or money? This is exactly what happened in the state of Texas.

Multiple cities in Texas recently reported spotting fake QR codes in parking meters. The issue was so widespread that even the FBI had to get involved in the case. People were approaching parking meters, scanning QR codes that were placed on the equipment, and then the code would lead them to a malicious website. Users were then prompted to enter their credit card information and make payment.

Did they think twice about moving forward with this process? Probably not.

It was not until later when people checked their purchases or got an alert that they realized it was all a scam. The truth is that many of us trust that official city equipment like parking meters are reliable. And since the whole transaction probably took less than a minute, there wasn’t much time to alert buyers that something could be wrong.

The good thing is that we can learn from what has already happened and prevent it from happening to us. How do we do that?

First, we learn how QR codes work, who is using them, and what makes them vulnerable.

How do QR Codes work?

QR codes work similar to barcodes. They’re a machine-scannable image that can instantly be read using a smartphone camera. You simply have to open you phone’s camera and hold it close enough for the QR code to be detected. Once your Smartphone starts reading the code, it translates that information into data that can be understood by humans.

Who is using QR codes?

QR codes are a versatile tool and therefore used in most industries. Their capacity to store large amounts of data is definitely an attractive feature. Many businesses are using QR codes for restaurant menus, packaging, and links to websites. Many companies, especially those that are environmentally-friendly, also promote the use of codes as these reduce the demand for printing.

What makes codes vulnerable?

QR codes, like other links, can contain malware or open the door to a phishing attack. Hackers can either insert malicious links on QR codes or email attachments. And although most companies have anti-viruses software for company emails, a QR code might go unnoticed. This is why it’s important to avoid opening codes from emails, especially, if you can’t confirm that they come from a trustworthy source.

Can you spot a fake QR code?

Most likely you will not be able to distinguish a fake code. The most important thing to remember is that if you’re unsure of its legitimacy, it’s best not to scan it. Additionally, you can use this rule when using QR codes: only use codes to obtain information not to give away yours.

Consider paying with cash or make payments only on official websites and apps. If a QR code asks you for any personal information, it should be a red flag and the clue to exit right away.

What to read next – 5 Ways to Protect your Remote Access App

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You wake up to the sound of an intruder in your home. The alarm wasn’t triggered so you are unsure if you enable it.  Did the intruder enter through the main door where the motion detectors are installed or did they managed to disable it? These following tips can help you take action to control the situation.

Don’t panic.

Remember they decided to enter your personal space. You are familiar with your home and therefore in control.

Remain quiet.

Do not bring attention to yourself. Making noise will give away your location. Don’t yell out “I have a gun or I called the police.” Even if both are true.

Lock your room.

Secure your room by locking and using furniture to block the door .

Press the panic button.

Press the panic button. This button works even when your alarm system is disarmed. However, you should know you a stress code. This is a 3-digit number that is used to secretly convey the presence of an intruder.

Dial 911 and follow their instructions.

If you don’t have a panic button, call 911 and keep them on the line while you execute the next step.

Escape through a window.

Mainly if you find yourself on the first floor. If you are not able to leave the house, your first thought might be to confront the intruder. This is not the smartest move. The intruder didn’t hesitate breaking into you home when they knew there was a possibility you were there. If he injures you, who will protect your family? If possible, find a place to hide and remain on the line with the operator until the police arrives.

Remote viewing.

If you possess a camera system and can view the cameras remotely, log in, and give a description of the subjects to police.

Even though we highly discourage confrontation, our next blog How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 2 will discuss what to do when confronting an intruder is inevitable.

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Park Ridge incident

No smoke alarms were found inside a Park Ridge home in which a morning fire broke out officials say.  Fire extensively damaged the rear addition of a house. Firefighters found heavy smoke and flames shooting out of the back and north side of the single-story addition. Two women who lived in the home were able to get out before firefighters arrived.  A search of the two-story brick house and rear addition found just one smoke detector on the second floor. It wasn’t working because it didn’t have batteries.

Chicago Lawn incident

A man died following a house fire in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood Tuesday afternoon that apparently was caused by careless smoking, authorities said. Crews were called to the home and took one person who had been in the home in critical condition to an area hospital, where he later died.  There were no smoke detectors in the home.

Recent news articles like these two show the critical importance of smoke detectors. These alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Working smoke alarms decrease the chance of dying in a fire by half. Smoke alarms detect and alert the presence of fire in its early stages therefore giving people time to escape safely.

Connect your smoke detector to your burglar alarm

Some of our clients have opted to have their smoke detector connected to their burglar alarm system. If the smoke detector goes off, an activation signal is sent to our alarm monitoring station, following the same emergency procedure as a burglar alarm. Although you can’t control the when, you can always ensure your smoke detector is working properly. Listed below are 6 tips that help reduce false smoke alarms.

Clean all smoke detectors in your home at least twice a year.

Airborne dust and contaminants can interfere with a smoke alarm’s ability to detect smoke and/or set a false alarm. Alarms may look clean, but dust can accumulate inside the cover, especially in newly built homes. Gently vacuum smoke alarms regularly using the soft brush attachment.

Avoid using chemicals.

Strong chemical odors like ammonia or paint fumes can set off a smoke detector.

Replace your batteries annually.

Don’t wait for that high-pitched chirp to take action. Instead, keep a standing annual date with yourself for replacing the battery in each of your smoke alarms.

Change the location.

Place your smoke detector further away from the kitchen or bathroom. If your smoke detector is located too close to these rooms, cooking fumes and steam can trick it into setting off its alarm – even when there’s no danger.

Replace your smoke detector.

The National Fire Association recommends replacing it every ten years. However, an old smoke detector can trigger false alarms. If you have already changed the batteries and your smoke detector is still beeping, it should be replaced right away.

Learn more about your alarm type and what triggers it.

There are currently three types of smoke alarms: ionization, photoelectric and combination ionization/photoelectric.

If you would like to learn more about this or to add a smoke detector to your current alarm system, please contact us at 773-388-1208 or sales@vintechnology.com

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Clients and friends,

We can feel the fall weather in Chicago and its a reminder that Halloween is just around the corner. There is always something fun and intriguing about dressing up and being someone else for a night, don’t you agree? However, criminals take advantage of this. They hide their identity behind their Halloween masks to commit crimes. Parties get violent, children get tampered candy, and businesses are robbed. The community suffers when residents don’t follow Halloween safety tips.

What Can You do to Keep Children Safe?

CrimeWire recommends to supervise children closely. They are specially vulnerable to sexual predators when they knock on doors. Additionally, they should wait to consume candy until after adults search the contents. If possible, opt for trick or treating at businesses. Not only do they have better lighting but the treats are usually safer. Please beware that some business require that people take their masks off before entering. Its best to follow this guidelines to prevent any accidents. You can read more tips on how to keep your little ghouls and goblins safe this Halloween with these tips from Crimewire.

We hope our Chicago residents get nice weather.

Haunted Pub caught on camera? yikes!

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I still remember the way I felt the day I learned the horrific news that a 26-year-old woman had been allegedly stabbed and sexually assaulted in her own home in Willowbrook.

I immediately shared this news with my team and we discussed ways in which we could help our community and clients feel safe. We reached out to our clients and advised them to arm their security systems at home and to keep their remote control panic button close.

Recently, we learned a few other homes had been invaded in different parts of Illinois. The fact is most people don’t know what to do during a home invasion. Most of us think  it won’t happen to us.

This morning, I came across a blog shared by a fellow ASIS member – Jordan Frankel (Security Experts Inc.)  and I just knew I needed to share these safety tips provided by a global security expert with our beloved clients and readers.

Read below for precautionary measures to reduce the risk of being a victim:

1. Reinforce your door frames and hinges.

Installing a security door brace that withstands a minimum of 1800 pounds of force will go a long way in preventing thugs from entering your home.

2. Treat all ground floor windows with glass protection film.

These protective window coatings can significantly slow down an intruder, supplying you the precious seconds needed to call the police or retreat to a predetermined safe room, such as a basement or locking closet with a reinforced door.

3. Lock windows and doors at all times.

Intruders will find any open windows, open doors or garages to get in your home. Make sure to always lock all windows, doors and garages to keep your home safe.

4. Install outdoor, high-intensity LED motion lighting

underneath a minimum of two roof-line eaves. Motion detection lighting is a fantastic way to startle and deter intruders.

5. Keep your alarm system set day and night.

Alarm systems are important components of any home security plan. However, a recent study suggests that up to 25% of homeowners neglect to set their alarm systems. No matter if its day or night, make sure you and your family members set your home’s alarm system.

6. In addition, ensure everyone is familiar with how to operate the keypad.

Most home security systems have a panic button located on the keypad. Knowing how to activate the panic button in an emergency can yield numerous benefits, including signaling the police to respond with higher priority than normal, which can speed up the overall response time. Alarm keypads also have the ability to display the zone or area of the home that was breached. Informing the 911 dispatcher of the intruder’s location on the premises can be extremely helpful to the police in apprehending the intruder.

7. Never open the door to a stranger.

If you aren’t expecting that person that claims to be a service technician, delivery man or police officer, do not open your door when they come knocking. Instead, ask for their name and the name of their employer, and then call the company or agency directly to verify their identity. If you suspect foul play of any kind, call 911 immediately.

Thank you Security Sensei for these valuable tips to prevent a home invasion!

For more home invasion tips, visit our blog How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 1. 

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If you have a swimming pool in your home, you know its a summer luxury. However, if you have small children, you also know its a hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 3,400 fatal drownings in 2007. Furthermore, more than one in five of these cases were children ages 14 and younger. In order to avoid a tragedy like this, its important to evaluate what can be done to prevent it.

How does a poolSonix security alarm work?

This Pool security alarm is designed to detect unintentional entry and activate an alert. If a child or pet accidentally enter or fall into the pool, you can be sure you will receive an alert. The pool alarm is connected to your home burglar alarm so it can be monitored at all times. You can also armed or disarmed the alarm remotely with a key fob.  This will give you the freedom to manage it at all times. Additionally, this pool security alarm its solar powered and environmentally friendly. A lot of security for your family and a little love for the earth.

For more information, please watch this short clip: PoolSonix wireless pool alarm.

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Layer your defenses

According to Law Enforcement officials, locks and lights are most effective when used in conjunction with other barriers, such as cameras and alarms. Great security is all about layers of protection. The more layers you have, the more frustrated a would-be burglar becomes. The piercing sound of alarms going off can be very disorienting and cause burglars to make mistakes. The more time and effort it takes, the more likely he will give up.

Make sure your security installer is licensed, insured, and bonded

You would be surprised how many unlicensed/uninsured installers are out there. Many times their work is shoddy and if there is a problem, you are, usually, left without any recourse to have them fix it. Having an installer who is licensed gives you an added guarantee that you will most likely receive top-notch service.

Check with your insurance provider

Most insurance companies offer credits or discounts to individuals that purchase home security systems. These credits vary; but they are usually enough to offset the cost of monthly home monitoring service.

Be cautious of door-to-door security system sales people

Some companies have sales people that come to your house and offer you a free system w/installation. In exchange your “only obligation” is to sign a contract and agree to post a sign in your yard or window that advertises their company for 36-60 months. Upon signing the service contract you are informed that, in order to keep your system active, you will have to pay a monthly fee. (usually $30-$50) before you agree to anything, please make sure you read and understand the contract completely. Ask questions, because the contracts are usually pretty vague. Look out for hidden fees; there may be unlisted cancellation fees, sometimes as much as $2500. Lastly, before any money changes hands make sure everything is connected and working properly.

Do some research

Call the companies you are considering, talk to your friends and neighbors, and search online. A company’s web site is a good starting point. Also, sites like Yelp.com and Dexknows.com are good tools. These sites allow you to rate companies and see what other consumers are saying about them.  (example: VinTech on Yelp)

Home security is an essential part of any household. If you are in the market to add any type of security system to your home, we encourage you to do your homework before making a purchase decisions.

For further reading:

Crime Spikes during the Holidays

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With Thanksgiving and Black Friday approaching at the end of the week we urge you to take extra precautions this holiday season.

“During this time of year, police routinely focus more attention on burglaries to residences and businesses, as well as theft and shoplifting, because these crimes increase tremendously during the holidays, Capt. Chris Smith of KPD’s crime prevention unit says.” – the Kokomo Tribune

Authorities urge residents to not only be aware of their surroundings but to report any suspicious activity. If you have plans to travel, remember to lock your home doors and windows. Unlocked front doors are surprisingly the most common entry for thieves. Additionally, communicate with a trusted neighbor that might be willing to keep an eye on your home will you are away.

One of the best tips we have heard for this upcoming shopping season is to keep your credit card face down when you are paying. Furthermore, put it away once its scanned. You never know if the person behind you in line is thumbing your credit card information into their phone or taking pictures of it for future use.

Crime spikes during the holidays are a real threat but you can prevent them! We hope you and your family have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

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In 1943, Abraham Maslow proposed the human pyramid of needs. The interesting thing about these needs is that, with the exception of your physiological needs (food, water, etc), your body will not give a physical response in the absence of higher level needs, other than being anxious or nervous.

One definition of the word “security” literally means freedom from anxiety or fear. It got us thinking, “Why feel anxious or live in fear? Everyone should feel safe and secure, and have peace of mind.”

The Basic Needs of Security

Safety and security are pretty basic needs when you really think about it but often overlooked. For example, a few weekends ago I woke up craving a burger (level 1 needs), so my boyfriend (level 3) and I set out to find the most perfect burger in Chicago. Later that day, I was scheduled to shoot a photo shoot for a theater company (level 4 and 5 needs). When I returned home and eventually went to bed, guess what? I had forgotten to lock my front door (level 2 skipped over). It dawned on me as I lied in bed that something wasn’t right. My level 2 internal alarm bell was ringing, and I immediately got out of bed to check my front door.

Safety and security, as a basic need, are easy to overlook. Security means to be free from danger, but to be free from danger, we must take necessary precautions to protect ourselves. Before we skip over to our self actualization, make sure the front door is locked.

The post Seeking Security? Its a Normal Hierarchy Need appeared first on VinTech Systems.

The frightening facts:

1. The lock bumping technique can be used to open 90% of American homes. This is because most homes use an old-style cylinder lock. Additionally, when a lock bumping key is used to break in, there is no sign of a forced entry or damage to the lock. This lack of evidence makes insurance companies very leery about paying for the claim. Furthermore, you could lose everything and not get compensated.
2. Anyone can make bump keys in 5 minutes or less. Hence, children as young as ten have been caught.
3. Safety experts say it’s time to change. Additionally, they are clear about this new digital home security threat. Its time to update your home protection!

Click here to watch a demonstration of this technique.

What can you do to protect your home?

Update your locks  to a high security residential deadbolt.

Features and Benefits

1. A bolt mechanism accommodates both mortise and drive-in applications. This design provides greater flexibility and ease of installation.
2. Steel shroud protects against “ice pick” type attacks. Avoid other items. Additionally, use high security strike plates. They have a special box design with 2 screws that anchor the strike directly to the building structure behind the frame. Furthermore, these will prevent kick-in type attacks.
3. A hardened steel bolt is surrounded by a heavy-gauge tubular steel so it houses maximum resistance to crowbar attacks.
4. A solid brass design is secured with high-tensile steel mounting bolts. Therefore, it has maximum resistance against hammer and prying attacks.
5. Elevate and rotate pin tumbler design. It has false slots on the bottom pins, mushroom top pins, and a sidebar mechanism together provide superior pick resistance.

Take action now! Protect your home from the lock bumping attack its easy and relatively inexpensive.

Learn more at www.lockbumping.com

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