Scotsman Security Services

Not only ghosts go bump in the night!

2010-08-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

You lock up the house for the night confident in the security of the door locks. Unfortunately you are probably unaware that it will take a perpetrator around 30 seconds to Bump the deadbolt. Yes, seconds are all they will need using a Bump key. Bump keys are basically skeleton keys for specific lock brands. Someone opens a lock that they acquired and inspects the opening mechanism particular to that lock. They then create a key that will open pretty well any lock of that brand and model. These keys are duplicated and sold online and anywhere else you care to pick one up. Back up the door lock with an alarm and/or an additional locking mechanism. As always, make sure that you never create an exit problem in the event you have to escape a fire or intruder.
Next time something goes bump in the night - be prepared.

Top-Secret America: A Hidden World, Growing Beyond Control

2010-07-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Scotsman Security believes in a lean, mean fighting machine - not the fat, bloated, self serving entities currently empire building in Washington D.C. and surrounding locals. It's not cloak and dagger stuff they are into - it's smoke and mirrors. The ordinary people need to start paying attention to what's going on here. They will be the ones that suffer when the lean, mean terror group decides to strike – while our so called security executives run around with pieces of paper trying to look more important than the next one. All we'll get is another congressional hearing and ass kissing to see what went wrong this time. The money should be spent on the troops working in the field - from agents to the local beat cop – not on security details and building SCIFs for pompous talking heads. Tax payers are handing over 75 BILLION dollars with an expectation that it's going to security efforts – not building edifices.

Original story - Washington Post

Post by Scotsman

Maybe we should be cutting the Lawmakers instead!

2010-07-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

Bioterrorism Experts Condemn a Move to Cut Reserve Money

Lawmakers are coming under fire for cutting funds from a program that aims to help the country respond to a biological attack or a flu pandemic. Under the appropriations bill that the House passed on July 2, $2 billion would be cut from Project BioShield, a program that was designed to purchase drugs and vaccines for use in the event of a biological terrorist attack. House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey (D-Wis.) said the cuts are necessary in order to prevent other programs from going under. But bioterrorism experts have criticized the cuts, saying that they are proof that the White House and Congress are failing to address the threat posed by a terrorist attack involving biological weapons. Experts say that the country needs to prepare for such an attack because it could result in the deaths of 400,000 Americans and do $2 trillion in damage to the U.S. economy. For its part, the Obama administration has said that limited success has been seen in the BioShield program. The White House has also said that it is taking steps to address the possibility of a biological attack, including developing a program that would distribute drugs through the mail and working to increase development of new drugs that could be used in the event of an attack.

Los Angeles Times (07/13/10) Dilanian, Ken

Posted by Scotsman

SEO latest tool for Cybercriminals

2010-07-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Cybercriminals are increasingly using search engine optimization (SEO) to trick computer users into visiting malicious Web sites, according to security researchers. As part of this strategy, known as black hat SEO, cybercriminals are inserting certain keywords into articles in the hopes of making the pages rank higher in search results. In addition, criminals are stealing content from legitimate Web pages and rewriting it, a technique that makes it difficult to distinguish between malicious pages and legitimate sites. Criminals also are hacking into legitimate sites in order to create links to their own pages. This technique allows pages run by criminals to be ranked higher in search results, since they are linked to from legitimate sites. Finally, criminals are using Google Trends to create malicious Web pages containing keywords related to events that are in the news. Once users visit these optimized malicious sites, their computers are infected with malicious code that can turn the machines into drones that send out spam. Users also can have their financial information stolen, either by the malicious code or by a pop-up that sells fraudulent security software. Security experts are calling on search engines to take steps to protect users from cybercriminals using black hat SEO by sharing information about how their search engine rankings are computed.

Financial Times (07/13/10) Menn, Joseph

Posted by Scotsman

Someone just kicked in your door - now what? Have a gun somewhere? Good luck with that.

2010-06-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

People openly explain to me that their guns are the primary method of self defence at home. I always ask them where the guns are stored. 100% tell me that they are safely locked away in a drawer or safe and go on to assure me that the are secure and unavailable to children. When I ask them how long it would take to get to their firearms in an emergency, they start to answer - at which point I interrupt them to tell say they are already too late.

You need to have multiple weapons available throughout the house or business. I have stun guns, knives, pepper sprays and other weapons in easily accessible spots throughout my home and vehicle. This isn't paranoia, it's being prepared. My children know where the weapons are located - but none of the weapons that they can access are guns. Just as I have first aid kits and fire extinguishers around, I have self defence tools available as well.

Don't believe for one minute that you will be in complete control of your emotions in the event that an intruder confronts you. Unless you have had training and experience of such situations, your body will go into a condition that literally freezes your muscles. Your brain will be in a state of confusion that leaves you unable to punch in a code or fumble with a key.

Have self defence items located in easily accessible locations - in a kitchen cabinet/drawer, hall closet, bookcase, bedroom drawer, etc. Make sure that your latch key children know where they are as well. If you are concerned that they could harm themselves - then you need to empty your kitchen of all knives, forks and remove all toxic cleaners from the house and garage.

Do not rely on a firearm - have multiple backup options in place.

Be prepared.

Watch that debit card

2010-06-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

It happens every minute of every day - someone gets nailed by credit/debit card fraud. Here's some simple steps to reduce the chances that you are next:

Keep secrets – especially your PIN number. Never write your PIN and carry around with your card. Do not use a PIN that relates to a number from your personal information – driver’s license, birth date, etc.
DO NOT give anyone your card PIN details over the telephone or on the web. There is never a reason for anyone to get your PIN – even your bank.

Criminals create emails and websites that look exactly like your financial institution. They can spoof the domains to make the email or website have the same addresses with very subtle differences. To be absolutely safe always check with any request for information directly with the requesting source. Any request for login and password information is guaranteed to be fraudulent.

When shopping on the web ensure that the site has security indicators. A lock in the lower right of the page and https indicate a secure site when you are entering credit card information. That is no guarantee that the site isn’t fraudulent as criminals can setup a site that easily appears real. Always double check that legitimate third parties confirm the site is valid. Scotsman Security for instance partners with Authorize.Net and PayPal for credit card processing. Avoid entering personal information on public computers or across unsecured hotspots. Always log off completely from the site after completing the transaction.

Constantly check your credit/debit card transaction and immediately report anything that appears fraudulent. If your card is lost or stolen report it has soon as possible. This will help to reduce the chance that it will be used fraudulently and also limit your potential liability for unauthorized transactions.

Check for double swiping by the cashier or unusual looking swipe slots. If the swipe slot has wires or extra materials connected to it then question using that payment method.

Don’t allow anyone else to enter your PIN

Block the view of the keypad when entering your PIN

Always get a receipt and check it before leaving the location.

Awareness of your surroundings is important when making a transaction.

Do not display money after taking it from the ATM. Put the money away before leaving the machine.

If anything or anyone appears suspicious – do not continue and leave the area.

As always – if the ATM or Debit machine has wires or attachments that appear out of place – do not use and report to the authorities

Social Media may raise your insurance rates

2009-10-30T06:58:00.000-07:00

If you are one of the individuals that loves to tell everyone about your daily comings and goings - you may want to temper down the amount of information that you share. Some insurance companies are looking at increasing rates for individuals that share information that potentially exposes them to crime. One of the favorites for your local web savvy criminals is monitoring your activities. Tell the world that you are out for lunch, vacation or business trip and the criminals will have an opportunity to burglarize your property. Teenagers are excellent sources for information - as they will share pretty well anything without thought for the consequences. Employers are not the only ones monitoring Facebook, Twitter, etc. - looks like your insurance company is watching as well.

Why a home security video system can pay off.

2009-09-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

Atlanta couple has posted video on YouTube of a robbery at their home, hoping someone recognizes the men who broke into their house, threw furniture at a dog and stole a laptop. Hopefully this video will have the scum nailed quickly.

Speaking of Alarm Companies

2009-08-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Do not fall for the FREE SECURITY SYSTEM offers. There is usually an "installation' charge and then there's the monitoring. The sole objective is to get you to sign up to a multiyear monitoring contract at $20, $30, and even higher monthly rates. Over the term of the agreement you pay big time for a system that is most likely proprietary (you can’t change monitoring companies - even once the agreement ends - you are trapped). Ask the company if you can change monitoring companies once your initial agreement expires or at any time if you are not happy with the service. There is no reason to sign an agreement that is over a one year term. Also, watch out for the service costs. Ask them to put in writing that they will replace any defective parts at no additional cost. If you are paying over $25.00 a month for monitoring - it should include parts and service.

There are high quality wireless systems by the leading manufacturers (North American companies no less!) that are virtually plug and play and easily installed by the homeowner. These systems are the same systems installed in some of the most secure locations in the world.

Alarm Company Scam

2009-08-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Watch out for this scam related to the signs that people put up in their front lawns that show what alarm company they use.