Published February 07, 2014

Associated Press

The civil war in Syria has become a matter of U.S. homeland security over concerns about a small number of Americans who have gone to fight with Syrian rebels and returned home, new Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday.

Johnson said he and other law enforcement and security officials around the world were focused on foreign fighters heading to the bloody war, including those from the United States, Canada and Europe.

In excerpts from his first major speech since taking office last year, Johnson did not discuss how many U.S. fighters may be in Syria.

U.S. intelligence officials have said a handful of Americans and hundreds of Europeans have already returned to their home countries. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the topic.

The State Department has no estimates of how many Americans have gone to fight with Syrian rebels, but British defense consultant IHS Jane's puts it at a few dozen. An estimated 1,200 to 1,700 Europeans are among rebel forces in Syria, according to government estimates.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Senate Intelligence Committee last month that al-Qaida groups in Syria have started training camps "to train people to go back to their countries" -- one of the newest threats emerging in the past year to U.S. security.

Clapper told senators that as many as 7,000 foreigners from some 50 countries, including Europe, were fighting with rebels and extremists in Syria.

To Johnson, it's not just people joining the fight in Syria that are a concern.

Excerpt from:
Homeland Security secretary cites threat from Americans fighting in Syria, returning home

Protect & Connect Your Home with P1 Life Arm/Disarm System Remotely Program Smart Events See Live Security Video Lock/Unlock Doors Control Lighting and Thermostat Basic Protection 1's basic home security system is our starter pack and includes 24/7 UL listed monitoring, all digital and all wireless systems, a color touchscreen control panel and two-way voice capabilities. Digital One of our most popular home security systems, the digital package, includes all basic features as well as WiFi compatibility, eSecure web & mobile control from your phone, as well as text & email notifications. The digital package also includes access to Tech Tracker, a way to view exactly where our technician is at when in route to your home! Digital & Energy Along with Wi-Fi capabilities, a color touchscreen control panel, three intrusion sensors, one pet-friendly motion detector, and a keychain remote, the digital & energy home security system also features one Z-Wave touchscreen thermostat with home automation capabilities. Remotely lock/unlock doors, control the temperature in your home, easily turn lights on/off, and control all your appliances from anywhere in your home! Digital & Video Protection 1's digital & video home security systems are the second most complete package we offer. With Protection 1 Digital & Video home security, you get access to all of our services with the exception of a Z-Wave touchscreen thermostat. However, this package includes one indoor IP video camera that has wireless capabilities, so you can monitor any area of your home. Digital & Energy & Video Our most complete package, the digital, energy & video package comes complete with everything you need to protect your home and family. From home automation products and wireless IP video cameras to intrusion sensors and motion detectors, you can control everything right from your color touchscreen control panel.

Digital Home Alarm Systems

P1 Life is more than just a home alarm system. It lets you manage your home from anywhere with your smartphone, tablet or PC.

When you equip your home with a home security system from Protection 1, you are actively taking a step in the right direction for the welfare of your family and property. When you protect your home with Protection 1, you not only receive 24 hour security monitoring, but also reap the benefits of all the home security products that come with. Worried about your home while you're away? Our selection of mobile monitoring options will give you peace of mind no matter how far away from home you are. Explore our products to learn more.

Go here to see the original:
Home Security Systems & Home Alarm Systems | Protection 1

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (FOX13) -

A home security system recently installed saved the lives of a Southaven family.

The couple had no idea, death was knocking. They're alive today ,because a monitoring service and the fire department answered the call.

"I'm calling in reference to a carbon monoxide alarm that we've received. is everything okay?? I'm in the house now and I didn't notice anything. I'm walking around and everything seems fine."

This was an emergency call to homeowners Milton and Deanna Harper. They had a crack in their heater which was leaking a poisonous gas into their home.

This audio call continued. "We did receive a carbon monoxide alarm, so I did end up having to dispatch the fire department since we did receive that carbon monoxide alarm, so they're in route."

Homeowner Milton Harper says, "I can't believe we had A-D-T for only 3 weeks and it saved our lives."

Homeowner Deanna Harper also adds, "Glad they got here, glad they had a meter to narrow down where the problem was."

Southaven Fire Department PIO Melina Alderman says "They took the gas meter we have and went through the home and found there were high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. We were able to get Mr. Harper out of the home to fresh air while they contacted the gas company to come."

The Deputy Chief with the Southaven Fire Department says if homeowners don't have a carbon monoxide detector, they have no idea if it's leaking into their home, unless they're feeling ill.

Here is the original post:
Security system saves lives of Southaven family

Home security systems reviews enable homeowners to make the right decision when choosing the system to invest in. Current market has various brands of home security systems. Manufacturers give information about these systems through their websites. Although this information gives homeowners information about different systems, you cannot rely just on this information to make your buying decision. Some security companies want you to buy their security systems and they use their websites as a platform for marketing their products.

To get a security system that serves you the way you want, do some personal research before you go shopping. Look for a security system that enhances security of your home just the way you want. Nothing can give you better peace of mind than knowing that your family and home are safe. However, to achieve this goal when buying a security system you must be sure that you are investing in the right product. Reviews will help you to know the best system to invest in.

Why read reviews?

Maybe you are wondering whether reading reviews is really necessary. You may choose to ignore reviews because they are written by homeowners like you but there are various reasons why you need to read reviews before you go shopping.

Here are some of the reasons why you should read reviews before buying a security system for your home:

Know the truth about different systems: You cannot believe everything manufacturers of different systems say about them. This is because most manufacturers want you to buy their systems. Much of the information that they convey to potential buyers is biased and aimed at convincing them to buy their systems. To know the truth about different security systems, take time to read reviews by other homeowners.

Determine whether the systems give buyers the best value of their money: Your aim is to get the best value of the money that you invest in it. Security system companies sell their products at varying prices. Some sell their systems at high prices because they have a good reputation. Others sell their products at high price because they use better technology in manufacturing their systems. Reading reviews will enable you to know whether the price that is being charged by a security system is worth the product that they sell.

Suitability of the systems to your home: Different security systems are designed for different homes. Homeowners base reviews on the experiences that they have had after using the systems in their homes. When you read a review written by a homeowner whose home is similar to yours, you will know whether that system can work in your home or not.

Technology: Through reading reviews, you can tell what technology different companies have used in their security systems. You can also tell whether the used technology is effective on not.

Excerpt from:
Why You Should Read Reviews of Different Security Systems

Officers were accompanied by Badsey the Wolf - used by Suffolk police to highlight insecure vehicles and properties - during a two-day crime reduction initiative.

Thursday, February 6, 2014 10:59 PM

Police are urging residents in Babergh to improve home security measures after finding insecure houses and sheds in a two-day crime reduction initiative.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

Officers, accompanied by Badsey the Wolf, visited nearly 100 homes in Lavenham on January 28 and Long Melford on Wednesday.

Badsey is a character used by Suffolk Police to highlight insecurities by going out into the community with officers and checking vehicles and properties.

In Lavenham 40 properties were visited and officers found keys to a property left in an insecure utility room, fishing equipment left in an insecure shed, keys clearly visible in the inside lock of a back door and additional insecure sheds and vehicles.

In Long Melford officers visited 52 properties, finding windows open at houses with no one at home and insecure garden gates leading to concealed gardens and outbuildings.

A total of 14 vehicles were also checked. They were found to be secure.

Residents were spoken to by officers wherever possible and advice and security packs containing literature on home security, immobilise and police direct were given out.

Read the rest here:
Babergh: Police in home security warning to residents after nearly 100 properties inspected

Theres a new battle going on in tech, and the coveted prize is a spot in your home. Companies like Roomba and Nest, who put innovative spins on mundane gadgets, have spurred a new wave of smart in-home hardware. Intercoms, door locks, albino Grimaces, and egg trays are scrambling to squeeze in sensors and some sort of communication component, usually in the form of a mobile app.

Were currently in the frontier days of this next-gen hardware boom, which often means five pieces of hardware and five different apps to control our lightbulbs, our smoke detectors, our security cameras, our coffee machines, and our e-fireplaces. The hope is that convergence will eventually win the day, bringing with it less clutter, both on our phones and in our homes.

Thats the scenario Blacksumac is envisioning with its multifaceted Piper device. Indeed, its trying to win a spot in your home by being a few steps ahead of the competition. Piper is not just a security camera that streams live video to your iPhone on demand. Its also a weather station, a programmable motion- and sound-detecting device, a data-visualization tool for your in-home habits, a wireless hub for controlling other devices, and a futuristic way to pull pranks on people.

Its a good bargain for all it does, too. At $240 for the base package, it costs just a bit more than many of the single-purpose devices it might supplant things like the Dropcam Pro, Netatmo Weather Station, and Z-Wave hubs or gateways. Paying $360 gets you a bundle that might also replace a Belkin WeMo system. That higher-priced package includes the Piper base unit and three Z-Wave accessories, including your choice of a door/window sensor, a module that plugs into a power outlet to make connected items remote-controllable, and a range extender. The Piper only works with Z-Wave devices.

The hardware itself isnt all that exciting to look at, but its inoffensive and will generally blend in. It resembles a kinder, gentler, freestanding version of HAL 9000. Its about six inches tall and available in white or black, with a plastic main body housing its front-facing 180-degree camera and golf-ball-like motion sensor. The top and bottom offer speaker grilles, and around the back is a detachable aluminum stand that youll need to pop off to plug it in. You can leave the stand off if you want to wall-mount it.

Plugging Piper into a power source is all you need to do, because it doesnt have an Ethernet connection; it only connects via Wi-Fi. Once you plug it in and press the lone button on the back of the unit, it readies itself for about a minute. Then, a light on the front turns blue, and you hear a slightly creepy-sounding Piper is ready in a robotic female voice.

To complete the initial setup, you need to install Pipers free iOS or Android app on your mobile device. The Android version of the app is due out on February 14, but at the time this review was written, the app was only available for iOS. (Its a little hard to find; the best way to find it in the Apple App Store is to search for Blacksumac.) To finish setup, you connect to Piper as your Wi-Fi network from the app. The app then prompts you to enter your home network password. After about two to three minutes of configuration time, youre done.

From there, youll simply be using the app for everything. The apps main interface shows you a dashboard of the current indoor and outdoor temperatures, an events log, and a Simon-like wheel of main settings: Stay mode, Away mode, Vacation mode, and an off switch. The Stay mode is designed for use at home, where you may not want the motion-detection sensor enabled. The Away mode is designed for when youre at work or out for a few hours, when the motion- and sound-detection sensors might be more useful; like a home-security system, it beeps once you turn it on to give you a grace period for leaving the home. Vacation mode is designed for use when youre totally out of town, so the alerts are also sent to neighbors and other trusted friends that can check on your home.

Along the bottom of the app are a few tabs. Live Video streams footage directly to your phone from Pipers fish-eye lens. Theres about a one- to two-second lag between the live action being captured and when the video feed shows up on your device. Pipers lens has a crazy 180-degree field of view, so setting up one of these units along the wall of a room gives you an outstanding field of view. Video quality is less outstanding in fact, its the devices overall weak spot. The murkiness might make it hard to recognize any burglar you catch on camera.

Those video-quality shortcomings are mitigated by the viewing options. The video controls and navigation are great: You can finger-scroll around a scene in real time, pinch-and-zoom, and break the feed into four separate screens. That mosaic view lets you frame and zoom each video window independently, which makes the Pipers video feed seem like a multi-camera security setup. You also get a basic brightness adjustment for seeing things in the dark, as well as a light-bulb icon that lets you turn any Z-Wave-connected lamps on or off remotely while you watch live video.

Visit link:
This Tiny Gizmo Is All You Need to Automate and Protect Your Home

WH Security and alarm.com
WH Security, located in Rockford, Minn., offers a variety of home automation options including home energy management, light control, lock control, and even ...

By: WHSecuritymn

Continued here:
WH Security and alarm.com - Video

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a security breach at Atlanta-based Home Depots corporate headquarters. According to a criminal complaint, three human resources employees were arrested after accessing employees confidential information and opening fraudulent credit cards. Our corporate security, IT security and legal teams quickly investigated the matter and notified law enforcement, and the three associates were subsequently arrested, said Stephen Holmes, the Director of Corporate Communications at Home Depot. No customer information was compromised. Employees Claudette Grimes, her daughter, also an employee, Lakisha Grimes, and Paulette Shorter were all arrested on fraud charges and released on bond. That is everything you need right there: Social Security number, date of birth, youve got it, said Brent Brown, the CEO of Chesley Brown Companies. His company does corporate security, and he says this type of crime is on the uptick They are doing it in such a way that sometimes the breach goes unnoticed for days, months, maybe even longer, that is the scary part, said Brown. According to the criminal complaint, Home Depot Corporate Security alerted the U.S. Secret Service to the crime after discovering that Claudette Grimes sent an email from her Home Depot account containing an attachment which contained more than 300 Home Depot employees identifying information, including Social Security numbers and birthdates. Home Depot has notified the affected employees and is offering free credit monitoring. Out of an abundance of caution and looking at the universe of those whose information might have been exposed which we believe is between 10 and 20 thousand well notify others as needed, said Holmes, the spokesperson for Home Depot. Home Depots Full statement: This was an isolated incident involving three rogue HR associates who had authorized access to personal information to perform their jobs. They were in a position of trust, which they abused and they are no longer with the company. They did not have access to customer information. Our corporate security, IT security and legal teams quickly investigated the matter and notified law enforcement, and the three associates were subsequently arrested. We have notified and provided free credit monitoring to the approximately 300 current and former associates and a few hiring candidates referenced in the complaint. Out of an abundance of caution and looking at the universe of those whose information might have been exposed which we believe is between 10 and 20 thousand well notify others as needed. The security of anyones personal information is something we take extremely seriously, and we move aggressively to investigate and act on any questionable activity, no matter how large or small an incident might be. Thats what we did in this case, and will continue to do moving forward. You can read the entire criminal complaint here.

See the rest here:
Home Depot employees charged with stealing co-workers' personal info

security motion activated camera in remote area
here a video of my security remotely located camera and how I set it up to be activated only when motion is detected and not 24/7 video capturing. Using a we...

By: gary mason

See original here:
security motion activated camera in remote area - Video

Home Security Systems and Home Automation in Burlington NC, and Mebane NC.
Innovative Sound Security is the answer. We help you protect the people and property important to you, get the most out of in-home entertainment and seamle...

By: guitarsounds333

Read the rest here:
Home Security Systems and Home Automation in Burlington NC, and Mebane NC. - Video