Security and Privacy

Vivint Made My Home Smarter and More Secure: Part 1

I recently had the good people from Vivint come and install a home automation system/security system in my home. Vivint provides a ton of options and provides professional installation with every purchase. Read on to see how the process and products have transformed my home. 



10 Tips to Reclaim Your Online Privacy

In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook users have become more concerned about their privacy than ever before. The #deletefacebook hashtag has been trending for days, and many users see the latest misuse of Facebook user data as the “last straw” in ending their trust with the social media giant.



Ring Spotlight Cam Solar Is the Bright Choice in Simple Home Security

Ring, who recently made the news after it was reported that Amazon is acquiring them, has another security camera worth fawning over. The Ring Spotlight Cam Solar is a WiFi security camera that can be mounted almost anywhere and is powered by the sun. Priced at $229, it illuminates the night with built-in LEDs when it senses motion.




Invi Bracelet Means Well, but There Are Better Ways to Protect Yourself

It is a sad commentary on our society that so many companies are working to find ways to incorporate self-defense products into everyday life. We’ve seen tasers built into phone cases, discreet pepper sprays, and all sorts of apps that alert your loved ones if you aren’t home/at your destination by a set time. Most of the time the pitches make complete sense. Then there’s the Invi bracelet, which allows you to skunk your attacker.



Aura Home Security System Is a Discreet Way of Monitoring Your Place

If you have an extra couple of hundred dollars ($499 to be exact) and want to save yourself the hassle of monthly bills for home security all while keeping tabs on every portion of your home, you should take a look at the Aura Home. Using your homes Wi-Fi connection and powered by a source outlet, the Aura Home’s sole purpose is to detection motion in your home. Not everyone wants an intrusive camera in their home, and as someone who does, I can say that it does look very mom & pop store-ish to have cameras strategically placed in your…



With Raven in Your Kid’s Car, You Can Helicopter Less Obviously

Did your 16-year-old just get their first car? Are you nervously biting your fingers every time they leave home? Raven gives you a way to know exactly what’s going on in your teen’s car — how they are driving, where they are driving, and who’s in the car with them — while disguising itself as a slick heads-up display.


Ring Floodlight Cam Delivers Serious DIY Protection

When we replaced our front door over a year ago, I purchased a Ring Doorbell; I love it. I love knowing who is there, being able to “answer” the door while away from the house, and the extra sense of security it gives me. When Ring offered a Ring Floodlight Cam for review I was, and continue to be, thrilled.


Is Facebook Spying on You? Probably. Maybe?

Recently, Reply All, a podcast from Gimlet Media about the Internet, published a podcast centered around Facebook and its notoriously shady data collection practices, titled “Is Facebook Spying on You?” Users noticing strange coincidences regarding Facebook’s targeted ads are left wondering whether Facebook has been listening to their conversations through their smartphone’s microphone without their knowledge.


Honeywell Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera Is DIY Security at Its Best

If you’re looking for a powerful security camera that is relatively inexpensive, simple to set up and easy to use, the Honeywell Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera is for you. I reviewed the Lyric thermostat and still use it. (Review) I also reviewed the Lyric C1 Security Camera. (Review) The Lyric C2 is a fantastic addition to our ever-smarter home.


Guardzilla 360 Won’t BBQ Intruders, but It Will Watch Your Home

Since the name Guardzilla seems like such an obvious riff on Godzilla, it only stands to reason that this life-size product would watch whatever you’ve aimed it at and incapacitate intruders and interlopers with a flamethrower blast when notified to do so. What? It’s “only” a compact 360º motion detection home security camera? Well, I guess that’s okay, too.



Get Rid of Separation Anxiety with the Orbit Card

If you have a problem misplacing your wallet and need to be reminded that it’s not in your pocket but on your nightstand, then you should really check out the ORBIT Card. Personal identification, receipts, cash, you name it is something that we all carry day in and day out in our wallets and purses, and the Orbit Card wants to make sure that you never forget any of those things. The premise of the Orbit Card is pretty simple: it’s a Bluetooth tracker about the size of a traditional credit card that stores in your wallet and allows you to…


4 Tech Gadgets You Need to Keep Your Home Secure

Your home is supposed to be your little sliver of privacy and comfort in an increasingly hostile world. It’s a place where you have the luxury of retreating and relaxing. Unfortunately, criminals don’t always respect this privacy and encroach on safety for their own personal benefit. How you defend your home will determine the safety and security of your property.


The iseeBell WiFi Video Doorbell and Security Cam Review

Do you ever wonder who might be showing up at your door when you’re away? Perhaps you work across town, and you’re expecting a package; maybe you’re with friends in the backyard, and you don’t want to interrupt your relaxation, or you’ve wondered who’s been stealing your front porch decorations. If you had an iseeBell Video Doorbell, you’d know.


The Ring Video Doorbell Pro Is the Doorbell Every Home Deserves

We all want to feel safe and secure in our homes, and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is a great place to start. With Ring, you can always keep an eye on your front door, even when you’re out of the country. Featuring motion sensors, infrared night vision, and two-way talk capabilities, Ring is the perfect 24/7 security guard.