Five ways that technology might make you feel safer at home

YouTube NEW Fox News articles can now be heard on audio! Digital security is a constant topic on my national radio show and podcast about all things IT. Consider the router in your house.

A outmoded model exposes your entire network, all of your files, and everything related to it to hacker attack. Tap or click for five reasons you need to replace that old router.

Other methods of preserving your digital life don’t cost anything.

Then there are the security advices that are a little more local. There are many things you can do to feel safer where you live, whether you have a full house or live alone.

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1. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY One of the best ways to feel safer is to get to know your neighbors. If you haven’t already, say hello. Knowing that your neighborhood has your back will make you feel better.

Through NextDoor, you may also learn more about the surrounding community. Create a profile to connect with nearby residents. Just be prepared for a good amount of drama. I’ll never forget the moment I saw a post about someone speeding. Ah, I’m sorry.

Joining a buy nothing club is a more enjoyable way to connect with your neighborhood. Here, neighbors exchange stuff they no longer need. Imagine you want to replace your TV and you have to get rid of the old one. Ask if someone in the area would like to come pick it up instead of going to the process of selling it.

Set up your phone for emergencies (

Closeup of man using 3D-generated mobile smartphone with emergency call on the screen.

) Your phone is always by your side and can save your life. It’s a good idea to use the SOS emergency option on your phone. When activated, this will contact emergency services and send alerts and updates to the personal emergency contacts you’ve designated.

Set up your iPhone with emergency contacts.

Activate the Health app, then select your profile photo and Medical ID. Then scroll to Emergency Contacts after selecting Edit. Select a contact by tapping the Add emergency contact icon. Include their partnership. To save your changes, click Done. Making an emergency service call

Once the Emergency SOS slider appears, press the side button and one of the volume buttons. You can drag the slider to contact emergency services. Holding the side and volume buttons still will automatically contact emergency services. Your phone will get in touch with emergency services after the countdown is over.

Set up SOS and emergency contacts on your Android device.

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Log into your Google Account and launch the Safety app. To add information about your blood type, allergies, or medications, go to Settings and then Medical information. The list item you want to update is tapable. Select the existing contact you want to add by tapping Emergency contacts, followed by Add contact. You must now enable the SOS feature on your Android device:

Tap Safety and emergency, followed by Emergency SOS, in the same app. Use Emergency SOS by turning it on. In order to play a loud sound when Emergency SOS begins, you can also turn on Play alarm sound. Choose which emergency responses should be prompted by Emergency SOS. Activate the desired actions: Share information with emergency contacts and dial emergency services. Making an emergency service call

Five or more presses on the Power button are required. Prior to the start of emergency measures, there is a five-second countdown. Swipe Cancel to the right during the countdown to end Emergency SOS. Depending on your settings, emergency actions begin after the five-second countdown. Do you provide care for someone in your life? A lot of fantastic technology can be helpful if you can’t always be together.

Make it appear as though you are at home, even though you are not. There are ways to make it seem like your home is occupied even when it isn’t, whether you’re away for a week or just the day at work. Lighting, a stereo, or a TV can be turned on and off by mechanical or intelligent house timers.

Do you own an Echo speaker? Like a pair of ears you leave at home, Alexa Guard. Glass breaking, smoke alarms, or carbon monoxide alarms will all be heard by your Echo device. If certain sounds are heard, your phone will send you an alert.

In order to give the impression that you are home, Alexa Guard may also automatically turn on and off any connected smart lights.

4. CONFIGURE A SMART SECURITY MECHANISM Since the days of complex hard-wired systems with pricey, lengthy contracts, home security technology has advanced significantly. Today, you can create a system just for your home that has all the features you desire and even set it all up yourself.

SimpliSafe sponsors my national radio show, and I always endorse them as a business. Of course, there are a wide range of options available.
Cheap does not necessarily equate to superior. I’d stay away from models you can get online for dirt cheap.

A woman using her smartphone

5. THINK TWICE BEFORE POSTING ONLINE We have a tendency to want to share every great event on social media, but your friends might not be the only ones interested in your travels. Anyone can notice you are exploring a new city far from home if you keep a public profile.

The simplest option is to refrain from posting personal information, such as your travel itinerary. Post pictures and videos after you return.
If you’re going to share in real time, at the very least make sure that only close friends and family have access to your accounts.
Keep learning about technology

“Kim Komando Today” is the name of my well-liked podcast. It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, advice, and callers from across the nation with questions about technology.

Visit Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast player of your choice to listen to my podcast, “Kim Komando Today.”

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