Edmonton Mayor wants investigation into missing laptops

An auditors report revealed that the City of Edmonton is missing 48 laptops, and the mayor is not happy about that. Though there is a concern about the missing equipment, what appears to be of greater concern is what was on those computers that went missing. Was it confidential information, personal information? Who knows but the Privacy Commissioner is said to be "stunned" by this revelation. While I am not. Laptop theft continues to be a problem and will continue to be until people start taking some steps to prevent these type of thefts. Laptops are easy targets and the reward can be in the hundreds of dollars.

Here are some tips to help employers and employees stop or lessen the number of thefts.

Employers

1. Permanently mark or engrave all laptops with inventory numbers and identification stickers to aid in recovery if found by the police. Make sure that any markings do not violate warrant.
2. Make sure that all laptops are inventoried with make, model, serial number, date equipment is assigned and to whom.
3. Conduct periodic scheduled checks of laptop inventory
4. Consider using electronic tracking technology. It can tell you where the laptop is at any time, and also if it is leaving the building.
5. Conduct periodic checks of employees leaving the building, to issue that any equipment leaving is authorized to leave.
6. Limit access to the area where laptops are stored when not assigned to an employee.
7. Make sure the limited access area is not near high traffic areas.
8. Control access to those areas where employees use laptops.
9. Secure laptops to desks with equipment.
10. Consider establishing policies making employees responsible for the loss of the laptop if they do not follow the policy for safeguarding it.
11. Make sure employees are aware of this problem, and the methods that can be used to protect the equipment and the contents inside.
12. Provide employees with adequate secure storage areas for their laptops for storage when away from work, and lock-down devises for their desks or workstations.

Employees

1. Disguise your laptop. Carry it in an ordinary piece of luggage, knapsack or other inconspicuous bag. A fancy expensive laptop bag attracts thieves.
2. Keep laptop identifying numbers, make, model, inventory number written down, so that if a theft occurs there is no delay in getting the information to police.
3. Never leave your laptop unattended in public areas. Airport, train and bus stations are particularly target areas.
4. Never place a computer in checked luggage.
5. If a laptop must be left in a vehicle, store it in the truck. Pull over and do this prior to your parking location.
6. Use computer locking cables to secure the laptop to a desk or table.
7. Regularly back up information and store it separately in case your computer is stolen.
8. Consider putting colored tape on the top of your laptop to avoid accidental mix-up at the x-ray machine in airports. Remember this is one place where the thieves hang out.
9. Identify your carrying case in some unusual way to make it stand out from the other bags. It will give the police probable grounds to stop and question, anyone carrying the bag. Make it stand out.

Business travelers should be watchful in hotels, train stations, bus terminals, conference centres, restaurants, restrooms and payphones. It only takes a second to be distracted and off the laptops go. Thieves have been noted to work in pairs or more. One will distract you to explain something, or give directions. The second one walks pass behind you and picks up your case.

Make the above practices part of your daily routine.

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com. Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to receive by email timely crime prevention solutions to your security concerns. Dave Rodwell

Get out of jail scam

Recently a St. Albert couple received a phone call that they believed was from the grandson. He indicated that he had been arrested in Toronto and he needed $4800.00 to get out of jail. When she agreed he told her how to send the money. The next day was a second call for a further $4800.00 for a lawyer. The money was sent both times via Canada Post moneygram. But it was not the grandson in Toronto, but a fraud artist. It was a $9,000.oo lesson about how easy it is to be duped by a fraud artist.

Fraud artists are skilled and will play on your emotions. To prevent being scammed you need to check things out throughly before sending any money. Take you time and don't rush into sending money until you are satisfied it is legit.

If you have any feeling that something is not right take the time to check it out with the PhoneBusters. They are on the web.

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com. Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to receive by email timely crime prevention solutions to your security concerns. Dave Rodwell

Another Judge missed the boat.

I recently read where a Ontario Judge threw a case out of his court, because he felt it was too trivial for him. The circumstances were a fellow went into a grocery store and helped himself to a handful of nuts out of the bulk items and didn't pay for them. That is theft, no matter how you look at it. If you take something that is not yours and don't pay for it it is shoplifting no matter the amount.

It may seem like the cost of a handful of nuts, is not worth the time and costs for a Judge and the other court people to deal with the issue, but the Judge missed the whole point of his being. You can not put a price on crime. He missed one of the basic principals of a sentence given by a Judge in that the sentence should be to send a message to the community that this conduct is not proper in society.

So what was the message here. Clearly one could conclude that it is O.K. to steal in small amounts from grocery stores. What would happen if everyone walked into a grocery store and just took handfuls of food and eat it. The amount could be staggering to the average grocery store. It would certainly be the end of bulk food departments. Think of the message the children will get watching mum or dad dipping their hands into the peanuts. Let's not even get to the health issue.

It is too bad that the Judge felt that this issue was too trivial for him, but that is his job to deal out justice, and hopefully use some common sense at the same time. Sadly both were missing in this decision.

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com. Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to receive by email timely crime prevention solutions to your security concerns. Dave Rodwell

Elevator Security.

When I was conducting a security review on a large college, a question was asked of a number of students. The question was "where in this facility do you feel the least secure". A surprising popular response was the "elevators". When asked why, the responses ranged from no way to escape, close confinement and you don't have control of who gets on. As side from having a security guard riding the elevator, we are left to our own wits to manage.

Here are a few tips for elevator security to help you manage.

1. Look to see who is on the elevator before entering.
2. Do not enter the elevator if you do not feel comfortable. Wait for the next one.
3. When in the elevator, stand beside the control panel.
4. If a suspicious person enters the elevator, exit before the doors close.
5. If you are unable to exit, push the button for the next floor and get off.
6. if assaulted on the elevator, hit as many floor buttons as possible.
   

Good personal security starts with being aware of your surroundings, and not making yourself a target for the criminal elements in society.

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to recieve by email timely crime prevention solutions for your security concerns. Dave Rodwell

Chat room security

There are various internet websites, some designed for children and social networks that people can join, included among those sites are chat rooms. Chat rooms are those social locations on the internet where you can go and simply chat with others about various topics. When you sign up to be a part of a chat room you can be as honest or dishonest about yourself as you wish to be.
There is no one to check the validity of your personal description or the truth about yourself. It is because of this trait, that you can be very vulnerable to anyone without good intentions.

Well here are some tips to safeguard you when in internet chat rooms.

1. It is most important to select chat rooms that you know have a moderator. Moderators should be removing from their chat line any individual that express threats, harassment or any other illegal behavior. Should you encounter any activity that makes you uncomfortable, contact and advise the chat line moderator. Children should advise their parents at once and together advise the moderator.
A note to the parents - don’t get upset and cut off the computer, be thankful it was brought to your attention.

2. Never tell anyone in a chat line where you go to school, work or any information that could assist them in determining your personal routine. Talk in generalities, and don’t get into specifics of your daily hangouts (parks, stores etc.). Don't say where you will be at certain times of the day. You may in your mind be speaking to a specific person, but remember you don’t know who is reading your conversations and you could be giving that bad person leads to track you down.

3. You must never give your name, address, phone number or any other personal details within a chat room. This includes your email, if it contains a name or other identifiable word.

4. I can’t put it into stronger words but DO NOT meet anyone in person that you have just met off the internet. Friends will say “it is no big deal” or “I do that all the time”, but it is no different then hitchhiking. You wouldn’t get into a car with a stranger, nor should you meet with a stranger.
If you decide to go against this advice, here are a few tips:

• Meet in a very public place like a restaurant, library.
• Make sure you tell people exactly where you are going and everything you know about this meeting.
• Get someone to watch the meeting from nearby. Dads love to do this.
• Get someone to pick you up from this public place and drive you away. You don’t want to be followed. Don’t accept a ride home from this individual.
• Ask if you can bring a friend. Most serious individuals will not mind. If they say yes then bring the friend. If they say no, ask why.

This is about your safety. If you start mixing the real world with your computer world you most often will be in for a big letdown or an unpleasant surprise.

5. Be very cautious about posting any pictures of yourself. Young persons should not put their picture on line. Facebook is slightly different as you can control who accesses your site. It is suggested that a graphic or logo may be the best way to handle this issue.

6. If someone on a chat line wants to send you a file or link to a site, be very leery of a computer virus or opening a shocking picture. It is best to just ignore those type of things.

7. Consider limiting the chat room to people within your own circle of friends and family. You can create your own chat room. Facebook calls them groups and you can control who comes into your circle of friends.

My final words are it is unfortunate, but there are many people online who are dangerous. It is up to you to keep your personal radar up to make sure you are not putting yourself at risk. No matter how many times you may have chatted with someone in a site, you do not know them. They are a stranger. Everything they could have told you could be a lie.

The above security tips may not apply to each and every one of you. You have to determine how many apply to you personally. What is your vulnerability level? Don’t under estimate it. If you are a child or young adult, I believe most of the tips apply. Older adults may feel more comfortable providing some personal information about their lives. Everyone has to know there comfort zone.

Safe Chatting

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com . Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to receive by email timely crime prevention solutions to your security concerns. Dave Rodwell

Home Repair Ripoffs

Fraudulent Home Renovations

Many years ago, I chased a group of gypsies that surfaced every summer. They were looking for easy to fleece individuals that needed home or farm repairs. They were called the “Williamson” gang. They were based out of the states, and would come into southern Alberta and Saskatchewan to do fraudulent renovations. They tended to pick on the rural seniors, with roofing scams, and painting barns and fences. The work always looked good until the first rain. Then the paint would wash off, or the roof would leak. They had dozen’s of different scams. They were smooth and hard to catch. When we would finally catch up to them, they would get bail and then slide back across the border. They would either stay out of the country until warrants expired or return the next year, with different names, and frequent in different areas.

There are still remnants of them around, but we don’t need to look state side for fraud renovation artists. We have lots of home grown con artists. Continually we hear about individuals that have been taken by contractors who don’t live up to their words, advertisements and what is in the contract.

Here are some tips so that you don’t become a victim Be very cautious of contractors who:

* Offer a free home inspection and then suggest major repairs.
* Who need to be paid a large down payment, with the excuse that it is to buy materials. Most contractors have bridge financing or charge accounts with their supplies.
* Offer a large discount to use your home to advertise their work. That price offer is made to everyone.
* Knock on your door to offer you a “discount” price as they are already working in the neighborhood. Quote you a price without seeing exactly what needs to be done.


To find a good contractor, you best bet is to ask around. Satisfied Customers will not hesitate to recommend a good contractor. Look around your neighborhood for similar work, and ask the home owner about the work and the contractor. Ask if you can look at the work and check out the quality of the work. Some of the larger building supply and hardware stores, do home improvement work, and know reliable contractors. A check with your local Better Business Bureau can supply you with a list of member firms, or provide advice about the contractor.

As the home owner you need to decide the scope of the work and select the contractor. You need to describe the job completely and correctly in a contract. It is the owners responsibility to ensure zoning approval and permits are obtained and any necessary inspections are completed. The contractor will often make the inspection arrangements. You need to periodically check to make sure the work is being done to your satisfaction. If you notice some appears to be amiss, question it at once. Don’t wait until it is covered with wallboard. Don’t make the final payment until you are satisfied that they work has been completed as contracted.

In the majority of fraudulent renovation cases, the contractor:

* Has no local business license or provincial license where applicable.
* Will not have a Canada GST number.
* Not have worker’s compensation coverage.


By following these tips, you will greatly reduce your chances of being victimized by most of these criminals. Yes fraud is a crime, but poor workmanship or being high prices is not necessarily. Always be cautious and remember if it seems to go to be true, it most likely isn’t.

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com . Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to receive by email timely crime prevention solutions to your security concerns. Dave Rodwell

Alzheimer Association "Safely Home" program

Alzheimer Association “Safely Home” program

I recently picked up. I recently picked up a pamphlet from the Alzheimer Association which is titled “Safely Home”. They have developed in partnership with the Royal Canadian Police, a confidential registry database, which is designed to help find, a person who is lost assistance in the safe will return.

It is necessary for the caregiver to one-time register for a minimal cost of $25.00. The registrant’s pertinent details are obtained and the registrant is also provided with an ID bracelet that has a registration number, and their first name on it.

When the registrant goes missing, police are contacted and they have all necessary information, including a photograph to begin a search. Should the police or medical personnel locate an individual who appears loss/disorientated or injured. They can by the registration number, locate caregiver and return the individual to his home.

I think this is a wonderful program for families. You can find out more about this program by going to www.Alzheimer.ca

For more security solutions, visit our website at www.securityspeaking.com . Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and blog to receive by email timely crime prevention solutions to your security concerns. Dave Rodwell