In January of each year I write an article to help you think about your Home, Electronic and Personal Security. In 2017 Assistants like Alexa and Siri have gotten “smarter” and claim to help us more in our daily lives.

Home and lock security:

Look at your locks and your doors. Do your locks work smoothly, are they at least a class 2 lock? Do all your exterior doors have deadbolts installed? Can you account for all your keys? If not, replace the lock or have the key replaced. Try lockable key fobs to stay in control of your keys.

Is your alarm system working properly? In 2017, the biggest change from 2016 to 2017 is that most alarm systems can now be controlled using smartphone apps. Maybe it’s time you upgraded to a modern alarm system that can be controlled by your smartphone. You must contact the central station via cell service rather than a landline.

Computer security:

In 2017, our computers, tablets, and smartphones have gotten smarter. They are also more open with extensive Wi-Fi connections. These connections must be protected by some kind of internet security that has built-in Wi-Fi security. Make sure you are using the latest Wi-Fi security. We are using home automation more and this opens us up to additional security issues. Be careful how you use Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and Google Assistant.

If possible, use credit cards instead of debit cards. Credit cards give you more security and you are using your money for 30 days. Just make sure you pay your bills in full each month.

Personal security:

When driving or walking, be aware of your surroundings, know where you are at all times. If your “intuition” tells you to leave an area, listen and walk away. Park your vehicle in a well-lit area and leave nothing in plain view such as your GPS, laptop, etc. When you get home, park your vehicle in your garage and close the door before leaving. If it’s dark, try using the light on a timer inside your house, so there will be a light(s) on when you get home. It is always better to enter a lighted house.

All of the items above are common sense, everyone has different security needs, so this article is written to help you think through your own personal security situation.