“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
—Benjamin Franklin

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Friday, May 12th, 2023

 

Share Freely.  This is real and dangerous.

You wouldn’t go to a website you don’t trust would you?

Well QR codes just take to websites with your phone so be very cautious what what you scan, even menus at restaurants.

QR code scams are out of control

Imagine losing $15,000 in just a few seconds. It happened to a woman who scanned a QR code to take a survey — and instead downloaded malware that drained her bank account.

QR codes are those black-and-white dot-based images you scan to open websites, menus, apps, you name it. But they’re also a clever way in for scammers.

Here’s one of their most dastardly tricks

QR codes date back to the ’90s but exploded in popularity during the pandemic. Some restaurants still use QR codes for menus. One study found 84% of smartphone users have scanned a QR code at least once, and about a third scanned one a week.

⛽️ Say you’re at the gas station

You see a sign branded with the gas station logo that you can scan for a discount. What you didn’t realize is someone covered up the real QR code with a sticker leading to a bogus site. Thieves are smart enough to make sites look like ones you’d expect to visit.

Just like that, you handed over personal info or even payment details.

🅿️ The same trick is used on parking meters …

And in paid parking lots, at banks and in emails. Since you can’t see where a QR code’s URL leads before you snap a pic, you must take extra steps to protect yourself.

At a meter that asks you to scan to pay? First, look for another option. Can you visit your town or city’s website directly? If not, go to the official website first, then scan the QR code. Compare and see if the site you were directed to looks similar or way off.

🚩 Pro tip: Run your fingers over a QR code before you scan it. Can you tell if a sticker was placed over the top of the original code? That’s a big red flag.

 

Body Language Safety

Saturday, August 21st, 2021
Body Language Myths - Are You a Myth Buster?

1 comment

So you want to stay safe and use every edge possible to ensure your personal safety. Most of us have heard about body language. It’s a powerful, yet underrated tool of empowerment.

Powerful body language can do wonders for your confidence and help ensure your safety. But not everything you may have heard about body language is true. Let’s examine a few of the common body language beliefs, and tell you why many are myths. Test your knowledge as we guide you through some of the body language myths and misconceptions.

NO EYE CONTACT INDICATES LYING / EYE DIRECTION GIVES YOU AWAY

Your eyes give you away, right? Well, not always. Two common beliefs are liars don’t make eye contact, and eye direction indicates lying. Not always true. Lack of eye contact can happen for a number of reasons, including a short attention span, autism, or even cultural reasons. Pathological liars are more likely to be skilled in the art of manipulation and some have no problem in maintaining direct eye contact when telling lies.

When it comes to the direction of eyes, or the ways eyes shift when talking, there is a common belief that shifty eyes indicate deception. However, researchers analyzing body language have found no connection between where the eyes move and whether a person is telling the truth. Most experts think that detecting lying is far more complicated than eye movement. (source: brainfodder.org)

TALKING WITH YOUR HANDS IS UNPROFESSIONAL

Gesturing as you talk can actually help your thinking. Gestures can also help listeners track and interpret what you are saying. Brain imaging has shown a link between gestures and speech. Keeping your hands still when you speak could limit your effectiveness as a communicator. (source: carolkinseygoman.com ) 

ARMS CROSSED IS A NEGATIVE SIGN 

Folding your arms in front of your body is almost a universal gesture. Most people think this body language is a sign of personal defense or a need for personal safety; the person wants to be left alone or is being defensive.

But people cross their arms for a number of reasons including feeling cold, tired, or it might be a way to comfort or reassure the person doing it.

BODY LANGUAGE TO IMPROVE PERSONAL SAFETY 

At Mace® Brand, we are committed to providing community and family safety through individual empowerment. While body language can offer insights into the emotional state of someone, it cannot tell us why a person is exhibiting that emotion.

Here are a few ways to improve your body language to help increase your personal safety.

Stand up straight, make eye contact, smile for real, and lean in. Leaning in shows openness and attention. A real smile is infectious and can turn the tables on what could be a negative encounter. Making eye contact and standing up straight both convey confidence, which makes you a much less likely target. Remember, criminals usually look for easy targets.

The Power Pose

Claim your space and presence. You can do this without being rude. Try “power posing” during a meeting at work, on a bus or a train, or even while riding an elevator. Power posing involves spreading out and striking confident postures, such as hands on a table, arms on your hips, with both feet placed wide apart. These poses have been proven to boost confidence, and send a signal to those around you that you’re confident and in control.

The Look

Remember when your parents or grandparents could get you to behave at church, the dinner table, or family functions by sternly looking at you? You can practice “the look” in public. Try it on friends first, and ask for their feedback. You want to look serious, confident, and convincing.

  Eyes and Eyebrows

The muscles around your eyes are called the ocular orbital muscles. When people are suspicious or intensely curious, their ocular orbitals will tighten. If you see someone narrow their eyes at you, try to figure out what they are hung up on and ask for clarification or an explanation. Conversely, analyzing body language has shown that if you feel your eyes narrowing, that could indicate to a potential assailant that your are suspicious of their behavior. Tense or lowered eyebrows is usually a very dominant gesture. It is common for someone to express anger by lowering their eyebrows. If you tilt your head down, this also is a sign of anger or disapproval.

Effective body language skills takes practice. And now that you know what to work on, take some time to improve your body language and improve your own personal safety and empowerment.

WWW.MACE.COM

MACE® pepper spray is our signature product, but we also have a full line of outstanding personal safety items. Visit our website today to view our new product selections, and be sure to follow us on all of our social media platforms so you can stay up to date on the issues that impact you and your family. Think of us as an experienced guide that you trust.

 

Amazon & Sonitec are Channel Partners

Friday, June 19th, 2020

Our team has partnered with Amazon to provide Amazon Key – a new, free, program that will help alleviate your wasted time managing Amazon packages. According to the Wall Street Journal, property Managers waste 10 minutes of productivity per package. Properties like yours have the highest rate of lost, stolen, damaged, and undelivered packages.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS

One of our CSS technicians will install the Amazon the Key for Business device FREE OF CHARGE!! No cost to you now or in the future.

  • The Key for Business smart fob seamlessly integrates with your building’s existing access entry system, so your residents’ experience stays the same.
  • On delivery day, Amazon’s delivery drivers use the special Amazon delivery app to request access to the building. Drivers can only access public areas like halls or mailrooms and are tracked in GPS while at your property.
  • The Amazon Cloud validates the driver’s credentials using their ID, route, GPS location and time of request before access is granted. After the cloud validates the driver, then time-limited access is granted for delivery.

You can provide detailed delivery instructions, with pictures, and those instructions are sent directly to the driver. The result is an 80% increase in delivery compliance!

 

 

VOIP AND DIGITAL PHONE SERVICE MAY INTERFERE WITH YOUR SECURITY/LIFE SAFETY SYSTEM

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

We would like to inform you about the potential impact that new types of phone services may have on your security/life safety system. Commonly referred to as “VoIP” (Voice over Internet Protocol) and “digital telephone service,” these new phone options are rapidly growing in popularity. These technologies allow you to make telephone calls via a broadband connection instead of using a traditional, “landline” phone service. The benefits include enhanced features and lower costs compared to the traditional service. Typically, these new types of phone services replace your landline service. (more…)

 

Safe Information & Security

Thursday, November 5th, 2015

There’s a lot more to safes than being a heavy box with a lock on it. Safes have fire ratings, burglary ratings, and all sorts of other accessories and accessories to help secure and protect your valuables. When it comes to ratings, the gold standard is the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and UL ratings exist for burglary and fire. Most safes older than 50 years old are not fireproof or burglary rated, but they are heavy and look cool. (more…)

 

Presidents Window

Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

Dear Friends,

With so many security product choices around us whether on the internet, home centers and even supermarkets, it is easy to forget what is important.

Security is something we feel and own within us. Merely paying for something such as a lock, alarm or dog doesn’t assure a thing.

It’s a comfort level we all deserve and wish to exist everywhere we turn. (more…)

 

Slideshow:Residential Security System Services in Westchester, NY

Monday, April 27th, 2015

In this slide, professionals at Sonitec Fire, Security& Video mention tips for residential security. They have been designing and installing residential security systems for over 40 years. To find out more, call 914-363-0574 or email info@sonitec.tv. (more…)

 

Home Security System Installation – Things to Consider

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

Residential security systems alert homeowners when someone attempts to enter the home. When planning to install a security system at your home, it is advisable to hire a security systems installer.

Things to Consider When Installing a Residential Security System

Investigate your dwelling: Determine the areas of your home that require security. Note the details and determine the most suitable security system.

Wired and wireless system: Identify the advantages and disadvantages of wired and wireless systems and select one that matches your requirements.

Locations of your control panel: When choosing the locations for control panels, make sure intruders cannot find it easily. Also ensure they are accessible for you and your family members in case of emergencies. (more…)

 

Protecting Your Business with Commercial Security Systems

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Protecting Your Business with Commercial Security Systems
Security is important for every business, and locks and chains do not provide enough security. Commercial security systems are available in different models. Regardless of the size and the type of protection you need, you can find a suitable security system. (more…)

 

Importance of Commercial Security Systems for Businesses

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Every business owner should make sure employees, assets, and office spaces are safe and secure. There are a number of companies that offer security services. You need to select the most reliable company. (more…)