Biometric Thumblock

BioAxxis Development Corporation has spent the last 18 months designing, developing and patenting the next revolution in biometric fingerprint door lock technology - the BioAxxis® ThumbLock™. We have reformulated the concept of what a fingerprint lock should look like and simplified access so that the biometric sensor is now located conveniently below the handle - at your thumb. 

This fingerprint door lock is one-of-a-kind. The Mona Lisa of biometrics. There is no standalone biometric door lock available on the world market like it in terms of…

1. Customizable Access Methods
2. Security and Quality Standards
3. Versatility and Feature Set
4. Regulatory Compliance
5. Access Control Capability

The BioAxxis® ThumbLock™ was designed for a wide range of applications. For the high-end residential consumer, this biometric door lock puts all the others to shame. While beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, don’t be fooled. The ThumbLock™ is a security system on your front door, providing you with a highly sought after lifestyle improvement. It can be installed indoors or outdoors with no concern for rain, snow, dust or humidity. You can transform your world from “care free” living to “key free” living with the ThumbLock™ and become the envy of your neighborhood. Think of the applications….

1. Single family residence
2. Townhomes
3. Condominiums
4. Apartments
5. Rental Properties

For the commercial customer, the ThumbLock™ is a must have product if you are serious about security and ensuring no more risk associated with shared keys or shared swipe cards. You can rest assured that you will know exactly who is using your locks at all times. Not only will you have Audit Trail tracking capability but also a fully features Access Control system on the door. And you will receive the uncompromising commercial-grade quality standards synonymous with the BioAxxis® brand. This lock is a true workhorse, capable of hundreds and hundreds of thousands of duty cycles. And compare the pricing of the ThumbLock™ to the other PIN-code only door locks on the market – for comparable dollars, you will receive so much more for your money with the ThumbLock™. Here is a brief sampling of the commercial applications… 

1. Hospitals & Pharmacies
2. Universities
3. Government & Military Installations
4. Manufacturing Facilities
5. Law Firms

Your BioAxxis® ThumbLock™ is easy to program and easy to use as a standalone system. To enhance the performance, you can add the following upgrades…

The AT Upgrade (coming  June 2009) will work by downloading audit trail records to a 1GB flash drive. Easy to use Audit Trail software based in MS Access will be included in this package as well.

The PCMU™ (PC Management Upgrade - coming June 2009) will also be available to centrally enroll fingerprints in your PC with a fingerprint scanner and manage each individual user's rights per lock as though the ThumbLock™ was a full-blown access control system. You will not believe the feature enhancements this will provide! You can then upload that programming information to the flash drive to program all your ThumbLocks. And you can still download your Audit Trail data using the flash drives.

Available at Master Key Systems America, from June 2009.

Price On Application.

Master Key Systems America LLC/Locks210.com prefers to deal in Bioaxxis products because of their superior design and quality. Having investigated multiple products, we have found that the Bioaxxis product line offers the best security and value for money.

Missouri Attorney General Says Locksmith Has Gouged Customers

Missouri Attorney General says locksmith has gouged customers

BY STEPHEN DEERE

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

04/04/2009

A Florida-based locksmith company has been gouging customers in St. Louis and elsewhere for about a year, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said Friday. 

Koster has sued Dependable Locks Inc., and its registered agent, David Peer, of Dunedin, Fla., for seven violations of state law. He is asking a judge to order the company to stop doing business in the state and grant each victim $1,000 per violation. 

At a press conference in St. Louis on Friday, Koster said about 30 people have complained to his office about the company, which operates under 16 different names in the phone book and on yellowpages.com. 

When customers called the businesses, which they often believed to be local, they were routed to a call center in Florida, Koster said. The call center would quote a price to fix or open a lock, and then dispatch an employee to a vehicle or residence. The promised price was often about $50.

"When they arrive 30 minutes later, they say, 'This looks like a difficult lock and it's going to be at least $150, and we need it tonight in cash,'" Koster said.

The company also listed false addresses with the phone company, according to Koster. At the press conference, he was flanked by pictures of an AT&T office in St. Charles, a St. Louis woman's home and a Captain D's restaurant. All were places the company had given as addresses.

"If a customer wants to go and complain to this business, they can't go and find it," Koster said. 

Messages seeking comment from the company were not returned.

Koster also is asking that AT&T disconnect the numbers that Dependable Locks has used and for the phone company to remove all the listings from the Internet. 

Given how many names the company has used, Koster believes there are thousands of victims. He urged anyone who thinks they may have been a victim to contact his office (visit ago.mo.gov; or call 1-800-392-8222).

Koster did not know how many employees the company has in the area or how they have been recruited. He said his office is still determining "who we intend to drag into court."

(source...)

Wireless Digital Peephole

A different version of the wireless peephole concept now available, but perhaps a little expensive.

This super intelligent device is designed to retro-fit in place of an existing peephole and enables full color images of persons or objects outside the door.

The innovative Digital Door Viewer ™ is an electronic video system designed to replace common door viewers and peephole viewing tubes. The Digital Door Viewer ™ delivers on-demand, high quality images, and is totally integrated and self-contained.

• Stand alone function — requires no connection to external power wiring or monitor displays
• Quick and easy to install into new construction or retrofitted to existing door
• Easy operation — press a button and a color video image is displayed on a monitor mounted on the inside of the door
• Provides an expanded field of view from a comfortable viewing distance

$399.00

(source...)

Black & Decker Wireless Locks UPDATE

As previously reported here, Black & Decker, owners of the Kwikset, Weiser and now Baldwin brands are in the process of releasing their own version of a wirelessly activated and lockable entry door system.

In contrast to ‘electronic’ locks that require the user to manually actuate the bolt to lock or unlock the door, Black & Decker’s electronic motorized lock throws the bolt and provides the ability to lock and unlock doors via a RF remote control, Web-enabled mobile phone, security system touch panel and/or a secure Internet connection. Wireless and remote access-enabled Black & Dekker locks also feature SmartKey technology with BumpGuard protection that allows homeowners to re-key their lock themselves without removal from the door.

Product Features

Motor driven bolt allows you to remotely lock/unlock the door without manual assistance

Operates off of 4 AA batteries

Battery life is one year based on 15 uses per day

Holds up to 30 users

Easy installation

Fits all standard doors and replaces all standard deadbolts

Back-light integrated in keypad

Compliments any existing door hardware

Available in 3 finishes: Venetian Bronze, Satin Nickel and Polished Brass

Time fence capabilities — grant individual user access by time of day or day of week

Time stamping and audit trails

Pricing TBA

(Source...) (picture source...)

March 2, 1887: The Birth of Master Lock Co.

By Randy Alfred 03.02.09

1887: Harry Soref is born. The inventor will miniaturize the security of a bank vault into the everyday padlock.
As a young man, Soref earned his living as a traveling locksmith in the United States, Canada and Mexico. During World War I, he invented a special padlock for protecting tanks and other military equipment.
Soref established the Master Key Company to produce skeleton keys, but he had an idea to improve padlocks at no great expense. Most padlocks of the time had cheap metal casings that you could easily bust open with a hammer. Security? Hah!
Building a padlock from thicker steel would be expensive. Instead, Soref applied the design of bank vaults and battleships: Use multiple layers of thin pieces of steel in a laminated construction. In his patent filing, he said: "A great advantage which flows from my invention is that the material employed in the production of the laminations is available to the manufacturer without any cost attached thereto. Such laminations are punched from the small 'scrap' which is created in very large quantities in manufacturing establishments operating punching presses."
Soref tried to interest big hardware companies in the idea, but engineers thought the construction process was too cumbersome. So, with backing from a couple of friends, Soref established the Master Lock Company in 1921 and began building the little devils himself in a small Milwaukee shop — with five employees, a drill press, a grinder and a punch press.
The locks — patented in 1924 — were tough, and the company prospered. Corporate lore says Soref taught Harry Houdini how to hide keys under his tongue and between his fingers.
Milwaukee was famous for its beer, but Prohibition was in force. When the growing firm needed larger quarters, it moved into the shut-down Pabst brewery. Master Lock sent a famous shipment of 147,600 padlocks to federal agents in New York City in 1928, and the irony was not lost on many that speakeasies and distilleries were soon shut down and secured with locks made in a former brewery.
The American Association of Master Locksmiths in 1931 awarded Soref's many achievements with the only gold medal it has ever bestowed.
Soref died in 1957 and never saw Master Lock's famous 1974 SuperBowl commerical. It featured a high-powered rifle shooting a hole through a sturdy Master Lock without opening it.
(source...)

Hidden Special Price For Lockwood 7444 $105.00 (With $1.00 Shipping In The Lower 48 Only)

Color Choice

Satin Pearl   Chrome Plate

 

Can You Account For All Your Keys?

Duplicates Open House For Criminal

By: Johnny Jenkins

Gina is a sales woman at a midsize retail store. She is a very beautiful woman who is comfortable working with all types of people. She makes a good living and enjoys her work very much. She has a nice expensive sports car and a nice home. She usually hires other people to perform maintenance on her home and take care of her car.

Her schedule simply does not allow her to keep pace with the everyday things such as home and car maintenance. She takes very good care of her car. She gets all the vehicles scheduled maintenance and periodic inspections. She usually waits for her car. She gives the mechanic her ring of keys and they return them when they are finished.

She has been going to the same mechanics for years. She trusted them. They were a family business and friends of her family. Unknowing to her they had hired an outsider to do janitorial work. He had just moved into town and convinced the owner the he was in desperate need of work in order to move his family to the area. They were kindhearted people and decided to give him a try.

One day she brought her vehicle into the shop for some routine maintenance. She greeted everyone as she usually does and pitched the mechanic the keys. Then she took a seat in the waiting room. The mechanic took the car in and started the inspection. He left the keys in the car to keep from loosing them as they always did.

The mechanic had to take a bathroom break, so he left the area for a few minutes. That was enough time for the new guy to wander over near the car. He acted like he was getting a hard to reach piece of trash. He reached into the car and made a quick impression of all Ginas keys. He also looked on the invoice and got her address.

When Gina left the mechanic shop, her keys were returned. The next day Gina went to work as she normally does. She was in such a hurry that she forgot to set her house alarm. She had a pretty good day at work. She returned home to find her front door open. She called the police to escort her inside the house. At first everything looked normal, but then she moved to her bedroom.

It was in shambles and her jewelry valued at $500,000 was gone. She was devastated, but also happy that she was not there when they robbed her. She filed a report with the police. They theorized there was no forced entry. Whoever robbed her was already in the house or had a key. That is when it hit her. The mechanics shop was the only place where she was separated from her keys.

She knew everybody there, so who could have done such a thing. She told the police and they went to the shop to investigate. They asked the owner about his employees. He asked if there was anybody he thought would have done this? He said no. Then he asked if they had any new employees. He said, I did but he quit this morning. That is when everything came together. The new guy was guilty. He was long gone and never found.

Always keep your house keys separate from other keys. While it is a little inconvenient, it reduces the risk of inadvertently becoming a victim. It only takes a few minutes for someone to make an impression of your keys. If you loose all your keys and the wrong person finds them, then you could be the target of a crime. If you do loose your keys, have all your locks changed immediately. Always have a self defense strategy in case of emergency.

(source...)

Or call Master Key Systems America to get keys that cannot be copied.

Bump Keys - Discover Why Your Door Locks Are Probably Useless

By: Eric Graudins

You are about to discover something that scared the hell out of me. The locks I rely on to protect my family and my business can be opened without damage in seconds. By just about anyone, using easily found information about Bump Keys.

You don't need special tools. Or locksmith training. All you need is a normal key that you can file down with an ordinary file. Or you can buy a bump key on the internet.

Firstly - my philosophy. I don't believe in "Security by Obscurity" - where severe problems with the things that we rely on are covered up and kept secret for use by people who want to harm us. The technique of bump keying (also known as rapping) has been known for over 50 years. Lock manufacturers and criminals know all about it. While all of us poor suckers still buy crappy locks that we falsely believe will protect our families and possessions.

What's the Problem?

There is a fundamental flaw in the design of the pin and tumbler mechanisms that are used on commonly sold latches and deadlocks. Including those rated as "high security". This flaw makes it possible for anyone to open many of these locks - even deadlocks - very quickly using a technique known as "bumping" This technique does not damage the lock. All you need is a filed down key that fits into the lock, and some practice using a certain technique,

In a bizarre twist, the more expensive locks are actually easier to open, because of their tighter tolerances, and better quality. A Dutch consumer organisation tested over 60 locks that have been approved by the police as providing High Security, and found that most of them could be bumped open.

I realise that locksmiths and criminals have always been able to open locks without keys. But this technique allows almost anyone to do it. At first, I thought Bump Keying was a joke, so I spent a large part of a weekend researching it. Unfortunately I found that the technique actually works.

Imagine This. You arrive home (or at your business), unlock the door, and discover that everything of value is missing. Your new Home Entertainment system, Computers, Stereo Equipment, etc. etc. All gone. You are devastated. But that's nothing to what happens next. You call the police and your insurance company, and make a claim. The insurance company refuses to pay.

What's worse - they think you did it - because there is no sign of illegal entry, and your premises are protected by high quality locks. They might even charge you with attempted fraud. Not a nice situation for an innocent, recently burgled person to find themselves in.

This situation is apparently becoming more and more common. In Australia some companies will pay out on a theft claim where there is no forced entry, as long as the theft has been reported to the police. Some won't. (Check your situation with your insurer.) And even if your premises are not burgled, are you comfortable with the fact that someone can open your locks, come in and snoop around your house, and then leave without a trace? Bump Keys make this possible.

Bump Keying - The Proof.

NOVA is a well respected European TV program. They have made a video, which includes a full demonstration of key bumping, and comments from lock experts and police. Like I said, it scared the hell out of me - especially after I tried an experiment myself, and found that everything I had discovered was true.

I obtained a bump key, and practiced on the deadlock on my back door for about 5 minutes. After about 15 tries, I got the technique right, and the lock opened. Another 10 tries - did it again. Another 5 minutes, and I could do it almost every time. I tried another lock at home - and it opened. I then went over to my sister's house, and she was stunned when I opened her security deadlock at the second attempt. (total time taken for both attempts: - 4 seconds)

Not every lock can be bumped. I've tried 2 others without success. But experts estimate that the technique will work on the majority of commonly used house locks.

How Many People Know about This? Many Millions. There are lots of Internet sites and fully documented reports about the technique readily available on the internet. Bumping has been widely reported in Europe, and covered on several TV programs. The US magazine Newsweek also did a story on it recently, and it's all over the social contact sites that young people use.

What To Do Next

1. If you are concerned about this, go to your locksmith and buy a bump proof lock cylinder.
I understand that Abloy disk tumbler locks, and BiLock locks cannot be opened by bumping.

2. Do some research regarding the topics discussed here.

3. Take as much (or as little) action that you feel is necessary to adequately protect your family and property.

(source...)

Bilock Deadbolts - Special

For all the security conscious people out there, this is the Bilock Deadbolt. A grade 2 deadbolt available in brass, satin chrome (stainless steel), dark bronze. Supplied with your choice of keyhead colour. Choose from almost 9000 colours.
This is a totally bump proof and virtually pick proof lock. Each Bilock system is carefully designed to maximise security. Bilock offers total key control. Only a correctly authorised written request will be accepted to provide duplicate keys and only from the locksmith agent that set up the system.

Single Cylinder version $1 69.00
Double Cylinder version $2 29.00
Includes 3 keys.
Installation P.O.A.

LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS
BILOCK SINGLE CYLINDER DEADBOLTS $80.00 EACH

(Missouri residents pay sales tax @7.5%)
NOT INCLUDING SHIPPING

Email requests preferred.

You will receive a signature authority form to return. Unreturned forms will be unable to purchase additional keys in future.

USB Storage Solution

Following up on their CurrenKey ultraportable flash drives, Lacie has a new storage solution that will have you losing even more keys then you already do. This one takes the form factor of…keys.

These miniature microSD card readers offer 20MB/s read and 10MB/s write speeds. PassKey supports microSDHC cards, and both iamaKey and itsaKey are avaialable with 4GB or 8GB of built-in storage. It won’t start your car or get you into your home, but it may still scratch a lottery ticket and they are shock-proof and Windows ReadyBoost-compatible.

(Thanks SlipperyBrick)

Chesterfield MO Property Crime Rise

KPLR Channel 11 news in St Louis reported tonite on the alarming increase in property crimes in the cities of Chesterfield and Wildwood, today.

According to police reports, vandals apparently went on a crime spree, stealing 2 cars, breaking into houses, stealing purses and keys and going on joy rides in said vehicles knocking over 19 mailboxes in their path.

Chesterfield police report they have no concrete leads at this time.

Master Key Systems America are securing homes and businesses in the greater St Louis region. Our conveniently located Creve Coeur workshop and especially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians with over 25 years international experience in many facets of the physical security products and services industry.

As a neighbor, I am mortified that such crimes are occuring on my doorstep.

Protecting yourself, your family, your colleagues and your properties is vital in maintaining your property value, protecting insurance policies from increasing and the true well-being of everyone.

Method of entries, according to police reports, suggest burglars kicking in doors, accessing open garages and unlocked cars, taking pocket books and keys.

The daring burglars are becoming more desperate during these recent economic times and all citizens need to be wary and secure their properties.

We offer some unique and high quality, aesthetically appealing alternatives to maximise your security applications, including the Strikemaster II frame strengthener, Bilock Extreme Security deadbolts and locksets, Baldwin products and other unique products to help you provide your family and properties with the best defense from intruders.

(thanks KPLR11)

Warmer/Colder Find It All - Wireless Key Locator

A new product just released, widens the market of products in it's category.

The Find It All, offers a unique perspective.

Remember when we were children, we used to play the warmer/colder game? Where someone would hide something and make you look for it, giving you clues as to whether you were warmer (closer) or colder (farther away).

This new product, cleverly brings that old game to a reallity with this innovative method of a glowing light that increases it's strobe as you get closer to your desired object.

The set consists of 2 sturdy key chain tags and 1 very robust flat tag, so you can attach one key chain to your keys, the other to your phone and pop the flat tag in your wallet or purse (of course this is just a suggestion, it's entirely up to you exactly where and on what or who you choose to attach them).

Unlike other systems that are either a receiver or a transmitter - the Find it All Key Finder tags are both, so if you've got one, it will find the others for you. Clever huh?

Product Specification

Product dimensions (2 x key fob): 0.8(H) x 3(W) x 7(D) cm / 0.3(H) x 1.2(W) x 2.75(D) inches.
Product dimensions (1 x flat fob): 0.6(H) x 4.8(W) x 6.9(D) cm / 0.25(H) x 1.9(W) x 2.7(D) inches.

The Ultimate Key Finder set includes 2 x key fob receiver/transmitter units and 1 x flat fob receiver/transmitter unit.

Each fob is a two-way device, capable of signalling any other fob to beep and flash, helping you locate the lost item attached to it.

The flat fob comes with a lanyard and double sided tape for attachment to items such as a mobile phones, wallets, purses, bags, MP3 players, iPods etc...

To locate a missing object attached to a Find It All Key Finder fob, simply locate one of your other Find It All Key Finder fobs and enter the code corresponding to the item you are searching for. If the missing fob is within range (up to 10 metres / 30 feet) it will begin to beep and flash.

Find It All Key Finders also feature proximity detection, whereby the rate at which the fob used to locate another fob is flashing represents the distance between the two fobs. Therefore, the closer you get to a missing item the faster the LED light flashes.

Each receiver/transmitter fob unit requires a CR2032 battery (included).

(source...)

Poor Service

Recently, I have been called out on numerous occasions to repair/replace products on clients doors that were previously worked on by untrained and unknowing handymen, attempting to provide services without the knowledge, training or experience that professional locksmiths have spent years acquiring the knowledge for.

A particular example is this:

Client call us to rekey their locks on their home. We inform of our price structure over the telephone. An appointment is booked and our technician arrives early to the appointment.

The estimated cost is given again, prior to receiving the "go ahead" from the client.
Locks are removed from the doors and taken to the service vehicle for re-keying.

Upon inspection of the cylinders, many of the interior parts (the tumblers and springs) are missing. Prior to "fixing" the cylinders, our technician consults the client as to how recently the locks were worked on. The client responds that they were worked on by a handyman/carpenter just days before, but as the locks werent working properly, they decided to have a professional repair after the handyman refuses to honor any perceived warranty.

Due to the problems caused by an untrained "handyman", the cylinders take considerably longer and require more parts to "fix", yet the client has already been quoted a cost, so switching prices midway is unethical, inappropriate and not in the best interests of our company.

Repairing the cylinders does not take too much extra time, but due to the quantity of cylinders, extra time is multiplied by the quantity.

The client is always very happy with our services, because we honor our words and provide value for money.

Still, many customers choose to do business with an untrained person rather than call a trained technician, because of the price to value perception. It is true that sometimes you can benefit from having a handyman "also" do your locks....but they cannot and often do not (or are unable) to warranty their work. There is an old saying, "Pay peanuts and get monkeys", this should apply to anyone seeking to "cheap out" on their families or their colleagues protection.

Ezine Articles

I recently had an article published on respected Internet site EzineArticles.com.

It is an honor to have been accepted into a community of authors and people who have had an article published publicly.

Why join an article publishing site?
The exposure and free advertising that come with perception as an expert in your field are enhanced tremendously by third party facilities that are prepared to scrutinize your works and content and have them available to a broad cross-section of the world wide web.

It is another attempt at gaining a wider exposure, without necessarily paying for it.

What You Get For Sending In Your Best Quality Original Articles:

• Boosts Your Personal and Business Credibility:
  Getting published in EzineArticles.com boosts your credibility and begins the trust cycle with your readership. For many authors, being listed with EzineArticles.com is an excellent way to get started, especially if you are a published author or hope to be published soon. There is a book inside each of us waiting to come out.



• Builds Brand Equity & The Brand Called You:
  Having your articles featured in EzineArticles.com builds brand equity for you, your business, and your expertise. It begins or reinforces in your customers' and prospects' minds what you can do for them.



• Surges in Traffic to Your Website Like No Other Site Can Deliver:
  This is caused by the ezine publishers who come to our site throughout the year to pick up quality articles for their email newsletter or website in addition to our end-user base of millions of people who are looking to immediately benefit from your expertise. When your articles get picked up for reprints, you will often get a surge of traffic as your articles are introduced to their email list members or audience.



• Massive Exposure To The Hundreds of Thousands of Unique Visitors That Come To EzineArticles.com Daily:
  Your articles may be viewed by the (MILLIONS of visitors) that use our site every month! We work very hard to deliver a positive, fast and end-user obsessed experience that keeps our fan base returning for more.



• Receive Quality and Relevant Leads to Your Website:
  People who read your articles and click on your link(s) found in your Resource Box at the end of each of your articles are highly-qualified prospects by the very nature of how they found your website.



• 7-10 Times More Effective Than Regular Advertising:
  You become known as the expert by your article and this endears potential customers to you before they even visit your website. There is no better way to "pre-sell" your prospects than article marketing.



• You've Got A Head-Start on The Reciprocation & Trust Cycle:
  Your prospects are pre-sold as you have already begun the reciprocation cycle by giving first, through your expertise in your articles. When they visit your site, your qualified prospects will already know something about you and feel endeared to reciprocate, or at least check out your products.



• Market Your Business With No Face-To-Face Selling:
  Having your articles in EzineArticles.com allows them to pre-sell your ideal target prospects without you having to make any cold calls or face-to-face sales appointments to sell your products or services. It's not so much about making sales directly as it is qualified lead generation. We get the pre-qualified visitor to your website and then it's up to you to convert or monetize those visitors.



• You May Receive Free Ads in Targeted Ezines:
  Your author Resource Box at the end of the body of each of your articles acts as an advertisement for your business. When ezine publishers come to our site to pick up and reprint your articles to their newsletter base, you essentially get free ads in their newsletter. The better quality you put in your article, the higher your chances are of increased distribution by the ezine publishers who use our site to find quality content to send to their thousands or perhaps even tens of thousands of permission-based members.



• To Be Recognized as an Expert Author:
  When your articles are accepted in EzineArticles.com, you become recognized as an EzineArticles expert author. This adds prestige and perceived value by others when they view your articles in our site.



• Editorial Integrity - Your Articles Share Expert Company:
  Every single article submitted by the tens of thousands of expert authors who call our site home for their articles have been reviewed by our human editors who double check each article for quality (grammar, spelling, no dead links, etc). This ensures the company your articles keep has integrity.



• Improve Your Sales: (even if you're only selling an "idea")
  While this is not the only reason you should submit your articles to EzineArticles.com, it is a great one. It does not matter if you are selling products, services, or an even an "idea". EzineArticles.com can help improve your sales by bringing your business quality traffic and leads via the links in your resource box below the body of your article. Article visitors often turn into customers.



• Optimize The Promotional Mileage Out of Your Existing Article Archive:
  If you have already produced a series of quality articles, why not submit them to our expert community to get even more ROI from your efforts?



• Find Customers That You May Have Not Been Able To Reach Before:
  Every article you submit to EzineArticles.com is like casting a wider net to reach new customers and traffic that would have never found your articles or website before.



• Get Continual Traffic To Your Website For Many Years To Follow For Free:
  In the majority of cases, your articles will be in EzineArticles.com for at least an initial 180 days (6 months); however, many ezine publishers and webmasters who pick up your articles for reprints, including your resource box, will display your articles and links for many years. This means surges of traffic this year and many random spikes and continual traffic over the next decade. We have no intentions at this time to remove any articles after the 180 guaranteed-inclusion days, but reserve the right to keep our site fresh by removing articles that are no longer current.

Today, it is fundamental to business success to enjoy a presence on the world wide web. You can pay $$$ for that exposure or with a little patience and confidence in yourself, you can become an author and have your words of wizdom work for you instead.

My most recent article can be found here: The Trouble With "So Called" Experts

I also have had 2 other articles published:

Lock Bumping - The Truth!

How Much Does It Cost To Change Locks?

Master Keying - How it Works

BiLock's completely interchangeable core lock system (QCC) enables a lock

combination to be changed in seconds, provides second-to-none key controls, offers fast and efficient maintenance and large, virtually unlimited master keying system capabilities!

So-called "Master Key" systems have almost become a generic term. Real Master Key Systems that can incorporate Because it offers switch locks, perimeter locks, filing cabinet locks, garage door locks and virtually any lock on the market today are much rarer, and BiLock is very rare. BiLock offers virtually infinite combinations with tightly controlled security, it gives both the locksmith and the end user confidence and flexibility. It is the Company's understanding of what a true Master Key System requires that has positioned BiLock at the forefront in todays security market.

The BiLock key system utilises up to 12 chambers with 4 depths per chamber. The numerical sum of these combinations gives 16,777,216 actual key combinations per profile. Powerful Master Key Systems can be generated from these combinations. It also makes possible an authentic and convenient one key system for each individual user authorised to access any particular area, building or group of buildings.

Authorised BiLock agents use a computerised master key generation system, which allows them to build seriously complex Master Key Systems without compromising system security.

Master Key Systems America, a family owned company, have been servicing, manufacturing and installing BiLock Extreme Security Key Control Systems for over 20 years. Our conveniently located workshop and especially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians. Our use of the World's N0# 1 rated master-keying software, Promaster 5, complements our ability to design and maintain even the most complex systems.

Combining BiLock with our ranges of premium hardware, offers the discerning commercial or residential property, total security and key control protection.

With BUMP KEYS, being discussed very often across the world wide web and instructional videos abundantly available, to teach how easily the keys can be made and lock systems attacked, NOW is the time to thwart any chance of being a victim of bump keys, by installing the widely proven and oldest 100% guaranteed bump proof pin tumbler system on the planet!

(source...)

Call Us TODAY for your confidential estimate! (314)-266-1533

Did You Know?

• Every 13 seconds a home is burglarized.
  
• In more than 50 percent of all residential burglaries, entry is gained through a door.
• More than 85 percent of break-ins are committed by non-professional burglars, who are usually desperate and dangerous individuals.
• Fifty percent of all burglaries occur during the day.
• 2 out of 3 residential burglaries occur through a first floor door, yet the majority of homeowners invest more in their tennis shoes than on quality locks for their doors.
• The average alarm response time (the time it takes the police to arrive) in the US is well over 10 minutes after the burglary has occurred, yet many homeowners trust an alarm for their security.
• 30% of assault cases and 60% of rapes occur in conjunction with a burglary/robbery, yet many homeowners claim they have nothing to protect.
• 2 out of 5 burglars have met the occupant at some point and have likely had access to a copy of their keys, yet the majority of homeowners use locks with absolutely no key control.
• Goods are not recovered in approximately 80% of burglary cases and in 10% of cases reported, the police don’t even respond to the call in person.
  

(source...)

First Alert Wireless Peephole

How about this for a modern take on the everlasting security product, the common peephole.

Except that this also doubles as a wirelss cctv device.

Introducing the First Alert Digital Wireless Security System with Dual Function Photo Frame. No more bulky security monitors on your desk. Now you can view your favorite digital photos and monitor your home or business using the same LCD Photo Frame. Setup is a breeze because you don’t have to lay any cables. Just plug it in and you’re ready to go. Utilizing Advanced Digital Wireless Technology you can mount the security camera within 500 ft** of the photo frame without any interference from other wireless devices. The system is expandable up to 4 cameras.

Classic styling and modern convenience combined in this 7" digital picture frame and an indoor / outdoor color digital wireless camera. Pictures are sharp and vibrant thanks to the 480 x 234 pixel LCD panel. Photos can be viewed in an automatic slide show or one at a time with the use of the built-in control buttons or the supplied remote control. Slideshows can be enhanced with music. Video clips can be shown as well. The PH559 digital picture frame offers a classic design with its real wood frame, perfectly suitable for any home or office.

The Digital Wireless signal is the latest in wireless technology featuring frequency hopping transmission which enables a clearer picture, point to point secure signal, superior sound quality, longer transmission range through walls and floors (500 ft** range) with no static, and is totally Wi-Fi and wireless friendly. Utilizing Digital Wireless cameras allows the user to cut their setup time in half while increasing the camera distances from the DVR. First Alerts Digital Wireless Cameras have a range up to 500 ft**.

You can easily switch from photo frame mode to security camera mode with the touch of a button on the photo frame or included remote control. In addition the signal is completely secure and cannot be monitored by others, unlike traditional analog wireless devices. In addition, the camera is equipped with Night Vision up to 30 ft and can be mounted either inside or outside. With the ability to expand the system up to 4 cameras the PH559 is the sleekest and most versatile security system on the market.

(source...)

Key Holder Concept

Every person uses a key today. So, everyone most likely has a keyring. When you come home, where do you put your keys so you can easily find them next?

I am a locksmith with over 25 years in the business, but still today I am constantly misplacing my own keys. I might put them down when I come in, forget where I put them and frantically search and retrace my steps to find them, whenever I need to leave.



This concept design keyholder is beautiful and simple in my opinion. The rubber slots are able to take almost any design of key and hold them securely in place.

(source...)

New Finger Vein Technology

Sony recently released details on a new biometric technology that reads the internal vein structure as opposed to "older" fingerprint recognition technology.

The advancement in this technology, enhances potential security applications, immensely.

Apparently the size of the sensors have also been reduced to allow for the development of better locking systems including for gates and aluminum style doors.

Many aluminum doors across the world are produced with narrow frames. Up until now, fingerprint readers have been too bulky for installation on narrow style doors, hence the slow uptake across the world. With the advent of this exciting new technology breakthrough, I can see on the horizon, the day when keys will be that product of yesteryear. The 5000 year old invention that took 5000 years to be made redundant.

(source...)

The Wedge (Portalarm)

You've come home from work, switched off your alarm system, left it off for the evening.

Imagine you are home alone. The door is closed. You are in your living room enjoying your nightly activity.

Oblivious to the outside world, you didnt hear the door open and the stranger walk in.

Prevent unwanted intruders. The Wedge is your portable, affordable alarm, sounding a 110Db siren, enough to scare the living daylights out of said intruder.



You are home alone. Doors are secure. What about the sliding window or the patio door? Are they secure?

The Wedge doubles as a window alarm, loud enough to alert when the slider has been forced.

It becomes an effective security device, when you consider the statistics...

According to a recent survey of prisoners, 85% of all burglars (in prison) stated any loud noise would have stopped them.

(source...)

Yeti Portable Alarm

The Yeti is a portable, outdoor alarm system designed to protect your valuables from other people’s temptation. It’s designed to be left unattended in the back of your truck, near your tools or wherever your good stuff is bound to get nicked. It works like a car alarm and comes with a handy key fob to turn the unit on and off remotely so you don’t set it off as you go back and forth.

It’s equipped with a 110dB siren and a strobe so you should be able to hear and see it even over the sound of power tools. The front passive IR sensor can detect anything within 25 feet and the rear sensor anything up to 12 feet away. It also has a bump sensor so you can leave it on things as well as using the motion sensor and be assured no one can just pick it up and be off it. The built-in battery is good for 2-3 weeks of use but that will probably depend on how often you set off when you go back to get things.

The other nifty feature is it has a built-in Bluetooth unit. If you leave a spare mobile phone within Bluetooth range of the unit with your phone number programmed into the speed-dial then the Yeti can ring your phone if the alarm is triggered. You can also set the main alarm to be silent and just use the Bluetooth dialing feature so you can catch ‘em in the act and teach them some manners.

The makers claim you can also use it to scare off critters or as a deterrent to keep people out of dangerous areas, after all there’s nothing like a 110dB siren to say “Danger Will Robinson!!” $US249.99 direct from the manufacturers.

(source...)

Are Your Keys Safe?

I recently came across some startling information that goes to the very core of household security.

Skin Impressioning.




As you can see in the photo, certain people of ill intent have become quite crafty in their methods to defeat locks.

While I doubt the accuracy of this method, nonetheless it should be a concern for those who regard the home and office security as vital and important for the safety and security of their families and properties.

Do you know who has a key for your house?

Would you prefer to be able to decide who can and cannot have a key and be assured that your key cannot be copied without your knowledge?

Datamation’s Netbook Cart Protects and Recharges Netbooks in Schools

Let's face it! Data security is at the forefront of information security protection today. The quantity of netbooks getting stolen is testament to this fact.

This new product recently released from Datamation
superbly addresses the needs of schools and school children.

Frankly, the Datamation Security Cart for Netbooks is a very clever idea. Providing security as well as serving as a recharging dock for netbooks, this security cart will be definitely of great use to schools providing free computer usage to their students in the classroom. Or perhaps schools which allows students to bring in their own netbooks inside the school premises. Just place the Datamation Security Cart for netbooks strategically inside the school premises, and students can easily dock in their netbooks for recharging or as a “netbook counter” so that they can freely do other things.And list of possible things goes on.

Anyway, the security cart can hold up to 32 netbooks. And it fits most netbooks including Eee PC, Dell Mini 9, Acer Aspire one, HP Mini Note, XO Laptop, Lenovo Idepad. It allows for easy access to netbooks whether on both front and back sides. It protects netbooks through a pick-resistant two-point locking mechanism that holds the netbooks securely in place.

(source...)

Remote PTZ Webcam

CCTV and Surveilance cameras are continually reducing in price allowing mainstream people to afford relatively decent surveillance of the properties.

A new product has surfaced that is very competitively priced.

This is a webcam and not a direct CCTV camera device, but you
could probably use it as such.
This web camera automatically tracks motion and can be controlled from a remote location via the Internet, allowing you to surveil real-time video images of your home from anywhere in the world. When the camera detects motion it pans up to 180° and tilts up to 60° to follow and record the movement. You can set the camera to automatically send notification to your personal e-mail account when it detects motion, or you can view real-time video and control the camera manually from a remote computer using the included software. The camera captures 640 x 480 resolution video at 30 frames per second and has a 4X digital zoom, ensuring crisp pictures. A built-in microphone records sounds from up to 20' away. Includes software for control ling the web camera and a USB cable. Requires Windows XP or Vista, and a high-speed Internet connection for real-time video. Plugs into USB 2.0. 4 1/4" H x 3" Diam. (9 oz.)

$89.95

(source...)

Lighter Cam

Lighters come in different shapes and sizes but few lighters double as spycams.
This unusual product is choc full of "other" products.

Features
Dimension: 64.5mm (L) * 38.4mm (W) * 18.4mm (H)
Normal Lighter look makes it ideal for a variety of surveillance uses.
It’s great for use as a hidden camera, spy cam etc.
Real time recording 30 F/S in AVI video format (640x480, QVGA)
Color video with voice lets you clearly see who’s there & hear what they say.
There’s no long cord for you to hide or Wireless frequency to detect.
Use micro SD card from 128MB to 8GB ( Not included)
Playback video on cell phone or PC

This Lighter DVR has no internal memory, and does not come with a Micro SD/T-Flash card.
Please insert a Micro SD/T-Flash card before recording.

Lighter DVR with built in Micro camera for your home or office surveillance when you are not there. It records everything that you miss while you are away.

Built in Digital Audio Video in case some one come to your home or office for bad purposes.

You don't have to worry about the battery as it can run for a minimum 6 hours with a full Charge and a micro SD card can record up to 8 hours Very High quality of audio video on 8GB Micro SD Card.

Built in lion lithium battery gives you the power of long hours in continuous recording.

A great product to perform personal investigation, conduct secret video surveillance or for any ideal covert operation where gathering evidence is important for you.

$150.00

(source...)

Black and Decker to offer remote home locking solution

Hot on the heels of SchlageLink, comes Black & Dekker, owners of the Kwikset Brand, with their own version of a Z-Link powered remotely operable entry lockset.

Insiders report that the product is still in final development but is supposed to be released in the first half of 2009.

No idea on pricing, but expect it to be super competitive with other existing vendors as is typical with all Kwikset products.

(source...)

Garage Shadow Bluetooth Enabled Garage Door

The Garage|Shadow™ easily transforms your BlackBerry® smartphone into a remote for your garage door. Our interface allows you to quickly open, close and stop your garage door just like the switch currently connected to your garage door opener. Simply choose which door you want to control and press. Do this from within your car, coming back from walking your dog or if you are just doing work around the house. As long as your phone is by your side, you can access your garage.

Installation is easy. The Garage|Shadow installs just like your existing switch. Simply plug in the two wires from the Garage|Shadow, in the same location as the two wires from your switch. Activating our "automatic open" feature means that your garage door will open as soon as you come into sight of your garage. You don't have to worry about buying any more RF remotes or keypads, now, all members of the family with a BlackbBerry® smartphone can enjoy their own personal garage door remote.

Features

• Bluetooth technology means reliable, secure and easy operation
• One touch access to all garage doors
• "Automatic Open" feature knows when you have come home and opens the door for you
• Download application directly onto BlackBerry without connecting to a computer
• Easy do-it-yourself installation
• Also works with any Bluetooth enabled cell phone

(source...)

Due available in April 2009. Estimated List Price $40.00.

The Schlage LiNK remotely-controllable door lock

January 25, 2009. Locksmithing, one of man’s oldest and most venerable professions, appears set to join the digital convergence mix with the first wirelessly-controlled door lock now on the market. It's also further proof that the device formerly known as the mobile phone will one day become the remote control for much of our lives. The Z-wave-enabled Schlage LiNK deadbolts and locks offer consumers the ability to remotely control and monitor access to their home 24/7 with any web-enabled mobile phone or computer. The locks provide keyless entry through 4-digit access codes that can be entered, activated, deleted or disabled on the lock's 11-digit push button keypad or via the Schlage LiNK web portal. This means never having to circulate multiple sets of keys, never needing to stay home to meet the handyman, and the peace of mind of having a listing of which codes (i.e. who?) opened each lock and when for the last 90 days. The $300 starter kits (and subsequently $200 locks) might also be suitable for real estate agents wishing to streamline their ability to show properties.

Via the Schlage LiNK online portal, homeowners can choose to receive text or e-mail notifications when specific user codes are entered on the lock’s keypad and track code activity over the past 90 days. These features deliver peace of mind to the parents of active families so they know exactly when people are entering their home. It also does away with the need to regularly replace locks for rental properties and second homes.

The Schlage LiNK locks are Z-Wave-enabled and will work seamlessly with more than 300 other Z-Wave-enabled home automation devices. Check out the Z-Wave alliance web site here and investigate the other possibilities for home automation here. Designed with plug and play simplicity, the wireless Z-Wave Bridge easily plugs into an Ethernet port on the home computer's Internet router, the light module plugs into any standard 3 prong electrical outlet, and the Z-Wave Bridge's RF signals are fully encrypted using AEC 128 bit encryption protocols.

Schlage LiNK deadbolts and locks can be used anywhere a traditional lock is used and are available in bright brass, satin nickel and aged bronze. The locks are powered by standard AA and 9-volt batteries and typically install in less than 30 minutes with only a screwdriver.

The Schlage LiNK Starter Kit costs US$300 and includes one Schlage LiNK deadbolt or lock, a wireless Z-Wave Bridge and a compatible light module, while additional deadbolts or locks are US$200 each.

There is also a US$12.99 monthly subscription fee for use of the Schlage LiNK online portal and mobile applications, which gives homeowner the power to control all Schlage LiNK locks and a wide variety of Z-Wave enabled home automation devices.

(source...)

Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae Debacle

Articles presented recently give rise to a deceptive method (although not illegal) being perpetrated by the two leading Mortgage Companies Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae.

One particular article written by an author in Arizona includes this," Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s policy is ultra cheap for their own bottom line, but outrageously expensive for the American public who now become victims of crime and must absorb the costs associated with increased crime rates. Insurance claims have soared, forcing inflated premiums for average policy holders. Police departments must respond to more calls-- a critical challenge considering budgets have been severely cut due to the economic downturn. And all this because two mortgage giants chose simplicity for themselves over safety for the consumers they serve."

Apparently Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have been paying the locksmiths and handymen across the country to rekey foreclosed properties, but to the same keys exactly. The initiative is in effort to reduce the cost to the mortgage houses for granting access by their teams of tradespeople.

It is well known throughout the professional locksmith world that keying alike properties of separate addresses, whilst generally unknown to the end user, substantially reduces the security of a property, to the point of allowing access to people of ill intent.

Properties owned by the two leading mortgage houses have seen unprecedented levels of criminal damage and theft, often after foreclosure, with most blame being inferred upon the previous homeowner or tennant, when more likely it is due to thieves and burglars having access to the same key that the tradespeople use to access these properties.

Items like copper piping, fixed cabinetry, lighting fixtures etc, are being removed and sold on the black market. The causation to the next owner of the house is substantial increased costs in not only fixtures, but also increased insurance premiums.

In a poor economy, any added increase in costs to the consumer, fundamentally decreases the consumers ability to spend to improve the economy. The new Obama Administration is making accountability a forefront policy. It is time that the large federally backed companies also become accountable.

The reason for getting your locks changed is further heightened, with this knowledge. Not only with Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae properties but all properties, even new constructions, because how many keys do you really know are in circulation for your home or office?

Master key systems and key control systems need to have professional locksmith attention to maintain the security and safety of the consumer.

Change Locks Now! (for your peace of mind and your family safety)

(source...)

Identity Theft - Stolen Adresses

Identity theft is a common concern, but what if your address was stolen? An Omaha woman is getting unwanted business mail addressed to her home.

"Sometimes I get more mail for the locksmith than I do myself," says Lois, who doesn't want her last name used. Piles of junk mail for 24-Hour A Locksmith come to her address.

"Why would a reputable company hijack someone's address and use it as their business address unless there was some reason to conceal it?"

24-Hour A Locksmith has a local phone number, but a call goes to a dispatch center on the east coast. "They put the addresses in there so you know that they're nearby and in your area, but there's no store fronts at all there,” says a dispatcher.

"I'm trying to find out why that address is being used?" asked Channel 6 News’ Mike McKnight. After a Six On Your Side call to 24-Hour A Locksmith for assistance, a local locksmith was dispatched.

"I don't know if it's legal or illegal, I don't know anything about that," he said. "I have nothing to do with that.”

Would he call them and ask why are they doing this? “I don't think it's any of my business, that's their problem."

Postal inspector Dave Margritz found 24-Hour A Locksmith on three Internet Yellow Page Web sites. All show the address for the company which we won't reveal because it's Lois' house.

"We're going to contact those three Web sites that I found and demand they take that listing off there because that company is not authorized to use her address," says Margritz.

Lois worries that one day a disgruntled customer will show up on her doorstep when she's home alone. "I'm not in the phone book, I have an unlisted number. I just have no idea how this locksmith got my address and felt they could use it."

The hijacking of her address by an out-of-state dispatch company for local locksmiths has Lois worried about opening her mail and her door.

The locksmith who responded to our call to the dispatch center says he's an independent contractor working for Dependable Locksmith out of The Bronx, New York.

Channel 6 News left numerous messages with dispatchers asking a manager to call Six On Your Side. No one ever did.

(source...)

Google is the worlds leading search engine, but unfortunately it is not immune to the fraudulent tactics of these and other unscrupulous companies either.

I have personally investigated the matter and noticed some interesting characteristics. Specific among these characteristics is the fraudulent company's claim to be allowed to use the subject address due to their works having been performed there, at one time. This action specifically confuses the search engines ability to recognize an address as true or false.

Coincidentally, the other more generic search engine known as The Yellow Pages, also suffers from similar identity frauds because similar addresses are also not checked prior to inclusion in their print books. Therefore, it begs the question as to whether or not the Yellow Pages and web search engines are aiding and abetting these fraudulent companies to defraud the markeplace?

Biometric Access Control With Face Recognition Technology

RCG Security products distributes some brilliant technology designed for the access control market.

The FxGuard Pro offers the most accurate
facial identification and verification
technology available today. The technology
is user-friendly and highly intuitive with
verification time of less than 1 second.
For added security, FxGuard Pro adopts
dual-factor authentication (right token
and right face). The system is suitable for
access control at public exhibitions and
business & government premises.



• The first facial recognition application that runs primarily on TCP/IP.
• Easy integration with corporate LAN.
• Proven speed and accuracy.
• Cross-platform compatibility.
• Built-in infrared sensor and RFID reader.
• Perfect for access control and time-and-attendance application.
• Facial verification takes less than 1 second.

FxGuard Pro can easily integrate with
corporate Local Area Network (LAN) and
PC workstation or server. It is the first facial
recognition solution that runs primarily on
TCP/IP. This ensures cross-platform
compatibility and users don’t need to install
special software on any PC. With its
user-friendly Web Administration Interface,
clients can easily setup, maintain and access
information in the device by only using an
Internet browser.

FxGuard Pro biometric access
control can help to reduce security
cost with automated, unmanned
entry points. All required software
is embedded in the device and no
dedicated computer is required.
This reduces cost of maintenance.

(source...)

HDMI Connection Lock

Not the usual product posting in this site, but still a novel approach to securing those HDMI cords, that sometimes have a nasty habit of falling out.

Designed to work with most HDMI components and most HDMI cords, the premise is pretty simple. The lock uses either a screw or adhesive to stick itself around the HDMI port, forming a sort of outer port that can clamp to your HDMI cord. At $20 a pair, the EZ locks cost as much as some HDMI cords. But then again, if you're spending thousands or tens of thousands on your home theater setup, maybe they're not a horrible investment.

(source...)

Help Lock - Restroom Assistance For Mentally Or Physically Challenged

This concept door lock for bathrooms is designed to initiate assistance for people who might be physically or mentally challenged.

The concept is: In the initial setup, you program a time limit—say, 20 minutes—for your future bathroom. From that point on, whenever you close the door and activate the alarm, the Help Lock will sound a preliminary alarm after the allotted time, giving the bathroom inhabitant 30 seconds to deactivate it. After that, the doorknob will initiate an alert call to whatever number you've chosen to enter, whether it be a neighbor or emergency services.


This is a concept that will be released commercially in the near future.

(source...)