Security Risks of Geotagging

In the last few years, the phrase “geotagging” has switched from an interesting new feature on smartphones to a feature that could result in unintentional surveillance, danger and even violence. Smartphones have a GPS feature that allows users to take photographs and post them to various social media sites. When a photograph is tagged with a location, anyone can see exactly where that photo was taken.

Loss of Privacy and Safety

Many citizens already have concerns about privacy, and although geotagging has its uses, residents seeking the best GA security for their homes might want to avoid this feature. The ability to look at a picture taken a few years ago and know exactly where it was taken isn’t worth it. Someone bent on mischief and mayhem could see that photograph and figure out a person’s favorite places for hanging out.

Geotagging may even diminish the effectiveness of basic home security essentials like surveillance cameras and intruder alarms because a family’s location is made public, which results in a loss of anonymity. Social media websites are incredibly insecure, and with a few clicks, a family’s entire daily routine may be shared through geotagged photographs.

Additionally, posting a geotagged photograph while on vacation could be exactly what a thief needs to confirm that your home is empty because you’re on the other side of the world posting pictures on Facebook about your trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

Be Aware of Geotagging

Today, most smartphones today automatically geotag images, and most social media websites like Facebook, Foursquare, and Gowalla will use geotagged information to broadcast the location from which a photograph was taken. In most cases, users of these social media websites aren’t even aware that geotagging exists, and are unlikely to know that this feature is turned on by default.

Note that popular photography sites like Picasa and Flickr may also provide geotagging information with pictures, but this feature must be activated by a user and is not engaged as a default option.

Beyond photographs, social media websites like Facebook will also provide geotagged coordinates for simple status updates, so telling the world your exact location might require nothing more than posting “hey guys, the beach is wonderful today!” on your status update.

Avoiding Geotagging

Enhancing GA security begins with attention paid to websites that may use geotagged information as well as the devices used to access the Internet. Virtually all smartphones (and devices like tablet computers and phablets) offer geotagging technology, but not all manufacturers have this feature turned on by default. It’s important to turn this feature off and only engage it in rare circumstances.

Before using geotagging, consider the following precautions:

1. Never upload geotagged photographs while on vacation. Wait to do it after returning home.
2. Avoid geotagging photographs that show children.
3. Don’t geotag any photograph of the family’s home, your workplace or any private setting.

Geotagging isn’t a feature that smartphone users should avoid completely; however, using it sparingly is best. Using these simple guidelines will enhance the safety of the family, and ensure that home security essentials and monitoring systems are able to keep a family safe and secure from the prying eyes of potential thieves.

Home Security Essentials

Securing a home is best done using a multi-layered approach. Real security is a mix of barriers, technology and procedures. Criminals desire easy entry, which makes strong doors and locks an essential component of home security. They also do not want their presence to be announced, so the next layer of protection is a good home security alarm system. Another critical component is implementation of best practices that everyone in the home agrees to follow in order to increase security.

Barrier Protection

Solid doors with quality deadbolts and locksets are deterrents to criminals who are targeting homes in a neighborhood. The goal of a burglar is to get in and out of a house without getting noticed. Thieves assess solid barriers that are between them and the contents that they want to steal from homes. Flimsy doors and locks are no match even for the most novice of criminals. Some windows have easy to defeat plastic locks.

Upgrading entry doors, especially ones with glass windows, to ones designed for security protection is a first step. However, doors are only as good as the locks installed on them. Inexpensive locks can be "bumped" open with an easily obtainable key blank. Incorrectly installed deadbolts can be easily forced open without making much noise. Solid doors need sturdy locks to maintain the integrity that protective door barriers provide.

Technological Protection

Modern digital alarm systems are wireless and use advanced sensor technology. A wireless alarm system that protects every door and window and also has sensors to protect against fire, smoke and carbon monoxide can be installed in less than a day. Extra components such as night-vision security cameras that can be monitored even through a homeowner's smartphone are also available.

Thieves do not like alarm systems. Home security alarms are a powerful deterrent. Thieves canvassing an area for homes to hit choose ones that are not protected by alarm systems or surveillance cameras. State-of-the-art home security essentials provided by Honeywell in Georgia can be installed in any home or apartment to provide 24-hour monitored protection including yard signs and decals that announce an alarm is present.

Home Security Best Practices

Solid doors and a home alarm system are only good if the doors are locked and the alarm is armed. A home's occupants must take an active role in implementing basic home security measures that include securing doors and windows as well as arming the alarm system when at home, before leaving or when going to bed.

Learning how the alarm system works and arming it in "Stay" mode when at home or "Away" mode when leaving are very important practices. Other basic security precautions, such as not opening any exterior door until the person on the other side is identified, increase the protection that barriers and technology provide.

Central Monitoring is a top provider and installer of home security essentials from Honeywell in Georgia. Honeywell manufactures security system components that are highly trusted by both residential and commercial customers. From basic monitored home security alarms to advanced systems, Central Monitoring has been protecting homes and businesses for three decades.