Not all thieves are stupid. This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology. GPS A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents. Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it... Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen. MOBILE PHONES I never thought of this....... This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet... Etc...was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago .' When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account. Moral of the lesson: Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc.... And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.. * PLEASE PASS THIS ON * I never thought about the above! As of now, I no longer have 'home' listed on my cell phone .
*quietly calls the Democratic Party & tells them he has found a Volunteer to try out Obamacare for them*
Basic OpSec. Most folks give NO thought to it. My 'home' POI' on my GPS is the local gas station, I use only first names on my phone's list. I keep my van's seats folded beneath the floor and look into it before getting in. Love the "Stow&Go" feature! No'yard toys' visible to drive-bys - I look like a typical 'poor guy' with NO satellite dish, no bikes, boats or other such things that can be seen. When I take my guns to/from the van, it's behind a privacy fence.
i just dont use electronics i had 1 pair of crutches years ago when i destroyed my knees didnt use that kind much either so the elctronics make your life simple, meaning you can be ignorant and lazy and use them instead of your brain i prefer using what i was born with and not being dependent on some little box or the govt
Wow this is good info.. I never even thought of half of that. Im not likely to lose my phone it is either on me or at home but my wife leaves hers everywhere.
As a Technologist, I use technology to make my life easier. I also realize that depending on such technology, MAY, or MAY NOT, make me vulnerable, should I lose that technology. So I use it, after understanding the ramifications of doing so, and with an eye to OPSec. Can I navigate without a GPS? Certainly. Is it easier WITH a GPS? Again, Certainly. I do the same with my Communications. Can I live without the Internet? Absolutely. Does my connection to the Monkey Site, make my life fuller? Again, Absolutely. Technology doesn't limit my abilities. It enhances them. .... YMMV....
A convenience for me may also be convenience for others Technology certainly can be a boon, but it can also be a bane...the difference between the two may be some careful thought and prudent paranoia. Thanks -06 for the cautionary tale. I am sure that there are many other ways that vilains use the convenience of technology against good folk. Best to give some thought about how that technology may be used against us, and institute some counter measures. They ARE watching and listening to us!
Locators can be our aid if we want to become "invisible". They can be other places from us. BT, your E mail was returned--will PM.
Just to add a point to check, if your car is broken into make sure your registration is still there, they take those to get your home address. Very popular with thieves working as valet, They phone a friend while you are at dinner.
Registration is in my wallet in my back pocket. An my pants fit tight enough that If I feel a hand on my backside, it BETTER be a Hot Gurl!!!
I keep my registration forms in my wallet. Ditto the Insurance Card. NOTHING with an address remains in the vehicle alone.
Oh an I was raised funny. So I grew up calling my mother by her first name cause thats all I ever heard her called. So guess what name in my Cellphone is hers. An there ain't no "Home" in my GPS either. Since when I go on long trips I roll out from my preferred Gas Station after topping tanks (hate trying my luck on gas anywhere else), so my "Home" location is a Gas station.
I have some friends who recently had their home broken into. This was immediately after their car was broken into. I guess the thieves found the temptation of their address (on their registration) and their garage door opener too tempting.
Our daughter in law had her home locks changed and her combination on her vehicle's door after losing her pocketbook to a vehicle break in.
Not all thieves are stupid...but certainly some are Not all thieves are stupid...but certainly some are. Idiot Bank Robber Thinks He's Stuck in Bank - YouTube
My favorite 'dumb criminals' were on TV -"America's Dumbest Crooks" was on some years back. 1) A couple goblins ripping off a fine fur store, taking the stolen furs out to the getaway car in back. Police cruiser pulls up, and the getaway car moves on. Y'all guessed it, the idiots stacked the furs on top of the police cruiser and go in for more..... 2) Idiot robs a bank, and tells the clerk NOT to place a dye packet in the money bag - she does anyway. He stuffs the bag down the front of his trousers and bolts around the corner. Camera couldn't see around the corner - but the muted "BOOM!" and agonized groan were unmistakeable.....
