Staying Safe Online - Internet Security Advice Part I - Passwords

The internet is now a huge part of most people's daily lives, we do our shopping, banking, work and even socialising online, and with estimates of over 2,749 million people now logging on it's no surprise that the growth in identity theft, spam and hacking has soared. 

It's not just individuals who are at risk from cyber criminals, large and well established companies can be victims too. Last month saw software company Adobe fall victim to hackers who revealed millions of users passwords.

An interesting analysis of the exposed passwords revealed a shocking discovery, almost 2 million users had set theirs to '123456' followed closely by '123456789' then simply 'password'.

The rise in social networking has also made identity theft easier as criminal now has access to personal information such as your date of birth, full name, address and other information we often seem happy to publish online which we wouldn't dream of giving to a stranger in real life. 

A great way to look at your personal information is to think would I give this over to a stranger? With some simple personal information and an easily guessable password cyber criminals can access your bank and money, obtain a credit card, buy goods and even apply for a driving license or passport!

To help make your online experience safer and securer, we've put together our top tips to ensure you know don't fall foul to these cyber criminals.

Choosing a password

Given that passwords are used to protect most of your secure information online it's vital you choose them carefully:

• Don't use a real words, try a combination of letters which would be difficult to guess
• Make it memorable, this ensures you don't have to write it down or store as a file on your computer
• Never use information related to you such as a pets, child’s or partner’s name or a postcode or house number
• Use a combination of upper and lower case, include numbers and try adding non- alphanumeric characters such as brackets or commas.
• Don't use obvious word or number combinations like birthdays, house address and once you decide on a password don't recycle it like pass1, pass2, pass3
• Always use separate passwords on your accounts, it means if one is compromised your other accounts are still secure
• Never reveal your password even if the organisation or individual seems legitimate, and if you are supplied with a password by a company change it straight away.

Hopefully these safety tips will prove useful and help you continue to enjoy using the internet, if you need any more info, there is a wealth of information online and we are always happy to talk about any of your security issues. To get in contact just call: 0845 519 2122 or email  mail@casac.org.uk

How to Find Local, Reliable & Trustworthy Tradespeople

If you are you looking to make home improvements or repairs it can often be difficult to find local, reliable and trustworthy tradesmen. We've all heard the horror stories of work being left incomplete or finished to a poor standard, and that's why we've created our Check Point service to verify and monitor local tradespeple to ensure you get peace of mind and great quality service.

The Check Point service operates to protect householders from bogus and “cowboy” tradespeople as well as protecting the reputation of genuine tradespeople in the area. All the tradesmen registered with us are subjected to a stringent checking process, which includes:

• Obtaining three references from customers who have had jobs done in the last 12 months. 
• Checking with Trading Standards to see if any complaints have been logged against them. 
• Police Checks on all workers for any relevant convictions. 
• Inspection of Company accounts to ensure proper registration and trading. 
• Public Liability insurance is valid to ensure cover for work undertaken.

Currently our Check Point service operates across West Yorkshire and we can recommend local trades people in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield who have all been verified by us. The service covers a wide array of home improvements and maintenance and currently we are able to recommend tradespeople in the following areas:

• Builders and Building
• Carpenters and Joinery Services
• Digital Aerial and Antenna Installers 
• Electricians and Electrical
• Gardeners and Gardening
• Gas Safe Engineers
• Handyman and General Maintenance
• Kitchen Appliances Repairs
• Painters, Decorators and Decorating
• Plumbers and Plumbing
• Roofers and Roofing
• Tree Cutting, Felling and Surgery

If you or a family member or friend needs home repairs, then let us remove the hassle and uncertainty of finding a tradesperson. Our service is completely free and has ensured hundreds of people receive quality workmanship and stress free home improvement and maintenance.  

To find out more or to use the Check Point service call 0845 838 8851 or email mail@casac.org.uk 

If you're a Trades Person and would like to be verified by CASAC please call 0845 838 8851 or click here.

Your quick guide to National Home Security Month

October 2013 has been designated National Home Security Month, so we've decided to focus in on the five areas highlighted by the campaign.

1st-6th Oct - CRIME IN YOUR AREA – WHAT’S THE RISK?

The Local Police and Neighbourhood watch groups can give you a detailed idea of the crime statistics is your local area as well as helping with advice on how to ensure your home and local community are as safe and secure as possible.  'Our Watch' operate a great website where you can enter your postcode and find up to date statistics on crime in your area as well as contact details for local Neighbourhood Watch groups and the local Police.

7th-13th Oct - SECURE YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS

We've said it before but simply closing and locking your windows and doors could reduce home burglaries by nearly a third! Fitting strong and secure locks is essential as many old doors and windows and even modern UPVC windows can be fitted with weak locks which burglars can easily break using various known methods.

CASAC provide a free home security assessment carried out by our experienced engineers where they will assess your current home security and recommend any replacement locks to ensure your home is secure as possible. They can also change the locks on the day if you decide to go ahead with the quote.

14th-20th Oct - PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES

Modern appliances, equipment and jewellery can be very pricey as well having sentimental value so protecting your valuables is of utmost importance.

We recommend making a note of all your appliance serial numbers and registering them with an online company. This means it's easier for police to track your items if they're stolen and turn up somewhere else and you can easily prove they belong to you.

Smaller items and those without a serial number can be marked with a UV pen, either with your postcode or address which means if they do turn up elsewhere they are easily identifiable as yours.

21st-27th Oct - OUTSIDE PROTECTION

A strong gate and fence or well maintained hedge is the first line of defence your home has against intruders. Making sure it's properly maintained is key though as shrubbery and hedges can provide cover for burglars if not kept trim.

We always suggest installing a PIR sensor which will activate a light or socket when triggered by movement or heat sources around your property. This will ensure you and your neighbours are aware of any activity after dark.

CCTV is a great security measure as it provides a visible deterrent and can help supply evidence to help secure a conviction if you are the victim of crime. 

Garage and shed security is one area many home owners often overlook when securing their home. These buildings can contain thousands of pounds of equipment and appliances so make sure doors and windows are  properly secured with strong locks and that windows are obscured and the building firmly attached to the ground… thieves have been known to lift the roof or entire shed off the ground to get to the contents!

28th-31st Oct - FUTURE HOME SECURITY

The future of home security is looking bright, products such as the CS87T Real Time Wireless  CCTV System is a high end yet affordable Closed Circuit Television system which provides a visual stream from the camera direct to your smart phone or tablet and is already available to the standard consumer. Other exciting developments in the home security field continue to offer greater control, operation and security to the home owner and make securing your property easier  than ever before.

If you want to get involved for find out more information about National Home Security Month use the Twitter Hashtag #NHSM or visit the website www.homesecuritymonth.com/ 

For any help or more information on any of the products mentioned above or to book a home security assessment just contact CASAC on 0845 519 2122 or email mail@casac.org.uk

Top Ten Home Security Tips

Feeling secure in our homes is something we all deserve, but how many of us actually invest time and money into ensuring are doing the most we can to keep intruders at bay. October is National Home Security Month designed to create awareness around home security, and to highlight the ways in which you can keep your home and your family safe during the darker evenings.

Here's a quick list of our top ten security recommendations.

1.       Fit an Alarm

It's amazing how many homes don't have a good alarm system! It's the first security measure a thief will look for and it's a great deterrent. Installed in a visible place it'll really up your home security. Alternatively if you can't afford an alarm the use of PIR system to trigger an outside light or indoor appliance to make it seem as if someone is at home will make a big difference. CASAC offer both installation of alarm systems and PIR sensors, as well as a free home security assessment.

2.       Use high quality locks and change them if you have moved into a new house

Making sure you have strong and secure door locks is the most obvious of security precautions.  The use of weak Euro Cylinder locks on PVC doors and windows has lead to a rise in 'Bumping' which is a technique used by burglars to break the lock and access your home. If you've just moved into a new home we recommend that you change external locks as you never know who may have had a set of keys.

3.       Keep your home well lit at night

It may seem obvious but having an outside light on during the evenings and whenever you're not at home provides a simple yet effective deterrent to burglars. Even better would be a PIR system that is activated by any movement around your property and would either switch on an external light or appliance within your home such as a TV or radio. The genius of these systems is that they are accompanied with a timer so the appliance will switch off after a set time creating a realistic impression of an occupied home.

4.       Don't leave Windows and doors open

It only takes a thief 30 seconds to jump in through an open window or door and snatch your gadgets, keys, wallet or phone. If your’re heading out to the shops or even just in the garden it's still imperative to ensure you keep all your external windows and doors closed. Making sure valuables are out of sight of all windows, as would be thieves love to do a bit of window shopping first to decide whether it's worth breaking in.

5.       Don't advertise your holiday plans online

We've said it before and it really is a giveaway! Don't advertise that your home is empty over the internet. When you’re off on your holidays the best thing to do is upload your photos, videos and status when you return. If you don't have your social media privacy settings high then it's easy for anyone online to view your status and see you've just arrived at the airport for a well deserved two week break, which gives any unscrupulous visitors the green light to break into your home.

6.       Store your spare key at a neighbours rather than under the mat

It's tempting to leave your spare key under the door mat or nearest plant pot but these are very obvious place for a burglar to look. Instead leave a key with the neighbours or use a Key Safe that requires a code to gain access to the key stored inside. CASAC supply Key Safes and can easily fit one in a secluded place on your home. The other thing to remember is your unlikely to be able to claim on your insurance if you're burgled and the intruder has gained access through a key stored outside your home!

7.       Become a member of a neighbourhood watch scheme

It's a great way to meet the locals and really make a difference to your community safety. Knowing that other people in your area are keeping a look out while you're away is very reassuring and being able to offer the same in return is great for building a stronger community.  There are over 170,000 neighbourhood watch groups in the UK and to find out more visit www.neighbourhoodwatch.uk.com

8.       Always have home insurance

If the worst does happen and you come home to find you have been the victim of a burglary then having good home and contents insurance is a must. It won't replace your sentimental items, but knowing you can easily replace your stolen property with little extra cost can help lighten the burden and get you back on track.

9.       Don't answer the door to people without an appointment and always ask to see identification

If you're not expecting visitors and you hear a knock at the door it could be an impromptu visit from a friend or it could be an unsoclicited visit from a salesman or cowboy builder claiming you need your roof replacing or drive repaving. Make sure you have a door chain fitted and always use it whenever opening your home to uninvited callers. Remember to ask for identification and call the company from a verified number such as the phone book to confirm who they are, not the number on the card which could be fake! If in doubt don't let them in and call the non-emergency police.

10.   Install a CCTV camera

Installing a high quality CCTV system is one of the top forms of security for your home, office, outbuildings or property. It not only acts as a visual deterrent but can also be vital in supplying evidence if criminal proceedings are undertaken. CASAC can supply and install CCTV.

If you need any of the above security measures or advice on how to better secure your home you can request a free security assessment to discuss your security needs and we can provide assured products and tradesmen to carry out the work. Please contact us for more details 0845 519 2122 on or email mail@casac.org.uk. 

CCTV For Your Home Security Now Available From CASAC

Closed Circuit Television is one of the top forms of security for your home, office, outbuildings or property. It not only acts as a visual deterrent but can also be vital in supplying evidence if criminal proceedings are undertaken.

The reassurance and peace of mind that a CCTV system provides to home owners is second to none and the CS87T Real Time Wireless Camera System and its smaller counterpart the CS85DVR are two of the best systems on the market and are now supplied and fitted by CASAC.

Both devices come with an Internal/External camera and a 7" LCD touch screen monitor capable of controlling up to four cameras simultaneously and are activated by a PIR sensor which detects changes in temperature. The top range CS87T is capable of capturing high quality footage up to 150m in day light and 15m in darkness with its IR LEDs whilst the CS85DV can capture night time footage up to 5m.

When triggered the system will capture video at 25FPS (film quality) onto an SD card or transmit to a external recording device and can be set up to inform you if it's been activated by email or alert to your portable device (phone, tablet etc). The system can also capture audio from a microphone installed in the camera for extra sensory observation. The higher end CS87T can also be remotely operated from any portable device such as your phone or tablet which really adds an extra level of control and reassurance when you want to keep an eye on your property if you are on holiday or away from your house.

When purchasing either of the two CCTV systems CASAC will install, set up and insure you fully understand how to operate your CCTV unit and it's all included in the price quoted so you don't have to worry about correct installation, placement or operation.

To find out more or to purchase either CCTV system please call us 0845 519 2122 on or email mail@casac.org.uk