Why you should avoid using social media

[IainB]

I posted this as, though it is not a comprehensive list of reasons by any means, it does rather seem to sum up some pertinent points: How Thieves Use Social Media To Rob You

There may be some useful pointers there for those who might be interested in protecting/maintaining/improving the privacy, security and confidentiality of their data.
This would be in addition to protecting data from the now acknowledged gross breach of privacy and security by apparently increasingly data-totalitarian governments - including the USA and other countries (e.g., in Europe, Canada, NZ, Australia), as has irrefutably been revealed by the UK Guardian's publication of the Snowden leaks regarding the US NSA/PRISM mass internet surveillance.

[Edvard]

1- Non-public Facebook profile: Check
2- Dog owner: Check
3- Fake security system sign in front yard: Check

[MilesAhead]

1- Non-public Facebook profile: Check
2- Dog owner: Check
3- Fake security system sign in front yard: Check

Maybe you could combine 2 and 3 with a sign something like:
"Beware of Dog named Brinks"  ??   

[Stoic Joker]

The dogs are friendly, to me.

I don't advertise the alarm system...It's a surprise. It also lets the "We Don't Dial 911" sign above the front door sink in at just the right moment. The sign can't be seen from the street...but it's hard to miss if you're standing on the front porch.

Oh... Did I mention it's a wireless monitored alarm system...so it'll dial 911 for me ... That way I can concentrate on aiming..

[4wd]

Oh... Did I mention it's a wireless monitored alarm system...so it'll dial 911 for me ... That way I can concentrate on aiming..

It's just too bad that it's the guys standing on the front porch that'll get the call.

[Stoic Joker]

Oh... Did I mention it's a wireless monitored alarm system...so it'll dial 911 for me ... That way I can concentrate on aiming..

It's just too bad that it's the guys standing on the front porch that'll get the call.

By that time it'll all be over. You ever hear the one about the guy that called in a robbery and was told it would take 2 hours, so he called in a shooting and they were there in seconds??

It ain't a joke.

When my old house got broke into...they showed up 2 hours after I called.

Shooting that happened next door...there in seconds.

My faith in them ... F'ing Zero. The alarm just keeps my homeowners insurance rate down.

[Deozaan]

You ever hear the one about the guy that called in a robbery and was told it would take 2 hours, so he called in a shooting and they were there in seconds??

You mean this one?

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[Stoic Joker]

Yes, however while I'm unclear of the authenticity of ^that^ case...I'm quite sure of my own experience, as I was there at the time.

[4wd]

That's nice, but I was thinking more:



SJ:   "I'm at number 21, there's a gang breaking into my house!"
911: "We'll have officers there in seconds sir. Now, if you could please remain calm and lie do-"
SJ:   "Wait, did you say seconds?"

[Stoic Joker]

hehe, no ... That only happens on TV. Besides, by the time that call goes out I'll be sitting on the porch waiting for them.

So the timeline goes more like this:
Break in happens, alarm autodials.
Cops add it to the queue...for right after doughnuts.
Small dogs find intruders...making it easier for me to "greet them".
I place call requesting the coroner make a pickup..

[MilesAhead]

Oh... Did I mention it's a wireless monitored alarm system...so it'll dial 911 for me ... That way I can concentrate on aiming..

It's just too bad that it's the guys standing on the front porch that'll get the call.

By that time it'll all be over. You ever hear the one about the guy that called in a robbery and was told it would take 2 hours, so he called in a shooting and they were there in seconds??

It ain't a joke.

When my old house got broke into...they showed up 2 hours after I called.

Shooting that happened next door...there in seconds.

My faith in them ... F'ing Zero. The alarm just keeps my homeowners insurance rate down.

The announcement that free coffee and donuts are being served may provoke the desired alacrity.

[40hz]

Attempting to "be nice" can also be interpreted as interfering these days.

[Edvard]

I just posted about the security sign because it's a very effective "visual deterrent"; any thief would think twice unless they somehow knew beforehand it wasn't genuine.  The article also mentions that thieves won't touch a house that dogs obviously live at.  I leave a couple dog toys in the front yard to "remind" them.

...and on the subject of guns

If THAT doesn't stop them, I have had some training in home defense at the local rifle club, and I keep a trusty 20-gauge in an easily accessible (to ME) hiding place.  Knowing when NOT to pull the trigger is many times just as important as knowing when and how, and not having the guts to use it when your family is being threatened is worse than not having it at all, IMO.

[4wd]

hehe, no ... That only happens on TV. Besides, by the time that call goes out I'll be sitting on the porch waiting for them.

Think more laterally: gang = people in picture

Given today's USA, is it more likely to be a street gang or the nice folks in the picture crashing through the door uninvited?

[Tinman57]

The announcement that free coffee and donuts are being served may provoke the desired alacrity.

 Funny that you mentioned donuts, looks like just about every one of those cops have donuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner....  

[Stoic Joker]

@Edvard - Excellent and sagely points under button.

Think more laterally: gang = people in picture

ROFL ... Okay. screw it. You win!