4 Great Bug Detectors To Protect Your Privacy

4 Great Bug Detectors To Protect Your Privacy

Your privacy can be disturbed any moment and chances are that you do not even know that your private moments are secretly recorded by a stranger or someone you trusted very much. Of course, it’s shocking to find out someone whom you trusted was spying on you but with bug detectors, you can protect yourself from such shocking moments. Bug detectors are by far the best tools for spy detection: if you buy an updated version of secret camera detector, you can detect secret cameras that use the most advanced technology.

Here are 4 great bug detectors that you can use in order to protect your privacy. Making sure that no one is spying on you will also boost your self confidence.

1. SH056 - Bug and Wireless Camera Detector Mini Wireless RF Detector

The most significant advantage of the SH056 bug detector is its compact shape and size, making it one of the easiest bug detectors to carry around. You have four alert modes to choose and SH056 ensures that it lets you know about secret cameras in your room without a fuss. For instance, it has an LED, vibrating and noise alert system. Both LED and vibrate alert systems operate without any noise and the voice alert system lets you know about the bugs through an earphone. There is no way for anyone else to be suspicious.

2. SH-055 - Wireless Bug and Camera Detector Micro Bug Detector

If you are looking for an easy to use bug detector that can be operated effortlessly, SH-055 - Wireless Bug and Camera Detector Micro Bug Detector is your best bet! This bug detector works with RF signals and responds quickly once it finds wireless field. Since it detects every type of wireless product in a room, you should disable the known products before you start operating the same.

3. DD3000 - Cell Phone Detector and GPS Locator Find Cell Phones and GPS Trackers

This cell phone detector and GPS locator can easily source all the hidden electronic devices at hotels and other places you spend time. There is no better way to ensure your safety and privacy in tough times. The cell phone detector can detect different signals such as GSM, CDMA and WCDMA transmissions.

4. SVSH-055DV - RF High Frequency Bug and Wireless Camera Detector

SVSH-055DV - RF High Frequency Bug and Wireless Camera Detector is a very capable spy cam detector and it can detect secret cameras from office, cars or any other place you want. This is a highly advanced RF tracking system, making it one of your reliable partners for your security. Since it can detect all type of radio signals, it's important to stop using computer monitors and other radio transmitting devices to ensure optimum performance.

These are some of the leading bug detectors that money can buy and by using them; spy detection will become a pretty easy task. Make sure to use this secret camera detector to ensure your privacy and safety.

bug detectors, spy detection, secret camera detector

Benefits Of Installing Camera Security System At Your Home

Benefits Of Installing Camera Security System At Your Home

If you are like most Americans out there, a good amount of your time is spent outside the house for job related purposes and this is why it’s important to install a home security camera system at your home. Moreover, a lot of us regularly leave our home for picnics and vacations, making it easy for burglars to break open into our property. Though there are numerous advantages in installing a camera security system at your home, here are some of the major benefits:

Peace Of Mind

Burglary is not the only reason for a homeowner to start considering a home security camera system. The thought about leaving your home for a few days raises many concerns and it's nearly impossible to know what's going on in your home in your absence. Parents who have teenage children are usually the most concerned ones. Some of us leave our property to be taken care of by a servant and there is no guarantee that they will do their job professionally.

--> If there is a comprehensive answer for how to find a solid solution for all these concerns, an Internet security camera system is the best answer. When you are traveling for many days, you will stop worrying about your belongings as you are monitoring your property through your mobile phone or any other wireless equipment.

Evidence

In the most unfortunate event of a theft or misbehavior of your servant or children, a home security camera system can provide you with all the necessary evidence to show them that you wear monitoring them in your absence. It's not uncommon for homeowners to fail in legal pursuits against burglars on the grounds of lack of evidence but with Internet security camera system, you can gather all the necessary evidence; even if you are far away.

These are the main advantages of using a camera security system to monitor your home and belongings. In the past, the idea of using surveillance cameras was a pretty expensive affair and most homeowners were not able to afford it. But today, home surveillance has become incredibly cheap, thanks to globalization and an ever-increasing consumer demand for home security systems. Today it's possible to choose from a large range of consumer products and most of them offer incredible security to your belongings.

The digital recording technology ensures that you don't have to waste a lot of money on buying expensive tapes. A home security camera system is pretty easy to install and with the digital recording, you have negligible maintenance costs. This is also the reason for a lot of people to consider camera security system for the home. There is no doubt that installing an Internet security camera system will protect your belongings and in your absence, you will not feel worried about your property as you are able to constantly monitor and see what's going on.

3 Great Security Camera Systems For Home – How Will They Make Your Life Better?

3 Great Security Camera Systems For Home – How Will They Make Your Life Better?

Security camera systems for home are great tools to ensure the security of you and your family. Surveillance cameras make sure that your family is protected from dangers and there is no better way to monitor burglaries and other potential dangers. Installing wireless security camera systems has become quite inexpensive and improved technology ensures that surveillance cameras can provide excellent support to both businesses and households. Though there are thousands of security camera systems for home, some of them really stand out when it comes to functionality and value for money factor. Here are three great wireless security camera systems that can be used in your home:

CV503-8CH19M-008 – A Complete Night Vision Camera System

Though CV503-8CH19M-008 is mostly used by businesses and other commercial enterprises, this is one of the best wireless security camera systems for medium to large homes. Don’t get deceived by the sleek LCD monitor with this security camera system; it’s also equipped with a DVR, saving significant amount of space in your home! An array of 8 night vision cameras ensures excellent protection for your home and belongings day and night.

It’s not necessary that you should use all the eight cameras for the system but it can be configured according to your needs. One of the best features of these security camera systems for home is its wireless footage checking facility that can be synchronized with your Smartphone! You can check video footages even on the move and this ensures adequate protection. It goes without saying that CV503-8CH19M-008 is one of the most reliable wireless security camera systems in the market.

Dvr-Monitor-Camera-Kit – A Compact Security Camera System That Works!

If you are looking for simple security camera systems for home that can be installed effortlessly, this camera kit is the most ideal product for you. It comes with a very simple installation setup. Up to 4 cameras can be installed on the system which can be purchased separately. The benefit of choosing this DVR monitor system is that you can install even a single camera and upgrade whenever needed. This is one of the most efficient wireless security camera systems and support different mobile phone operating systems such as Android and Symbian. The motion detection feature ensures that you will spend time watching only live footage, not empty ones!

CV502-4CH-001 – Indoor/Outdoor Security System

If you are fond of DIY applications, CV502-4CH-001 is going to be one of the best wireless security camera systems that you can buy. The camera system comes with four indoor/outdoor cameras and all the necessary accessories for easy installation. You can install and start monitoring your property within hours and the coaching menu ensures that you can thoroughly learn how to operate this security camera system. This model is not shipped with a monitor as its targeting customers who already have a TV or computer system. If you don’t have any of these, purchasing a monitor is a good idea.

Choosing Security Camera Systems For Home

Choosing Security Camera Systems For Home – Important Things To Consider

Congratulations on your decision to ensure better safety of your belongings by installing security camera systems at your home! This, of course, is a great decision but if you don’t choose the right home security camera system, it’s difficult to operate them and make sure of the best results. This is why security camera systems at many homes are abandoned resulting in wastage of investment and poor security of their belongings. Is there a way to overcome this situation? Here are some tips to follow when you are shopping for outdoor security camera systems for your home.

Do You Like The Complexity Of Electronic Products?

A lot of us don't have any particular passion for electronics; setting up a security camera system on our own itself is too complex for us. If you are one of these people, make sure that you are choosing a home security camera system that is easy to use. For instance, SV-LTD1904K is a great security camera system that comes with a 19” LCD monitor, 4 Sony security cameras and 320 GB hard disc. For most household applications, SV-LTD1904K is a perfect product. There are many advantages for choosing this product. First of all, it’s not necessary to have too much of technical knowledge to install and operate this camera system.

It comes with full time recording feature and motion sensor recording. Motion sensor recording functions when it detects motion and this mode is ideal for those who travel frequently as their hard disc space won’t run out easily. SV-LTD1904K includes a remote control and optional mouse and the cameras can be controlled with this setup. The best thing about this home security camera system is its compact size. It doesn’t have a separate DVR and perfectly gels to any corner of your home.

When Do You Need The Outdoor Security Camera Systems The Most?

Some of us depend on our security cameras heavily on daytime, when we are out at work but for some, outdoor security camera systems serve better in night. If you need your camera system to protect you in night, you need to ensure that at least half of the cameras are night vision enabled, especially the ones that are installed in a dark area. When you choose security camera systems, go for night vision cameras so that you can expect good surveillance throughout the day.

If you plan to keep your home security camera system in the recording mode the whole day, you should also consider getting a capable hard disc that can take this load. As there are quite a few security camera systems for you to choose from, finding good options under the night vision camera range is not difficult. To sum it up, a home security camera system must be easy to operate and it should perfectly suit your requirements. If you don’t buy security camera systems with these qualities, it will end up being useless.

Why Do You Need A Complete Video Security Camera?

Why Do You Need A Complete Video Security Camera?

Surveillance cameras or security cameras are one of the best ways to monitor any kind of illegal activities such as shoplifting, gang fights or even property infringement in private homes. These cameras can actually be your eyes and keep a watch on your private property when you are away. However, one of the most important things that you need today on your security camera is a very good monitor screen system. This is really important when it comes to capturing activities from security cameras, as evidences are more concrete when it comes to proving the other person wrong.

Buying one of the best home security system for personal preferences depends upon situation to situation but ultimately it is the complete safety and assurance to the homeowner that makes the system more satisfying and trustworthy. It does not matter how complex or simple your security system may be, even the smallest feature that does not function seems like money wasted. Likewise, if you invest on equipments that are too difficult to operate it is certainly considered as a useless unit. Hence, choosing home security system for your complete surveillance system does require a certain amount of decision-making and here we give you some latest equipment that have stopped the market and has gained the trust of many around the world.

DVR W/ Monitor 4 Cameras Mounts Cables Complete: this beauty comes with a 10 inch LCD monitor and this is one of the best when it comes to do-it-yourself installations. It allows you to connect four of your any existing camera and even plug-in any additional ones if you need them. This 100 GB hard drive allows you to record a week's activities and its built in Internet Explorer supports most of the mobile phones to give you a Windows mobile live view. The security system is extremely efficient as it saves you hours of wasted video as it only records any activity and eliminates any empty video.

Security Camera System DVR Monitor 320Gig HD 4 Sony Cameras: now if you are looking into something more stylish and trendy this is something that is really going to impress you. This stunning security camera features a 320 gig hard disk with an amazing 19 inch LCD color monitor. With this system all you need to do is to connect the wires into four Sony cameras and connect them to your monitor. With a stylish remote control and an optional mouse you can control the recording than inside the DVR as you wish. These cameras goes into its recording phase only when it sees any motion so you can make sure that your videos will not be empty anymore.

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Complete video security system all in one security camera system: if your aim is to protect your business this highly advanced all-in-one security camera system has all the right features to fit into your strict budget. The camera not only allows you with features like night vision, private masking, high-resolution monitor, expandable its cameras, a helpful coaching imenu and more but also gives you a complete package to protect your belongings.

Choosing a security camera definitely requires a certain amount of decision-making, but with cameras like these you never going to run out on options.

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Find Out What the Home Security Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know! Discover How To Create Your Own Security System! Save Thousands!

Hello Budding Entrepreneurs:

Home Security is a force in the new global economy. But the upfront costs linked to making your home or business safer can put a hurt down on your wallet.Security systems can cost tens of thousands to install. That’s a steep price to pay, especially in a recession. Just like you I never thought I could afford it on a salary that barely helped me get by. But what the Security System Industry doesn’t want you to know is there’s a way you can build your own security force for a fraction of their costs. Intrigued?

Want to learn step by step how to:  

• Build high quality security system
• Make your property safer and more secure for pennies on the dollar
• Save thousands a year on home security
• Reduce costs down the line for years to come

When It Comes to Making Your Home Safer, Who Knows Your Property Better Than You? You Can Do This With the Right Help!

Click Here!

Reasons Why Nanny Cam Is A Must For Parents To Keep Their Child Protected

Reasons Why Nanny Cam Is A Must For Parents To Keep Their Child Protected

It is completely normal for any parent to worry about the safety of their children while they are away. While most parents want to know the well-being of their children while they are in another room, others would like to know if their children are safe if they are in the care of a baby sitter. This is why technology today has brought forward nanny cams to ensure that every child is being taken care properly while they are in their babysitters care. To ensure that every child is completely safe a nanny cam is a must have for every parent and can be their best friends; not to mention the peace of mind it brings along.

If you were wondering if a nanny cam can help you to ensure complete safety of your child, here are reasons as to why these security devices is a must-have for every parent:

If you thought that you know your babysitter  well it can be a harsh fact that no one can know their babysitter completely even if they are related to the family, in some cases even then. There is absolutely no way that you will know what happens every moment with your child in the care of your babysitter and how the babysitter would react to every situation with your child. A nanny cam  is just like a watch dog for you while you are away. With a nanny cam you know exactly how your babysitter is be behaving with your child and how comfortable your child is with them.

There may be situations when the nanny may not be always in the same room with your child. A nanny cam may help you know and keep a watch on your child and what is he/she up to in their nanny absence. Just like you may not be able to know your nanny completely well in the same way you might not know your child's behavior completely in different situations.

As unfortunate as it is, there are many babysitters who do not have the kind of love and patience for children as you might think they have. These babysitters may be a little harsh with your children and may handle them in a rough manner while you are away. A security camera can keep a close watch on such kind of mistreatment and will help you take action before your child faces a tough psychological phase.

Last but not least, sometimes children may not like their babysitter and might complain to you about them just to make you get rid of them. A spy camera is just the right thing needed to set the record straight and can help you make decisions without any second opinion.

A nanny cam is the best friend for every parent and come in various designs which can be installed in your home without your nanny knowing the same. Nanny cams come in the form of different products, so keeping them in your child's room without the babysitter noticing it is extremely easy.

spy camera, security camera, security devices, nanny cams

Video Vixens: The Top Ten Female Spies of the Silver Screen

They might look pretty and unassuming, but in this case appearances are most certainly deceptive.

Spies come in many different forms, but these feisty gals prove that whether they’re breaking codes or breaking hearts, what any man can do, they can do better.

Image by aussiegall

1. Female Agents (2005) starring Maya Sansa (Maria Luzzato) Sophie Marceau (Louise Desfontaines), Julie Depardieu (Jeanne Faussier), Marie Gillain (Suzy Desprez) and Déborah François (Gaëlle Lemenech)

Why have one spy when you can have five?  This tale of French resistance against the Nazis finds female soldiers working together in a war effort that equals the responsibility of any man. 

2. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) starring Barbara Bach (Anya Amasova)

During the days of the cold war, Russians always made the best villains, and a female KGB spy is no exception as Barbra Bach pulls off the ultimate ‘Bond girl’ as Anya Amasova.

Amasova is certainly no damsel in distress; she’s as tough as Siberian ice, and men are destined to fall victim to her deadly charm. Bond has finally met his match.

3. La Femme Nikita (1990) starring Nikita Taylor (Anne Parillaud)

Spies don’t come much cooler than assassin Nikita Taylor. With charisma to burn, this criminal turned spy is the crème de la crème of French spies. The film proved to be so popular it spawned several remakes and a TV series.

4. Mata Hari (1931) starring Greta Garbo (Mata Hari)

Based on the real life case of Dutch spy ‘Mata Hari’, Greta Garbo plays the ultimate femme fatale. Hari was assigned to use her feminine good looks to entice men and extract government secrets from them. Garbo’s finest hour. 

Image by kndynt2099

5. Notorious (1946) starring Ingrid Bergman (Alicia Huberman)

Ingrid Bergman appears in this Alfred Hitchcock classic as Alicia Huberman, a Nazi hunter in Brazil. What she lacks in tactical competency, she makes up for with beauty. She manages to break Cary Grant’s heart along the way too, a feminist achievement in itself.

6. Ronin (1998) starring Natascha McElhone (Deirdre)

Deirdre may look sweet as sugar, but behind her innocent smile lays the heart of an assassin. With a chilling and unpredictable personality rarely associated with female roles, Natascha McElhone depicts her as the most lethal woman in Europe.

7. Lust Caution (2007) starring Tang Wei (Wong Chia-Chi)

Both undercover and under the covers, Tang Wei plays Wong Chia-chi, an assassin who falls in love with her victim in Ang Lee’s erotic thriller. Wei received a whole cabinet of awards for her role.

8. Charlotte Grey (2001) starring Cate Blanchet (Charlotte Grey)

Lesser known but still highly affective, oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchet portrays Charlotte Grey, a British resistance officer in Vichy-France. An ignored film upon release, it has now attained cult classic status.   

9. Get Smart (2008) starring Anne Hathaway (Agent 99)

Spies are lurking in all genres, even comedy, and surely one of the most amusing of recent years belongs to Anne Hathaway in Get Smart. Based on the TV series of the same name, Hathaway’s subdued and dryly comic performance completely stole the show from male lead-actor, Steve Carell.

10.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) starring Angelina Jolie (Jane Smith)

Whether she’s doing the dishes or dishing out justice, Angelina Jolie’s domestic assassin Jane Smith makes sure her husband knows who’s wearing the pants in their marriage. One of the most original of movie spies.

So despite these female spies setting certain bells ringing, you can guarantee they’d bypass intruder alarm systems with no problem at all!

Can you think of any female spies of the silver screen I’ve missed off my list?

Liam Brennan is a student with a passion for films. In his spare time he blogs for Traders Warehouse.

How GPS Tracking works

How GPS Tracking works

GPS tracking for cars is very commonplace. The most used GPS tracking devices are categorized in two different ways. The first being passive, also called GPS loggers or after-time trackers. This type of tracker does not allow you to view the vehicles location right now, instead after a certain amount of time you recover the logger and connect to a Computer to access all the stored tracking information. This type of tracking has no monthly fees or activation costs. Passive tracking is also the most effective hidden tracker as it can only be found by physically searching the vehicle. Sine there is no signal being sent out from a gps logger so no detector can find it. Passive trackers are used in both commercial and domestic situations. The domestic uses include teenagers, spouses and other family members. Commercial uses include employee used vehicles and company trucks. Many passive GPS will allow you to print a report that you can later compare to an employees time sheet. Simply place the unit in the vehicle in a location that provides a view of the sky. This can be under the seat , in a seat pocket, between the grill and radiator, in wheel wells, under plastic bumpers and several other vehicle specific locations. Each vehicle is different so the possibilities are many for hiding the device. Generally the unit cannot be surrounded by metal on more that two sides.
The second type of GPS tracker is Real time also called Live tracking . This type of tracker usually uses a computer or smart phone to log into an account to access the tracking information. A representation vehicle icon is displayed on a map showing the exact location of the tracker in real time. The actual real time location depends on the speed of your server and internet connection , this being said you may have a lag time of 10 seconds up to two minutes even on the best GPS trackers. The GPS data is collected by the tracking device and then sent to the server via cell phone. Each live tracker depends on cell phone signal in order to provide real time tracking. Parking garages and tunnels will impede or completely block the signal. The cell phone service available in your target area is the deciding factor on live tracking. Most live gps trackers will store a certain amount of data when cell service is lost so you will still have an accurate record on the vehicle.

All GPS trackers are receivers every gps device either tracking or navigation must receive a signal from the  26-28 GPS satellites. If  the vehicle you are tracking leaves cell service and is unable to receive the GPS satellite signal NO tracking data can be obtained. GPS devices receive the signals and triangulate their position this information is then stored on the device until you access the website, depending on the gps company either contacts the device via cell phone and requests the location and stored data or has a constant connection and provides the current data from the device and stores the past data on the server.

Why Dome Cameras Are Always Preferred At Home As Well As In Business

Security has always been a major concern for  people lately, but thanks to technology several home security products have been introduced in the market that help customers choose the right kind of protection for their home or office. Although, a lot of new  security systems have been introduced lately it is extremely important that one knows and has tremendous knowledge on different type of security cameras and features they provide before one decides on their final product. While most of us have wondered what was that round ‘dome like’ thing on office walls or home interiors, today it has become evident that it is one of the best security devices one could ever have for complete protection.

For Those Who Were Wondering Why Dome Security Cameras Are Always Preferred At Home As Well As The Business, Here Are Some Simple Reasons For The Same:

The biggest advantage of using dome cameras indoor or outdoor is the ability to monitor inner 360° angle. No other camera can give you such kind of wide range angle viewing and motion detection, but dome cameras are the only security equipments that will ensure that all the areas of your house and outdoor is closely watched.

Since Dome camera provide a 360° angle view and motion detection, one need not spend money on multiple cameras for different viewing angles. This way a consumer can save a considerable amount of money on multiple cameras and its installations charges. A single dome camera does the job of 10 multiple cameras in the same location.

Dome cameras have been specifically designed to camouflage it wherever it is installed. This is yet another great advantage of dome cameras because they are easily capable of blending smoothly to the surrounding making it barely noticeable among other things. Installing these cameras is extremely easy anywhere in the house and you can be sure that not many people will notice that it is there.

Dome cameras today come with multiple units which can be installed in different areas of the house giving you the ability to view objects from different angles simultaneously without any extra effort. This way you can be sure that your house is completely protected and under your watch all the time.

A very smart advantage of using the dome camera is that it has been designed in such a way that burglars or intruders have no idea on which angle it has been focused on. Dome cameras today are packed with high-end features and extremely impeccable resolution with image sensors and weatherproof protection for complete security.

The generation that we live in today is extremely dangerous and we know how crime rates have been increasing every year. This makes it enormously important for every home to take up the responsibility of protecting their home under any circumstances. Dome cameras today are available in various features and the price completely depends upon the technology it brings along.

home security products, security systems, security cameras, security devices, Dome Security Cameras

10 Real #firstworldproblems for Spies

We have all seen spies in films, running around major cities, causing carnage and mayhem and then going home and leaving the mess for everyone else to deal with. They never seem to run into any of the daily mishaps or problems that a normal citizen would encounter.

Admittedly, there is a degree of artistic licence that you are granted when you produce any feature film. Spies don’t have to deal with any of the administrative issues surrounded with their activities. But imagine being a fly on the wall if they did, and seeing how they'd act when they're not being chased, shot at or seduced by femmes fatales...

Image via Koinos Zoi Photography

1. Running low on battery

In a scene from the Bourne Ultimatum, our eponymous hero walks into London Waterloo Station and purchases a phone from a kiosk vendor. He then proceeds to ring his target using said phone. There has been some, albeit less than fierce, discussion on the internet to why there was a charge in the mobile battery already.

Some people say there is already a minimum charge in a phone when you buy it. Maybe it’s a secret agreement with the government and phone manufacturers for just such an occasion. 

2.  Being ill (apart from being shot or stabbed)

Now, I know that it wouldn’t make for a particularly exciting scene of a movie, but James Bond has often been accused of hiding behind his manlihood, and his puns. Mostly his puns. Showing Bond buying a pack of Fishermans Friends at the local newsagents, I feel, would humanise him.  

3. Having an accident

Spies cars don’t get reversed into by unwary drives, they don’t slip on ice and they most certainly don’t burn themselves on anything. Mostly because you never see them eat, but that’s another story.

4. Getting something to eat and being disappointed with the service

Apart from never eating, spies never get anything less than world class service from anything that they do, whether it’s a valet service for their car or a cocktail that they want made in an exact way. Some say suave. Others say fussy. 

5. Forgetting someone's birthday

Do spies even have birthdays? I don’t know. If they do, then they don’t like celebrating them. They certainly never have to deal with any repercussions of missing a birthday of a family member. Heartless.

6. Running into old school 'friends'

I know that spies are supposed to be able to conceal and change their identity at will, but I always seem to bump into people that you don’t really want to talk to but feel like you have to.

“So, how is Matt doing in his new job?”

“I don’t know, he left me”

...Awkward

7. Burping in inappropriate situations

Everyone does it; it’s a perfectly normal natural occurrence. But maybe because you never see spies eat, they don’t have any gas to expel. Maybe they don’t have digestive systems at all?

8. Poor phone signal

As with item one, mobile phone signal never seems to be a problem for spies. In fact no technical malfunctions of any kind. Funny that. Apart from security cameras, which they seem to disable with ease, although in actual fact are probably one of the more foolhardy and reliable pieces of kit featured in any spy movie.

9. Being rubbish at sport

If your arch nemesis decides to challenge you to a fencing duel, the you had better be ready.

10. Spies never get asked if they have a loyalty card

I know this last point isn’t going to keep you up at night, but sometimes I just wish more everyday activities happened in spy films. It would make them feel more real and it would make me feel a lot better about the mundanity of MY everyday life.

What normal, everyday situation would you like to see a spy in?

Mata Hari, The Femme Fatale Extraordinaire

Greta Garbo plays Mata Hari – image via Kndynt2099

We’ve all heard of James Bond, but there are some real-life spies whose lives have been just as dangerous and exciting. Espionage is not just for the boys either – one of the most famous spies ever to have lived is none other than exotic dancer Mata Hari, or Margaretha Geertruida Zelle as she was really called.

Not so Humble Beginnings

Hari was born in the summer of 1876, the first child to a successful retailer and investor who lavished her with generous gifts and an upper-class education until she turned 13, when he went bankrupt and Hari moved in with her godfather and then her uncle.

Her marriage is the stuff of history books, something that could never happen in today’s society – some years later and wanting some of her old, luxurious lifestyle back, she spotted an ad in a newspaper by a Dutch army captain who was ‘recruiting’ a wife!

They married in Amsterdam and went on to have two children, and as the new daughter-in-law of a baroness Hari found herself thrown back into the upper classes she had been born into.

Of course, as any modern girl could tell her, finding a husband in a newspaper is not the best of ideas. The captain turned out to be a violent alcoholic, twenty years her senior, and she eventually left him. Their son died from syphilis at a young age and their daughter later died too, aged just 21. Hari was alone in the world once more.

A New Life Performing

Utterly penniless, she found her way to Paris where she scraped a living as a circus performer and artist’s muse. It wasn’t long however before her seductive charm, stunning looks and breathtaking talent for dance was noticed. She became an instant success as an exotic dancer, as well as the mistress to a millionaire – this girl did not stay poor for long!

This was where she got her first taste for ‘espionage’, as she pretended to be a Java princess who had grown up practising the sacred art of Indian dance she was now famous for – most Europeans at the time were not so culturally aware as we are today with our exotic holidays and travel magazines, so her fans believed her lies.

Greta Garbo as Mata Hari – image via Cea

A Poor Career Choice?

A much darker side of espionage was about to find its way into Hari’s life however. At the start of World War I she was able to travel freely over national borders thanks to her home country’s neutral stance. Before the war she had added exotic courtesan to her list of careers, often travelling with high-ranking military officials and politicians from country to country, and this didn’t stop when the war began.

Her constant cross-border travels and her important companions soon raised suspicion and she was arrested in England in 1916. The English questioned her at length and Hari eventually ‘admitted’ to working for the French and was released.

This however was a lie – soon after the French intercepted coded German messages that identified Hari as a spy for them. The messages were in a code that Germany already knew France had cracked, leading many people to believe that the Germans were deliberately trying to give her up.

Was There A Mission?

Femme fatale or not, she couldn’t charm her way out of an arrest at her Paris hotel room. On trial, neither the French nor the British had any evidence, only a nagging suspicion, that she was a German spy until they found ‘secret ink’ in her room. Hari claimed it was part of her makeup but the French decided this was proof enough to sentence the seductress to death by firing squad.

So, was Hari really a spy or just an innocent woman caught up in events she couldn’t control? True or not, her ‘espionage’ story has captivated millions and cemented her in history. From the mystery surrounding her life to the way she used her exotic charm and wits to seduce many a high ranking official and get secret information out of them, then spy or no spy, Hari really was the epitome of the femme fatale!

What do you think – was Mata Hari a spy?

Estelle Page writes for Traders Warehouse, an online CCTV warehouse that sells a range of high quality security products such as the Texecom premier door entry system.

Smart or Downright Ridiculous? Real Life Tips Given to World War II Spies

Near the start of World War II, a Cabinet-approved organisation of spies known as the Special Operations Executive (SOE) was formed with the aim of spying on and sabotaging enemy missions, and aiding local resistance movements to succeed.

Very few people knew of the SOE’s existence, also nicknamed the Baker Street Irregulars and the ‘Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ by those who did, so when the official SOE training manual for spies was published in 2004 it provided a never-before-seen glimpse into the inner workings of a real espionage agency.

From the clever to the downright crazy, here are some of the lessons the SOE taught their spies in training, extracted from the book How to Be a Spy: The World War II SOE Training Manual...

Master of disguise – image via Tim Simpson

Hiding Secret Messages

Many high-tech methods of creating and transporting secret messages have been developed over the years, from the ink-dot printer that can shrink an A4 document down to the size of a full stop, to secret inks that are only visible under certain conditions.

The SOE however had some rather more crude methods of keeping their secret documents safe – they instructed their agents to “use edible or soluble paper for messages” and to hide them in amongst things they would be carrying in bulk “such as tobacco shreds [or] potatoes”.

It’s a good thing the paper is edible, so if you forget you’re carrying it and accidently turn it into a plate of chips along with those potatoes you’re lugging around everywhere, you won’t get indigestion!

Observing Without Being Observed

The life of a spy was not all glitz and glamour – imagine lying on your stomach for hours on end watching your enemy, under orders to keep still... very still. The SOE agents were instructed to keep their heads “as still as is humanely possible” and if they absolutely had to move it, to do so “an inch or less at a time”. You had better hope no one was sneaking up on you from behind because at that rate, they’d have shot you before you even saw them coming!

For optimal disguise when carrying out observation, agents were also told to cover their head with “a bunch of herbage held before it”. And you thought it was only in cartoons that people snuck around holding branches over their face!

A lamp-post does not have arms... image via Anonymous9000

Stating the Obvious

The guide continues on the subject of camouflage by describing how to blend in with your surroundings by making yourself look like a rock or a tree. Again, the somewhat amateur use of trees and plants is given – “pockets, button-holes, waist-band collar – all these can receive and hold pieces of vegetation”.

The guide does note however that on a hot day these plants will wither and become useless. Can you imagine the look on your enemy’s face when he sees you standing there right in front of him, covered in wilted flowers like a sad clown pretending you’re invisible?

When it comes to role-playing a rock or a tree the SOE guidebook gives some very useful tips such as the wonderfully informative, “rocks do not have branches, therefore when among rocks keep your arms close to your body. Trees do [have branches]”.

Your head should be made to look like something completely unlike a human head, such as “a tiny bucket or pile of horse dung”. I wonder what you have to put on your face to achieve that disguise?

Sending Sound Signals

Sometimes as a spy you’ll need to send messages to your nearby comrades without arousing suspicion if the enemy is nearby. There’s no secret ink or sacks of potatoes here – you’ll have to rely on sound, probably by imitating a bird call or other animal. Sound simple enough?

Apparently not – SOE agents had to be reminded that they had to pick an animal call that was local to the area and “not choose a hyena for use in Europe, or a cock crowing in the middle of the desert”. I would have loved to see the guard’s face in Berlin if he suddenly heard a hyena across the street at night!

I could go on – the book is absolutely full of ‘useful’ advice and guidance. It’s hard to believe that these tips were actually taught to professional detectives. 

What do you think, are they smart moves or downright ridiculous?

Estelle Page writes for Spy Camera CCTV, an online retailer of security camera systems including hidden spy cameras for the home and other gadgets for the wannabe spy!

So, You Want to Be a Spy?

Image via AJC1

The movies would have you believe that being a spy is all about cool gadgets, fast cars and showing off your martial arts skills. Unfortunately, in reality you’re more likely to be sitting behind a desk or, if you’re very lucky, travelling to some very nasty places and getting in some serious danger.

Still want to be a spy?

For those of you determined to worm your way into the MI5, here’s a step by step guide to giving it your best shot....

1.       Get a Degree

They don’t hand over the responsibility of national security to just anyone, y’know! MI5 recruit the top graduates from across the country in a range of disciplines, but for your best chances of nabbing an interview you probably want to study something relevant such as Politics, Economics, Geography, Law or Criminology.

According to the MI5 website, many successful applicants also have a Masters degree and a few even have a PhD. However, if you’ve already started on your degree course and think you’ve chosen the wrong one, don’t worry – if you can prove you have the skills and abilities they need in other areas of your life, you’ve still got a shot. They’ve employed graduates of everything from Architecture to Zoology!

2.       Be Discreet

So, you’ve made it into the MI5 but you’re stuck doing office work. If you want to get in on the real action, you’ll need to prove to your seniors that you’re worthy of being a front-line spy. The first step is to show them how discreet you are – if you’re given a secret to keep, keep it. It’s not called being a secret agent for nothing!

It’s a good idea to minimise your online profile too. We live in a technological age where it’s easy to find out about someone by pulling up their Facebook profile, Twitter page or their blog. The greatest spies of all time are those whose identity was shrouded in mystery – very little is known about the real life of Sydney Reilly, the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s famous James Bond character.

3.       Hone Your Skills

As a spy, you’ll need a multitude of skills from observation to lie-detection and quick thinking. Practise eavesdropping on conversations in noisy, crowded areas, or go one better and learn to lip-read (watching DVDs on mute can help) so that you never need to put yourself too close to the person you’re spying on, risking detection. Train using gadgets such as a motion detector or binoculars, but don’t rely on them – in the heat of the moment you may have nothing but your wits about you to escape unharmed.

Train your brain with memory-enhancing puzzles – as a secret agent, you’ll need to pick up every detail of a scene or conversation and then be able to recall them when needed. No spy worth his salt will take notes as they can incriminate you if caught! If you do get caught up ‘behind enemy lines’ you’ll need to know how to act cool, casual and as though you’ve done nothing wrong. A discreet DVR to store encrypted files on is a possible alternative.

Try the MI5 online listening test to see if you have what it takes!

Image via Anonymous9000

4.       Get the Look

Fashionistas beware, spying is probably not the career for you. As a spy, you need to be able to blend in with any crowd, so a desire to stand out is a very undesirable trait as far as the MI5 are concerned!

Of course, if you have any stand-out features you can also practise until you become a master of disguise – when you’re needed to go undercover, hide bright red or very long hair under a nondescript, brown wig, wear coloured contacts to hide bright blue eyes and dress like the locals, even if it’s not particularly flattering!

5.       Learn the Lingo

Finally, if you’re determined to get into espionage, it helps to know the different terms that are going to get thrown around. Here are just a handful of the key ones but make sure you do your research, especially if you speak a foreign language and want to spy abroad as there will be a whole new set of words and phrases to learn!

• Dead Drop – a secret location known to 2 or more agents, where they can leave items for the other to collection without having to physically meet
• Double Agent – an agent who appears to work for two different governments, but is in fact giving false information to one to aid the other
• Hard-Target Country – a country that it is difficult to spy on, such as Russia or North Korea
• Rabbit – the person being spied on

Do you have any of your own tips you’d like to share with aspiring spies?

Why You Should Look into Wireless Home Security Gadgets

People who want to find the best home security systems and alarms out there usually prefer to get immediate alerts if an unexpected situation comes up. After all, a lot of home break-ins or invasions usually occur too fast for the authorities to do anything about it by the time they get there. However, if you have personal access to your own security system because of various wireless devices, then you can be sure that your home is always kept safe even when you aren't there.

Other benefits of wireless home security services include the facts that they can maximize your home's security and that of your family; they can reduce your home's overall insurance premium rates; they provide you with 24/7 surveillance; they are easy and convenient to view live footage with; and they get alerts of various situations that might be going on inside or outside of your home.

Yes, aside from providing your home and your family with the utmost safety, you can also save a lot of money on your insurance rates due to the added home security - believe it. The best part is that home alarms are so much better now compared to before, so you actually can get alerts the minute a home intrusion occurs. If you want, you can even sign up for 24-hour surveillance to set your mind at ease.

There are also a lot of different kinds of wireless security gadgets to choose from out there, such as constant or motion-activated surveillance. Depending on your personal needs, there are various functions that will suit your personal standards, too.

Another good reason why you should opt for wireless home security systems is because you won't have to break any pipes or known down any walls to set up a home alarm.

Now, it is true that if you opt for a traditional security system with complicated wires, you can simply hire a technician and pay him to install it for you. However, when it comes to performance and costs, wireless systems provide various benefits.

Since there aren't any complex wires involved, you can place your security cameras anywhere that you want. With traditional systems, the distance to do this in was usually limited since you had to connect all of the wires to the main base in order for it to work.

Just because you know that wireless home security systems are good, though, doesn't mean that you can just go to an online store or to a mall to buy one. Make sure you check out various product reviews first before you commit to anything. There are a lot of home security companies out there, but very few actually have the reputation and the experience to make them trustworthy. One company that you should definitely check out, though, would be Spyville.

Spyville provides reliable wireless home security systems and alarms that are long-lasting and are easy and convenient to set up in any home. Naturally, it would still be advisable for you to do your research online to find the best products and prices for you, though. Happy shopping!

Why Home Security Should Never be Taken for Granted

No matter where you may live in today's day and age, it would be absolutely vital to keep your home safe at all times. After all, there are a lot of thieves out there who target wealthy neighborhoods and apply dastardly deeds to poor ones now. Either way, nobody is completely safe in their homes anymore, no matter what you would like to believe.

Fortunately, there are various steps that you can follow to make sure that your home stays protected at all times. If you are only beginning to develop a home security plan right now, then you are sure to find the information here very helpful. Read on.

Before anything else, you have to check out all of your house's entryways, such as your doors and windows. If your house happens to be quite old, then these entryways will be especially vulnerable and might even need replacing. Remember: most windows from the last three decades were chosen mostly for their aesthetic appeal rather than their security features.

The good news is that the majority of your doors should be alright as long as you change their locks and ensure that you at least have deadbolt locks on all of them. Ideally, though, you should also have an extra lock on each door handle and install an electromagnetic lock as needed. These locks are much harder to break into, after all. If possible, you can also get a 2-wire color video intercom system installed for the utmost protection.

Either way, it would be an absolute necessity to have a home security alarm system installed nowadays. This would include door and window alarms that will announce a person's entry into your house or into a certain room. Basically, if any of your doors or windows are opened when the alarms are on, they will set off loud alarms that the entire neighborhood will here until they are shut off.

Sometimes, they will also notify an alarm company and let them know that something might not be right inside your house. If the latter happens, the alarm company will then try to get in touch with you and if they cannot reach you, the authorities will be sent over to check out your house.

Another step that a lot of homeowners are currently taking would be the installation of wireless cameras for the front door. This can be very helpful because the cameras will provide wide and clear views of your home's main entryway as needed and some of them even have night vision for night-time monitoring. These cameras will also prevent potential thieves from hiding anywhere nearby or in darker areas in your house's perimeter.

Without a doubt, your home's security should be taken very seriously, especially since your family is concerned, so make sure you do everything that you can to keep your home safe and prevent unfortunate incidents from occurring. Spyville can help you create a more secure home with their home security gadgets. Check them out today.

Where Can You Hide Your Valuables to Keep Them Safe?

With home invasions and burglaries constantly making it into the news nowadays, it only makes sense that homeowners are worried about their security and safety more than ever now. After all, homeowners tend to lose a ton of money when their house gets broken into - and that doesn't even include the damages done to the house itself. It gets even worse if some of the family members experience psychological damage because of the event. These feelings can last for a long time, too.

The sad news is that it is actually easy to take proactive steps in order to prevent these home burglaries; people just don't know them. Did you know that home burglaries happen through unlocked windows and doors most of the time? So, why don't people just start locking their doors more? Yes, home security can be extraordinarily simple sometimes. The only problem is that homeowners are sometimes too lazy to practice it and don't take preventative measures, either.

Think about it. Just by making your house seem less attractive to burglars who might be peering through the windows, you could go a long way in protecting your house from a burglary and improving your overall home security. So, for starters, try getting rid of shrubs along your lower-level windows and doors to get rid of potential hiding places or put a sign near your fence with a warning about a guard dog. You don't actually need to have a dog for this. Sometimes, a sign will suffice.

Now, if somebody does make it into your house anyway, do you follow any steps in place to protect all of your valuables? Studies show that burglars usually only spend a maximum of six minutes in a home, so even nimble burglars won't be able to check every potential hiding place for valuables. So, how should you hide yours, then?

Well, believe it or not, hiding them in plain sight is actually he best way to do this. Burglars tend to go for the obvious places like closets and drawers when looking for valuables like jewelry, money and guns, and won't check soda cans, outlets or candles - remember that.

This means that you can hide your valuables in some of these hidden safes in order to keep them secure. Hidden safes like candle safes, outlet safes, soda can safes and brief safes are actually very secure places to keep your valuables in and hide them from burglars and thieves.

The hidden safe spy bolt would be ideal if you have important wads of cash or micro SD cards to hide. An improved and updated version of hollow bolts format he Cold War, this spy bolt allows you to roll cash into wads and hide them from prong eyes. It even has a ring seal for complete weather-proof storage of small communications and valuables. How cool is that?

Check out all of the the other safes available at Spyville, as well, and see whether any of them would fit your personal home security needs perfectly. Happy shopping!

What Would be the Perfect Home Security Gadget for You

Your home is more than just a sanctuary. It is a symbol of love, shelter and protection, and symbolizes your entire family's privacy and safety. Most importantly, this is where your family lives everyday and because of this, it would be absolutely vital for you to safeguard it and keep it secure. Here are several effective home security gadgets that you might want to look into to add that little bit of security that every homeowner longs for.

Window and Door Alarms

Windows and doors happen to be the most common entryways for intruders and burglars nowadays. Because of this, it would be vital to keep these areas safe. A window or door alarm is a security gadget that will instantly help you detect any unusual signs of entry to your home. These gadgets are especially helpful because they fit onto areas that are most susceptible to home invasions. Also, since they are quite subtle and don't really change the look of windows or doors, burglars might not even know they're there before it's too late.

Smoke Detectors

Anybody can make the careless mistake of leaving food inside the oven every now and then. However, small oversights like these can results in huge disasters. Fortunately, by installing a smoke detector, you can protect yourself in case something int he house catches fire and thus prevent extensive damage to your belongings and your home. These devices can usually detect even the smallest traces of smoke and will trigger an instant alarm that will notify the fire department as needed.

Security Cameras

Security cameras are considered to be foolproof home security systems since they can instantly catch an intruder the minute he tries to invade your home. If the intruder gets in and gets away, the cameras will still catch him anyway and the recordings will be saved for as long as needed, as well.

Motion Sensors

By installing motion sensors, you can have the ideal home security gadgets for detecting any movements through windows and doors inside or outside of your home. These sensors can detect practically any kind of movement inside or outside of your home. However, they do require the utmost attention if you want to catch intruders int he act.

Door Security Bars

Door security bars are home security system gadgets that block doors and prevent them from being opened. As with regular door stoppers, they are placed behind a door to keep it secure. The best part is that these bars come with non-slip pads against the floor, so you can relax after you set the alarm. It will simply make a very loud noise the minute somebody approaches the door.

The best news of all, though, is that installing home security gadgets doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, you are sure to find something at Spyville that will suit your personal budget with ease. All you have to do is remember that you have to choose a home security system that is efficient and effective and which will suit the needs of your home and your family.

What Kind of Home Security System Should You Get

Regardless of where you might live or who you might be, your house could always fall prey to burglars and vandals - remember that. Because of this, it would be of the utmost essence to consider the various products and options available in today's home security market, so you can keep your family, your belongings and yourself safe at all times.

In general, lifestyles vary a lot from one family to the next. In some families, both parents go to work, while in others, only one does. This means that the people who stay at home vary from one family to the next, as well. Either way, though, having somebody around to keep an eye out on things could be a good deterrent on thieves. Changes to daily routines instead of predictable habits would be great, too.

The area that you live in will also play a big role in home security risks and it actually makes a big difference whether you live in the country or in a busy city. If you want to make your neighborhood safer, you could start or join a neighborhood watch.

Conversely, you could just install a burglar alarm into your house. Different houses tend to have different requirements in terms of alarm systems, though, so it would be advisable to get some help from a professional company like Spyville first.

Here are some of the factors that might affect your decision: your area, in general; your proximity to your neighbors; the kind of construction your house has; the kinds of doors and windows that you have; what your driveways and pathways are like; your garages; your outbuildings; and whether you have any areas that are hidden from view.

The good news is that there are a lot of different types of alarm systems in today's market. In a nutshell, these systems can be separated into these distinctive types, though: wired, motion-activated and wireless. All of these types provide different features in deterring thieves and burglars. The more expensive systems even provide services that will let out silent alarms, while others come with constant monitoring or connections to emergency centers.

The best kinds of home security alarm system nowadays would be the ones that can monitor any house areas of your choice, though. Other great home security gadgets would include window and door alarms since studies show that the majority of thefts use windows or doors as entryways.

PIR motion sensors would be especially great since they can tell when people are slowly approaching while ignoring household pets. Standard window and door alarms could suffice to protect your home, too, though. All of this will merely depend on how big your house is and what your needs are.

You should also consider your actions in case a break-in occurs when you're there or not. This will partly depend on your alarm system and your surroundings, as well. Remember: external alarms are usually ignored by passersby and neighbors because they usually go off randomly anyway, so make sure you have the proper schemes in place to ensure that you have the best home security possible.

What are the Best Home Security Cameras to Date

More and more homeowners are now becoming more conscious about home security nowadays because home invasions and burglaries have become so commonplace nowadays. And besides, wouldn't it make sense to make sure your most expensive investment to date is protected by something that is only a fraction of its cost? Well, the good news is that a lot of security cameras nowadays are very affordable - even the best ones.

When choosing a home security camera, there are several things you will need to consider before making your final decision, though. For starters, you will have to consider whether you would like to be able to view the goings-on in your house from someplace else. This is known as remote viewing and only several security cameras have this ability. IP cameras, for example, have remote viewing, which is why they are so popular nowadays when it comes to home security and residential surveillance.

Out of the many home security cameras available in today's market, here are the two best models that can provide you with great results:

The first one would be the IP Wi-Fi Night Vision Camera, which can be used for business surveillance, residential surveillance, home security or car security. Basically, it consists of a Wi-Fi bullet camera with high resolution, weatherproof housing, high intensity infrared LED lights and remote video monitoring capabilities.

When installed the right way, this camera can detect motion and give off sound alerts on your camera, thus eliminating phone interference. It also sends out colored digital images onto your monitor without the need for wires and cables.

The IP Pan Tilt Network Camera is also very popular since it comes with a pan and tilt feature that will let you view more angles on a single camera. With an MPEG4 compression, it is definitely a step above the rest. It even has click-to-move on image capabilities, as well as an external and built-in microphone and intelligent motion detection. Yes, when it comes to home invasion prevention, this camera is one of the best ones to date.

After hooking up this camera, you will be able to see the area that you have chosen for it with ease just by turning on your monitor. The panning capabilities also let the camera turn and stay in a position as needed. it can also be rotated and comes with channel recording software. What more could you ask for?

Of course, there are many other great security cameras out there, as well. Your best bet to find one, though, would be at Spyville. Spyville happens to be one of the best distributors of top quality home security, spy, surveillance, safety and survival products. They carry a vast array of home security products, including video monitors, hidden safes and cool spy stuff that can help you protect your home and family in the event of a burglary or break-in.