Police in California nabbed a burglar near the Santa Monica Pier with a drone. The little guy spotted a car thief using a screwdriver to punch open locks in a parking lot. It called in officers and directed them to the exact location. Amazing, right?
Use this home security camera buying guide to be safer at home
Here’s a conundrum: Your security camera could expose you to data breaches. Last year, a security researcher found that Eufy cameras uploaded private images to the cloud.
Anker recently admitted to storing images and video feeds in the cloud without users’ knowledge. This popular security cam manufacturer recently didn’t even encrypt the private content. That means anyone could have seen your personal images through your Anker devices.
The next time you want to upgrade your system, check this home security camera buying guide.
Home security camera buying tips
Don’t let this story dissuade you from protecting your home. Security cameras and video doorbells are easy and affordable ways to protect your home. Just make sure you’re using these strategies when shopping.
- Pick a tool with 2FA: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security between your smart home and a snoop. Maybe someone in your life wants to see what you’re doing. Protect your privacy by requiring anyone who tries to access the system to provide a private code only you get. Authenticator apps are some of the best 2FA methods. We’ll help you set them up to secure your work accounts or security gadgets.
- Research the company’s data breach history: Some brands will put you in more danger than others. If a company has a long history of security breaches, you’re better off with another option.
- Consider the brand’s relationship with police: Are you comfortable with the police using your private footage? Arlo, Eufy, Wyze and Apple won’t share your footage without a court order or warrant.
- Go with big brands: Since large companies get more coverage, they’re also scrutinized and tested by security researchers, journalists and hobbyists. That means you’ll have more luck if you have questions since you’ll get more helpful results when researching security concerns.
Keep this in mind
Unfortunately, you must assume that your smart devices can be breached at anytime. All devices have vulnerabilities. Even the most trustworthy brand could have a hidden weakness a security researcher hasn’t discovered yet.
Think about the placement of your cameras. When a hacker could steal footage of you doing something private, like using the restroom, it’s time to move the security camera to a spot that preserves your privacy. Here are the best places to put your home security cameras.
Also, you could keep your camera’s storage system in mind. Before buying a security tool, consider where the footage will go. For example, a local storage system keeps your private videos from a company’s hands.
You don’t even have to connect your cameras to the internet. But if you get them without Wi-Fi, ensure they offer end-to-end encryption. We can help you save some research time. Check out the best security cameras for properties with bad or no Wi-Fi.
Save yourself time by using the home security system Kim trusts
A Thanksgiving letter from Kim

Hello friends,
I hope you’re having a great Thanksgiving Day spending time with the people you love and eating delicious food. Along with watching the parade, having good conversations and slipping into a turkey coma, don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on your own life. I’m sure that there are many wonderful things you are thankful for.
Police drone nabs a would-be burglar
The generation of new car deniers
The average age of cars in the U.S. is now over twelve and a half years, the oldest ever. I’ll explain why people aren’t buying new ones. Plus, police using AI for surveillance, a warning about AirTag stalking, and how to use your Amazon Echo as an intercom.
Major slipup in Cleveland: A man accused of aggravated murder was accidentally released from jail due to a court typo. His case number, 685908, was mixed up with case number 685909. Now, police and U.S. marshals are scrambling to find him. Lock your doors.
1,198 investigations
Into serious crimes involving postal service mail in 2023, nearly double the total in 2019. There’s been a huge jump in robberies targeting mail carriers. Not so surprising when you consider there were 425 active Postal Police Officers in 2020 … and 3,000 in the 1980s.
5 simple ways to protect your home this winter

Winter months can bring some serious challenges for homeowners. Icy driveways, slick walkways and frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage.
Whether you tough it out or take off to warmer climates, you want to keep your home safe over the winter months. That means you need protection from thieves while you’re away. Protect your home with the security system that protects Kim’s family, SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to save 40% on a home security system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.
Police pull over a Waymo driving on the wrong side of the road
Waymo says the vehicle was confused by construction signs and stayed in the oncoming lane for 30 seconds because “it was blocked from navigating back into the correct lane.” Luckily, no one was hurt.
June 1st, 2024
The NSA says you need to turn your phone off once a week, or it’s your security on the line. Plus, police drones are here, cheap clothes cause infertility (they’re sold by the world’s largest fashion retailer), and the secret phone ID giving away your details.
Cheap clothes online could make you sick
Major fashion retailer Shein was caught selling millions of clothes containing toxic chemicals, some of which are linked to cancer. Plus, an Amazon driver ignores a house fire, Samsung washing machine drama, and police drones are here.
Free and cheap police scanner tools
Curious about emergencies happening in your neighborhood? These police scanner tools can keep you informed.
Police communications going silent
Got a police scanner? Find out why tuning into your neighborhood’s happenings might soon be a thing of the past.
The NYPD Labor Day party drones
Are police drones hovering over your backyard party a violation of your privacy? Here’s my take, in one minute.
Drone tracks man's cars, AI image takeover & YouTube robot chef
Plus, lend your security cam to the police? Authorities in Toledo, OH, think it’s a good idea. I speak with Jen Caltrider, program director at Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included, on health apps’ data sharing. See if your passwords are sold on the dark web and unmask scam websites’ creators.
3 free police scanner apps
Want to stay up-to-date what’s going down in your neighborhood? I have the best police scanner apps for your phone, in one minute.
Smart car privacy hack, top fitness apps, worst iPhone alarms to wake up to
Want to take a nap in your self-driving car? You might wake up in the middle of a police chase. Plus, a mom cyberbullied her daughter for a year, police used DNA evidence to catch a killer and my smart advice for callers like you.
New police power, scary browser hack, secret menu on your phone and computer
Think you’re anonymous? Think again. A new browser hack can reveal your true identity — even when you’re hiding online. Plus, Google is launching new AI glasses, how to send an important file to your computer from your smartphone and an insider calculator tool you probably don’t know about. Most importantly, use these secret menus on your phone and computer. You don’t want to miss out on this!
San Francisco and your Ring camera
Should police be able to seize videos from your Ring doorbell? San Francisco’s new DA seems to think so. Here’s my take, in 60 seconds.
A glimmer of good news from all the looting
If there is any good news from the lawlessness in America’s major cities, it’s this: Apple is making monetary contributions to help victims of police brutality, while the looters of Apple stores got much more than they bargained for.