Using technology to enhance your personal safety
Technology has indeed changed more in the last 25 years than in the 250 years before that, and there’s no doubt about it that technological advances have been at the very core of what has caused the dramatic spike in standards of living, all over the world.
From automated coffee machines to refrigerators that know when you’re running low on milk (and then order new stocks for you), all around us, we live easier, more organized, and efficient lives. Now, technology also offers the opportunity to live more secure lives too. Today, we present some of the best advances in personal and familial security, after all – one can never be too safe.
COVID-19 tracking
Perhaps it’s not surprising after the year we’ve all had, that topping the list of “best innovations in security” for 2020, is the great many “COVID-19 tracking apps”. The apps are widely available for both Android and Apple users and work by tracking the movements of the person carrying the cell phone.
Should either you or someone who you’ve been in contact with (the app also tracks who is around you), report as testing positive for Coronavirus, then a message will be sent to everyone that has been tracked within that “cell” group. Most apps don’t require any personal or biographical information and should you report it as positive, then the message that goes out to everyone in your group will not carry any of your information either.
Many people have been put off these apps for fear that they trace and then relay personal information to unauthorized third parties, but this isn’t true for most of them and some research will guide you along to the best of the best. This app is particularly useful if you have older people living alone or with you and you want to make sure they’re safe and by extension, your whole family too.
Silent Beacon
According to the Silent Beacon website,
The Silent Beacon is a personal safety device that allows you to call any number, including 911, at the touch of a button. Simultaneously, it alerts your family and friends you need their help through text, push notification, and email. (sic)
It’s an incredibly useful app that can seriously up the stakes in personal security and protection. The device works with Bluetooth and instantly connects you directly to emergency services at the touch of a button. This process can occur without having to go through a “dispatch” center first, saving precious time.
Should you activate the 911 function, it not only goes through an emergency operator. Your location information is broadcast to your family or friends as well. This gives you a crucial “headstart” in the search and rescue game if ever this should be necessary.
You can also send a pre-written “mass text message” to your emergency contacts at the touch of a button. Or, if you have the opportunity to write one as you need to, you can do that and then send it off to all of your emergency contacts. An ideal app and product for families, single parents who live alone, or elderly friends or family.
“Blur” technology
“Blur tool by Signal” offers you the chance to protect your identity when taking part in marches or protests. It works by blurring out your image in video footage or photographs or the faces of those around you. This is to ensure that you can safely record your actions without risking your likeness being online or in the hands of the authorities. (It is especially useful if you’re not doing anything wrong!)
There has been an unprecedented rise in protest actions all over the United States over the last few years. While some protests have been anything but law-abiding, most people taking part in protests or activism, just want to do their bit without risking their identity being leaked online. This could pose significant problems of its own.
Lynksys Aware: the first home security system tech without a camera
The “Lynksys Aware” system by Belkin International uses nodes in its WiFi system. This means that it is constantly bouncing radio waves back and forth.
This, in turn, will detect any movement and notify you via an app that you control on your cell phone.
It’s a wonderful system that doesn’t need massive installation or recording abilities which in turn add to costs. It also doesn’t look half bad either.
Clipboard notifications with Apple software
So this pertains more to your online security and subsequently your financial and biographical security too.
Recently, some TikTok and other social media users had been quietly accessing information stored on iPhone users’ “clipboards”. This includes information like passwords, address details, and the like.
With the latest software uploads from Apple, users will receive notifications every time someone accesses information. This includes anything that has been virtually left on the “clipboard”.
This might not seem all that important, but think about how many times a day you access your phone. You use it for banking, to get directions, buy groceries or medicine, and other tasks. You’ll start to see how seemingly innocuous information could be used quite viciously against you.
Using your iPhone for personal tracking and safety
Of course, your iPhone already has technology built-in which can be “allowed” to track. An incredibly useful feature for parents who have kids walking home from school, or for moms on the move.
Frankly, anyone could benefit from this feature if you have any concerns about personal safety. In this article about iPhone location tracking, you can learn a few unique ways to enable and use this feature.
No one wants to have to think about these things, but they are a necessary “evil” in today’s age. Certainly, we make use of technology for just about everything else. It was only a matter of time before we thought of new and clever ways to improve our personal safety.
We’re heading to space with Richard Branson, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos very soon. While we’re still on earth, it’s good to know that mobile technology can be usable for more than just social media and selfies.
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