GPS and the Home Button - Don't Send the Thief to Your House

We all get emails stating one urban legend or another as absolute fact, typically because the neighbor of a cousin of a friend had some problem or event occur, and there is a foolproof way to solve it. Some of these emails are absurd, some are funny, and once in a while a gem comes through.

I recently received an email stating that a GPS unit left in a car can show a thief where you live. Most auto GPS units have a Home button that makes it easy to enter your home address to find your way there. I usually know where I live, so I don't need it to find my way, but my unit has traffic advisories which I do find useful.

The problem occurs if someone breaks into your car and finds the GPS. They are in your car, which tells them you are probably not home. They have your GPS unit and with a few inputs can find out what address you entered for Home. Even if they walk away from the car at this point, they have your home address and know you are not there. If you are somewhere near your home, they can be there before you can, since you probably don't know yet that your car was broken into.

The email goes on to make a valid point. We don't need our exact address to find our way home. We need somewhere nearby, so that the device can still provide us navigation services to a nearby point. So, take a minute and reprogram your GPS with a local gas station, drugstore or other public address. That way you are not offering anyone your exact home address, and inviting them home.

The problem can even be more troublesome if you have a garage with an automatic door opener. The remote is somewhere in the car, and some cars even have remote buttons on the sun visor. Many people with garages don't lock the door into the house, thinking that the garage door provides adequate security. If someone steals your car with your GPS programmed to find your home, you just gave them a key to the house if you have a garage door opener in the car.

Don't invite anyone you don't know into your home. That should include your GPS Home button. This information was one of the email gems that come through from time to time.

Why Do People Play Games With Their Cars?

We were coming home from dinner last night, taking a local road that bypasses most of the heavily traveled roads. I noticed a car far ahead of us in the distance.

After a few miles, we got closer, and I noticed the car ahead was going perhaps five miles per hour below the speed limit. I did not tailgate them, but when a straight section of road began, I started to pass. I bet you can guess what happened next.

They sped up to match my speed. I have no idea whether the driver was a man or woman, but I can attest to the fact they were a moron. Wait, it gets better.

When I realized I was not going to pass the other car, I took my foot off the gas to slow down and move behind it. What did they do? They slammed on their brakes, preventing me from moving behind their car. The speed limit in this area is 45, I did not look but suspect we were doing less than 20.

Then the games really began. I carefully kept some distance while the moron alternately sped up and hit the brakes. They were trying to get me to pass again, but I wasn't going to bite. They kept up this behavior until we got close to where I intended to turn. At that point a hand came out of the driver's window and I was saluted with a single finger.

Whether the cause was alcohol, drugs or stupidity I will never know. My wife's car is very small, and for some reason seems to bring out the idiots when we are out in it. Regardless of the reason, it never ceases to amaze me how people are willing to play games with a deadly weapon. Morons...

Stay safe out there!

First National Test of Emergency Alert System Scheduled for November 9, 2011

Background

The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, or EAS, will take place at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on November 9, 2011. The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system in alerting the public.

Will the test involve mobile communications devices?

No. The test will involve only those communications service providers "broadcast radio and television, cable television, satellite radio and television and wireline video services" that participate in the EAS.

What exactly is the EAS?

The Emergency Alert System is a media communications-based alerting system that is designed to transmit emergency alerts and warnings to the American public at the national, Tribal, state and local levels. EAS participants broadcast alerts and warnings regarding weather threats, child abductions and other types of emergencies. EAS alerts are transmitted over television and radio broadcast, satellite television and satellite radio, cable television and wireline video services.

When is the EAS used and when would a national EAS alert be sent?

The EAS is often used by state and local emergency managers to alert the public about emergencies and weather events. The system provides the ability to send messages regionally or nationally, though it has never been tested at these levels. A major disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami could require the use of the system to send life-saving information to the public.

Why do we need a nationwide test?

Although local and state components of the EAS are tested on a weekly and monthly basis, there has never been an end-to-end nationwide test of the system. We need to know that the system will work as intended should public safety officials ever need to send an alert or warning to a large region of the United States. Only a complete, top-down test of the EAS can provide an appropriate diagnosis of the system's performance.

How will the nationwide EAS test be conducted?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct the nationwide test on November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. eastern standard time. The alert will be transmitted throughout the country and will be monitored by the EAS participants. After the test has been completed, the EAS participants will report back to the FCC on the results of the test.

What will people see and hear during the test?

Although the nationwide EAS test may resemble the periodic monthly EAS tests that most consumers are familiar with, there will be some differences in what consumers may see or hear, which is one reason for conducting a nationwide EAS test. During the test, the public will hear a message indicating "this is a test". The audio message will be the same for everyone, however due to limitations of the EAS, the video test message may not be the same and may not indicate "this is a test". This is due to the use of a "live" national code ??" the same code that would be used in an actual emergency. Also, the background image that appears on video screens may indicate "this is a test" but in some cases there may be no image at all. FEMA and the FCC are working with organizations representing the deaf and hard of hearing, as well as EAS participants , to prepare that community for the nationwide test. In addition, FEMA and the FCC are working with EAS participants to explore whether there are solutions to address this limitation.

How long will the test last?

We anticipate that the test will last approximately 30 seconds.

Why is the nationwide test being conducted at this particular date and time?

In order to minimize disruption and confusion during the EAS test, it is being conducted on November 9 because this date is near the end of hurricane season and before the severe winter weather season begins. The 2 p.m. EST broadcast will minimize disruption during rush hours while ensuring that the test occurs during working hours across the country.

- From the Emergency Email Network

Lasers - A Dangerous Game

Laser devices that create a very bright, focused beam of light have become less expensive over the years. What was once a laboratory research device can now be purchased inexpensively at retail stores. Although going out at night and shining a laser beam around may seem like a harmless activity, if that light is pointed accidentally or deliberately at an aircraft, the consequences could be terrible.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that in 2011, incidents of aircraft being targets of laser beams will exceed previous years, already in the thousands, by 35 percent. There is a growing concern for what is becoming an epidemic of laser targeting. And the federal government takes it seriously; conviction for targeting an aircraft with a laser can result in fines and jail time.

It may seem harmless to point a low-powered laser into the sky, or even directly at an aircraft. But it is not, and here is why:

- Laser light is very focused and bright, which is the whole purpose of laser design. Even at a distance, lasers shined into the eye can cause temporary blindness, headaches, loss of night vision, and disorientation to pilots.

- Laser light is often green or red in color. These happen to be the same colors used on wingtip navigation lights used for collision avoidance on aircraft (and boats). The sudden red or green beam in a cockpit can make a pilot react suddenly, because a light that bright normally means another aircraft is extremely close and a collision is about to happen. A pilot reacting to a laser targeting may lose control of the aircraft trying to avoid a threat that is not there.

- If no other effects occur, a pilot can temporarily lose sight of the instrument panel, radio controls and other interior features. Many aircraft exposed to lasers are near airports, and are either approaching or departing the airport. This is a busy time for a pilot, with many responsibilities to manage. Losing the ability to see, even for a short time, can be devastating.

Do not play with lasers outdoors at night, and do not ever shine a laser into the sky, even if an aircraft is not seen. Laser light can travel a significant distance, and you should never assume there is no risk. The government is prosecuting people caught using lasers on aircraft, please don't allow yourself to be one of them.

FBI Warns of Scams Related to Natural Disasters

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC) recently issued this alert warning of fraud related to charitable solicitations following natural disasters. With Hurricane Irene bearing down on the US East Coast, it seems a good time to put the reminder here.


Prepared by the
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
March 11, 2011
TIPS ON AVOIDING FRAUDULENT CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES
Recently several natural disasters, including tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes, have devastated lives and property. In the wake of these events that have caused emotional distress and great monetary loss to numerous victims, individuals across the nation often feel a desire to help these victims, frequently through monetary donations.

These disasters prompt individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause. Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

- Do not respond to unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail.
- Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations.
- Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
- Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
- To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
- Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.
- Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.
- Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

To obtain more information on charitable contribution schemes and other types of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com.

If you believe you have been a victim of a charity related scheme, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud by telephone at (866) 720-5721, or by fax at (225) 334-4707, or by e-mail at disaster@leo.gov. You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.

National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) was originally established by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies, including the FBI, participate in the NCDF, allowing it to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to relief fraud.

Cargill Announces Huge Ground Turkey Recall

Cargill has announced a massive recall of 36 million pounds of ground turkey sold in dozens of U.S. states.

The press release from Cargill can be found here.

The latest news reports indicate one person has died and nearly 100 have become ill from bacteria in the contaminated meat.

This is one of the largest recalls of its kind. Customers who may have contaminated turkey should check the press information or contact Cargill for assistance.

When The Winds Blow...

It must be hurricane season again. Officially the Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to November 30 each year. Things don't start to heat up, literally, until late July.

Now it is early August, and Emily has formed east of the Windward Islands. Emily is the fifth named storm so far this year, and potentially the first to strengthen to hurricane and threaten the US mainland. Don was a weak storm that might have helped reduce the drought in Texas, but fizzled.

Tropical depressions, low pressure systems with little organization, are given numbers. Once the storm develops a core and minimum sustained winds, it becomes a tropical storm and is given a name which it keeps until it's done. Storm names follow the English alphabet from A to Z, with Greek letters beyond that if needed.

Interested parties can follow the US hurricane season at National Hurricane Center. There is a wide range of information about hurricanes, awareness, and storm preparation. Check it out, and check it regularly.