I was looking at the hundreds of photos I took of my kids over the holidays when it occurred to me: We take efforts to physically keep our homes and businesses safe. But what about the information that is accessible through the technology that runs our lives? I’m talking about cyber security as it pertains to your own home.

Data from 2014 shows that over 110 million Americans (an estimated half of all American adults) were hacked at some point during that year. In total, this included roughly 432 million accounts of various natures.

That’s a staggering number. And, as more of us turn to live in homes that are deemed “smart homes” or which function on technology, the list of items hackers can target is scarily increasing. Consider:

• Smart Doors could allow hackers to figure out codes and unlock your front door.
• Phones can be hacked (think of location devices and “frequent location list” which record everywhere you go as well as personal photos that you or your children take – all of it is at risk).
• Computers can be hacked so that all the data within are at risk including banking information.
• Computer cameras can be hacked to record you.
• Alarm services (video and voice recording)
• Gaming devices
• Baby monitors
• Google Home and Amazon Echo Dot (these are great devices but they have the potential to record everything your family does)
• Smart Lights allow hackers to take control of the lighting in your home
• Smart TVs can be turned on and the TV camera can be accessed.
• Smart refrigerators can even be turned on or off at the click of a hacker’s thumb.

When you think of what information is stored within these devices or is accessible through these devices, it becomes critically important that we shift our focus onto the internal protection of our personal data.

I went to the experts at Doorstep-Digital to learn more about how to keep our families and our information safe. Doorstep, co-owned by Buzz resident Jack Perry (son of Crime Stopper’s dear friend Helen Perry), started after Jack lost everything he has – everything – to a fire almost five years ago to the day. In response, he created a company that helped store, organize and secure precious photos, videos and other digital items for clients. The thought of someone helping me store, organize and secure these items is tremendous. (I currently have 14,000 photos on my phone . . . ask me to find that picture of my daughter’s 7th birthday and it’d seem possible.) Doorstep also adds complete at-home cyber security, something I think each of us should consider investing in.

The process starts with a digital security audit, such as considering how strong your passwords are, considering whether there are signs your computer may have been hacked, inventorying the data you’re storing, making sure you have control of all recording devices in your home, and securing all of your kids’ electronics.

Companies like Doorstep Digital use scientific and secure processes to organize and secure your entire home and each item within. But you can take some measures into your own hands today.

• Begin by making sure your passwords are secure; have a variety of passwords with letters (capital and lower case), numbers and symbols. Remember: hackers use a variety of methods to gain access to your information but they also use common-sense approaches like obvious passwords, default passwords on all “out of the box” devices and known security answers (like mother’s maiden name that’s also your middle name).
• Back up your files and save critical information in various places.
• Have creative answers for security questions. Example: mother’s maiden name is something that is easy to determine and probably known by others so use a creative answer for “mother’s maiden name” like “Chocolate Milk.” This is not a test! You enter the data in originally and it’s up to you to remember and maintain it.
• Never use an unsecured network; make sure your home WiFi is password protected and secure.
• Where possible, embrace the “two-factor authentication” process which requires you to have access to your smartphone and computer to enter some of your accounts.
• Router and WiFi security – make them secure
• When you get a device that’s set to default settings and passwords, take the time to update and change those. The default settings are the weakest of all settings!

The new world of home technology is amazing. Really, it is wonderful. That said, it can also be the worst tool on earth if it’s turned against you and your family. It’s worth every effort and every dollar to proactively keep your family and your information safe from the preying eye of hackers here and around the world!

Do you remember the turmoil surrounding Y2K? I remember it like it was yesterday. We feared the collapse of technology, people spoke of getting “bunkers” and the cover of Time Magazine spoke of “the end of the world.”Seventeen years later, we can firmly say that all the hype was for nothing. But that’s what sometimes happens around the New Year – we all seem to take the time to stop and evaluate, think through the best and the worst, make commitments of change {also knowns as resolutions} and plans for the future.

It’s interesting when you think about it. A simple change of month, day and year can offer a “reset” button on life, a new chance and a new outlook. In reading about the most common new year resolutions, here is what came up: diet, exercise, spend more money, save more money, invest in time with family, travel more, quit the job, take the job, post more online, post less online, cook more, eat out more – the list goes on and on. There’s a resolution for everything but there’s one I didn’t see and one I’d like you to think of: to be more safety minded. Of all the possible resolutions, this is one I hope you and your family will consider.

So here’s what my personal safety minded resolutions look like. I hope you’ll consider adopting these resolutions for you and your family:

• Do everything you want to do but before doing so, mentally review any potential safety pitfalls. Having a safety-minded outlook is a win-win for all.
• At your home: install an alarm, use that alarm, keep doors and windows locked, garage doors closed and home secure. Use caution when opening the doors for strangers and have safety plans for your home and family, such as what to do in case of fire or a home invasion. Enjoy every aspect of your home but be safety minded when it comes to security.
• Whether running errands, at the bank, shopping or just out and about – be aware of your surroundings, park strategically, shop safely, keep items in your trunk, lock car doors, walk with purpose and always be aware. Do everything, but do it safety minded.
• With your kids: Talk, talk, talk and talk about potential safety concerns. Cover topics like social media and engaging with others known and unknown online, bullying and cyberbullying, driving and texting, driving and drinking, safety at school and necessary safety measures to take whenever they are out and about. Your kids should also have plans – what to do if separated from you in public places, what to do if they learn of a potential threat at school, what to do if home alone and a stranger approaches. They should have full and wonderful lives but learn to be safety minded in everything they do.

The entire team at Crime Stoppers wakes up every day with each of you on our minds. Our goal is that you and your families have a wonderful, happy, healthy and safe 2017.

Growing up, I loved Christmas – everything about it. The excitement of waking up early, rushing downstairs to see if Santa had arrived, running back upstairs to wake my parents and older sister and on and on. Opening gifts was fun but for some reason, the piece-de-resistance was the stockings. They were jam packed with candy and lipsticks and any and every other impulse buy that caught Santa’s eye . . .  and I loved it all.

As a parent, I still cherish those stockings. They seem like a bag of love that is wonderful to fill. But because we love our kids – no matter how old or young – let’s add a little “public safety” with these safety-minded stocking stuffers:

For kids who walk home alone or drive up to young or older adults that live away (boarding school or college or beyond):

Personal alarms are a great gift for all your loved ones. There are many to choose from but I recommend the Nano Banshee. Designed by those in the military, this small, compact button attaches to a backpack or keychain and, when activated, is “louder than a jet engine.” This is not a toy and must be given wisely but ideal for teens or young adults living out and about.

Taking advantage of technology, I’m all about the smart watches for kids. These watches have GPS (so you can track young children), allow your child to text you and call up to a few phone numbers. There are many different brands. Consider which watch offers a plan that is suitable for your family. Definitely recommended for young kids who walk to and from school.

For homeowners, apartment dwellers or those who travel often:

Doorstop alarms are placed behind your door such that if an intruder tries to open the door, a high-pitched alarm will sound. These are easy to carry and great to use wherever you are staying, including a hotel.
Video doorbells are a great technology for homeowners. Most of these devices will send your smartphone or tablet an alert if your doorbell is rung or motion is detected outside your front door. You can watch and even speak to your guests from the device. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are!

For young drivers:

• No blind spot rearview mirror. It clamps on to your existing rear view mirror, is lightweight and provides 180 degrees of vision, compared to your current 52 degrees.
• Roadside safety kit is handy to have in your trunk or back seat, as it typically contains jumper cables, a first-aid kit, tools, a car care guide, hazard triangle, flares and more.
• Phone charger for the car is a must. While we don’t want young drivers talking and driving, they may be using their phones for navigation. Either way, in case of an emergency, you always want your loved ones on the road to have a charged phone.
• A little note that explains how to change a tire! It might be nice to add a lesson too!

Kids who love to play outside:

Helmets are great for any age, and important to wear when biking and skating! There are many styles that come with special padding to ensure a comfortable but protective fit.
LED light-up shoelaces are available in fun colors and can be used on running shoes, boots and skates. There are different version but most come with a replaceable battery that’s good for 70 hours.

Dog lovers:

Glowing pet leashes are a perfect gift for those nightly walks with your puppy. Many make you visible up to 200 feet away. You can also find LED dog collars and leashes that are visible up to 1,000 feet away and are weather-resistant.

The holiday time is a wonderful time and being “safety minded” only adds to it. We love our families and we love yours too. From all of us at Crime Stoppers of Houston, we wish you and yours a wonderful, happy, healthy and safe holiday season!

She should be making headlines for her incredible beauty but instead, Brandy Vela is gaining notoriety for being one of the thousands of teens driven to suicide due to cyberbullying. We all send our deepest, sincerest condolences to Brandy’s family. The community and the nation are responding to this tragic, senseless loss of life and will work to make sure Brandy’s legacy an impetus for change.

What will it take to stop the future methodic, repetitive, abusive actions used by bullies who find joy in tormenting another’s life? Education and strict consequences plus absolute intolerance.

Education and strict consequences:

I, along with many others, will be working with school communities to educate students, parents, administration and school based law enforcement on everything from why students shouldn’t bully to what students should do if they are being victimized. Additionally, we are coming together to pull the already-active bullies out of hiding and make sure there is a system in place to end the torment.

It’s important to know where the law is currently. The Texas’s Educational Code {§37} defines bullying as any verbal or written statement, electronic communication, or physical act that results in:

• Physical harm to a student or their property or a reasonable fear of harm; it can includes ongoing, severe and persistent statements or physical acts that create an abusive educational environment.
• The conduct interferes with a student’s education, substantially disrupts school or exploits an imbalance of power between the victim and the perpetrator.
• Bullying takes place on school property, in a school-operated vehicle or during any school-sponsored or related activity.

Cyber Bullying broadens bullying to include using any electronic communication device and allows for more legal options and additional criminal charges leading to juvenile or adult criminal penalties {including fines and time in jail or prison}. In addition to suspension or expulsion from school, legal charges can be filed under:

• Harassment. Harassment occurs when someone intentionally communicates an obscene proposal, threatens, conveys a false report, or makes a call or sends a message designed to harass, annoy, alarm, embarrass or torment. Harassment is either a Class A or B misdemeanor depending on the circumstances. {Texas Penal Code § 42.07}
• Online Impersonation. This occurs when someone acting with intent to harm, defraud, or intimidate, creates a page on a website, or sends messages in the guise of someone else without that person’s permission. Online impersonation is either a felony {up to 10 years in prison} or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances. {Texas Penal Code § 33.07}
• Disruptive Activities. A crime rooted in schools, it occurs when someone uses force or threats of force to obstruct people from moving through a school, from participating in school assemblies, or obstructing or restraining a person from entering or leaving a school. This crime is a Class B misdemeanor. {Texas Educational Code § 37.123}
• Defamation. Knowingly publicizing false statements resulting in harm. Results are court order to pay damages plus punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoer.

Absolute Intolerance

Bullying/cyberbullying is not something to take lightly. I cannot imagine the pain the Vela family is feeling. It follows that education, communication and a community that has absolutely no place for targeting others is where we must be. How many more young, precious lives must be senselessly lost before we all get there?

Parents, please, take this issue into your own hands. Let’s be sure we are raising children and young adults who are smart enough and caring enough not to bully. Schools, let’s make sure we have programs in place to stop bullying and a system for it be reported and dealt with. If you need more information, Crime Stoppers can come speak to your groups by calling 713-521-4600.

It’s time for cases like Brandy’s to go from being “one of thousands” to the “unthinkable.”

Working together, we can make this happen. Bullying and cyberbullying are toxic weapons that can and do result in fatalities. But they are absolutely stoppable. Now is the time and by working together, we will get there. We hope you agree.

All we do is read about criminal activity in Houston and the surrounding areas and study how to stop it. Case after case pours in . . . each is tragic but some hit you harder than others. That was the case this past week when we learned about the horrifying home invasion in the Del Monte area.

I can’t help but play and replay the scene in my head: dad, mom, kids and (possibly) nanny are home. Surveillance video indicates the time of approximately 8:36:53 p.m. Surveillance video shows a man approach the home with a package and dressed in a UPS uniform. He rings the bell, the door opens and you see him fight his way into the home. The video shows three other men follow – each with a weapon, one it seems with an empty backpack.

I pause to think of the immediate horror and fear this family must have felt, especially the mother who ran to take her kids to safety, locking them in a closet or room, calling 911, knowing in the back of her mind all the different possible scenarios that might play out. While the father was badly beaten, thankfully, the entire family is alive and the mother and children were untouched. The criminals in this case got away with jewelry and collectible firearms in a four-door car. Crime Stoppers is asking the public to call 713-222-TIPS {8477} with any information.

So what do these types of cases mean for you and me? No matter where you live or who is home, you can be at risk for a home invasion. Here is what you must know now.

Delivery service companies: In this case, the criminal dressed like a UPS driver; regardless, ask yourself these things before opening the door:

• Is this normal delivery hours?
• Is the delivery man dressed in a legitimate uniform? Take a moment to review what these look like by doing a simple search.
• Are you expecting a package? This time of year, that is questionable, as someone might be sending you a gift – criminals use that exact point against you.
• Do you recognize the delivery person? Normally, these companies have routes with the same people working them; you should, after a while, recognize your delivery person.
• Do you see a legitimate, marked UPS / Fedex, etc. car nearby?
• Regardless of all of these facts, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR A DELIVERY.

Law enforcement:

When law enforcement rings your doorbell, you may feel the need to always answer. That said, it is okay to ask why they are there unannounced. It is also okay to not let them in. Remember, while I am a huge supporter of law enforcement, at the end of the day they must have a warrant or a reason to enter your home uninvited. And a true law enforcement person knows this.

• Bottom line – never, ever open your door for someone unknown. While I hate to say this, think: is the person on the other side of this door a criminal trying to trick me and gain entry into my home?
• Keep your home alarm on even when you are home.
• Listen for activity outside your home.
• If you see suspicious people or a suspicious vehicle in your neighborhood or near your home, call police immediately. Get a photo and start gathering information; call neighbors if you can and alert them as well.
• Make sure your home is equipped with video and other technology that can be used to help you build your case and alert would-be criminals that they are being recorded. Sadly, this doesn’t necessarily deter their activity but it will help Crime Stoppers and law enforcement find them after the fact and prevent them from doing this to others.

If you find yourself in a home invasion:

• In the beginning, fight. This is unlike other scenarios. If you are approached for your purse while you are running errands, the first thing I would say is DO NOT FIGHT – give them whatever they want and get away from the criminal at hand. A home invasion is totally different. These criminals know you are home and are prepared to do whatever they must to get to your things. They are going in with the intention of fighting the home owners and will use restraints or other means to fight you. If you have a gun and know how to use it properly, you have every legal right to shoot to protect yourself, family and home. To quote law enforcement, in these cases, “shoot to kill.” I can’t say I disagree.
• Have a hiding place for the family and/or an exit plan already in place. What this really means is that we want families to discuss (at least the parents) what to do in a home invasion. It’s a horrible conversation but no different than what to do in a fire. A scenario might be if criminals gain entry through the front, mom and kids run to the cars in the garage and drive away from the scene. A home invasion criminal assumes you are shocked and unprepared and therefore they have the upper hand. If you map out possible scenarios as a family and run through this awful possibility in your head, you’ll be a few steps ahead.
• Call 911 immediately.
• If you find that you are retrained and they are in your home, the option for fighting is no longer there, give them whatever they ask. Do everything you can to get them out of your home as quickly as possible.

There is nothing worse than having your home, your most personal and comfortable space in the world, targeted and violated by terrible criminals. But just like everything else, a game plan and strategy could help prevent your home from ever being targeted or could help you and your family in case you were ever victimized.

Right now, our greatest hope is that someone will call Crime Stoppers with information on the men in the Del Monte case. Our hearts and thoughts are with the entire family.