10 BEST SECURITY GADGETS - The Independent, 22 July 2004
Technology expert Mark Harris recommends some safe choices to protect
yourself and your belongings
Zone Labs Security Suite
£39.95 ----- BEST BUY
If you believe some stories, reading your e-mail or browsing the web is the digital
equivalent of handing your PIN number to strangers in the street. Put your mind
at rest by investing in this all-round cyber-security solution, combining anti-virus,
privacy protection and safe surfing software in one easy to use package. The price
includes automatic updates against new threats for twelve months, then it’s
£13.50 per year.
Zone Labs (no phone; www.zonelabs.com)
Rexel P180/6 shredder £150
One of the easiest way for criminals to steal your identity is to use old bank
statements or utility bills. This home shredder slices sensitive paperwork into
useful hamster bedding and can handle up to 20 sheets of A4 in one go. It can
safely munch up old credit cards or CD-ROMs for total info-security and its 35-litre
bin should be large enough for even Watergate-sized secrets.
Acco (0800 252359; www.acco.co.uk)
Nokia Observation Camera
£250
Imagine a CCTV system that you can monitor from anywhere in the world. Nokia’s
camera can be controlled from a mobile phone, feeding images and sound to your
handset when you call it up, or automatically despatching an MMS picture message
(or e-mail) if it detects movement. You’ll need to connect it to a PC to
enable its advanced features, though, which can be complicated.
Nokia (0808 100 9250; www.nokia.co.uk)
Panasonic BM-DT120 Iris
Camera £330
Passwords can be forgotten or stolen but no one can forge the unique patterns
hidden in your iris. This biometric camera plugs into your PC and scans every
user, giving access in the blink of an eye to those it recognises. It isn’t
confused by glasses, contact lenses or bloodshot eyes from a heavy night out and
even doubles up as a web camera for video conferencing.
Panasonic (08700 100464; www.panasonic.co.uk)
RAC TrackStar+ £300
plus £120/year ---- BEST LUXURY BUY
Do you know where your car is right now? With this GPS satellite tracking unit,
the RAC can tell immediately if your car is moved illegally and will update you
(and the police) on its exact location. An extra £6 a month buys you automatic
alerts when you’re approaching accident hotspots or speed cameras. As a
Thatcham-approved system, TrackStar+ may qualify you for an insurance discount.
Trackstar (01234 759370; www.ractrackstar.com)
Fingerprint Door Lock £450
Why carry bulky keys when you’ve got five unique fingerprints in each pocket?
This sophisticated sensor can store up to 25 different profiles and has just a
one in a million chance of admitting an unauthorised person by mistake. While
this is much more secure than most normal keys, check that your insurance company
is happy if it’s going to be the only lock on an exterior door.
I Want One Of Those (0870 241 1066; www.iwantoneofthose.com)
SmartWater Standard Kit
£40/year
This high-tech marking system uses synthetic DNA to forensically secure your valuables.
The kit includes two bottles with enough colourless liquid to mark up to fifteen
household items such as DVD players, antiques or mountain bikes, plus a family
car. The SmartWater glows under ultraviolet light and is almost impossible to
erase - a single droplet the size of a grain of salt is sufficient to identify
your belongings.
SmartWater (0800 328 6268; www.smartwater.com)
Suzy Lamplugh Trust Shriek
Alarm £7.50 ----- BEST BUDGET BUY
This gas-filled attack alarm is painfully loud (115db) and small enough to slip
into a pocket, purse or handbag. It’s designed to disorientate an attacker
and give you vital seconds to get away. The alarm comes with a booklet of personal
safety tips and can be recharged when the gas runs out. All profits go to fund
the Trust’s campaigning work.
Suzy Lamplugh Trust (020 8876 0305; www.suzylamplugh.org)
DIY Doorbell Video Intercom
£100
This digital peephole takes the guesswork out of answering the door. A weather-resistant
camera feeds black and white images of your visitors to a small monitor. If they
look too much like double glazing salesmen you can quiz them on the phone handset
and there’s a night vision LED for 24-hour use. The intercom comes with
a 20-metre cable but no automatic doorlock.
Swann (020 8964 9111; www.swann.com.au)
Belkin Bulldog Universal
Security Kit £20
Expensive computers and home cinema gadgets have never been smaller – or
more pinchable. This heavy-duty kit secures your electronics with super-strength
adhesives and an aircraft quality steel cable. There are three high-tension steel
anchoring plates to secure multiple devices and you even get glow-in-the-dark
stickers to warn off potential thieves.
Belkin (00 800 223 55 460; www.belkin.co.uk)
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