8 Vital Tips for Safer Online Banking

Online banking is convenient. It allows you to carry out transactions, without even leaving your couch. But like all good things in life, this feature comes with its own share of risks. Just as you take precautions to stay safe from being robbed at ATMs, you can take a few steps to keep yourself safe from online frauds. Here are eight simple tips for safer online banking, as suggested by the experts at a renowned security company.

1.  Keep a Strong Password

Almost all online banking websites and mobile apps require a username and a password for access. To stay safe, make sure your password is strong. You can do so by including upper and lower case letters, special characters and numbers in your password. Avoid using any common phrases or words or using your own name initials in your password.

2.  Select an Account that Provides Two-Factor Authentication

Before opening an account, look for a bank that offers a two-factor authentication for online banking. This includes a unique code that is generated every time you try to log in. Although the code can be easily read, it does offer additional protection to the log-in process.

3.   Don’t Click-through Emails

As a rule of thumb, remember that there is no bank or other financial institution that will ask you for your log-in details through an email. Be aware of all links in your emails that appear from your bank. This technique is often used by fraudsters to obtain your confidential information. If you do get an email that looks suspicious, you can forward it your bank and ask for a double verification.

4.   Secure Your Computer

Your computer security goes a long way in ensuring safe online banking. As a minimum, you can keep your anti-virus up-to-date and your firewall active at all times. These measures will keep your computer safe from malware and Trojan, which, in turn, will keep your online banking details safe.

Related Read: 7 Steps to Take Immediately, If You've Been a Victim of Credit Card Fraud

5.   Log Out when you’re done

It is always a good idea to log out when you’re done- be it your email or social media account or your online banking channel. You might want to wipe out your browsing history and prevent the browser from remembering your username and password, as an extra precaution.

6.   Access all Accounts from a Safe Location

As a best practice, always connect to your bank account through computers and networks that you trust. If you do need to access your bank account online through a remote location, you should consider getting a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

7.   Keep a Check on Your Account

Monitor your bank statements each month. Be on a lookout for suspicious and unauthorized transactions. Look for deposits that you didn’t make. Online banking allows you to view your bank statements whenever you want to. You can check your statements, say, weekly.

8.   Opt for Account Notifications, if possible

Many banks offer a notification facility. This alerts you, via email and/or SMS, every time your bank account is accessed online. They also alert you on every deposit and withdrawal made. This way, you can always identify any suspicious activities and unauthorized access to your accounts.

10 Questions You Need to Ask Your Security Guard Company

Private security guards are primarily responsible for protecting people and properties. This means that security guard companies are held accountable if their guards fail to deliver what they promised. As a result, choosing the right candidate for the right job is important.

As security companies deal with several clients at a moment, they sometimes skip through their selection criteria. This holds true if they have several clients and experience staff shortages. Since your security is important, you cannot leave anything up to chance.

Take out some time to interview a security company before hiring them. This will allow you to assess their capabilities and seriousness for the job. If you’re struggling with the right questions, here’s a list of ten questions you need to ask them.

1.    How long has your company been in business?

2.    Does your company have any prior experience of working in our industry?

3.    How do you perform background checks on all your security guards, before hiring?

4.    How long, on average, do your employees stay and work at your organization?

5.    What are your staff training procedures on how to handle a fight at work?

6.    How do you train your staff to deal with confrontational people and miscreants?

7.    What skill set do you look for when hiring security guards?

8.    What are some of the most common problems your organization has faced?

9.    How have you addressed those common problems faced?

10.    Are your services insured and are your guards trained in firearms?

What Next

Towards the end of this interview session, you will be in a position to decide whether or not to hire this person for the job. It will also help you choose the right guard for the right job. For instance, if you’re a museum manager looking for a night guard, you need not hire an armed guard.

What to Expect

Your security company should be licensed and insured. They should have several years of experience in your industry. Their security officers should possess basic education so that they can comprehend your decisions better.

Security guards often work in team to deliver the best results. Therefore, security companies invest a lot of time on team building. In addition, their background checks procedures are extensive. This makes sure that the security guard(s) they deploy for your premises do not have a past criminal record.

Armed vs. Unarmed Guards

When it comes to choosing the right guard, there is a debate. Many believe that armed guards deliver better results as their firearms are enough to keep intruders at bay. Others argue that armed guards will only add more to your security problems as there are no checks and balances to stop them from going rogue.

Whatever the case is, the final decision is up to you. If you believe that your premises needs extra protection or faces a risk of heist or armed intrusion, then consider hiring guards with extensive firearm training. For all other purposes, a normal, unarmed guard team will suffice.

5 Ways to Make Security Patrols Successful

Security patrols take place on a daily basis all across the Bay Area. It makes sense to build up a strategy to make these patrols efficient, so as to keep the community safe. Here’s what professional patrol guards in San Jose have to say on how to make security patrols successful.

Plan Ahead
Plan everything in advance. This means that each and every guard should have a clear idea of their duties and responsibilities, prior to their dispatch. They should also be familiar with all predefined routes and emergency exits. Every instruction by the security management staff should be communicated to the guards in a clear and comprehensive manner. Improvisation is not a good idea. Ideally, the whole security planning process should be automated for better documentation and real-time monitoring.

Place Checkpoints
Proper allocation of checkpoints is vital for an effective security patrol. Security checkpoints should be placed in such a way so that no part of the building/patrol area is exposed to any risk. They should also be easily accessible for all security guards in the event of an emergency. Keeping in mind the technical data and IP code of each checkpoint, avoid placing them in areas susceptible to extreme temperature changes (e.g. near a cooling unit).

Use Technology
Using modern technology in security patrols has its perks. Using a security patrol monitoring software makes it easier for security companies to monitor their guards’ patrol from a control room. The system will also allow guards to communicate and coordinate with each other, and the control room, in the case of an emergency. Real-time monitoring and reporting will enable the staff to evaluate any problems that occur during the patrol and address them on a prompt basis.
On a flip side, monitoring software can get your security guards uncomfortable as their activities will be constantly monitored. It is necessary that you educate and train your guards and focus more on the positive aspects of this software and how it is likely to help them execute their duties.

Mobile Innovation
When considering technical innovations in security do consider smartphone technology. By investing in a mobile security guard app, you can help your security guard with their daily jobs. A simple security patrol app will enable your guards to communicate and coordinate with each other. This will allow them to stay connected and share any relevant information with each other during the tour/patrol. Technical advancement and ease-of-use are likely to give your security company a competitive edge and improve overall productivity.

Invest Smartly
Security patrols need careful planning and proper investment. While arms and equipment are essential, it is necessary to invest adequate resources in staff training, team building, motivation, and leadership. These skills will only improve teamwork and coordination among professional patrol guards in San Jose and help them execute their duties in a professional manner. Lastly, you need to invest in certain contingency and disaster recovery measures- in the event of any possible breach of duty by your security guards.

Understanding The Importance Of Security For Children

Today’s school children are concerned with much more than Friday night dates, good grades, and social interactions. Children now have the added concern of possible school shootings. Unfortunately, not even elementary schools are as safe as we would like them to be. Public schools would benefit from the presence of security personnel. American children should be able to grow and mature into adults without the additional stress of danger in a public learning environment.

If implemented, security guards could be a division of the local police department. Candidates would train with police officers and have regular counseling training with child development courses. The company of a security guard does not have to be an intimidating or a dominating presence it can also be a positive experience for children. If children are comfortable with law enforcement personnel they are far more likely to approach them if a troubling situation comes up. For example, if students hear of a party or someone being bullied they will have another form of authority they can report to. Children can come to know the personnel as a friendly dependable presence just like their teachers.

Security personnel are not taking away rights from children, but are giving them more caring adults in the educational environment. Knowing and understanding the purpose of the guards allows the opportunity for future adults to be more cooperative with law enforcement in the future. As young college students children will see security officers on various campuses. Why would a guard at a grade level school be any different from a college or university security officer? Both are there for the safety of the student and employees.

Too often a child’s first interaction with firearms is in a video game or in a cartoon. In a video game children experience shootings, quick reloads, and a never ending replenishment of a character’s life. With an armed security officer, children have the opportunity to understand weapons are not play things. The equipment found on an officer’s duty belt is to be handled with care and not to be used as a play object. This can lead to a better understanding of other firearms they might see at home, on T.V., or in video games. Public schools have earthquake drills, fire drills, innovator drills, and puberty classes. So why not help youth understand firearms?

This is not a cure all quick fix but an avenue for opportunity. It is an opportunity to build better public relations. A better relationship with officers can lead to help with solving and prevent future crimes. Law officers are present for public safety. Why not have officers for the safety of children in public schools?

Importance Of A Security Guard For Businesses?

For most business owners, safety and security for themselves, their merchandise, employees, and customers is one of their top priorities. Many businesses can benefit from hiring a security guard to protect merchandise, control access to the facility, or watch for crime.

If your business has any valuable products or merchandise that could easily be stolen or shoplifted, a security guard would be a great addition to your staff. Whether your business sells computer equipment, cosmetic products, or any other valuable good, it could be a target for theft either during business hours or during non-business hours. If your business is located in a dangerous or high crime area where theft, vandalism, or other crimes are common, you could also benefit from a security guard. Even if you haven't experienced crime or safety issues with your business before, if you worry at all that your business could be a target for crime, you should consider hiring a security guard.

Professional security provides safety for yourself, your employees, and your customers. Security guards are trained to handle a wide variety of situations, and if something dangerous or out-of-the-ordinary occurs, the guard will know how to handle it. If your business has security cameras, guards can also handle watching the surveillance, which saves time for you or your employees.

Having a security guard in your store will prevent many crimes from happening. If a customer who plans to shoplift is aware of the security guard's presence, they are much less likely to actually attempt the crime. Also, guards are trained to notice any suspicious activity that the layperson would overlook. If they notice something suspicious, they can deal with the situation before the crime is actually committed.

Security guards who are present at your business during business hours can help with customer service. If the guard is near the door or stationed at a front desk, they can greet customers, direct people to the correct location within the facility or help shoppers find products. Customers will be more at ease knowing the business is safe and secure.

Related: Why Should I Hire a Security Guard for My Business?

Overall, hiring a security guard will give you a sense of ease. You won't have to worry about handling theft or other dangerous situations, which is a big stress relief. Adding a security guard to your staff will provide you with peace of mind and a sense of security. Your employees will probably have a better sense of security too, which could make them more productive.

For most businesses, hiring security can provide numerous benefits. Security guards prevent theft and are trained to handle crime when it does occur. Having a security guard present at your business will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on operating your business.

Why Hiring Security Guards is Essential for Restaurant Security

A restaurant is one of the most vulnerable and easy targets for different types of crimes, from theft to armed robbery and brawls. That is why it is essential for restaurant owners to have a professional security system in place, including Armed Security Guards in San Jose. The presence of security guards and proper surveillance system ensures the safety of the guests and staff alike, along with providing security for the finances and property as well.

Listed below are 5 reasons why hiring professional security guards is an essential part of restaurant security.

1. Preventing Influenced Brawls And Clashes

If a restaurant mainly depends on the alcohol on its menu, then the owners should be prepared for brawls and clashes under influence. The intoxicated customers can get into a conflict with other patrons and the restaurant staff which can compromise the safety of all the people present along with damage to the expensive property. Professional security guards are well trained to control such customers and prevent unpleasant and harmful incidents under the influence of alcohol.

2. Safe Parking Areas and Restaurant Fronts

Another place which is a haven for thieves and muggers is the parking area of a restaurant. These places are targeted by thieves for the car accessories and thugs can easily assault unsuspecting victims in deserted parking spaces. Having an armed or unarmed security guard near the parking area deters the criminals. Same is the case with restaurant fronts as any criminal or suspicious activity can be easily detected by the trained eyes of the security guards and thus it can be prevented. All these precautionary measures encourage customers to visit the restaurant often and give it a sound review where security is concerned. 

3. Gain Customer’s Sense of Safety And Security

In comparison to any other business, the restaurant industry is mainly dependent  on the customers. Customer satisfaction is the core of this business and the whole point of owning a restaurant is lost when the customers stop coming to one because they feel unsafe. In the present day, with the increasing crime and terrorist activities, just having an electronic security system is not enough. Security guards and patrolling services are helpful in gaining the trust of the customers by providing them the sense of security and safety they need especially late at night.

4. Keep Criminals Away When Closing Up

Presence of armed and unarmed San Jose security guards is also very important for the security of the restaurant personnel and property. Thugs and robbers readily target restaurants when they are about to close for the day and all the day’s earnings are being sorted out with only last few customers finishing up. Security guards may deter the criminal activities going on around the restaurant.

5. Discourage In-House Crime

Crimes don’t always take place outside the restaurants. Sometimes the internal threats are are more harmful. Although security cameras are deterrent enough to prevent the in-house criminal activity, yet sometimes personal supervision is also required. Presence of San Jose private security guards discourages the staff members from violating any rules and they can monitor cash transactions and the drawer as well.

Armed Guards Make a School Safer?

In December 2012, Adam Lanza went on a shooting spree and killed 6 adults and 20 students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Previous to his arrival at the school, Lanza had already shot and killed his mother. After the massacre, Lanza then turned the gun on himself. Armed Security Guards might have prevented the violence that took place at Sandy Hook that day. Read on to learn about the ways security guard services can help make schools safer. Read Complete Article Here http://www.securityguardsanjose.com/do-armed-guards-make-schools-safer/