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CNET
5 days ago
- General
- CNET
We Use These 11 Home Security Tips and Checks for a Worry-Free Vacation
If you have a vacation coming up, having your home security system dialed in to keep intruders at bay is ideal. The combination of the right security devices with key adjustments to the alarm system does a lot to protect your home when you're away. We consulted Batten home security expert Kirk MacDowell about vacation security tips for times like spring break. "Try to make it look like someone is home. Have a neighbor grab your mail, water your plants and take out the trash while you're gone. Simple things like that can make a big difference," he said. That's an excellent way to get started (if you have kind neighbors), but using smart tech effectively can make things even easier and give you more control. Here are our top recommendations. Set up Away or Vacation modes Many smart devices have vacation or away modes you can set up to simulate a lived-in house. CNET Today's smart home and home security settings don't just have Away modes, they also frequently have a Vacation mode. That's a routine you can set up to work while you're away for several days or more (if your home app doesn't have a vacation mode, you can tweak your Away or Eco mode, or set a whole new routine). Devices like Philips Hue lights and platforms like IFTTT make it easy to create full routines that cover multiple devices. CNET Vacation routines can switch smart lights on and off, indoors and out, to make it look like someone is still home. They can also operate other compatible devices, such as managing smart irrigation systems, arming smart cameras and more. Set a routine like this once, and you can use it over and over for trips. Check the motion detection settings for your video doorbell A key tool for keeping watch on your house: video doorbells. Ring/CNET Video doorbells excel at keeping an eye on the action, and their algorithms are getting consistently better at detecting humans and other objects. Companies like Eufy are even working on motion detection that can identify suspicious behavior like dodging main pathways and can look for poor security. However, the motion detection that works best in your daily life isn't always the kind of detection that works when you're on vacation. We suggest visiting the doorbell and home camera apps to look at your motion detection settings. Consider steps like: Turning up motion detection sensitivity Set object detection to only humans to cut down on alerts Set detection zones to close-up spots at your house and windows where people may try to get access Turn up beeps or light indicators that show a camera is on and watching Set notification to push to your phone screen instead of staying only within the app Look for web app options, like Nest's support for online viewing and controls, which is ideal for overseas vacations Additionally, if you pay for a subscription plan, check if it supports 24/7 emergency assistance contact so you can immediately call the police or fire department from an alert. It may be worth upgrading to that type of plan if you'll be gone for a month or two. Finally, Batten security expert Kirk MacDowell also mentioned checking that the lenses on all your home security cameras are clean. If it's been a long, dirty winter you should gently clean off video doorbells and cams so they have the clearest view when you're away. Keep your curtains open or automated To keep your home looking lived in, it's a good idea to have your curtains open during vacations (and it lets the sun in to keep things from getting musty). Or if you have smart curtains or smart shades -- which are also available as a retrofit for existing curtains -- you can program them. Create a schedule for them to open during the day and close at night for best effect. Smart blinds like these don't have to be expensive: Even Ikea has an affordable version. Manage remote entry with a smart lock Aqara's smart lock deadbolt replacement looks and feels great. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Smart locks don't just let you know if you forget to lock the door. They also autolock for you under certain conditions and support a variety of scheduling options. Most useful smart locks, like the Aqara U100 or the Schlage Smart Lever, allow you to create passes or temporary codes to give to visitors. That lets you arrange checkups for pet sitters, plant waterers, helpful neighbors and others you might want to let inside, but only at certain times. Smart locks combine especially well with video doorbells -- just make sure you're in an area with a reliable Wi-Fi connection to use them remotely. Adjust your heating and cooling Ecobee offers a dedicated vacation mode for its smart thermostat. Ecobee/CNET Smart thermostats from Nest, Ecobee and others also have Eco and Away modes you can use to set up separate vacation schedules. Ecobee also has a dedicated Vacation mode in its thermostat settings you can use just for this. The best temperature range varies by season but should be less than you schedule while you're home. For summer, that would mean setting the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher in the day, but with a hard cap around 80 to 85 degrees to protect indoor plants and so on. For winter, aim for the reverse with a hard cap around 50 degrees for the daytime. That temperature calculus changes if you have pets in a hot climate. You'll want to keep the home more comfortable by limiting the temperature ranges somewhere in the mid to upper 70s for cooling and around 60 for heating. Set up a "listening" service like Alexa Emergency Assist Alexa's emergency assistant is an affordable listening and contact service. Amazon Listening features use simple algorithms to identify "uh-oh" noises like breaking glass, smoke detector alarms and even dogs barking loudly. Home security systems like Abode or Ring offer listening options, but you don't always need a home security device to enable it. Amazon's Alexa smart speakers and smart displays, for example, have the Alexa Emergency Assist service, the successor to Alexa Guard. It costs around $6 monthly, and gives you access to sound detection as well as 24/7 emergency response services and emergency contacts for family. That's a nice deal to enable for a few months if you're going on plenty of vacations for a season, and the two-way audio on all Alexa speakers means you can talk through them live whenever you want. Keep watch with an armed security system If your home doesn't have a whole house security system that can monitor multiple access points like windows and doors, this is a fine time to consider one. Today's home security systems don't need professional installation, or even a monthly subscription, to guard your home -- and many work with third-party smart devices, too. Take a look at our guides on the best DIY home security systems, the best cheap security systems and the best systems overall for your home to learn a whole lot more about your choices. Add a leak detector to vulnerable home spots Kangaroo includes a climate sensor, aka leak detector, in its expanded eight-piece home monitoring kit. Kangaroo A leak detector is a clever little device with an open circuit lying against the floor. When water completes that circuit, it sets off all sorts of alarm bells and app notifications letting you know there's a leak present. That makes them valuable when you're away from home for extended periods of time. Stick them by the toilet, under the kitchen sink, next to the water heater or under pipes that may be in danger of freezing during a winter vacation. Leak detectors are available as an add-on for most home security systems, but you can also find standalone versions like Eufy's $35 model (requires a HomeBase) or the Alexa-compatible Kidde Leak Detector starting at $45. We suggest these models because they work with apps, which is important when you'll be away from home entirely. Tell your home monitoring center you'll be gone If you do splurge for professional home monitoring, look up their website and find a contact email or phone number to let them know that you'll be on vacation. Many home monitoring centers will adjust their official responses when they know that everyone is going to be away from home. Give your mail service a call (optional) Calling the post office used to be a go-to step when leaving for vacation. And if your vacay is going to be longer than a week or so, we still highly recommend messaging your local mail service and requesting to hold your mail. It's really easy to do and you can complete the steps online in a couple of minutes. However, we aren't getting as much mail these days as we once did, and it's harder than ever for strangers to notice when someone's mail is piling up. If you're only going to be gone for several business days or say, you can probably skip this step safely. Stay cautious about what you post online Vacations are awesome, but be wary about posting too much info on social media. mihailomilovanovic via Getty We know it's tempting to post about your vacation plans on social media, but this can also be an invitation for burglars or trespassers to make a visit. Unfortunately, it's difficult to know and trust everyone on your friends list, or friends of their friends who may see status updates as well. To stay safe, avoid posting info and pics about your trips until they are finished. Then you can cut loose and unleash all those perfect shots on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Bonus tip: If you're renting, look at your lease Some leases require tenants to let landlords know if they'll be going on vacation for a certain amount of time, like longer than a week. Others don't mention it at all. Check your lease for details. Even if you don't have to alert anyone, you may find additional requests like shutting off water mains, setting the temperature to a certain level, arranging pet sitter access and so on. Finally, now is the perfect time to stop by our guide on how to deter burglars from every trying your house in the first place, information on if thieves are actually using Wi-Fi jammers on smart homes, and the all-around security cheat sheet for setting up different parts of home security.
Indianapolis Star
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Helen's Pink Sky Foundation featured during Indy 500 broadcast. What to know
A fundraiser for a rare neurodegenerative disorder affecting a four-year-old girl with a connection to racing was highlighted during the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Helen's Pink Sky Foundation was featured in a commercial shown during the race broadcast on Fox. The foundation is named for a Minnesota girl, Helen Betty Born, and raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for CLN2 Batten disease, which affects two to four of 100,000 children in the United States. The disorder is inherited. Some children die in early childhood from the disease, while others may be able to live into their teens or twenties. Worldwide, about 14,000 children are known to have Batten disease. In recognition of Helen's fourth birthday on May 31, the foundation is calling for people to host pink lemonade stands May 30-June 1 and donate proceeds to Batten disease awareness. Helen, the daughter of two cybersecurity professionals, was diagnosed with the disease in March 2025, after showing symptoms that included slight speech delays, clumsiness, eye flutters, sudden falls and shaking and experiencing seizures. Her parents started the foundation to help fund research and find a cure for the disease. Meyer Shank Racing has pledged long-term support of Helen's Pink Sky Foundation, with its NTT IndyCar Series cars driven by Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong carrying the foundation's decal in every race until a cure is found for Batten disease. Tim Meyer, Meyer Shank Racing's chief operating officer, is Helen's godfather and a foundation board member. 'We're going to tell Helen's story everywhere we race and do our part to help this amazing little girl,' Meyer said in a news release. 'Helen is so full of life and we just find her courage so inspiring. What she now faces is evil, it breaks my heart to see a child have to take on so much. We're going to fight like hell to help her and her family in any way we can.' According to the foundation website, Batten disease is a rare, genetically inherited disorder that belongs to a group of progressive degenerative neurometabolic disorders known as the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). NCLs are characterized by genetic mutations that disrupt cells' ability to dispose of waste, resulting in the abnormal accumulation of certain proteins and lipids (fats) within the nerve cells of the brain and other tissues of the body. This results in progressive neurological impairment, including developmental regression, seizures, blindness, behavior changes, and dementia. There are many forms of NCL. Mutations in at least eight different genes are known to cause Batten disease. Helen has been diagnosed with Late Infantile Batten disease (CLN2) caused by a deficiency of the enzyme TPP1, which is responsible for breaking down certain proteins in the lysosomes. The different variants of the disease are distinguishable from one another in part by the age at which symptoms appear. Symptoms can appear as early as six months and as late as 43 years old. Children affected by CLN2, like Helen, typically see symptoms between the ages two and four and include seizures, coordination challenges, progressive vision loss, and developmental regression. Although CLN2 can be treated with an enzyme replacement therapy called Brineura (BioMarin) that dramatically slows progression of the disease, there is no cure. Batten disease is inherited through an autosomal recessive trait. This means that the same abnormal gene for the same trait is inherited from both parents. Given the disease's rarity, it is often misdiagnosed initially as epilepsy or eye disease. The accumulation of common symptoms and, ultimately, a genetic test is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis.
Metro
23-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
The simple tactics of hackers targeting major firms like M&S and Co-op
Companies and websites are facing 'constant' cyber attacks after a number of supermarkets were targeted by hackers, an expert has said. Hacks like the one that paralysed Marks and Spencer payment systems and led to customer data being stolen are being attempted 'all the time and everywhere', cyber security expert Dr Ian Batten told Metro. M&S shoppers were greeted with empty shelves after the ransomware attack caused disruption to payments and online ordering. The supermarket will face disruption from the cyber attack for another two months. The website also went down a day after it warned that the disruption could last until July. Co-op was also hit by a cyber attack in April, with customer data stolen, while Harrods also fell victim, with some systems being taken offline. It also emerged this week that logistics firm Peter Green Chilled was targeted, leading to fears that other retailers might be next. But those hackers taking down national institutions are often not carrying out sophisticated attacks, Batten said. Instead, they are using clever tricks and bombarding hundreds of companies in hopes of getting lucky. This time around, the attack has been linked to a mysterious hacking collective known as Scattered Spider. The ongoing M&S outages were caused by a ransomware attack that encrypted the company's servers, BleepingComputer reports. The hackers reportedly could have breached M&S as early as February. According to Dr Batten, a lecturer for the School of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, the malign agents could have waited months to 'pull the detonator'. 'If they broke in through the front door, into the virtual machine, and are running ransomware inside it, then all the backups are corrupt as well,' Batten told Metro. 'You don't know when they broke in. 'If they're sensible, they would have broken in months ago, planted their thing, and not used it. 'Then they come back later, when all of the backups contain their magic stuff, and then pull the trigger and it all goes horribly wrong.' Dr Batten warns that M&S's own tech experts may still be in the dark about what happened. He added: 'That's where a lot of really smart people are gonna be doing an awful lot of smart work in order to try and figure out what's actually going on.' The impact has been devastating, with M&S potentially losing around £3.5 million per day. The computer whizzes behind these kinds of break-ins are 'not deploying sophisticated technical attacks', Dr Batten says. The hackers, who are often young and unemployed, are simply using the gift of the English language to trick themselves into computer systems, he said. The cyber expert told Metro: 'You phone up an IT help desk and say, 'Hey, it's Dave from the Basingstoke branch. I've got this problem. Could you just give me access to such and such?' 'Most times you won't get away with it, but if you try 100 times, maybe you'll get lucky.' Dr Batten compares it to the scam text messages we all get. He said: 'The point is they are sending a million of those texts, or at least tens of thousands. They only have to get lucky once.' So those behind the attack did not set out to break into M&S directly, they just 'happened to be the ones who succeeded' in getting into. 'It's naive to assume that everyone's motivation is straightforwardly money,' Dr Batten told Metro. Hackers are driven by a wide range of factors, with money often being a secondary consideration. Many are just in it for the recognition of others. 'Solo actors have done some really quite spectacularly bad things just to get the respect of their peers. 'Others then use it as a calling card so that they can then get entrance to the next step, which will be something which will make them money.' Many groups often just want to sow division and chaos in one country, sometimes at the direction of another country. Dr Batten said: 'The ones which are the fronts or the agents of state actors, their objectives may be sowing chaos, mistrust, economic harm. 'They would regard the money as a bonus. They may regard the disruption, to the company as being an end in itself.' The cyber professor is clear that cyber attack attempts are happening all the time. People are constantly running 'vulnerability scanners' across the web to find areas to attack. They are often looking for decades-old flaws, Batten says. So while there is 'a substantial problem', it is difficult to tell whether attacks are truly rising or falling. More Trending He said that what is giving the perception of increased attacks is that more firms are owning up to breaches. He added: 'Marks & Spencer's communication has been fantastic. They have been very clear, very direct, and very straightforward with their customers. 'That will give the perception from the outside that the number of such attacks is increasing, although in reality they're just being admitted to much more honestly.' A version of this article was first published on May 1. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Co-op introducing major change to 2,400 stores by 2026 MORE: Prison officer accused of having relationships with two inmates appears in court MORE: New VR shows users horrifying reality of what it's like to be stabbed to death
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Leadership WA Signature Leadership Program three-day field trip connects metro and rural industries
A handful of the State's top leaders travelled through the Wheatbelt's south to understand regional industries and living to evolve their perspective, connectivity and leadership skills. Leadership WA selected 38 figureheads from government, corporate, not-for-profit and agricultural industries to embark on its Signature Leadership Program field trip through Narrogin, Katanning and Collie from May 14 to 16. The annual program includes 14 experiences from February to November designed to broaden their viewpoint on leadership by learning from diverse industries, locations and people. The group visited the Pinjarra Massacre Site, Narrogin Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Narrogin Health Service, Katanning Sheep Saleyards, Katanning Town Hall, Collie Ridge Resort, Synergy Muja Power Station, CBH Forrestfield and Wellington Dam. Moving from the UK to Fremantle, Avivo chief executive Kate Fulton said the field trip was 'eye-opening'. 'I was blown away by the pragmatism and the local investment, this is not just a job,' Ms Fulton said. 'We spent time with St John's and I couldn't believe the amount of volunteers, the entire operation is dependent on volunteers and I couldn't think of anywhere else in the world where that would be so significant. 'One of the big lessons for me as a leader is to really listen to the realities of living in regional WA and what are those practical differences and what adjustments do we need to make as employers and leaders.' Farmers from Yuna, Nicole Batten, and Moora, Jim Hamilton, who were granted the program's CHB scholarship, said they learnt new perspectives on regional industries while sharing their own knowledge. 'It's a path of moving forward together,' Mr Hamilton said. 'It's how you relate to people in and outside your business and how you can share common goals and get where you want to.' Ms Batten said talking to international medical residents at Narrogin Health Service, who chose to live and work regionally, was 'refreshing'. 'They promoted that as being an opportunity rather than a step backwards in their career,' Ms Batten said. 'There's this stigma that when you move to the country there's no support, you're isolated, but there's a really good support network if you seek it. 'The diversity of opportunity is bigger than the city in terms of expanding your skill set in more ways than you could ever imagine and outside of your own occupation.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Relief as treatment for rare condition is extended
A mother says she and her family can "live again" after access to her son's life-enhancing treatment for a rare genetic disorder was extended. NHS access to the drug Brineura, which slows the progress of Batten disease, was set to end this month but NICE and NHS England have now come to new agreement with the drug's maker. One of those who receives it is Isaac, eight, who has CLN2 Batten disease, which was diagnosed in August 2021. His mother Aimee Tilley, from Kettering in Northamptonshire, said: "We know it's not a cure, we still see regression, but it's a huge amount slower, so he's gaining years, not just days or weeks." Batten disease, a rare genetic disorder, causes a rapid decline in a child's ability to walk, talk and see, and is estimated to affect about 40 children in the UK - with an average life expectancy of about 10 years. Brineura is the only approved treatment that slows the condition's progress. The new agreement will mean those on the drug, and those who start the treatment before the end of the year, can receive it on a permanent basis. Ms Tilley said: "We are extremely relieved that Isaac is going to continue to have this treatment. "This black cloud that we've had hanging over us has gone. We feel like we can live again." NICE said it and NHS England would continue to work with BioMarin, which makes the drug, on "a solution to secure access to all future patients but at the moment the treatment is not considered cost effective". Ms Tilley says her family "will not stop fighting for the children of the future". She said: "They deserve it just as much as the children now and we have won this battle, but we will win the war." Ms Tilley said Isaac was "having seizures, losing his mobility, he can still walk with a walker or walk holding our hands [and] he has now gone blind". But, she added: "He's happy. He still enjoys theme parks, going horse riding and he still does a lot of things that children of his age can do we just have to adapt them for him." Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said she was "pleased" an agreement had been reached. She added that NICE and NHS England remained "committed to working with the company to try to reach a long-term deal that will give access to [Brineura] to all eligible people" after December. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Threat to son's treatment for rare disease 'agony' Mothers rally and urge action over access to drug NICE NHS England Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA)
