A Massachusetts court ruled today that sex offenders convicted before 2006 could not be forced to wear GPS monitoring devices. The court ruled that retroactively forcing sex offenders to wear the tracking devices violates state and federal constitutions.Vice president of Community Voices, Debbie Savoia, described the ruling as a “slap in the face” to sex crime victims as well as a threat to public safety. [...]
Indianapolis state legislature has begun discussions as to whether or not they should use GPS tracking systems on adults with dementia and other mental diseases that cause them to wander. The topic was brought to question due to recently passed legislation that began the Silver Alert program which involves the public in finding missing endangered adults. If passed, the law would require for adults with diseases like dementia to wear the GPS devices to help ensure their safety.
According to Michael Sullivan, director of public policy and advocacy for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana chapter, “There was a lot of concern by state police and broadcasters about how often there would be a Silver Alert.” For this reason lawmakers are calling for a study to determine weather or not the GPS devices should be made mandatory. Stephen Smith, president of the Indiana Health Care Association, called the proposal “overkill.” [...]
As social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter become more popular with the public, they also become more popular with internet hackers. Recent studies conducted by Breach Security showed that social networking sites were responsible for at least 19% of internet hack attacks in 2009. Just last week, an employee of Arbor networks, Jose Nazario, discovered an attempt by attackers to use Twitter as a command and control to send instructions to infected computers. Twitter messages are being used to send out new download links, which in turn downloads a password-stealing Trojan known as Infostealer.Bancos.
Aside from Trojan, a popular malware installing virus called Koobface worm continues to wreak havoc on Facebook. A report from Kaspersky Lab shows that these malware attacks are ten times more effective than those sent through email. The important lesson to be learned here is that attackers are going to follow more users as these social network sites continue to grow rapidly. This provides serious risks for users who share too much of their private details out on these sites. Posting information such as home addresses, exact locations, and even telephone numbers are not the smartest things to do when site defenses are potentially so weak. [...]
22-year-old violinist Hahn-Bin Yoo spent this morning performing Chopin and Kreisler for investigators after they helped find a $500,000 violin he left in the back seat of a New York cab. Yoo had spent Sunday in the Hamptons and ended his night practicing on the borrowed violin at Lincoln Center. Afterwards he got into Dalbir Singh’s cab were he left the 19th century violin in the back seat.
“I was exhausted,” the South Korean native said. “I completely forgot about it.”
After dialing 311 he was, by chance, patched through to one of the cities top detectives Ming Li. Li contacted the Taxi and Limousine Commission and using their GPS tracking systems they were able to determine which cab Yoo had traveled in. Within minutes they were able to contact Dalbir Singh and retrieve the violin. When questioned about the violin Singh simply said “He is lucky, he was my last fare.” Yoo is actually the city’s second lost violin case in eight days. Gregor Kitzis told police about a pair of violins he accidentally left on the No. 1 train last Sunday. They have yet to be found.
While we have all had the experience of leaving something behind in a cab from time to time, it sounds like more people should be investing in a GPS tracker to attach onto their more valuable possessions, because you might not be so fortunate to recover your items the way Yoo did.
(Via NY Daily News)
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Monday that Albert Gonzalez along with two others were being indicted for five new corporate data breaches, aside from his most famous escapade: the infamous TJ Maxx breech that affected 94 million accounts. Gonzalez, indicted in 2008, is the supposed ring leader of a cybercrime enterprise that was able to steal around 170 credit and debit card numbers from companies such as Heartland Payment Systems, Hannaford Brothers Co., and even 7-Eleven. Gonzalez and his cohorts targeted Fortune 500 companies by finding physical and virtual weaknesses within the organizations to exploit.
Investigators were left asking, how did he do it? Gonzalez’ approach was simple. He would first identify point of sale machines and upload information to create a hacking platform. He would then launch a SQL-injection attack on the system using instant messages to relay his discoveries to his partners in crime. Using malware and sniffers they were able to absorb the credit card numbers with relative ease. They avoided detection by using intermediary, or “proxy,” computers and testing their malware against twenty of the leading anti-virus products. While none of these tactics solicit technological genius, it was more than enough to exploit the weak defenses these powerful companies had. [...]
In Afghanistan protective measures are being put into place in order to ensure a safe democratic process for the upcoming presidential elections. In the town of Kabul alone, there are 46 sensor cameras as well as a high tech security balloon. This balloon floats above the city with high tech cameras attached keeping it under 24 hour surveillance. There are several checkpoints along the town to ensure the safety of the local townspeople as well.
This is all being done in order to foster a safe voting environment for the Afghan people. However local militants are determined to disrupt this process in any way they can. Two days after the new high security balloon was put up a suicide bomber was able to infiltrate one of the highest security points in Kabul with a car filled with explosives. The suicide attack killed seven and left at least 90 wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and warned locals to stay away from voting poles. [...]
Every day thousands of people download new applications onto their smart phones without much care for the terms of service they so easily agree to. What most of these people don’t know is they may be volunteering information and allowing for companies to gather data without their consent. Recently a company called Pinch Media was charged with being a little too invasive when it comes to gathering information through their iPhone apps.
According to one iPhone developer, applications using Pinch Media can retrieve information like your phone’s personal ID number and can work in conjunction with other applications like Facebook to determine your gender, birth year and even your exact longitude and latitude. Pinch Media has been accused of gathering information that has nothing to do with its applications. Instead, they have been using this data collection for advertisements and other marketing purposes. Worse, is that this information is often taken without the consent of the user and more often than not does not allow the user the option to stop the information gathering. [...]
New York, ASIS NYC April 2009 — BrickHouse Security announced today at the ASIS NYC Security Expo “The Executrac” Mobile GPS Tracking software for Smart Phones; a powerful, invisible application that turns any BlackBerry into a covert GPS Tracker with an emergency panic button. The application is so covert that it can be deployed wirelessly in seconds to thousands of company owned BlackBerrys unbeknownst to the user. Employers now have the power to closely monitor employee productivity and security anywhere in the world.
Journalists And Executives Fear Kidnapping Attempts
Journalists and executives who travel to dangerous areas, often fear kidnapping or other violent crimes. The only chance a remote traveler has is a panic button to secretly send a emergency signal with their exact GPS location to the people they trust to send help. “The Executrac” provides a safety net for international travelers with no additional hardware or training.
Remote Employees Take Advantage Of Freedom Costing Companies Billions
“Companies fear that remote employees such as field reps are stealing time from employers,” explained Todd Morris, CEO BrickHouse Security. “Many of our corporate customers fear they are not getting their money’s worth from field employees who may be on a golf course when they should be working, or worse” This unproductive time costs companies over $795 billion each year.
With “The Executrac” Mobile GPS Tracking software, companies can monitor the precise location of all their field employees from any web browser. “Most employees are issued company BlackBerrys, and with an invisible installation employers can turn these company BlackBerrys into GPS Trackers… with or without the employees knowledge,” explained Todd Morris, CEO of BrickHouse Security.
Covertly Deploy Wirelessly To Thousands Of BlackBerrys
With a fast download or “push installation,” employers can deploy “The Executrac” Mobile GPS Tracker to thousands of company BlackBerrys completely wirelessly and without any intervention by the user.
Invisible Footprint To The User With Web-Based Mapping
“The Executrac” Mobile GPS Tracker software runs invisibly in the background and does not change or affect the phone’s voice or e-mail functionality. Accurate within 5-15 meters, this mobile GPS Tracking software starts tracking withing 9 seconds of being turned on and stays covert to the user by using less than 15% of the BlackBerry’s battery over a 24 hour period. The web-based platform features an integrated Google Earth functionality, making it easy for employers to track employees online no matter where they are in the world.
Features:
For additional information on “The Executrac” Mobile GPS Tracking Software, please visit http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/mobile-cellphone-gps-tracking.html
Las Vegas, CTIA April 2009 – Lightning GPS today announced the world’s first ever covert GPS Tracker built into a fully functional touch screen navigation system, at the CTIA Wireless Technology trade show. The “NavGenius” is a covert GPS Tracker that’s incorporated into a standard looking navigation system to monitor a driver’s every move. It even comes with two manuals, one for the user of the car that doesn’t mention any of the tracking features and one for the real driver of this device.
Smarter Than Your Average GPS
An average GPS system such as a Garmin® or TomTom® is the equivalent of a “dumb box,” like a standalone PC that is not connected to the Internet and only does what it is pre-loaded to do. The “NavGenius” is the first true “Smart GPS” also known as “Connected GPS.”
By adding Internet capabilities, the GPS gains the ability to interact with, and be controlled by, other devices and services over the Internet.
Remote Monitoring From The Web
Using a slick web 2.0 online mapping system, users can easily check on a family member or any fleet of vehicles at once in real-time from any computer. Find out if they are where they say they are, or monitor their driving progress and history. Next time a teenager or employee tells you they were late because of traffic you can check yourself to see where they were and how fast they were going. You can even see a report of any unsafe driving behavior such as flooring it off the green-light or slamming on the breaks.
Push Directions Reroute Driver From Any PC
Did you ever want to tell someone where to go? We all know it is far easier to use online mapping from a computer than it is to use a handheld device. Now you can create a complex route or find a location and automatically send the route or location to the driver over the web. They never need to pull over and fiddle with a device or risk an accident while driving. Playing with handheld devices such as cellphones and GPS units while driving is suspected to cause many dangerous crashes.
The Lightning GPS “NavGenius” is designed to replace over $3,000 of older dedicated devices found in most taxis and delivery trucks. The current mess of cables and boxes include dispatch/messaging systems, GPS Tracking devices and standard GPS Navigation units; some even have a laptop for Internet access. By replacing all these expensive boxes with one low cost device under $500 fleet owners can save over $2,000 per vehicle.
“Small business owners are putting a lot of faith into their delivery personnel. In some cases, the image of the company can be tarnished by the actions of a part-time high school driver,” explains Jason Lazarus. “With the “NavGenius” we have given small businesses the power to monitor and control their delivery staff with zero installation and at a fraction of the cost of older systems.” One of the largest regional fleets has already pre-ordered 700 devices for their trucks.
Alerts Via E-mail or SMS Text Messages There are some things you may want to be alerted to instantly such as speeding, or a driver going into a “restricted zone.” With the connected nature of the “NavGenius” you can set rules on the website and get alerts via e-mail or SMS directly to your cell phone. For example, if a vehicle is only allowed to stay within town “A,” and it travels outside town “A” into town “B,” an alert message is immediately sent to the authorized user on that account.
Family Tracking
Many baby boomers are concerned that their teenagers and aging parents may get lost on the road or run into difficulties and need assistance. By including a GPS Tracker built into the navigation system, the “NavGenius” can alert a concerned parent about bad driving behavior or the location of a teen who is out past curfew.
A New Open Platform
Like the iPhone® this is a platform that other companies are building applications for. One OEM is adding the ability to charge credit cards directly with just a small USB swiper. Dozens of apps are under development and thousands of Windows Mobile applications can be installed with little to no modifications. Just like Apple®, Lightning GPS is managing which applications can be loaded on the device. An “app store” is under development and will be announced shortly.
Lightning GPS “NavGenius” Covert GPS Tracker Features:
The web-based tracking system is so easy-to-use, that Lightning GPS launched a Free Live Demo that requires no training at all to get started.
Availability: The Lightning GPS “NavGenius” will ship in mid April, 2009. Please contact Lightning GPS at www.lightninggps.com directly to order through their dealer network or for server licensing and large volume orders. Volume discounts are available.
About Lightning GPS:
Lightning GPS is the largest provider of GPS Tracking technology to law enforcement, military, and business. Whether it is family, consumer, business, or law enforcement tracking, Lightning GPS has a GPS Tracking solution for every surveillance need.
Garmin®, TomTom® Apple® and iPhone® are registered trademarks of Garmin International Inc., TomTom International and Apple® consecutively.
“Nano Sized GPS Tracking Device – The Next Best Thing To An Implanted GPS Tracker”
New York, New York March 17, 2009: Demand for tiny GPS Trackers has spread from police and military investigators to soccer moms wanting to keep an eye on family members. Lightning GPS, the primary supplier of covert GPS Tracking to military and law enforcement is moving aggressively to meet this demand.
Lightning GPS announced today that it would release the tiny “Spark Nano” GPS Tracker to the general public. Venturing into the consumer sector is a radical move for Lightning GPS, a company well known as the main provider of covert GPS Tracking to Police Departments, the Military, and DHS.
Sometimes tiny just isn’t small enough.
“Everyday we field desperate calls from parents who are begging us for implantable GPS Trackers that they can use to track their family members,” says Jason Lazarus, VP of Research and Development for Lightning GPS. “There is a very real demand for this technology that is just not yet available to the public.”
With its “nano” size and friendly look & feel, the Spark Nano GPS Tracker has a strong appeal with everyone from parents to Professional Investigators who desire stealth tracking. About the size of a 9-Volt battery, this rugged, waterproof tracker can go anywhere and track anyone.
“We asked customers what they wanted and the message was clear,” says Lazarus. He explained, “Consumers want all the features and accuracy of a professional GPS Tracker without the cost or complex software associated with most military grade GPS Trackers. Our team successfully developed a system that combines all of the professional grade GPS Tracking features in the smallest possible, easy-to-use package.”
The new web-based tracking system designed for the Spark Nano is so easy-to-use, that Lightning GPS launched a Free Live Demo that requires no training at all to get started.
This is the first “consumer friendly” military grade GPS Tracking system available to the public. Its versatile design and user friendly interface makes it perfect for tracking employees, vehicles, or family members. There is even a Panic Button to make this tiny GPS Tracker a personal safety beacon that alerts people when the wearer feels they are in danger, pointing out exactly where they can be found. The same powerful features professional investigators expect such as e-mail/text alerts, and even geofence to get alerts when entering or exiting geographic areas are built in.
Spark Nano Features:
Availability: The Spark Nano is shipping as of today. Consumers and small businesses can contact BrickHouse Security (BrickHouseSecurity.com) the exclusive retail distributor in North America. Corporate and government clients can contact Lightning GPS Directly for Server Licensing and large volume orders. Volume discounts are available as well as the ability for government and corporate customers to buy the server for use behind their firewall.
About Lightning GPS:
Lightning GPS is the largest provider of GPS Tracking technology to law enforcement, military, and business. Whether it is family, consumer, business, or law enforcement tracking, Lightning GPS has a GPS Tracking solution for every security need no matter how large or small.
Baby Jesus Thefts Thwarted by GPS Tracking Saints
Free GPS Rental Offer For Churches & Synagogues
December 3, 2008 -Each holiday season hundreds of religious organizations are targeted by vandals and pranksters who steal or deface outdoor holiday decorations such as Baby Jesus, Santa, & Menorahs. Some are taken as “trophies,” most are lost forever. The financial and emotional cost to the congregation includes the cost of replacement and the pain of explaining the event to small children.
LightningGPS, a leading supplier of GPS Tracking Devices, has a history of lending GPS Trackers to churches, schools, & towns. This year, Lightning GPS strikes down sinners by offering the free holiday rental publicly to schools and churches across the country through their distribution partnership with BrickHouse Security.
A GPS Tracking Device can track objects virtually anywhere in the world and is small enough to covertly fit inside most everyday objects. If that object is moved or tampered with, a silent alarm is triggered, alerting the owner that the object is on-the-move. At the same time, an individual or police can go online and instantly track the item on a map anywhere it goes.
“The theft or destruction of Nativity scenes is a rising problem. Every year we hear how the sanctity and harmony of the holiday season was ruined by a few scrooges.” said Todd Morris the CEO of BrickHouse Security. “We are happy to come to the aid of Churches, temples and schools looking for a way to protect their community from this crime.” BrickHouse Security, a distributor of Lightning GPS products, is also offering custom hidden cameras in an effort to catch thieves this holiday season. “We have partnered with Lightning GPS to donate hidden cameras that will catch people in the act for video proof. Along with GPS Tracking, the vandals can be prosecuted and the statues returned swiftly.” Mr. Morris continues, “Hopefully word spreads that random statues are fitted with GPS Trackers inside, which is enough of a deterrent to prevent this from happening in the first place.”
Media Contact
Jason Lazarus
Director of Marketing
BrickHouse Security
646-253-9131
jlazarus@brickhousesecurity.com
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