This can be a good thing and a bad thing when it comes to security. Let’s go over some ways to use your smartphone to your benefit and some tips to keep in mind for your smartphone and safety awareness.

How Phones Can Be Beneficial for Security

Your phone can be one of the most important tools for security in a pinch. After all, calling 911 is the first thing you should do if there is an emergency situation or anyone is in danger. But calling isn’t the only way phones can provide protection at home, on the go and at the office. Here are a few ways phones can be beneficial for safety and security:

• At home: technology has opened up a world of possibilities for your phone and home security. With access to an app, you can open or close your garage door, control the temperature and check in on security cameras remotely. Just a few taps and you can usually accomplish what you need to, even if you’re on vacation or a business trip.
• At the office: If you’re a business owner, a phone can be your master key for accessing doors and certain areas of your business (or simply monitoring them). Just as it does at home, a smartphone gives you more control over (and access to) your business.
• On the go: Sometimes, you can’t call 911 in an emergency. But your phone likely has an SOS-type app or way to communicate with emergency personnel without typing in the phone number. It would be wise to install one of these apps when there isn’t an emergency, so you have it ready if you have an automotive-related incident.

How Phones Can Be Harmful for Security

Phones can also work against you when it comes to your safety and security. For starters, phones have sensitive information that can be compromised physically or wirelessly. Be careful about the emails you engage with and the social media posts or websites you engage with, and these can be ways for hackers to steal important info. Always keep a lock on your screen if you’re out in public and keep a password activated at all times. You should even be careful about who can see your screen when you’re using it. Avoiding using sensitive apps like banking apps in public is another wise decision. 

Locksmiths and Security

If you’re concerned about home, business or automobile security, a locksmith can help. Maybe the best solution is installing a smart security system you can access with your phone. Or, it might be upgrading the locks in your facility. Whatever route you take, a security expert like a locksmith can provide exceptional advice you wouldn’t get on your own. 

If you have any security questions for your phone, home, automobile or business, call us at (972) 284-7500 today and we’ll be happy to help you out.

In fact, duplicate keys are one of the biggest risks for homeowners. Whether you want to prevent someone else from duplicating your keys or you want to ensure you do it the right way, here are some guidelines to consider.

Benefits of Key Duplication

Spare keys have several benefits, among them saving you time if you ever lose the original. Also, just having them gives peace of mind and can reduce stress. Here are some of the other benefits of duplicating a key:

• You get a backup key for the original.
• You avoid getting locked out of your home.
• You can give one to a trusted friend or family member.
• You can also give one to a neighbor for when you’re out of town.

Key Duplication Safety Tips

While they do have benefits, duplicate keys also have risks. The biggest risk is when someone else has access to your original key for any significant amount of time. Whether it’s a service technician, a home buyer or a neighbor, grabbing a key for duplication and replacing it later isn’t that difficult. This means a stranger has access to your home. To avoid this situation, here are some key duplication safety tips:

• Don’t leave a key (original or duplicate) in an easy-to-access location.
• Only give spare keys to people you completely trust.
• Avoid hiding spare keys in obvious locations, like under the doormat.
• Don’t ignore access points, especially at night.
• Have a home safety plan for when you’re out of town.

Where To Get Keys Duplicated

Keys are often duplicated at those self-service kiosks out of convenience. They’re not the best key duplication solution for giving you peace of mind, as they tend to be inferior quality, not as precise and less secure than visiting a professional locksmith. At A-1 Locksmith, we’ve duplicated thousands of keys over the years, so we can give you personalized tips about what to do (and not do) with the key duplication process.

If you’d like more advice about key duplication and other locksmith-related topics, stop by any of our A-1 Locksmith locations in Dallas-Fort Worth today and we’ll help you out.