Great Security Gifts

Five Great Security Gifts for the Digital Age

As the holiday season nears, our attention turns toward family gatherings, bountiful feasts, and finding perfect presents on Black Friday or Cyber Monday for our loved ones. While your past gift lists may have included ties, sweaters, or the latest kitchen gadgets, this year you should consider some practical gifts more appropriate to the digital age we live in.

Physical Data Back-up

As camera quality and storage increase, many consumers are using their phones and mobile computers as their primary storage for photos, videos, and personal information. Unfortunately, easy to carry also means easy to lose. A portable external drive is a fantastic tool for backing up photos, videos, or other personal data from your phone or computer, and many products come with security features and limited cloud backup add-ons for under $100.

Multi-system Digital Security

Even the most conscientious users can find their computer, tablet, or phone infected by malware, leading to costly technical support and/or identity theft. Home networks with child users are especially vulnerable because kids are trusting and will click on anything that pops up. To combat intrusions, consider more than antivirus software. A good multi-platform digital security solution? will provide monitoring, remote updates, and data encryption. If it detects problems, it will suspend activity, then find and remove malware and intruders. Many of these platforms can simultaneously monitor, update, and support multiple desktop and mobile devices. Prices start at under $10/month or $60/year, and many require minimal technical knowledge or time to deploy to your entire household!

Smart Home Entry Monitoring

Although the holiday season is about generosity, there’s also greed, as thieves target packages left at front doors. Some studies suggest that as many as 11 million U.S. homeowners experienced package theft between October 2015 and December 2016. To combat these Grinches, many consumers are investing in smart home monitoring systems, from simple video door-bell systems to full home-monitoring with cameras. That way you can be notified when a package is being delivered and view the delivery from your remote device.

Secured Home Networking

Experts predict that over 900 million households will have a home wireless network by the end of 2017. Unfortunately, off-the-shelf wireless routers from Internet service providers (ISPs) rarely have the encryption or security required to prevent intrusion, exposing users to identity theft, spying, and malware. A quality wireless router system can secure the network and keep unwanted users out. Many can be deployed using nothing more than a smartphone, and you can give someone the gift of better security without breaking the bank: there are top-rated options starting at less than $200.

Cross-cut Shredders

Recycling helps the environment, but before you do so it’s important to thoroughly shred documents containing your social security number (even the last four digits), your birth date, credit card numbers, account information from banks or brokerages, or medical insurance numbers. The cheapest shredders cut papers into long strips that could be reassembled by a determined thief. A better choice for home and small office use is the cross-cut (or confetti) shredder, which cuts paper into smaller confetti-like pieces.

Finally, give the gift of your time and expertise. If you give a gift to someone who is not as tech- or security-savvy as you, make sure to include appropriate set-up and training. Your recipient will thank you for your thoughtfulness.