10 BEST SECURITY GADGETS - The Independent, 22 July 2004

Technology expert Mark Harris recommends some safe choices to protect yourself and your belongings

Zone Labs Security Suite £39.95 ----- BEST BUY
If you believe some stories, reading your e-mail or browsing the web is the digital equivalent of handing your PIN number to strangers in the street. Put your mind at rest by investing in this all-round cyber-security solution, combining anti-virus, privacy protection and safe surfing software in one easy to use package. The price includes automatic updates against new threats for twelve months, then it’s £13.50 per year.
Zone Labs (no phone; www.zonelabs.com)

Rexel P180/6 shredder £150
One of the easiest way for criminals to steal your identity is to use old bank statements or utility bills. This home shredder slices sensitive paperwork into useful hamster bedding and can handle up to 20 sheets of A4 in one go. It can safely munch up old credit cards or CD-ROMs for total info-security and its 35-litre bin should be large enough for even Watergate-sized secrets.
Acco (0800 252359; www.acco.co.uk)

Nokia Observation Camera £250
Imagine a CCTV system that you can monitor from anywhere in the world. Nokia’s camera can be controlled from a mobile phone, feeding images and sound to your handset when you call it up, or automatically despatching an MMS picture message (or e-mail) if it detects movement. You’ll need to connect it to a PC to enable its advanced features, though, which can be complicated.
Nokia (0808 100 9250; www.nokia.co.uk)

Panasonic BM-DT120 Iris Camera £330
Passwords can be forgotten or stolen but no one can forge the unique patterns hidden in your iris. This biometric camera plugs into your PC and scans every user, giving access in the blink of an eye to those it recognises. It isn’t confused by glasses, contact lenses or bloodshot eyes from a heavy night out and even doubles up as a web camera for video conferencing.
Panasonic (08700 100464; www.panasonic.co.uk)

RAC TrackStar+ £300 plus £120/year ---- BEST LUXURY BUY
Do you know where your car is right now? With this GPS satellite tracking unit, the RAC can tell immediately if your car is moved illegally and will update you (and the police) on its exact location. An extra £6 a month buys you automatic alerts when you’re approaching accident hotspots or speed cameras. As a Thatcham-approved system, TrackStar+ may qualify you for an insurance discount.
Trackstar (01234 759370; www.ractrackstar.com)

Fingerprint Door Lock £450
Why carry bulky keys when you’ve got five unique fingerprints in each pocket? This sophisticated sensor can store up to 25 different profiles and has just a one in a million chance of admitting an unauthorised person by mistake. While this is much more secure than most normal keys, check that your insurance company is happy if it’s going to be the only lock on an exterior door.
I Want One Of Those (0870 241 1066; www.iwantoneofthose.com)

SmartWater Standard Kit £40/year
This high-tech marking system uses synthetic DNA to forensically secure your valuables. The kit includes two bottles with enough colourless liquid to mark up to fifteen household items such as DVD players, antiques or mountain bikes, plus a family car. The SmartWater glows under ultraviolet light and is almost impossible to erase - a single droplet the size of a grain of salt is sufficient to identify your belongings.
SmartWater (0800 328 6268; www.smartwater.com)

Suzy Lamplugh Trust Shriek Alarm £7.50 ----- BEST BUDGET BUY
This gas-filled attack alarm is painfully loud (115db) and small enough to slip into a pocket, purse or handbag. It’s designed to disorientate an attacker and give you vital seconds to get away. The alarm comes with a booklet of personal safety tips and can be recharged when the gas runs out. All profits go to fund the Trust’s campaigning work.
Suzy Lamplugh Trust (020 8876 0305; www.suzylamplugh.org)

DIY Doorbell Video Intercom £100
This digital peephole takes the guesswork out of answering the door. A weather-resistant camera feeds black and white images of your visitors to a small monitor. If they look too much like double glazing salesmen you can quiz them on the phone handset and there’s a night vision LED for 24-hour use. The intercom comes with a 20-metre cable but no automatic doorlock.
Swann (020 8964 9111; www.swann.com.au)

Belkin Bulldog Universal Security Kit £20
Expensive computers and home cinema gadgets have never been smaller – or more pinchable. This heavy-duty kit secures your electronics with super-strength adhesives and an aircraft quality steel cable. There are three high-tension steel anchoring plates to secure multiple devices and you even get glow-in-the-dark stickers to warn off potential thieves.
Belkin (00 800 223 55 460; www.belkin.co.uk)

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