Defending against threats to your family’s security gets a little easier with technology designed to fortify doors, windows, vehicles, web portals and other points of access.
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Nesting instinct
When the lighted ring glows green on the Nest Protect smoke alarm and carbon-monoxide detector, that means all is well. If something is amiss, it issues a calm warning via an audible message, a glowing yellow ring and a text to your phone; on full alert, it sounds an alarm and glows red. $99. (855) 469-6378; nest.com.
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Portable protector
Keep watch over and even soothe your child from another part of the house or yard with a Summer Baby Touch 2 Digital Color Video Monitor. A portable, pocket-size screen—with two-way audio and touch controls—lets you pan, scan and zoom the camera in baby’s room. $240. (800) 869-7787; toysrus.com.
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Broad band
Intruders can’t hide easily from the wireless Panoramic Night Vision Security Camera from Hammacher Schlemmer. It detects movement and captures high-definition video across a 150-degree angle. In daytime its range is 45 feet, while infrared nighttime vision goes up to 60 feet. $250. (800) 321-1484; hammacher.com.
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Road watcher
Want an electronic eyewitness for whatever goes wrong on the road? The Garmin Dash Cam 10 records audio and HD video; when there is hard braking or a collision, the incident is automatically saved, so you have a record of it with time and date stamps. The device can also be detached and used as a still-image camera. $220. (800) 800-1020; buy.garmin.com.
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Web security
Keep online data and family privacy protected with Symantec’s Norton 360 security suite that warns of scams, blocks viruses, backs up files and frees hard-drive space. Automatic updates every 5 to 15 minutes combat current threats. $50 per year for three computers. (800) 745-6034; us.norton.com.
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Safe access
Safely store and share up to 1,000 movies, 200,000 songs or 400,000 photos (plus loads of documents) on the 1TB Transporter. You can access files from smartphones and tablets; they stay as private as you wish, and you pay no monthly fees. $249. (408) 276-8400; filetransporterstore.com.
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Keyless door
The Goji Smart Lock affixes over a door’s deadbolt keyhole and allows for keyless entry via a smartphone app. Its camera lets you check who’s at the door and grant limited access for visitors, and it sends a log of who enters at what time. $278. (866) 554-4654; gojiaccess.com.
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Touchy entrance
Linked to a smartphone app, the Kwikset Kevo electronic deadbolt cleverly unlocks doors from outside with just the touch of your finger. No smartphone? No problem. It also works with fobs that tuck in your pocket or hook to a purse or backpack. $219. (877) 439-5377; gokeyless.com.
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Digi-lock
Storage lockers enjoy high-tech protection with the Master Lock 1500eDBX electronic padlock. It not only protects indoor valuables, it also makes remembering the combination fail-safe with a permanent backup master code. $40. (800) 464-2088; masterlock.com.