5 Tech Enhancements That Keep Us Safer Offline

Staying safe online is important, but equally important, is staying safe offline. Digital technologies have enhanced real-world safety measures and involve surveillance and monitoring, data analytics, emergency response systems, health monitoring, and smart infrastructure.

To better understand the best ways to keep safe offline, here’s a look at six tips that can help to ensure our offline activities are just as secure as our online ones.

1. Keeping an Eye on the Loved Ones

Surveillance and monitoring can also include using mobile applications such as spy apps to keep an eye on the whereabouts of your loved ones and track their movements in real time. The great thing about these apps is that they can provide these features for both online and offline activities.

However, with a wealth of choices out there these days and not all being safe to use, these tested spy apps can help adult people monitor and protect their elderly parents at all times. According to tech writer Anwesha Roy, these apps work remotely and provide a range of functionalities for concerned parents, carding adult children, or even employers to monitor the activities of those under their care.

2. Smart Home Security Systems

These systems have changed the way homeowners can protect their properties. They include the following safekeeping devices that allow for better protection and surveillance:

Smart Alarms

These alarm security systems include window/door sensors, glass break sensors, and motion detectors. These alarms are integrated with smart home ecosystems that can be controlled by a single app.

Triggering these alarms can send homeowners immediate alerts and can even notify local security figures of any break-ins on their properties. These systems also allow settings to be customized to adjust to the preferences of notifications and sensitivity levels.

Smart Security Cameras

These devices are made with night vision, motion detection features, and high-definition video capabilities. Some of these security cameras allow for a two-way audio system which allows homeowners to communicate with intruders or visitors by using their smartphones.

These cameras can be accessed remotely via mobile applications, which makes it easier for homeowners to monitor their homes in real time from anywhere. With the advancements in tech these days, some security cameras have added features such as artificial intelligence that can distinguish between objects, pets, and people, reducing the possibility of false alarms.

3. Personal Safety Apps

Personal safety apps have been designed to help individuals stay safe while using mobile applications which include access to an emergency contact list, sharing locations, and alerting emergency contacts of any dangerous situations.

Features that Enhance the User Safety

Users can share their location with their emergency contacts especially useful for people who are traveling alone or late at night. This feature allows users an easy-to-use SOS button they can press when they find themselves in an emergency.

These apps send users alerts or to their emergency contacts if they find themselves in dangerous areas. Users can also use the app to report incidents directly. They also provide users with access to emergency numbers, safety tips, and other resources to prepare them for any situation.

4. Digital Identity Protection Tools

Personal information is easily at risk of being intercepted or spied on. Digital identity protection tools have been created to safeguard sensitive data and allow individuals to navigate digital spaces with extra security.

The following are some popular examples of tools that are designed to protect personal information:

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

VPNs provide an encrypted, secure connection between the device and the internet. These tools are used to hide the user's IP address and make it difficult for outside parties such as scammers or hackers to gain access to sensitive data.

Password Managers

These tools are used to manage passwords for different online accounts and store them for individual users. They can generate unique and strong passwords and reduce the reuse of a password.

Identity Theft Protection Services

These services are used to monitor personal information on various platforms and provide identity theft protection services. These features include dark web scanning, identity restoration assistance, credit monitoring, and providing comprehensive protection against any identity-related threats.

Two-factor authentication (2FA)

This provides an extra layer of security for online accounts and is used in addition to a secure password. Two-factor authentication is a second form of verification which can be a code used to access your online accounts after the correct password is entered.

Secure Browsers and Extensions

Using these extensions can enhance the user's privacy from threats such as malicious websites, ads, and blocking trackers.

5. Online Education and Awareness Programs

These are important to promote public safety when using various online tools such as social media and other devices created to promote individual safety. Some of the campaigns created include creating awareness about cyber safety initiatives and providing crucial information for offline safety as well.

6. Emergency Response Technologies

These technologies play an important role in the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency services. There are different tools and systems that can be put in place to assist first responders and improve communication.

GPS Tracking

These systems allow for real-time custom location tracking of assets or for services like alerting first responders so dispatchers can allocate resources effectively. For example, these GPS devices can help locate the nearest available fire truck or ambulance for a quicker response time.

Offline Mobile Applications

These apps are used to connect users to emergency services instantly. They can also be used to report any emergencies, provide important information, and share locations.

Drones

These devices are unmanned aerial vehicles that have been used in emergency responses by delivering medical supplies, providing aerial surveillance, and being able to assess damage in disaster-stricken areas. They are currently used extensively during natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes to locate victims and assess the damage.

Wearable Technology

These devices are equipped with health monitoring capabilities that provide first responders with data in real-time about the health of individuals they may be assisting. They also give users accurate readings to monitor their own health in real time.

Communication Systems

Advanced systems in communication include mobile data terminals and push-to-talk radios that allow for seamless communication between emergency personnel and communication between individuals who have mobile apps.