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How to protect your deliveries from getting stolen by porch pirates

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How to protect your deliveries from getting stolen by porch pirates

As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of gift-giving can quickly turn into anxiety over package theft. With porch pirates on the prowl, your carefully delivered gifts can vanish right from your doorstep. In 2023 alone, a staggering 119 million packages were reported stolen, meaning one in every 180 deliveries disappeared into thin air. 

Cities like Seattle, Memphis and San Diego have become hot spots for these unfortunate heists.

If you’ve ever found yourself racing home to rescue a package, asking neighbors to keep an eye out or, worst of all, falling victim to these sneaky thieves, you’re not alone. But don’t worry! We’ve got some tips that could save you from the holiday headache of package theft. Let’s dive in.

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Alleged porch pirate taking packages from property (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Tip 1: Get security cameras

First things first, consider installing security cameras around your home. Having a good camera system can really make a difference when it comes to deterring those sneaky thieves. Depending upon how well your police department responds to porch pirate package theft, position your video doorbell to capture the face of the pirate and your package deliveries. A Video Doorbell can push notifications to get a phone alert whenever anyone or anything approaches your door, even if they don’t ring the doorbell.

Also, you might want to consider adding a couple of nearly invisible wireless cameras on tree limbs near the street at your house. We did it in hopes of being able to record a license plate if ever needed for police. I can set them to send a notification when the camera detects a person or car.

When you’re shopping for cameras, look for high-resolution video so you can see everything clearly, even at night, with night vision capabilities. Motion detection is a must. It’ll alert you if someone gets too close to your front door. Plus, two-way audio lets you talk to anyone at your door, whether it’s a delivery person or someone who shouldn’t be there. And don’t forget about cloud storage. This way, you can easily access footage whenever you need it. Check out my top picks for the six best outdoor security cameras.

Pro tip: If your camera has the feature, set your video camera to notify you when it identifies packages within view.

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Image of a doorbell camera (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 2: Use tracking apps

Next up, make sure you’re using tracking apps for your deliveries. Most shipping companies offer tracking services that let you follow your package from the moment it leaves the warehouse until it arrives at your home. 

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If you sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, you’ll get digital previews of what’s coming to your mailbox, which is super handy. You can set up email or text alerts for delivery updates so you’re always in the loop about when your packages are arriving. Some retailers even send you photos once your package has been delivered, giving you extra reassurance that it made it safely.

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A woman using a tracking app on her iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Tip 3: Make sure someone is home

Now, let’s talk about timing. It’s important to have someone around to receive packages as soon as they arrive. This can be tricky since many deliveries happen during work hours. If you can swing it, try working from home on days when important packages are expected. If that’s not possible, coordinate with friends, family members or roommates so someone is always there to grab the delivery right away.

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A woman receiving packages at home (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Tip 4: Coordinate with your neighbors

Don’t underestimate the power of community. Teaming up with your neighbors can be a game-changer in preventing package theft. Sign up for neighborhood porch pirate alerts from popular local networks like Neighbors and Nextdoor apps. This is where people often post when they’ve had a package stolen and sometimes upload videos or images of the suspected porch pirates. Plus, making an agreement with trusted neighbors to watch each other’s packages can really enhance security; there’s strength in numbers.

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A person picking up packages for their neighbor (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Tip 5: Have the package delivered somewhere else

If home delivery feels too risky, consider alternative delivery options that offer more security. Many people choose to have their packages sent to their workplace if allowed; this way, they’re less likely to be stolen than sitting on a porch all day. Retailers often provide secure pickup points where you can collect your packages at your convenience. Renting a P.O. Box or using services that hold packages for pickup at local shipping facilities are also great options for those valuable items.

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A woman receiving packages at her workplace (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 6: Request a signature confirmation

Another way to prevent package theft is to request a signature confirmation for your deliveries. This means that the delivery person will not leave the package at your door unless someone signs for it. You can request a signature confirmation from most delivery services, such as FedEx, UPS, USPS and DHL. This option may cost extra, but it can give you peace of mind that your package will not be stolen.

Tip 7: Send to remote pick-up locations

Did you know that most delivery services now offer remote pick-up locations? These can be secure lockers, post offices or retail counters. Amazon has hundreds of Amazon Lockers and pick-up counters across the country, which are free for Prime members. See how far away the nearest Amazon Locker is located from your home.

When you’re checking out, just click on Change next to your shipping address, then select Find a pickup location near you to see your options. Once your package is delivered, you’ll get a notification or email with a code to retrieve it from the locker or pick-up point. Some items can even be returned at these locations.

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A person picking up a package from a locker (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 8: Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery

We added a strong deadbolt to the door leading into the house from the garage before signing up. Now, when we are not home, an Amazon delivery can be placed securely inside our garage using the free service called Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. The addition of a smart garage controller is the first step. Once you’ve signed up for Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, pick Key Delivery when checking out on Amazon to have your packages securely put in the garage. I really like that you can block access to your garage any time you want. The driver never needs your garage code, and access only works for their one-time delivery.

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A delivery being made using Amazon Key-In-Garage Delivery (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 9: Provide a delivery box

Another great option is to invest in a delivery box that allows packages to be securely dropped off and stored discreetly. Just remember that you’ll need to inform delivery personnel about using the box and how it works.

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Package being placed in a delivery box (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tip 10: Sign up for delivery notifications

You can get an alert each time a package arrives at your doorstep. Both FedEx and UPS will send a text when you’ve just received a delivery. Amazon will also send you a shipment text letting you know a package has just been delivered.

To set up Amazon delivery notifications, follow these quick steps.

  • Log on to the Amazon site
  • Go to Your Account section
  • Scroll down to the Communication and Content section
  • Tap Shipment Updates via Text
  • Follow the on-screen instructions, tap Subscribe

Kurt’s key takeaways

Remember, simple actions like installing security cameras, using tracking apps and coordinating with neighbors can go a long way in protecting your packages. So, as you prepare for the holiday season, take these tips to heart and enjoy a worry-free gift-giving experience. Let’s keep those porch pirates at bay and ensure that every package arrives safely at your doorstep.

Have you ever had a package stolen? If so, how did you handle the situation, and what lessons did you learn? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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L’Oréal claims its new skincare gadget can tell which ingredients work best for you

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L’Oréal claims its new skincare gadget can tell which ingredients work best for you

L’Oréal is hoping its latest beauty gadget can demystify skincare. At CES 2025, the company announced Cell BioPrint, a device that’s designed to analyze your skin and give personalized advice on how to slow down signs of aging.

The device is the result of a partnership with NanoEntek — a Korean startup that specializes in chips that can read biofluids. A person essentially takes a facial tape strip, sticks it on their cheek, and then puts the strip in a buffer solution. That solution is then inserted into a cartridge for the Cell BioPrint to analyze. Once that sample is processed, the device takes images of your face as you answer a few short questions about skin concerns and aging.

From there, L’Oreal says it uses proteomics, or the analysis of protein structure and function from a biological sample. In this case, the Cell BioPrint is designed to determine how well your skin is aging. It’ll then give personalized advice on how to improve your skin’s appearance, as well as predictions of how responsive your skin may be to certain skincare ingredients.

It’s an attractive claim, but as with most beauty tech, it’s difficult to properly evaluate L’Oréal’s methods without peer-reviewed studies or experts weighing in. L’Oréal also claims the device can help predict future cosmetic issues before they manifest. For example, it may be able to determine if your skin is prone to hyperpigmentation or enlarged pores.

The Cell BioPrint analyzes your skin’s proteins to see how well you’re aging.
Image: L’Oréal
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Skincare became massively popular during covid-19 lockdowns, sparking a shift in beauty trends toward self-care and the rise of “skinfluencers.” On the flip side, that virality has since turned skincare buying into an extreme sport. Hop onto TikTok, and you’ll find dozens of skinfluencers egging you into dropping $80 on a vial of vitamin C serum, debating the moisturizing properties of glycerin versus hyaluronic acid, or wagging a finger about this or that retinol cream. (Some, may even convince you to buy a wand that zaps your face to increase the efficacy of said ingredients.) It’s confusing, expensive, and maddeningly, what works for one person may not for another. The most the average consumer can do is cross their fingers and hope that the latest potion they bought will actually work.

The Cell BioPrint’s appeal is it claims to use science to cut through that noise. Maybe every skinfluencer says you need to start using retinol when you turn 30, but this device will purportedly tell you based on your own biology whether retinol will actually work for you. Personalization has always been a major theme with CES beauty tech, but it’s particularly compelling with skincare, which is highly dependent on your individual biology. But again, right now there’s no way to know how reliable the Cell BioPrint’s science and recommendations are.

L’Oréal says the Cell BioPrint will be easy to use, with the process taking only five minutes. It also says people will be able to repeat tests, enabling them to monitor changes and progress over time. That said, it might be a while before something like Cell BioPrint is available for consumers. L’Oréal says the device will first be piloted in Asia later this year but otherwise didn’t have a concrete launch timeline or price.

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Can I outsmart thieves with a hidden AirTag in RFID wallet?

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Can I outsmart thieves with a hidden AirTag in RFID wallet?

Apple AirTags can be a great way to outsmart car thieves, but there are some drawbacks to consider. A key limitation is that thieves who also have iPhones can usually detect a hidden AirTag in vehicles they are trying to steal. This makes hiding an AirTag tricky.

That’s why we were intrigued by Brian’s inquiry about using other ways to make Apple AirTags undetectable to car thieves or outsmarting them twice.

“If an AirTag is put in an RFID wallet and hidden in a car, can the AirTag be located by a thief using a locator? I know the AirTag will function in the wallet, but will it be undetectable by the thief? — Brian, LaSalle, Illinois

Below are reasons why using an RFID wallet might end up leaving you outsmarted instead.

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Illustration of a car thief checking to see if the vehicle has an AirTag. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why RFID wallets might not outsmart car thieves?

Some thieves use RFID readers, which use radio waves, to scan and read data such as credit cards in wallets. The function of RFID wallets and bags is to protect items or devices from these radio waves by blocking them.

Apple AirTags use different technology, so even if it was placed in an RFID-blocking wallet or bag, it could still be detected by a thief with an iPhone or locator. Unlike the radio waves used to scan for credit cards and other data, Apple AirTags use Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Neither technology can be shielded by RFID-blocking material because those materials cannot block Bluetooth and UWB signals.

RFID wallet 2

A person holding an RFID wallet. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What can block AirTag technology?

Faraday bags, on the other hand, use electromagnetic shielding and can successfully block Apple AirTag signals, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals, from being detected by thieves. The only issue with putting an Apple AirTag in a Faraday bag to hide in your car is that if the car thief cannot read or locate the signal it emits, you cannot either.

While the Apple AirTag may go undetected when in a Faraday bag, you will likely not be able to use FindMy or any other tracking methods to locate it either, because those methods require signals pinged from the AirTag to other iPhones and Apple Devices to track location.

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An RFID wallet. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Alternatives to AirTags for car security

While Apple AirTags offer some benefits, there are other technologies and methods to consider for enhancing car security. For example, GPS trackers provide real-time location data without the risk of being detected by a nearby iPhone. Additionally, physical deterrents like steering wheel locks and alarm systems can act as effective safeguards. Combining multiple layers of security can better protect your vehicle against theft. Check out how to prevent your car from being stolen.

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HOW TO OUTSMART CAR THIEVES WITH THESE SMART AIRTAG TACTICS

Kurt’s key takeaways

While Apple AirTags can be a useful device to help you keep track of your vehicle, whether it is lost or stolen, it does not replace the reliability of a GPS system installed in your vehicle if you are trying to outsmart car thieves. Because car thieves might be able to locate an Apple AirTag hidden in your vehicle, it may not provide the layer of protection you hope for. Though the technology in RFID wallets will not block signals from an Apple AirTag, which will make them detectable to locators and scanners, Faraday bags will. Unfortunately, you will end up outsmarting yourself in trying to outsmart car thieves if you use a Faraday bag because you will then not be able to track the Apple AirTags either. If you are looking for the optimal way to outsmart car thieves, the Apple AirTags might not be the answer you are looking for.

What personal experiences have you had with technology aiding in theft prevention? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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This pixel light grid can show you the weather (and the price of Bitcoin)

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This pixel light grid can show you the weather (and the price of Bitcoin)

Govee is launching a new pixel light grid that can display art, animations, and live data. The Gaming Pixel Light lets you upload your own images and GIFs to display or choose from 150 different data sources, letting it provide live updates on the weather, Bitcoin prices, NBA scores, and more.

You can also sync the display to games you’re playing by hooking it up to Govee’s HDMI sync box or play 8-bit tunes that sync to the pixel grid using the built-in speaker. Naturally, there’s an AI component as well — an accompanying app can generate new pixel art for you using Govee’s “AI Lighting Bot.”

You can generate pixel art with Govee’s “AI Lighting Bot.”
Image: Govee

The Gaming Pixel Light is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can wall-mount the screen or place it atop a table or desk, making it seem like a neat little addition to a gaming room or office.

Along with this pixel light, Govee is announcing the Table Lamp 2 Pro — an LED-packed tabletop lamp with a 2.5-inch JBL speaker that syncs up lighting with your music. The portable device has 210 independently controlled LED beads and 600 lumens of brightness. When it’s not synced with your music, you can customize the lighting yourself or choose from 100 preset scenes.

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The Table Lamp 2 Pro comes with a 2.5-inch JBL speaker.
Image: Govee

The lamp works with Matter, Google Assistant, and Alexa and comes with a rechargeable battery. You can also link two lamps together for a “full stereo surround experience.” Govee says it will release the Gaming Pixel Light and the Table Lamp 2 Pro in the second quarter of 2025, but it didn’t provide any pricing information.

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