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Phony Laser Security System Proves Perception Is Reality

Hugh Pickens writes writes "Softpedia reports that Global Link Security Solutions are offering a product that doesn't actually do anything to alert an owner of a break-in to their home or business, but it displays "one hell of a laser show in an attempt to scare potential crooks into thinking that they have no chance of breaking in without triggering the alarm." According to the security firm, LaserScan has four lines of protection: a number of lasers that move along the walls and floors (video), an LED which indicates that there's a "link" to a satellite, a beeping alert, and a sticker placed on the front door. Although the company claims that none of their current customers has reported break-ins since the system has been installed, security guru Bruce Schneier highlights that the product only works if the product isn't very widely known."

2 of 243 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Um, duh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Fun fact I learned from dealing with wildlife up here in Canada: If you and a slower person are running from a bear, the bear will catch the slower person and immediately go after the still fleeing person because of their instinct to chase. The slower person can then hypothetically run away because they aren't in the bear's line of sight anymore.

    TL;DR: It's better to be the slower person running from the bear.

  2. Re:Um, duh? by hairyfeet · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Well you have to put yourself in the mindset of a crackhead, you're hurting, you want to just grab and GTFO so you can go swap the loot to a dealer for a rock, so are you REALLY gonna sit there and try to suss out whether its a real system or not? When there is a place next door that looks clean? Nope you aren't gonna waste a second thought, you'll be moving on.

    After all it isn't like the car thieves where they already know how much that make/model vehicle is worth, they don't know if there is anything really good, or anything their dealer will take, so they are gonna go for the least risk every time. I used to do ride alongs with a friend that was county PD and we'd see time and time again even those lame fake "protected by" signs would often be enough to get them to move on to the next house.

    That said I really can't see paying $200 for the thing when I was able to get my dad a nice 4 camera system for his shop with 500Gb DVR for just $230 shipped from Tiger. I gotta go by there next week to set up the Android phone access (man I'm dreading that, I just know it'll be a PITA) but it took him less than an hour to have it up and recording the inside and outside of his shop 24/7 and the unit is hidden in a back drawer of a junked up corner of the shop so I seriously doubt any crackhead would find it. At least with that if someone does break in we'll have a nice vid to hand the cops.

    --
    ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.