By Chris Scott Barr

Modern security systems are great for protecting your house, but what if you have a specific valuable that you want to keep safe? Perhaps you want to setup a cool laser security system like you see in the movies. If that’s the case, you can build such a contraption rather easily following this Instructables guide.

The system uses a laser tripwire to detect whether or not someone has crossed a certain point. Once someone passes through it, a webcam will take a picture of the intruder and post it on Twitter. Now this may not get the police there in time to stop them from running off with the goods, but at least you’ll know who did it.

[ Instructables ] VIA [ Ubergizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

As much as I like the idea behind Master Lock’s 1500iD padlock, which features a 4-way directional pad instead of a spinning tumbler, there’s only one combination anyone is ever going to use on it – the Konami code. It’s burned into every gamer’s sub-conscious, and besides a handful of Mortal Kombat finishing moves, I know my brain won’t let me memorize any other combination anyways. For non-gamers a set of alternate passcode indicators is also included like letters, numbers, colors, shapes and symbols that can be stuck over the arrows if you find them easier to remember. $12.69 available from pretty much anywhere you can buy school supplies, or even cheaper from Amazon.

[ Master Lock 1500iD Padlock ] VIA [ Apartment Therapy Unplggd ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Those handheld personal security alarms aren’t a bad idea if you often find yourself in sketchy areas, but if they’re not easily accessible – ie buried in the bottom of your bag or accidentally forgotten at the office again, they’re pretty much useless. So these iSafe Bags solve that problem by simply turning the bag itself into the actual alarm. They’re available in a wide variety of styles for everyone from kids to college students to even business types, and they each feature a strap that when pulled sounds an alarm that’s louder than a car alarm, and triggers a hidden flashing light.

On a set of 2×9-volt batteries the iSafe bags can continuously sound the alarm for up to 2 hours, making them useful for emergency situations like getting lost when hiking, and an interval mode will keep it running for even longer. The bags start at $59.99 for a kid’s backpack, and range in price up to $89.98 for a laptop-friendly messenger bag. And the company even has a policy whereby they’ll replace your bag when it becomes old and unsightly with a new one for up to 50% off the original price. (The replacement bags basically don’t come with the alarm system, and require you to transfer it from your old bag.)

[ iSafe Bags ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Instead of just passing a black light over the bill to illuminate its anti-counterfeiting features, the HT CD-100 Euro Detector goes the extra mile by detecting the thickness, density and the ink used to determine if the bill is real or not. It looks like using it is as easy as sticking a note face up into the device and pulling it through, and it’s able to test all denominations of both U.S. and Euro currencies. A set of lights glow red or green to let you know if the bill fails or passes, though it would be nice to have a more specific indication of why exactly a bill failed if it was fake. Interestingly enough the site mentions that the detector “does not check out the North Korean version of Super fake U.S. dollars” so if you were hoping to pick one up I’d recommend paying* with those.

[ HT CD-100 Euro Counterfeit Bill Detector ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

*Note: OhGizmo! does not condone the use counterfeit bills! Even if these ‘Super fake U.S. dollars’ sound like a sure-fire way to never get caught.

By Andrew Liszewski

Looks like you office photocopy abusers are going to have to find an alternative way to get the word out about your garage sale or lost dog, if you live and work in Japan at least. While security codes or access cards can be easily shared around the office, Canon Japan’s new fingerprint authentication system, developed by Hitachi, means those with photocopier privileges will actually have to be at the machine in order for it to work. The option will be available on Canon’s imageRUNNER ADVANCE line of multi-function printers which can run MEAP (a Java J2ME-based development platform) applications and will be available starting July 8 for around $1,460. (128,000 yen)

[ PR - Canon Japan - Fingerprint Authentication Software for MEAP Advance ] VIA [ Akihabara News ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Soon to be appearing in the living rooms of BP executives, this Papervore coffee table will keep guests entertained as they use the mahogany and oak crank to shred their way through confidential reports and incriminating documentation. The table itself is made from a single piece of powdercoated aluminum that’s been bent into an arch, and the clear acrylic bin underneath holds the shredded results until you need them for a giant hamster cage, or to soak up a spill…

$1,950 from Voos Furniture, and yes, for that price you can choose a custom color for the powdercoat finish.

[ Papervore Coffee Table ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Nothing makes you look more important than carrying around a briefcase. But whether it’s filled with plans for world domination, or just your lunch, you don’t want those important contents falling into the wrong hands. So why trust a combination lock that can be opened with one lucky guess, when you can secure your files, or PB&J sandwich, with biometrics?

Covered with supple Nubuck leather and lined with soft suede this briefcase makes it look like you’ve just stepped off Wall Street, but it protects your secrets, or your true identity, with a fingerprint reader. The locking mechanism supports up to 12 different users and 2 administrators (not really sure what extra privileges they’re granted) and can store 2 different fingerprints for each user. Now since it’s not a mechanical system the fingerprint reader does need to be occasionally charged via USB (the lithium-ion battery is good for about 600 scans) and I’m not sure what fail-safes exist if the battery dies and you need access, so maybe keeping one of those USB backup batteries in your pocket isn’t a terrible idea. Get it from Chinavasion for about $390.

[ Fingerprint Security Briefcase ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Convinced that someone’s stealing your mail? Using your pool while you’re at work? Or maybe the dog’s been raiding the fridge while you’re away. Whatever the case, you won’t be able to confront the culprit without catching them in the act, so I suggest filling your home with these compact wireless cameras from Panasonic. The BL-C230A provides a constant 640×480 H.264 full motion video stream which can be monitored from a browser, anywhere in the world, using a personalized secure address that Panasonic provides for free. The website interface also allows you to remotely pan and tilt the lens, or zoom the image (digitally) to get a better view when you see shenanigans going down.

But even the paranoid have to sleep and can’t monitor a live video feed 24/7, so the BL-C230A includes built-in body heat, motion and sound sensors that will keep an eye out for suspicious activities for you, and can automatically trigger the included recording software to capture the event. Unfortunately again peace of mind comes at a premium, and this camera will set you back $299.25. So I’d recommend buying two and pointing them at each other, so if one of them gets stolen, you’ll know about it!

[ Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Network Camera ] VIA [ GadgetGrid ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Designer Marc Graells Ballve claims this anti-theft armor he designed for scooters called ‘Protect 486′ was actually inspired by mother nature, particularly the armor worn by armadillos. But anyone who saw Tim Burton’s original Batman film will find a striking resemblance between the Protect 486 system, and the armor deployed by the Batmobile while Batman was out cleaning up the streets of Gotham. I’m not accusing him of ripping it off or anything, I’m just saying. And while it looks like a half-decent idea for protecting your ride from vandals, theft and even rain, I have to wonder what effect the extra weight and drag would have on the scooter’s gas mileage.

[ Protect 486 Scooter Armor ] VIA [ I New Idea Homepage ]