The FBI Is Investigating Dead Scientists. Here's What That Means for You.

Yeah. That Arnold Schwarzenegger.

So do Codie Sanchez, Scott Galloway, Colin & Samir, Shaan Puri, and Jay Shetty. And none of them are doing it for fun. They're doing it because a list you own compounds in ways that social media never will.

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My former neighbor's package got stolen off her porch a few years ago. She found out because her camera caught it. She didn't get the package back, but she got a picture of the guy, filed a report, and now the whole street is more aware. A $30 camera didn't prevent the theft. But it changed the outcome and the neighborhood's posture.

Here's what I've got this morning.

Smart Home Security: Layers Without Complexity

We covered home security in Issue 9. This week, we're looking at how connected devices can enhance that security without requiring a degree in networking or a monthly contract.

Smart home security works best as a layer in your existing setup, not a replacement for basics. A camera doesn't replace a locked door. A sensor doesn't replace a motion-activated light. But together, they create awareness you wouldn't otherwise have.

Start with cameras. A basic outdoor camera with motion detection, night vision, and phone alerts costs $30 to $60. Place them at entry points: front door, back door, garage. The goal isn't 24/7 surveillance. It's knowing when something happens at your entry points when you're not watching.

Contact sensors on doors and windows tell you when they open. This is useful not just for security but for awareness. Did the kids come home? Is the garage door still open at midnight? Small, battery-powered sensors from brands like Ring, Wyze, or Arlo cost $5 to $15 each and install in minutes with adhesive.

Smart locks add convenience and control. You can lock your door remotely, give temporary codes to guests or contractors, and check lock status from your phone. They don't replace a solid deadbolt, but they add accountability and remote control.

The system-level approach matters most. A Ring Alarm or SimpliSafe base station ties cameras, sensors, and keypads together into a single app with centralized alerts. These cost $100 to $200 for a starter kit and don't require professional installation or long-term contracts.

Privacy matters. Any internet-connected camera is a potential vulnerability. Use strong, unique passwords on every device. Enable two-factor authentication (Issue 42). Keep firmware updated. Consider local storage over cloud storage if you want maximum privacy. Some cameras (like Eufy) store footage on-device rather than sending it to a server.

The biggest mistake people make with smart security is overcomplicating it. You don't need 12 cameras and a command center. Two cameras at key entry points, sensors on exterior doors, and good lighting cover most residential security needs.

Check that your exterior lights work and cover all entry points.

Walk around your house at night. Are all entry points lit? Are any bulbs burned out? Replace dead bulbs and consider a $15 motion-sensor light for any dark spot. Lighting is the simplest, cheapest security upgrade that exists.

83% of Burglars Check for an Alarm Before Breaking In — and 60% Move On If They Find One

According to SafeHome.org and FBI UCR data, 83% of convicted burglars say they checked for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in, and 60% said they would move on to a different target if they found one. Homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized. About one burglary occurs every 51 seconds in the U.S. — but the data shows that visible deterrents work. A camera on the porch, a sensor on the door, or a yard sign from an alarm company can shift the calculus for a would-be intruder before they ever try the lock.

Source: SafeHome.org, FBI Crime Data Explorer

Clint Emerson's Escape the Wolf applies intelligence tradecraft to personal and home security. One of his central frameworks is the "detection timeline," the amount of time between when an intruder approaches and when you become aware. Every security measure you add extends that timeline, giving you more time to respond.

Emerson's recommendation for home security follows the same layered approach used in intelligence facilities: deter (visible cameras, lights, signage), detect (sensors, alerts, cameras), delay (locks, reinforced doors), and respond (your plan for what to do when alerted). Smart home devices are most useful in the detect layer, but they're only effective if you've already addressed deter and delay.

Escape the Wolf by Clint Emerson — About $15.95 on Amazon.

FBI Opens Investigation Into Deaths and Disappearances of 10 U.S. Scientists Tied to Nuclear and Space Labs

The FBI confirmed on April 21 that it is leading an investigation into the deaths and disappearances of at least 10 scientists and staff connected to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. FBI Director Kash Patel said the Bureau is “spearheading the effort” alongside the Department of Energy and Department of War. President Trump called it “pretty serious stuff.” The cases span four years and include a retired Air Force general missing since February, an aerospace engineer who vanished while hiking in California, and a Caltech astrophysicist shot on his front porch. Investigators say they have found no confirmed links between the cases, but the pattern is drawing national security scrutiny. For preparedness-minded households: if there is ever a period where critical infrastructure or national security systems are under stress or threat, the degradation of the people who maintain those systems matters — keep your own household ready to be self-sufficient.

Source: ZeroHedge, CBS News, NBC News

Ring Alarm Security System (8-piece kit)

We installed this system about five months ago. The kit includes a base station, keypad, contact sensor for the front door, motion detector, and range extender. Setup took about 30 minutes with no tools.

What works well: the app alerts are fast, the sensors are reliable, and the system integrates with Ring cameras if you have them. The keypad is intuitive, and We've added extra contact sensors ($20 each) to back door and garage.

Professional monitoring is optional at $10 to $20 per month. Without it, the system still alerts your phone and sounds a local siren. I use it without professional monitoring and find the phone alerts sufficient.

The downside: Ring is owned by Amazon, which raises privacy questions for some people. If that concerns you, SimpliSafe is a solid alternative with better privacy practices. About $200 for the 8-piece kit.

Budget alternative: Wyze Home Monitoring Kit ($50). Basic sensors and keypad. Less polished app experience but functional for a fraction of the price.

Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit — $199.99 on Amazon.

Overrated: Visible "security" signage without actual security. A yard sign from a company you don't subscribe to might deter a casual opportunist, but it doesn't detect, delay, or respond to anything. Actual security doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be real.

Underrated: A simple door chime. A $5 battery-powered chime that beeps when a door opens gives you awareness of every entry and exit in your home. No app, no Wi-Fi, no subscription. Just awareness.

ThePrepared.com: Home Security Guide — Comprehensive guide covering physical and electronic security.

Ring.com — Product details and comparison for Ring alarm and camera systems.

SimpliSafe.com — Alternative security system with strong privacy practices.

EFF: Privacy and Smart Home — Electronic Frontier Foundation guidance on smart device privacy.

Grokipedia: Home Security — Background on residential security principles and history.

Rainwater harvesting. A free water source that falls from the sky. How to collect it, store it, and make it usable.

PS: The camera that caught my neighbor's package thief cost $30. The peace of mind from knowing what's happening at your front door? Hard to put a price on that.