Black Bag Confidential

This edition of the Weekly Drop focuses on firearms. Guns are certainly a hot-button issue, but I truly believe there’s no better way to defend house and home.

Protecting my personal information was one of the most important security measures I implemented when I joined the CIA. Even now that I’m no longer in the Agency, this simple precaution still helps me feel safer at home.

Things are heating up between the incoming administration and the Intelligence Community. In other news, harsh winter conditions are creating seasonal survival concerns. This week’s must-read articles cover all this and more.

Lately, I’ve received quite a few questions about duct tape escapes. Find out the easiest way to shed those bonds, along with a special offer to learn even more escape techniques in this week’s mailbag.

Increasingly, we are seeing criminals targeting innocent victims at airports. This means we all need to take airport safety and security more seriously. So here are a few recommendations to keep you safer while traveling.

I can’t stress the importance of being prepared enough. Even if terrorism subsides, cyberattacks cease and the economy rallies to new heights, there’s still the unpredictability of natural disasters. To that end, this week’s articles are all about prepping — why it’s more crucial than ever, where to start and how to do it without spending a dime.

I’d like to kick off the first Weekly Drop of 2017 with a great suggestion from one of my readers. This handy gadget means you’ll never have to worry about opening your door to a stranger.

According to The Washington Post, 1.2 million people received drones as gifts this holiday season. Long-range drones, drones with cameras, drones that can carry up to 44 pounds, tracking drones, automatic landing drones… the list of drone capabilities is ever-growing. What happens when these devices make it into the wrong hands? ​

The new year brings with it new beginnings and new fears. Which is why it’s more important than ever to plan ahead. In 2017, resolve to prepare yourself for any situation. This week’s roundup gives you a good place to start.

Because many of you may be flying to or from a loved one’s home in the next few days, today I want to cover eight essential travel tips.