SimpliSafe

This week’s mailbag addresses the pros and cons of a DIY home security system, how to browse the internet without being tracked, the best way to secure firearms in your home — and more.

Using a VPN (virtual private network) is one of the best things you can do prevent identity theft. Today, I’m giving you the chance to try out my preferred VPN for FREE, plus expert answers to reader questions. Check it out.

This week’s questions run the gamut from the best self-defense course for kids to my No. 1 shotgun recommendation to practical home security measures for apartment dwellers — and more.

To get to as many of your inquiries as possible, this week’s mailbag will be more like a lightning round. Quick questions, quick answers — including why I can’t in good conscience stay out of politics.

We’ve got quite a full mailbag this week — covering questions from how to choose a home security system to the advantages and disadvantages of Kevlar cord versus paracord.