The Bug Detector Guide - Counter Surveillance Techniques

The Bug Detector Guide - Counter Surveillance Tips

The Bug Detector guide - Where to look for bugs, how to detect them and where to get suitable devices for the job in hand.

Unethical surveillance is growing at an alarming rate. Bugs are increasingly being miss-used for personal and business purposes; spying on competitors, on a spouse, voyeurism, it is all very worrying...

...And with cameras and listening devices easily purchased online you need something to turn the tables; the right bug detector for the job.

Most bugs emit radio waves. Therefore the standard counter surveillance measure is to 'sweep' for them with a bug detector, but sweeping is not foolproof.

Advanced Bugs

Advanced bugs can be remotely operated to switch on and off, and some even rapidly switch frequencies according to a predetermined pattern in order to make location with sweepers more difficult.

A bug that has run out of power or a bug which is only tuned on during surveillance may not show up during a sweep at all.

Cameras can now transmit clear color pictures and audio from just a tiny pin-hole lens or microphone (there are even x-ray cameras and glasses now available). Be aware of the following disguises;

pens, baseball caps, clock radios, binoculars, spy phones, watches, wall clocks, plants, lamps, picture frames, ties and briefcases to name a few.

Take a look at my selection of detection equipment to combat these bugs:

Detection Equipment

Hidden cameras, Audio bugs - My guide on a selection of cool bug detectors suitable for the job in hand.

Other Risks

Another risk is from devices that do not emit radio waves like normal recording equipment or infrared. Be aware of the following:

Pocket devices that can be or carried in baggage and linked to a small microphone...

...Look for the microphone which is usually placed on the surface.

Digital devices such as digital recorders or the latest palm-sized camcorders produce very high quality recordings and are conveniently small.

Directional microphones are designed to receive signals only from one direction. The most high-tech directional microphones link can eavesdrop on conversations from a hundred meters away or more.

Mobile spy phones are available, just like your average mobile, but can be used as high-tech surveillance equipment from anywhere in the world… More info on how to combat cell phone spying here.

If a microphone is hidden in a room it is almost impossible to detect, as it has no radio emission. A very sophisticated bug detector could be used to look for magnetic fields, or for the characteristic electrical 'noise' emitted by the computerized technology in digital tape recorders.

However, if the place being monitored has many computers, photocopiers or other pieces of electrical equipment installed, it may become very difficult. Older analog equipment is even more difficult to detect.

Take a look at my selection of detection equipment to combat these bugs:

Advanced Detection Equipment

Potential Corporate or Goverment security risks..? Then you need Advanced Bug Detection Equipment that will detect high end surveillance bugs...

This concludes the bug detector guide - return to the main page for counter surveillance techniques here.

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