Have you ever considered that maybe you are being spied upon? It could be more likely than you think. With spying technology becoming more accessible as devices get smaller and cheaper, the likelihood of being spied on is growing. A bugging will most likely occur in rental spaces, dressing rooms, Airbnbs or temporary residences. In these spaces, the landlord or building owner is vested in ensuring the space remains clean and undamaged. With many holiday rental spaces and Airbnbs now using lock boxes and self-check-ins, the property owners have likely installed cameras ensuring you enter and leave the property accordingly. More so, the only thing stopping someone from bugging your room or home is trust.
Are you suspicious of a security threat?
Trust your intuition when entering a new space or home; if you feel something isn’t right, there is only one way to find out. There are two outcomes to searching spaces for a bug. You can either find nothing and have peace of mind, or you find the issue, remove the device and solve the problem. One certain thing is you will feel relief either way. There are two ways to find a bug or listening device, a physical check and a check which uses a bug-detecting device.
Conducting a physical check
A physical check can help find hidden gadgets that may be watching or listening to you. Every room will need to be examined, keeping an eye out for any plaster or wallpaper which looks disturbed or an item which looks out of place. When conducting a physical search, you should also check the following:
- Wall sockets and plugs can be easily bugged.
- Smoke alarms fitted with hidden cameras.
- Teddies or decorations conceal hidden cameras.
- TVs or entertainment sets that have been bugged.
Sweeping every nook and cranny is the best place to start, but a thorough physical search is nowhere near as effective as using a counter-surveillance device. Finding a spy device in a room, let alone an apartment is like trying to find a need in a haystack. Devices can be hidden within TVs or appliances, making them almost impossible to find by eye.
Using a Bug-Detecting Device
Using professional counter-surveillance equipment is the most efficient and thorough method of checking for a bug. Bug detectors can effortlessly locate bugs like Bluetooth transmitters, GSM tracking devices, and encrypted devices. Newer spyware detectors are increasingly sensitive to 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth devices, unlike less advanced detectors, which may not pick up these signals. Using a bug-detecting device saves a lot of time and effort in conducting a manual search, with a room sweep taking less than a few minutes.