While in an ideal world, a split from a partner would always end amicably, and youd both be able to move on with your lives, this doesn't always happen. Unfortunately, separating couples often find themselves embroiled in bitter battles over property, money, custody and other divorce terms. Things can escalate quickly, resulting in one party spying on the other to gather evidence to aid their prospects in the divorce case.
You may have decided never to resort to such behaviour, but can you be sure your ex won't? If the thought has ever entered your head that your former spouse could be using technology to film, record or even track your movements, this is all it can take to make you feel paranoid.
Have you good reason to suspect you're being spied on?
Its easy to get carried away with the nagging feeling that someone is listening to your phone conversations or bugging your computer, and paranoia is by no means a healthy state of mind. However, you may have very good reason to be suspicious sometimes. For example, when your former partners solicitors use a piece of information in your divorce case, they have no right or reason to know, such as something you mentioned on the phone to a friend or in a private email. The information may even relate to your location on a given day and time, which no one who hasn'tt kept a close eye on your movements would know.
Fight back with Counter-Surveillance Technology
The good news for your peace of mind is that there are ways you can also use technology to fight back, in what is known as counter-surveillance. Even if you use this technology and find nothing to confirm your suspicions, at worst, you'll feel a little silly for being so paranoid, and at best, you'll be able to sleep more soundly at night. There are plenty of simple but effective devices to sweep your home, workplace and even your car to ensure that no recording, spying, listening or tracking bugs are being used.
Home and workplace checking for bugs
If you suspect your ex is spying on you, the first thing to do is list the most likely places where this could happen, starting with your home and workplace. Your home is the most likely option, so start there by taking the following steps:
- Check if any objects have been moved (marks made in the dust are a good indicator).
- Look for small holes in walls or furniture you're looking for tiny round pinholes where a lens could peep through.
- Turn all the lights off and go around the room with a flashlight to see if you can catch a reflection or glare on the camera's lens.
- Look for a recording light (most spy cameras won't have this for obvious reasons, but some that aren'tt designed to be concealed might) and listen for sounds of the camera activating.
These are all manual ways to check for obvious signs of surveillance, but the only effective way to be sure is to use a bug detector device. If you choose carefully and get one that excels in sensitivity, detail and range, you can use it to locate any transmitting equipment. All cameras, recording and listening devices will transmit information somehow because that is how the person who puts the devices there can access video or audio content.
A good detector can pick up these frequencies and point you in the transmitter's direction, so you can root out the bug and eliminate it. These devices tend to be very simple, emitting an audio signal when transmission has been detected, which grows louder the closer you get to the source. It is less likely that your workplace will have been bugged due to security systems and many people around, but it could still be worth looking around your desk anyway. However, a bug detector may not be useful in this instance, as there will likely be many transmitting devices around (i.e. your colleague's phones and computers).
Could your car be bugged?
As well as checking your home and workplace, using your bug detector to sweep your car for hidden devices is a good idea. GPS car trackers emit signals too, which can be detected by sensitive bug finders. You can also look inside and underneath your car for suspicious-looking black boxes or even innocuous-seeming objects like torches that have found their way into your boot and could be concealing trackers or recorders.
Protecting your smartphone and laptop
Last on your list but by no means the least important step; it's time to check your devices for bugs. The first thing to do is check that no spyware software or malicious apps are installed. You can do this by using malware detection software or simply by checking on the list of installed programs or running applications and processes for anything that shouldn't be there. A service such as the professional deep root analysis and real-time protection offered by security specialists such as Online Spy Shop can also be helpful, as it involves checking your device as thoroughly as it is possible to check it.
Once your phone, tablet or laptop is clean, protect it in the future with some robust firewall, anti-virus and anti-malware software. Once you've completed all these steps, you can be reasonably confident that your home, workplace, car and devices are bug-free. Released from the horrible feeling of paranoia, you can regain your peace of mind and get on with your life , leaving all unpleasantness with your ex behind.