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Are you bugging yourself?
Below are some low-key measures you can adopt if you believe you are at risk.
- Pay attention to what you say on or around:
- Cordless Telephones
- Nanny Cameras
- Baby Monitors
- Wireless Intercoms
The above all function as "short range radio transmitters" which can send signals from 1/4 to 1/2 a mile beyond your home. With the right equipment is is not difficult for others to listen in. Unfortunately, snoops or strange neighbors can be the source of your risk. When the above items are on in your home and transmitting, your conversations become exposed. When possible, disconnect the above instruments when they are not in use, or attach a timing device to turn them off automatically.
- Many answering machines are equipped with a "listen in" function. A simple call from the outside activates this function, and permits the outside user to listen in to conversations in the room. A second risk factor is an answering machines "message recall" function which exposes any messages left on the machine by other callers. Change the code for the above functions frequently to prevent hackers from breaking into your system.
- Be wary about using caller ID boxes if you believe you are at risk. Any intruder can access these numbers.
The above are simple ways to protect yourself from minor security threats, however, if you believe your risk factor is higher than normal, a "Sweep" may be necessary.
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Many issues may prompt eavesdropping
within the home.
- Illegal attempts to seize personal credit card or banking information through the internet, over phone lines, or cordless phones
- Attempts to obtain negative information about a person when domestic or home issues have legal implications
- Private investigations to obtain information with regards to matrimonial information
- Stalking neighbors to obtain video recordings of private matters
Risk factors for home eavesdropping vary widely depending upon certain life situations. Individuals can often estimate whether their own situation warrants professional help.
- The US Department of State estimated (1997) that $512 million was spent on eavesdropping equipment used against private individuals.
- The most common bugging method was Closed Circuit Television/Covert Video, followed by Audio Interception and Wired Microphones, Still Photography, Night Vision Systems, Miniature Audio Transmitters, Telephone Wire Taps, Computer Usage Monitoring, Electronic Mail Monitoring, and Cellular Radio Interception.
- Low-level surveillance devices are readily available. Such equipment can be purchased over the internet or from specialty stores. More sophisticated equipment is available to professional, licensed private investigators.
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures
Initial Assessment of Risk Level. Our team will estimate the level of countermeasures required by reviewing the type of sensitive data at risk and by looking to see which security weaknesses could be exploited.
Determining likely sources of electronic surveillance. Given the physical setup of the target, we will estimate what eavesdropping equipment might be employed and develop countermeasures to screen for them (Sweeps). Depending on the initial assessment, this can involve simple monitoring during a sensitive meeting, repeated site examinations, or continuous on-site monitoring.
Follow-up countermeasures. We will then determine what measures should be taken to keep your risk level at a minimum. This usually entails determining how frequently the area should be re-screened, as well as determining what future events are most at risk.
Sweeps
A "Sweep" is a process of countermeasures employed to detect and neutralize "bugging" devices.
We provide both basic and extensive service. The level of service is defined based upon the degree of your eavesdropping risk. Based on this information, we recommend the best course of action to reduce that risk.
Below are a few of our "Sweep" methods:
- Conference monitoring: Room(s) are "swept" to be certain no surveillance equipment is present. During the meeting, surveillance is continued so that unauthorized transmitters or cameras (which generate RF waves) can be detected.
- Photography: The room is photographed to check if anything has moved or is different when compared with previous photos.
- Telltales: A detailed marking system is utilized to insure that nothing has been moved - a possible clue to a new installation of bugging devices.
- Telephone Line Monitoring: We have developed technology that alerts us of any line tampering that may have occurred during the time between TSCM exams.
- Radio-frequency Detection Equipment: We use OSCOR (Omni-Spectral Correlator) for radio frequency and telephone line monitoring.
- Time Domain Reflectometry: TDR equipment can create an "EKG-like" picture detailing the activity within your phone line. Repeat checks could identify splices, cuts, or even wires moved apart since the last sweep. This type of sweep can be done from outside of the building.
- Carrier current devices: Special receivers are used to detect bugging devices that are using power lines to transmit information. We use a similar type of technology to jam the devices that are transmitting your information.
- Devices to prevent telephone line recording: We can jam phone lines using a devise that emits a sophisticated counter-sound that is unnoticeable so that normal conversations are not disrupted. This counter sound also prevents recorders from operating.
- Filter on Phone/Computer Lines: This filter stops transmissions and neutralizes bugging technology. Without this filter, your phone line can be converted into an antennae which can then broadcast your private conversations.
- Acoustic Noise Generators: Acoustic noise generators produce white noise to defeat hidden microphones (acoustic, ultrasonic, IR, and RF "cloak" are available as needed)
Contact us if you believe that you have a problem. We will meet with you in a secure environment to review your concerns.
If you believe that you are being monitored, contact us from outside of your home.
