Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Everyone needs to understand surveillance technologies and the use of a detector as a counter-surveillance measure. Spy devices are now everywhere and many people don’t even realize they’re being surveilled, cataloged, and stored in a multitude of databases without their knowledge.

Here are some examples that show how important it is to get a better understanding of how we are being observed:

  • It is now possible to locate extensive detailed information on the Internet about people who have never even logged on to the Net nor even used a computer
  • Some hospitals now routinely take DNA samples of newborn babies and the U.S. armed forces require mandatory submission of a DNA sample.
  • Semi-nude and nude photos of unwary victims are being sold on the Internet without their knowledge or permission.
  • Gaming centers, hotels, and trade shows are now using magnetic access cards to keep track of their guests.
  • Law enforcement agencies are consolidating their forensic and criminal databases and providing Internet access from any part of the country.

The design and manufacture of spy devices are no longer limited to specialized markets. Surveillance spy technologies are consumer items and a general reference is needed to put the technology in perspective and provide information that isn’t yet available all in one place through existing sources. This is the first introductory text designed to meet this need. It could have been much longer, but I was constrained, as all authors are, by time and space. In spite of these constraints, this is currently the most comprehensive coverage of the subject from this broad perspective that is presently available.

The process of locating spy devices by using a spy detector is called bug sweeping since many devices are swept through the air in much the same way that a metal detector is often swept back and forth along the ground. Spy detector sweepers vary in type and sophistication. A specific detector can only detect a spy device when it is transmitting and are essentially scanners that seek a stronger signal within a range of frequencies, a pretty limited type of device, but since many bugs are purchased as hobby kits or through Internet dealers, they share common design features. These consumer bugs tend to send out signals that are in the standard FM broadcast bands or just below the frequencies of the standard FM broadcast bands. Knowing this makes it easier for a detector to detect this common type of bug. (There is more information about wireless transmitters/receivers and common broadcast frequencies in the Radio Surveillance chapter.)

Surveillance spy devices are used in virtually every field of endeavor, from handheld magnifying glasses to sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging machines, spy devices allow us to see beyond the basic senses that nature gave us in ways we wouldn’t have imagined two hundred or even fifty years ago. This book is a fascinating journey through technology and provides more than a little food for thought as to how we can and should use these new devices.

A spy device is a tool that is able to locate and/or disables electronic spy equipment such as microphones, cameras, and GPS tracking devices. Law enforcement agencies, military counter-intelligence agencies, criminals, and everyday individuals who are suspicious of being overheard often use spy devices. Spy devices are usually small, portable, and have multiple display functions to alert the user to a “bug.”

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Small spy devices might be used to track audio bugs in the phones or near the phones. A Larger spy device detector, measuring the size of a briefcase, can track spy cameras, audio spy equipment and have much more functions than smaller ones. Of course, such a detector cost more also.

A technologically more advanced spy detector not only allows you to detect any spying device in the room. They can also “steal” the RF signal and display what the security camera sees. If the CCTV cameras don’t use any signal encoding, then such spy cam spy devices will easily display you the wireless camera’s view.

A typical electronic spy device consists of a microphone and a radio transmitter. The microphone receives sound waves and either vibrates a thin membrane called a diaphragm (a dynamic microphone) or a thin metal ribbon suspended in a magnetic field (a ribbon microphone). The vibration of the diaphragm produces an electrical signal. The vibration of the metal ribbon produces a voltage change, which can be converted to an electrical signal.

The electric signals are then beamed out of the transmitter portion of the bug to a receiver. The conversation transmitted by the bug to the receiver can be recorded or listened to directly. Other types of spy devices exist. For example, radio frequencies passing through the electrical wiring of a building can be intercepted. Bugs can also intercept the electrical transmissions from portable phones, wireless computers linked to a network, and even from a computer monitor.

The designation of secret listening devices as bugs is entirely suitable, given their small size. Modern bugs can be concealed in pens, calculators, and even buttons (although the latter need to be replaced frequently, as their power supply is so small).

The miniaturization of electronics has made it possible to pack more devices into the small package. For example, video equipment can be contained in a bug, enabling sight as well as sound surveillance.

Some spy devices contain voice-activated recorders that are capable of storing up to 12 hours of conversation. The information can then be rapidly sent to a receiver in a “burst” transmission. Because detection of the spy device is geared toward the frequencies emitted during transmission, the detection of these spy devices is difficult. Counter systems are designed to try and activate the spy device and then detect it. The transmission range of spy devices has improved from mere yards to miles. Some spy devices can even transmit to satellites, making monitoring from thousands of miles away feasible.

Another surveillance option is the use of a microphone. Conventional microphones operate electronically; the electrical signals representing the converted sound waves are passed through a wire to a receiving device located elsewhere. Microphones that operate using magnetic fields also exist.

Shotgun microphones equipped with a parabolic reflector can record conversation outside at a distance. Electronic filters screen out extraneous background noise in order to enhance the sensitivity of the microphone.

Laser microphones bounce a laser beam off of an object that is near the conversation. The object must be something that resonates, or is able to move as pressure waves created by noise in the room encounter it. As the object vibrates back and forth due to the sound waves from the conversation in the room, the distance traveled by the laser beam will become slightly shorter and longer. These length differences can be measured over time, and the pattern of the vibrations translated into the text of the conversation. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Microphones are extremely hard to detect, especially when used in a room where other electrical appliances (i.e., computers, telephones) are operating.

Spy devices are detected with a detector by virtue of the frequencies they emit. Essentially a spy device is a receiver. When brought near an operating spy bug, a detector will collect and amplify the bug’s transmission. Spy devices are now portable enough to be carried in a “sweep” of a room.

Most spy devices are able to track almost any wireless spy device that uses RF signals. Be it a wireless mini hidden camera, a phone bug, or a Bluetooth spy cam.

But, detecting hard-wired cameras was a little problem. It’s simply because they don’t use radio frequency signals to transmit data between the transmitter and a receiver. Now, powerful bug tracking devices can spot even wired CCTV cameras in the area. So the main problem is simply gone with these new-era bug trackers.

How Spy Devices Work

A spy device is essentially a radio receiver that is able to pick up electromagnetic signals that are broadcasted from an electronic device or specifically, a spy device. Rather than converting these intercepted radio broadcasts into data or audio, the spy device simply lights up and sounds an alarm whenever it receives a strong frequency. By moving a spy device around to nearby objects, it is able to alert the user to hidden bugs.

Fortunately, most radio frequency spy devices are easily found. The signals that they transmit are fairly common and can be spotted by a simple device tuned to the frequency range that the offending spy device uses. Simply make sure all electronic products are turned off in the space you are checking and slowly walk around the room. If an offending radio frequency is operating in the room the device will pick it up and notify you. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Types of Spy devices

There are two main types of spying technology that most people who are being spied on come in contact with, video and audio. In either case, the devices that are being used operate on a radio frequency (RF) system. The technology to operate and construct these devices is fairly simple and has resulted in spy devices that are no bigger than a penny.

They use a lower range of RF, between 1-3 MHz which is generally on par with that of a garage door opener. Unfortunately, because their size is so small, they can be placed almost anywhere to capture their intended information. In some instances, like a phone conversation, they do not even need to be placed on or in the phone. They only need to be placed near the phone.

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

A detector can cover from 50 MHz – 6.0GHz. This covers the normal frequencies that wireless devices use. 50 MHZ (megahertz) is the low end of the scale this is where you will find most voice transmitters. As you move up the scale to the GHZ (gigahertz) you get into the wireless camera frequencies. MHz and GHz are just frequency denominators IE: 1000 MHZ is equal to 1 GHZ so a 2.4 GIG camera can also be considered to be a 2400 MHZ and a 5.8 GHZ can be a 5800 MHZ. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

This is not to be confused with say a 10-meter radio that runs around 29.0 (lower than the range) or 27.0 (CB radio). Between 50 and 6000 MHz is where most spy devices are located. The federal government uses between 406- 420 MHZ (approx.).

The process for locating bugs is simple but time-consuming. You need to be aware of all the wireless devices you possess. This can include but is not limited to,

  • Baby monitors 900 – 1200 MHZ (many others)
  • Wireless Routers 802.11 -(close to 2.4 GHZ)
  • Cordless phones 5.8-6 GHZ
  • Some Cell Phones (approx.) 900 MHz
  • Wireless Keyboards and Mice
  • Wireless speakers

There are many other wireless devices that can set off a spy detector so everything that you know to be wireless needs to be turned off, so you can avoid false signals. Other things to keep in mind are that your neighbors may have wireless devices such as routers and cordless phones. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

So to start the process using your spy detector turn off everything that you know is wireless. The simple conclusion here is that whatever else you find is a bug or a wireless camera but that is not always true. You need to take interference into account. There is RF everywhere and our spy detector is sensitive enough to pick it up. RF is generated by microwaves TVs high power lines and so on.  Did you ever walk under a high power line, like the big towers that run through the US? The feeling you get is RF so much RF that you can feel it. An experiment we used to do is hold a fluorescent bulb under the power line and it will light up. The RF activates the gas in the tube causing light.

How do you know if your detector finds a spy device? Well if you can’t use the sensitivity setting on a detector to tune out the alarm. Then you start looking for devices. Spy devices will not just light up and point to the bug, it is a process. If you get a reading from a solid wall go to the other side of that wall and make sure that there are no other wireless devices in the area that the house or apartment next door does not have a wireless router. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Remember that whoever put the spy device is had to have access to a certain amount of time; you must take into account whether they had time to open a wall and then repair it so well that you can’t tell. Look for more obvious places like in or around cluttered areas or under furniture that is a much more likely location. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Audio Spy devices

Audio spy devices are used to detect the presence of audio recording equipment such as phone taps or “wires.” Since these types of spy devices are able to record everything that a target is saying, they can be detrimental to the target’s reputation and/or career. Audio spy devices are able to detect the presence of audio bugs by detecting the radio frequencies that they transmit, which are usually in the 1-3 MHz range.

Video Spy devices

Like audio spy devices, video bugs are able to capture everything the target is doing and can be placed anywhere in the target’s room. Although video bugs use a slightly higher radio frequency, usually in the 5-10 MHz range, they depend on radio frequencies to transmit the information they capture and video spy devices can easily detect them. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

GPS Spy devices

Unlike audio and video spy devices, GPS, and other location-based bugs use a much higher range of radio frequencies in order to communicate with GPS satellites. As a result of this, GPS spy devices must be able to detect high radio frequencies or even a variety of radio frequency ranges in order to detect GPS spy devices. Additionally, GPS spy devices run a much higher chance of other electronic devices confusing them than audio and video spy devices because GPS frequencies are closer to common electronic devices such as power lines and radio broadcasts.

Spy devices and microphones have moved from the arena of political espionage to the boardrooms of corporate offices and police surveillance operations. Recognizing the prevalence of electronic eavesdropping devices and their threat to privacy, the United States Congress passed the Electronic Communication Privacy Act in 1986, which made bugging illegal. Nonetheless, the use of an eavesdropping device and detector is widespread in the intelligence and business communities. One estimate places the annual sales of such devices in the United States alone at $888 million.Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

Nowadays there are plenty of shops where you can find electronic devices such as cassette recorders, spy devices, but if you are looking for the spy gadgets the market has to offer come and visit us in Spy World, we are located in Coral Gables/Miami Beach, Florida. Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, located southwest of Downtown Miami. Spy Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables

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