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Where to check for Bugging Devices

    Since 1998 we have built and sold thousands of bugging devices, listening devices, hidden cameras, and trackers and we have also found lots as well. This article is to help you understand how to locate surveillance equipment and where to search for bugging devices.

    Power

    One of the first things to consider is that the bugging device needs power, and quite a lot. One of the first bugs we found was hidden inside a wall and had a battery bank in the roof space. The bug itself was the size of your palm, but the battery pack was the size of a shoebox. You may feel this is strange and not very modern, and it was some time ago, but the fact remains the same. For a listening device to run for several months without constant power, you need large batteries, and that stands true to today.

    If you consider a pen sized listening device with a rechargeable battery gets hours not days of consistent recording out of a charge, it starts to make sense that bugs cannot be the size of your thumb unless they have access to constant power or a huge battery bank, or they need recharging every day or so.

    So remember when searching for a listening device, or other bugging device, check things like power points, power boards, extension leads, phone sockets, etc. All of these areas can supply constant power.

    Consider power when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Noise

    Bugging devices are like your ears, they hate sounds of motors and other constant noises. You would never sit next to a noisy old fridge to watch TV, and generally people do not hide bugging devices near noisy areas. A TV is another example, when sweeping for bugs, or searching for bugs, have a quick look around the TV in case an inexperienced operator planted a bugging device there, but you wouldn’t really expect to find one as all they will hear is your favourite TV show every night. Behind or inside the couch on the other hand is a likely spot because it’s quiet and near the conversation.

    Consider noise when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Metal

    A little known fact amongst the general community is that metal stops transmission of all RF devices, you can check that by wrapping your mobile in tin foil and calling it. Metal also affects transmitters when they are next to it or behind it. This means that hiding a bug behind a filing cabinet will reduce its performance significantly. When searching for bugs, just like the TV, it’s worth having a quick look in case an inexperienced operator hid it there, but you will be unlikely to find one inside any metal box or strapped onto a large metal object.

    Consider metal when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Water

    This seems to be a no brainer as all electronics hate water, especially devices with microphones and antennas. Water acts like metal to reduce the output power and of course kills the electronics. Over the years we have had people bring in kettles, ask us to search in tanks, you name it. Generally speaking a professional would not hide a listening device around water.

    Consider water when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Ease of access

    Normally when bugging equipment is planted it is either done when you are out, or while you are asleep. This gives them little time to do anything too elaborate. They also have to recover it, particularly if it is an expensive bugging device. Look around your home or office and imagine where people could quickly hide a listening device or hidden camera. The only exception to this is if you feel you are bugged by someone that lives there, then they will have time to make it more concealed.

    Consider ease of access when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Fabric

    Fabric is a great choice to hide a listening device in, easy to access, it won’t reduce transmission distance and apart from a little muffling, the sound will be great. Keep this in mind when sweeping for bugs, areas like mattresses, cushions, couches, head rests in cars, etc., are all great.

    Consider fabric when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Areas of importance

    It’s no use planting a bug in a laundry of a teenage boys house, he will probably rarely go in there. When people plant listening devices, it is virtually always in the kitchen, lounge, or bedroom, depending what they want.

    Consider areas of importance when searching for bugging equipment and it will reduce the possible locations.

    Summary

    Although this is not an exhaustive list, as we haven’t covered walls, ceilings, windows and under floors, by considering noise, metal, water, ease of access, fabric and areas of importance, your searchable area for bugging devices should just have shrunk considerably.

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