For a layman, spy microphones, hidden spy cameras and other spying equipment can be stuff used in movies only. But they can be found in reality as well. This might be found in a rented apartment. They are may be used in spy offices and gym. Or they might even be found in your own home.
In today's article, we will see how to detect hidden spy cameras?
What Are The Spy Cameras Used For?
Why would someone use spy cameras in real life? Sometimes, the owners of the rental apartments use them for monitoring against any kind of theft or damage. Those who make prank videos can use spy cameras. Professional extortionists also use spy cams. Simply put together, everyone has different reasons to use them.
How likely are you to be monitored in everyday life? A survey of Airbnb users revealed that 11% had seen a hidden camera in their rental accommodation. And these are the people who found something. There are people who don't take precautions. Moreover, these cameras are not easily visible.
Its lenses are so small and have 2 millimeter diagram, and the box they are covered in is completely hidden or camouflaged. How can you detect that you're being monitored in such situations. In today's article, we will see 4 different ways for how to detect spy cams? Let's discuss these methods.
4 Different Ways To Detect Spy Cameras
To detect spy cameras, we have 4 ways which are as follows:
- Hiring an expert
- Use equipment to detect hidden cameras
- Use of smart phone
- Use of a mobile application
Lets talk about these methods further.
1. Hiring An Expert To Detect Spy Cameras
The best way to detect hidden cameras is to hire the services of a security expert who has the required expertise and equipment to detect spy cameras and other devices. You can easily find such security experts in every city.
Pros Of Hiring Security Experts
- Better efficiency
- More reliable results
- You don't have to do effort at your own
Cons
- High price
- Potential Delay
- You can't have their services in hotels or apartments
If you are staying elsewhere, or are visiting another place, it is best to hire an expert, although this can be expensive.
2. Using Equipment To Detect Spy Cameras
For this purpose, you can track spy cameras using electromagnetic radiation detectors, optical detectors and other devices, and check each room individually. A standard spy cam detector is available between 1200 to 3000 rupees. More professional and powerful devices cost more.
Incidentally, the simplest optical detectors can be assembled manually. All you need is some red LEDs and a red light filter. When you shine the light on the suspect spot and look through the filter, if a camera is there, it will be visible as a glowing dot in the light.
Keep in mind that these devices don't have range more than 10 meters. If you decide to do a self-check, pay particular attention to bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as smoke detectors and appliances and common hiding places, where such videos may be filmed. Also, check out the wall paintings, clocks, vases and even toys.
Pros
- Independence
- You can check at any time
- DIY (Do It Yourself) facility
Cons
- Equipment have low range
- Equipment with high prices
- Skills and time required to use the equipment
If you have only yourself to trust, this option is best for you.
3. Using Mobile Phones to Detect Spy Cameras
You may not need special equipment all the time to detect spy cams, sometimes your smart phone can do this. You can use your flash light and mobile camera for this purpose. First of all, turn off all the lights in the room. Drop all the curtains. Make sure that the room is completely dark. Then turn on your mobile camera and flash light, and spot the light where you think a camera can be.
If your suspicion is right, you will see a glare on your smart phone screen. If you can't use your phone's camera and flash at the same time, then using a separate light for this purpose is also an option. Sometimes you can do this without the flash light.
So many spy cameras use infrared light to film in the dark. This light is not visible to human eye, but visible to smart phone camera. While recording video in the dark, the infrared light source will become visible as a blinking dot on the smartphone screen.
Remember, the main camera of the smart phone uses infrared lights, so it can't be used for this purpose, but front camera can do the trick here. You can experiment it with TV remote to know if your smart phone is perfect for this task.
Pros
- Free to use
- No special skills required
- No special equipment is required
Cons
- Not all the models of the smart phones can do this
- This will take a lot of time
- This method is ineffective. We can be fooled by possible false positives, and cameras are invisible without infrared radiation
This method is ineffective. We can be fooled by possible false positives, and cameras are invisible without infrared radiation
4. Use An Application To Detect Hidden Cams
There are two categories of mobile apps used to detect spy cameras or other hidden devices. In the first category, devices are searched for by lens glare, as described above. Examples of this include the Glint Finder, which detects glare (or glint) by shining a flashlight onto the lens. As soon as this happens, you should check that specific area for any hidden devices.
Other types of applications are built to detect hidden devices. These applications need to be connected to Wi-Fi to work. These apps scan the router, and then list all the connected devices after scanning. Check any device you're not entirely sure about, such as a laptop or mobile phone. With the help of a tool you can separate harmless devices from, and tracking devices this list.۔
Pros
- More efficient
- Economical way to detect hidden cams
- Doesn't require any equipment, except for a compatible smart phone
Cons
- Not as effective as the specialized devices to detect spy cameras
- This method is not best for smart homes, where so many devices are connected
- Not suitable for the hotels and other public place Wi-Fi connections
Expert software possesses capabilities between professional equipment and improvised means. For travelers who are very cautious, this is probably the best option, provided they use a trusted app.
What To Do When You Find A Spy Ca Or Other Hidden Device?
If you find something that looks like a spy cam or other tracking device, take a picture and do image search to find out what exactly it is. May be its just a harmless device.
And if it is exactly what you thought, then you should immediately contact the management of that place (such as hotel administration) or police.
Precautions To Be Taken In An Unfamiliar Environment
We've discussed a few ways to make sure that no extortionist, TikTok prankster, or landlord is filming you without your permission. But if you're traveling, spy cameras are not the only threat. Following are some of the precautions you should take while you're going out for travel:
- Always take an extra battery with you as precaution.
- Do not neglect valuables.
- Don't use public computers for online shopping, logging into your accounts or for messaging.
- Use VPN apps to secure your data from hackers.
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