Bug - A hidden microphone, usually connected to a radio transmitter.
Also, may be wired directly to a listening post.
Bumper Beeper - A radio transmitter which is attached to a vehicle
for use as a beacon or homing device for tailing.
Carrier Current Device - Transmits a signal, modulated by audio,
along a pair of wires (electrical or phone line) to a compatible
receiver. The signal travels along the wires with very little radiated from
the lines.
An impressive array of electronic equipment is available for use in invading
your privacy. Practically none of it is marketed for this purpose, but it
takes only a little thought to realize that most of these devices can be
used for illegal bugging and/or wiretapping. Most toy stores carry inexpensive
walkie-talkies that are ideal for a quick and dirty room bug. The eavesdropper
simply installs the battery, tapes down the transmit button and hides the
walkie-talkie in the target room.
Another inexpensive room bug is the "FM Baby Monitor". Not only
can mom use it to keep an ear on her little one, but since it has a transmit
range of about three blocks, it makes a nifty bug also.
One of the most common telephone bugging attacks is the hookswitch bypass.
When a telephone has been bypassed, it becomes "hot on hook".
This means that even though the phone is hung up, it intercepts all room
conversation and passes them down the phone line to a listening post. The
cost of components to perform this little trick? About 45 cents.
We have barely scratched the surface of what is readily available for bugging
and wiretapping. In the following pages we present some equipment that can
help you detect and locate these threats to your privacy. Our equipment
is geared toward detecting and/or locating commercially available bugs and
wiretaps planted by your friends, lovers or business associates. If your
problem is with the
FBI or other three letter agencies, our equipment probably won't be of much
help to you. We also recommend that you educate yourself about the techniques
of bugging and wiretapping to help you understand the threat.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS:
Contact Mic - A microphone that picks up sounds by amplifying
vibrations from a solid surface such as a door, window or wall.
Harmonics - Multiples of a basic frequency.
Their presence indicates a clandestine transmitter.
Hookswitch Bypass - A modification to
the telephone instrument so that room sounds are picked up and passed down
the phone line to a listening post even with the telephone handset hung
up. Turns the telephone into a room bug.
Hot mic - See Hookswitch Bypass.
Jammer - A device that produces noise
in hidden microphones, so that conversations are unintelligible to the listener.
Mail Cover - Interception
of mail by the Post Office for a government agency.
Parallel Tap -
Connected across both wires of a telephone line. Usually used to
activate a tape recorder. DC resistance ranges from 10 megohms to 35 megohms.
May also be a radio transmitter, in which case, a separate battery is required
for powering the
transmitter.
Parasitic Device
- A type of eavesdropping device that pirates its operating power
from a source such as the telephone line or house
wiring. It requires no battery of its own.
Series Tap - Usually a radio transmitter.
It obtains its power from the telephone line to which it is attached. It
is installed in series
(in line with one wire). Generally has a DC resistance of 70 to 300 ohms.
Can also be used to activate a tape recorder.
Spike Mic - Similar to a contact microphone,
but has a metal spike that is driven into a wall, etc. to pick up voice
vibrations.
Tap - See Wiretap.
Wired Mic - An installation where a
microphone is connected to a listening post by a pair of wires.
Wiretap - Clandestine interception of
a telephone conversation. Operates when the phone is in use.
OTHER RLEATED PAGES
Books, Manuals And Training
TSCM BIBLE: The Countermeasures Cookbook
Wiretap Detection Techniques
Other Books And Manuals On Countermeasures
Books On Privacy
One Day Workshop On Countermeasures
Telephone Privacy Continous Use Gear
ComSec Telephone Privacy Monitor
Telcom Security Unit
TE-4200 Telephone Analyzer
Phonesafe Continuous Phone Monitor
SAVE MONEY! Combination Specials
Foxhound Bug Detector And Tap Trap Combo Special
RapidTecMultiFunction Bug Detector & Tap Trap
LevTec State-Of-The Art Detector With Free
Tap Trap
Professional TSCM Testing Gear And Kits
The State-Of-The Art CPM 700
CSR-1 High EndCountermeasures Kit
CMS Professional Countermeasures Kit
The Oscor: Omni Spectral Correlator
The Advanced Countermeasres System
Sound Masking & Audio Jamming
The Audio Jammer
Portable TSCM Noise Generator
Acoustic Noise Generator
Scrambling And Encryption Equipment
Portable Telephone Scramblers
Fax Transmission Scrambler
The Modem Sentury
ViaCrypt: PGP
Other TSCM Gear
The Metal Tec 1200
UV Security Marking Pen & UV Light
Tone Generator And Line Probe
Video Camera Detector
Paper Shredders
Long Play Tape Recorders
Video Camera Equipment