To put it simply, if a surveillance device has been planted by the security services, i.e. MI5, the chances of the untrained person detecting it would be very slim. (By the way, the term "untrained person" includes a large proportion of private investigators, who claim to be experts in this field!)

Am I at Risk From Being Bugged?

A quick answer to this is obviously: YES. The question is: who would want to or stand to gain from going to the trouble and expense of doing it? Well, let's think. Political and public figures, people engaged in fringe and extremist groups, those cheating on their partner, persons engaged in research and development, especially in the IT field, competitors and so on. The list is endless.

Interesting FACTS -

• A simple addition to your telephone handset can leave the microphone connected all the time allowing anyone who is interested to listen in to all conversations in the room. This type of surveillance transmitter is known as an infinity device.

• A telephone transmitter which transmits all your telephone conversations can be installed in the phone, the socket or junction box, anywhere on the line, as far back or even inside the exchange.

• Fax transmissions can be intercepted by quality telephone taps.

• A bug may be installed without entering your premises.

• A wall contact microphone can pick up conversations through up to 30 cm of concrete.

• A socket or light switch may be replaced with an identical unit that contains a built in transmitter, powered by the mains.

• Speech in a room causes a small vibration on the window, which can be detected and converted to audio, by a laser beam, from some distance away.

• A computer screen radiates a signal (try putting a radio at the side of it), this radiation leaks out of windows and can be received by a special receiver that could then show you whatever the screen was displaying.

Some Indications That You May Be a Victim Of Bugging

• Confidential information seems to be getting out to competitors.

• Competitors seem to be just one step ahead all the time.

• Your home or premises have been broken into and very little or nothing was taken.

• Sockets or switches show signs of being moved slightly, i.e. the wallpaper may be disturbed.

• Various vehicles are parked near to your premises that appear to be empty.

• Your telephone rings but no one speaks or you just hear a short tone.

• You hear unusual sounds (crackling, clicks, volume changes) on your telephone handset.

• Indications that your handset may have been exchanged, i.e. numbers in memory may be lost.

• Repairers or utility companies turn up to carry out work when they have not been called.

• Furniture or items appear to have been disturbed.

• You experience interference on your radio or television.

• An odd texture on small parts of wall, floor or skirting boards may be present. This may indicate the use of conductive paint from a hidden microphone.

• Unexplained brick or plaster dust on floor, or a small discoloration showing on the wall may indicate drilling from the other side of the wall or plaster, paper being lifted to plant a microphone.

If you suspect you are a victim of bugging, the first thing to decide is whether want to alert the enemy that you suspect this, as sometimes, once you are aware of it, you can use the fact to your advantage by a campaign of misinformation. Other things to take into consideration are that, once the electronic spy is alerted, they may take steps to make detection more difficult, i.e. temporary removal, etc.

The most important part of any check is the visual inspection. When carried out correctly, this can take many hours, as each room has to be checked inch by inch. Also all socket outlet, light switches, vent grills are to be removed. It is often wise to purchase a set of these items giving you something as a comparison with the ones that you remove.

Other items which you may find more difficult to check and are very popular systems for the electronic spy are fire and intruder alarm units. They may use the existing alarm wiring to pass the signal back to the control unit which may conceal a transmitter or recorder in its circuitry.

When inspecting the outside of the premises, be on the lookout for any newly-replaced mortar or any signs of drilling, etc. The same goes for inside and a careful examination of plaster work and skirting boards is required, as often a slight discoloration is caused when a microphone is placed just below the surface or a fine layer of conductive paint may have been used to carry power/signals to a hidden device.

The first and foremost thing to check is the telephone system. Probably the easiest and safest way to deal with the handset is to replace it with a new one unless you have the know-how to test it yourself. The socket and junction boxes are best checked by acquiring identical units and comparing the circuits visually.

Companies such as BT (Brisith Telecom) will carry out a line check for free if you report it as a faulty line (remember to make any calls that may alert the person eavesdropping from another phone, away from the premises). This line test shows up many of the line abnormalities caused by parasitic and line-activated telephone transmitters/recorders. A line voltage check with the handset off the hook will often show up series-connected devices. Apart from a visual inspection of the line as far back as possible and a check for RF (radio frequency) transmissions (see below) with the handset on and off the hook, there is little more the individual can do without seeking professional assistance.

There are devices that can be purchased (we sell such devices) that detect or destroy telephone bugs. In general, it is always wise to regard the telephone as an unsecure means of conversation.

Equipment

There are many devices available, costing thousands of pounds but, without expert knowledge, the results can often be worthless and a good near-range RF detector with a range up to at least 2 GHZ should suffice for the DIY bug-hunter.

The ideal types are the ones that display signal strength and the frequency.

Another valuable piece of equipment can be a scanner as, when a RF signal is detected, the scanner can be locked onto it and you can verify what the transmission is. If you are in the same area as a room bug, you will get a loud feedback. Start the sweep on a room-by-room basis, checking with electrical items switched on and then off. Quite often you will come across RF transmissions that are perfectly innocent such as wireless alarm systems and common-sense and painstaking elimination have to be used.

When sweeping, pay particular attention to vent grills, electrical outlets, switches, light fittings etc. and make sure lights, ceiling cavities, wall surfaces and the external areas of the property are checked.