Different Types of Hidden Bugs or Listening Device
How do you know if your business has been bugged? It’s not as easy as you may think. This is why companies resort to hiring security consulting companies that are trained and equipped with the right tools to find and detect unwanted listening devices. Let’s take a closer look at what listening bugs are, what they look like and the security threat they pose for your company.
What Is a Covert Listening Bug?
As the name suggests, a listening bug is a covert device used to secretly record or allow people to eavesdrop on conversations. Oftentimes, installing one of these devices in a room is referred to as “bugging the room.”
Individuals can use different types of bugs to record or transmit a conversation secretly. Most of the modern hidden bugs transmit conversations instead of recording them. This prevents the recordings from having to be physically picked up.
Usually, conversations are transmitted via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Cellular. Although, some older devices might even transmit signals via FM or UHF frequencies.
Three Types of Listening Devices
For now, we’ll look at the three most common types of bugging devices. Keep in mind that we’ll be talking about bugs rather than wiretaps. As mentioned above, some devices are made to transmit while others are made to be recovered at a later date.
Plug-and-Play Devices
These devices are among the most popular nowadays. They get power from an outlet or the bugged object. Typically, they transmit conversations secretly to an outside source. The receiving source could be a standard cellphone or a special type of recorder.
Why do so many people use these plug-and-play devices? Mostly because they allow for very quick deployment. They can be plugged into an unused socket or even into a light bulb with ease. This means that people installing these devices don’t have to spend much time setting them up.
Leave-and-Retrieve Bugs
These bugs are known for being quick to install too. That’s because all you have to do is stick them in a suitable location and leave them. They don’t transmit the conversation, though. With these devices, the users have to retrieve them.
Most of the time, leave-and-retrieve devices are battery powered. Thus, they have a life span and will stop recording once that battery runs out. That said, the conversations will still be saved on the devices until they’re retrieved.
Hard-Wired Bugs
These bugs are, by far, the hardest to detect and usually require a professional. They’re harder to install, too, because they’re embedded into the electronics of devices, such as phones.
That being said, hard-wired devices draw power from the devices into which they’re wired. This means that, once they’re installed, they typically aren’t removed.
What Does a Hidden Bug Look Like?
Trying to determine if you have a bug without the help of a professional security consulting company is difficult. One reason is because bugs are small and typically placed in locations you would never think to look.
Generally, they’re small enough to fit on the end of your finger. Some of them look like miniature speakers but are really microphones that record conversations. Besides that, they come in a lot of different shapes, sizes and colors.
To make matters worse, bugs can look like other objects. For example, maybe someone puts a bug inside a smoke detector, clock or stuffed animal. You might not even think of checking these objects.
As a result, your best bet is to have a professional company sweep for bugs and other devices, such as a hidden camera. This is the only way you can keep your information safe.
What to Do If You Think There’s a Hidden Bug in Your Office
Do you think that there’s a listening device in your office or place of business? If so, you may be wondering what you can do about it. As we mentioned above, trying to detect the device yourself can be difficult. Your first step is to ask yourself a series of questions:
- Are the conversations I’m having in this room worth recording?
- Would it cause a problem if the information I talk about gets out?
- Have I noticed any new objects in the room?
- Has anyone or a rival company gotten me any gifts lately?
- Was there anyone in the building that gained access to a restricted area?
- Have I ever had my company swept for bugs?
If you answered yes to any of these questions or no to the last one, it’s time to call a professional company to sweep for bugs. Remember, the secrets of your business are at stake. Even if no bugs are found, the peace of mind that you’ll gain from knowing you’re safe will be a big help.
What to Do While You Wait for a Professional
Once you decide to call a professional, you’ll want to be sure that no information is leaked in the meantime. To that end, try to avoid having conversations you don’t want recorded in sensitive locations. It’s unlikely that more than one area is bugged, so consider which area is most likely to be bugged, and avoid having conversations there.
Lastly, remember that background noise makes it very hard for devices to pick up usable conversations. That’s because bugs typically have to be very close to whoever is speaking to pick up usable audio. Background noise can lessen the chances of these devices picking up anything that you say.
Let IconGD Consulting Check for Listening Devices for You
Don’t take the chance of a hidden bug or camera transmitting your sensitive business information. Reach out to IconGD Consulting, a security consulting company that offers a number of reliable services, including bug sweeping. Contact us today to set up a time for one of our security experts to meet with you.
