Here at Spy Equipment UKwe have developed a vast wealth of knowledge on common surveillance techniques and as such a wide range of simple tips for countering these techniques. This article will help the D.I.Y. Detective in most counter surveillance situations they may find themselves in.

The most common form of surveillance is audio monitoring, usually in the form of GSM bugging with the GSM bugeither hidden or disguised as an every day object. When conducting a ‘bug sweep’ it is imperative that all plug sockets and light switches are removed from the wall. This allows for a physical check to see if an audio module has been attached to the mains at this point, light fittings are also possible places an audio unit may be connected to the mains. Ensure to check any high, out of sight or reach locations (including above ceiling tiles if possible) that could conceal and audio devices, Spy Equipment UK’s Snake Inspection Camera is perfect for this. Remember, however, to always back up a thorough physical check with a scan from a suitable bug hunter. Video units operate in a very similar way to audio units however must have the lens (however small) on show, the quickest way to pick these out is to use Spy Equipment UK’s Spy Camera Finder.

GPS Vehicle Trackers are also a common area of surveillance, with magnetically mounted units being the most popular due to their ease of deployment and removal. The two types of magnetically mounted vehicle trackers are Live GPS Trackersand Historic GPS Loggers. Both can be detected by a thorough search of the underside of the vehicle, as both types work best when parallel to the road surface it is best to check places where this would be possible first. Front or rear bumpers are also popular spots along with spare wheel compartments and boots. A GPS Loggercan only be detected by this method as they do not actually send an RF transmition and simply communicate with the mid-orbit satellites to obtain long & lat coordinates to log. A live GPS tracker, however, uses an onboard SIM card to communicate its long & lat data to a remote server meaning these is an RF transmission that could be detected but Spy Equipment UK’s Pro6000GSM Bug Hunter or higher.

In today’s technology fueled world it can be harder and harder to protect your personal details or personal property. With thieves having access to a range of high tech, covert means of gathering sensitive information about you or your possessions it can be important to be upto date with the means and availability of protection equipment, this is where Spy Equipment UK are here to help you.

The first stop is Spy Equipment UK’s Security Solutions, this section of the SEUK website is dedicated to bringing you the latest in home and personal security items from our range. In the area of personal data security there a re a few options such as the Personal Pocket Safe, a secure data storage unit with a near unbreakable 256bit encryption system. PC Shelter is also an excellent option as this software can help protect you against some of the most common data theft techniques around.  In addition to these there is also SEUK’s White Noise Generation CD, a simple way of disrupting audio monitoring in the general vicinity by filling the background with white noise, making voice detection near impossible. SEUK also offer a range of outdoor camera systems for protecting valuable property whilst you are not around along with an In-car camera and logger system and covert vehicle tracker for vehicle safety and security.

Spy Equipment UK also offer a range of Bug Hunting devices aimed at hunting out transmition type bugging devices, these can be found in our Bug Detection Section and Bug Hunters Sub-Section. These units can detect bugs ranging from 1MHz all the way up to 12GHz depending on the model you go for, however it is worth mentioning that only the highest quality bugging devices would operate near such a high frequency.

So as you can see, it isn’t too hard to keep one step ahead and protect that which is important to you with a little help from Spy Equipment UK.

Since the advent of e-mail, instant messengers and social networking websites it has become a lot easier for people to chat and stay in touch across any distance. These advances have been herald as a golden age in communication and rightly so, there are however, some down sides. If abused it allows for even greater covert communication or means for dangerous individuals to contact vulnerable people.

For the D.I.Y. Detective there are a whole host of means for PC Monitoring to combat a wide range of issues. For the most basic approach to PC Monitoring there are a range of physical, in-line Keyloggers for both USB and PS/2 keyboards. These units need to be connected to the end of the keyboard wire and then connected up to the back of the PC, the unit then records every key stroke entered into the keyboard. Once the unit has been retrieved it can be connected up to another PC and a report printed off.

Where something physical can’t be left in the PC, or its a Laptop, Keylogging software is also available loaded onto a discrete USB fash drive. Simply plug the flash drive into the PC or laptop, whilst logged in as an administrator, run the 60 second installation, remove the flash drive and walk away. The software then sits, hidden on the target’s PC recording every key stroke entered along with periodic screen shots. The information is then recovered by plugging the flash drive back into the targeted PC and downloading the data file for review in a different location.

Along with surveillance, there are also parental monitoring applications available with Software based PC Monitoring. This allows parents to monitor use of the the Internet, restrict Internet usage times, decipher instant messenger talk (lol = laugh out loud) and much more. The software is easy and simple to install and allows parents complete control and protection for their kids using the Internet.

So as you see, the D.I.Y. Detective has quite a few options at his/her fingertips for covert computer monitoring, internet protection and computer protection.

With the advent of smaller and smaller bugging devices, and a much higher rate of electronic crime, people all over the world are looking to private detectives and security organisations to help combat the growing trend. Many Private Detective companies will offer a counter-surveillance service where they will come to your premises and ’search for bugs’, usually done with a range of publicly available RF detectors, everyday tools and some common sense. This post aims to show how the D.I.Y. Detective can ensure his/her own integrity without relying on a service from others.

When it comes to Counter-Surveillance the first thing you to use would be an RF Detector but to use the RF Detector you first need to understand is the different types of RF bugs that are available. The most commonly available RF bugging device are the GSM Bugs that allows others to dial in remotely and listen to the surroundings of the device, this means it transmits audio via a radio frequency. Other commonly used RF bugging devices are UHF Bugs that transmit audio via radio frequency to a receving device that is usually connected to a recording device. Both of these types of RF bug come in two types, ‘live’ and ‘burst’. ‘Live’ means that the unit is transmitting when in use and ‘Burst’ means the unit will collect audio over a short period of time and transmit  the data every 20-30 minutes. This means ‘live’ RF bugs can be detected when they are in use (e.g. when being called into) and transmitting audio. ‘Burst’ bugs, however require an RF detector to be left in place for approx. 30 minutes, if a ‘burst’ bug is detected a physical check is the way forward.

Although an RF Detector is an essential peice of the D.I.Y. Detective’s arsenal you will also need something as simple as a standard took kit. The tool kit you will need for doing your physical checks of an area, this should include behind all power sockets and light fittings as these are good mains power access point. Another useful item for thr D.I.Y. Detective is a Snake Camera for checking the spots behind plug sockets and any tight space that would be good for concealing surveillance devices. The biggest past of the D.I.Y Detective’s arsenal, however, is common sense…look at an area and see how you would go about bugging the room and start from there.

99.9% of bug hunts will end without anything being found however it is always worth being as thourough as possible to protect against the 0.1%.

No Spy Shop would be complete without a collection of wireless spy cameras. These cameras have been around for a few years now as have wireless CCTV cameras. Both of these sets of cameras use the same transmission frequency of 2.4GHz. Wireless Covert Cameras were originally only available as a lower quality CMOS camera unit, but in the last few years, advances have meant that these devices are now available as a CCD unit giving higher quality crisper images.

Here at Spy Equipment UK we have divided our wireless cameras into two main categories. General Stand-alone units and Bespoke devices. The general stand-alone units come with either CCD or CMOS transmitting cameras, but these cameras are ‘naked’, meaning that they have not been built into anything.For a customer who wants to locate a camera into an existing situation (into a current room set-up), then these cameras are relatively cheap to purchase. The Receivers accompanying these cameras are either Receivers with built-in recording capacity (onto SD Card) or a specialised Receiver that plugs into the USB port of a nearby PC. The latter device working in conjunction with included software enables recording of received footage onto the PC. On top of this, this system has software driven movement detection and even enables the user to remotely watch the imagery from another networked PC. Both of these systems can be used at home or in the office to great effect.

Our Bespoke range of wireless cameras are more expensive, but offer some serious advantages. The cameras themselves have been built into a Clock, an Air Freshener, a Smoke Detector and even a Potpourri Bowl. These power-saving units have intelligent modules that enable the battery powered units to stay in position for an extended period of time as opposed to the general stand alone units that can burn a standard battery out within 3 to 4 hours. Coupled to an intelligent Receiver/Recorder and one of the triggers - PIR, or Door Catch or Floor Matt, the system enables intelligent recording in response to movement or other triggers ensuring that only the relevant events are recorded. These units can be used in the office or at home, but are ideal where an extended and unattended monitoring period is required. Maybe when proof is required that a certain individual is entering a restricted area or stealing from this area or even for discreet monitoring out-of-hours. Maybe in a domestic situation when proof of an illicit liaison is taking place during the day when everybody should be at work.

Whatever the situation, it is now possible to select a wireless camera system that can really work for you and choosing one that fits-the-bill really it is all dependent upon the situation that needs monitoring and of course your budget.

GSM Bugs are a relatively new tool in the modern Spy’s toolbox, but what an addition they have become. GSM Bugs, also known as Infinity Bugs and Spy Phone Bugs have really only made their presence felt in the Spy market in the last four years. As the name suggests, these devices are based around mobile phone technology. Essentially, the stand-alone GSM Bugs are modern mobile phones with the screen, buttons and other non-essential parts stripped away providing a very compact unit with a sensitive microphone and often specialist operating software. These units are world-wide listening tools, whereas previously there was only on offer RF (Radio Frequency) Bugs that have a realistic listening range of up to 600 metres and although these other offerings (FM and UHF Bugs) were and still are effective listening devices, they have been deemed as illegal for use in the UK and EU.

GSM Bugs are these days not only stand-alone devices, but these days are found built into everyday equipment such as Double and Multi-Plug Mains Adapters. These advances mean that the GSM units are far more versatile than they ever previously were. Probably the most popular in Spy Equipment UK’s range is the GSM Double Plug Adapter. This is a working Double Plug Adapter with a GSM module and internal back up battery inside. Plug the unit into a socket and within about a minute or so the GSM unit has ‘fired up’. Dial the number of the SIM Card within and the unit opens up the microphone without any indication and this then enables the caller to listen in to the surrounding environment, a radius of several metres. Whilst plugged in, other mains equipment can be powered by the Adapter and once fully charged, if the Adapter is removed from the power socket, then the internal battery will still power the unit for up to 8 hours.

Our smallest stand alone unit, the GSM Micro, is believed to be the smallest self-contained GSM unit available. Measuring only 43mm x 35mm x 17mm, the device can be hidden almost anywhere and yet this battery-only powered unit has a standby mode of up to 6 days and a calling time of up to 6 hours, yet the audio clarity that it provides is superb.

So, when and where are these pieces of spy equipment best used. The GSM Micro and our other battery-powered units can be placed anywhere, even stuck under a chair, a desk, a table or behind a filing cabinet. We have known customers to hide the GSM micro in a variety of places, even in the lining of a handbag! As regards the Mains-powered units, these of course are ideal for long-term deployment. We even have a mains-powered extension that with intelligent sound activation that calls you. By replacing an existing Double Adapter, Extension Lead or Double Wall Socket with one of our devices, nobody would ever suspect. To keep tabs on a wayward employee, a cheating partner or even your children, then GSM Bugs provide the perfect modern day solution.

The Digital Age has seen the advent of some very sophisticated equipment that would be the pride of every good spy. Voice Recorders have been around for many years although originally they were huge ‘Reel to Reel’ tape machines that could not be deemed as being portable. Initially these machines were used by Government Agencies to spy activities of other Governments and regimes that posed a threat to national security. The 1970’s saw the advent of commercially available Cassette Tape Recorders and these are still available today. The microprocessor has given birth to a digital revolution. Digital Recorders have a versatility that tapes never had and now are able to store vast amounts of voice recordings.

Most commercially available Digital Recorders are designed to be used as Dictaphones with the microphone technology being sufficient for this purpose. Here at Spy Equipment UK we use enhanced microphone technology so that our Digital Recorders can be used in a variety of situations. Our Digital Recorders come with varying capacities ranging from 16 hours to 280 hours. All have voice activations and all are supplied with a Covert Microphone. This enables the Recorder to be secretely hidden away making discrete recording possible. It is possible to hide the Digital Recorder behind a set of drawers, a cabinet or something similar, but have the covert microphone, which is very small placed in a semi-exposed position, thereby not alerting attention. With the Digital Recorder used in this way, then recording voice/noise in a fairly large room will give excellent results. Other customers have used these recorders hidden away inside a car behind the Drivers side ‘A’ Pillar with the Microphone just semi-exposed from the headlining. This method has given fabulous results and with Lithium Batteries inside the recorder can stay active for several days. Add the facts that we can provide Mains Power Adapters and Landline Telephone Recording Adapters for the 16, 32 and 280 hour Recorders and you can see you have versatile surveillance tool.

Talking of versatile surveillance tools. When it comes to Voice Recorders, Spy Equipment UK has the very latest range of Bespoke Digital Voice Recorders. Our Flash Drive Voice Recorder can also be used to store computer files, but its secret is that it can record high quality audio in a variety of situations. Have it on your keys, around your neck, leave it on your desk. One customer reported that he left his in his Laptop Case recording and the device still picked up the conversation in the room even though it was hidden away. Our Voice Activated Pen Recorder is a very nice working ballpoint pen, yet so simple to set it recording. Wear it in your top pocket, record whilst using it as a pen, leave it on the side set for voice activation, or put it in the Pen Holder on your desk. Our Watch Voice Recorder can be worn on the wrist and is ideal for meetings or recording an interview discreetly. One of our customers got her boy to wear the Watch to School to gather evidence to prove a bullying problem.

All in all voice recorders are one of the most important tools in the armoury of the DIY Detective where recording of noise or voice in discreet situations is essential.

Since the advent of the mobile phone communication has of course become so much easier. Of course easier, more accessible and varied communication options are now part of our everyday lives. As such, the mobile phone has become the leading key indicator that a partner maybe having an affair because it becomes the primary communication method of the parties involved. More often than not a cheating partner will hide their phone away, have it switched to silent and/or not let the phone out of their sight. Many even sleep with the phone under their pillow! Others will have a second phone that they have hidden maybe in their car. Whatever the signs are, the fact remains that the mobile phone usage can also be their achilles heel.

Realising the potential, here at Spy Equipment UK we have developed a number of ways to capitalise on the illicit mobile phone usage. The cheapest method to gather information is by using the Sim Recovery Pro Deleted Text Message Reader. This relies upon the forensic recovery of messages that we stored on the SIM card, but have been deleted. The content, time, date and number related to the message can be recovered. The device works if there has been data stored on the SIM Card. Unfortunately, not all phones store text messages in this way. The second method to gain advantage is to install one of Spy Equipment UK’s Spy Phone Softwares onto the phone. Spy Equipment UK sells software for a range of the latest Nokia phones. Software can monitor incoming and outgoing text messages, all calls and also will allow using the phone as a listening device when it is not on a call. All of these function can be completed without the phone user being aware that the phone is being used in this way. Installation of Spy Phone Software does require having possession of the phone in question. The software is dispatched to the buyer attached to an e-mail, so the phone under scrutiny will need to be connected to a computer by cable or bluetooth to enable uploading of the Spy Phone Software from the Computer to the Phone. Once installed on the Phone, the software features can then be controlled remotely using another Mobile Phone.

Both of these products have proved crucial for our customers. As a result, they have been able to assess the situation and gain inside knowledge about what is actually happening. Why not do some of the Detective work yourself by checking out both of these products today to see how they can help your personal situation.

Here at Spy Equipment UK we have decided to give our potential customers advice on how, when and it is best to use our products. Some potential buyers may be unaware as to how they can benefit from items in our range and some will be uncertain as to how to decide on what product or products are best for them.

Part of our Customer base includes private individuals who more often than not have potential maritial or relationship problems that point towards their partner cheating on them. In a previous feed we gave an outline of certain key indicators that a cheating partner will give away. Working overtime, taking up a new hobby that takes them away from the home and more social nights out. All of these will invariably involve them using their vehicle and to a certain extent, dependant upon the nature of the affair that they are having, the location of their vehicle will give a pattern of where they are going to meet with ‘that other man or woman’. This is where Spy Equipment UK’s GPS Evolution Vehicle Tracker comes in. This tracking device can be placed completely underneath a vehicle, where it can be attached using the two very strong magnets that are on the outside of the GPS Evolution. The unit is very compact and looks rather like a vehiucle component and is therefore not ‘out-of-place’ under a vehicle. Once it is in place then monitoring of the device can be achieved remotely from any Internet-connected computer or from any WAP enabled mobile phone, so it is easy to keep up-to-date. Because the data sent out by the unit is stored on our secure tracking platform database, then it is possible to check historic data, when convenient, rather than having to monitor constantly, although it is easy to do both if required.

The GPS Evolution gives incredible results and is simple to use, even for those who are not technically-minded and with Spy Equipment UK also offering a short-term hire service, GPS vehicle tracking is an affordable solution to suit any pocket.

Official news reports have just revealed a British Spy Fiasco. The new head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Sir John Sawyers, has been subject of a security breach after his Wife posted personal details about him and the family on the social networking site Facebook. The Facebook profile was hurriedly withdrawn when it was discovered that details of where the live, where they holiday, who their friends and family are were found to be included.

Facebook membership and that of other social networking sites has grown rapidly over the past two years. Once it was the preserve of young adults, in their later teens and twenties, but now membership has expanded to include adults into their thirties, forties and beyond. Behind the benefits lies a more sinister trend. As with Friends Reunited, Facebook and other networking sites have become the hotbed medium for illicit affairs, but suddenly discovering your partner on one of these sites without your knowledge is just one sign. Here are other common factors:

• Your partner has suddenly started taking pride in their appearance
• They have started to work more overtime or shift working time has changed
• Their work suddenly involves training courses that keep them away overnight regularly
• They spend more solitary time on the Internet in chat rooms
• They take up a new hobby that takes them outside the home
• They are very guarded with their phone or you suddenly discover a second phone
• They have recently started to socialise with ‘friends’ on nights out
• They have gone off sex
• They suddenly want more sex or want to try out new things sexually

These are some of the signs, but the list goes on. Now more than ever it is possible to conduct your own investigation prior to calling in an expert. Spy Equipment UK offer a wide variety of solutions. Monitor their phone, monitor their whereabouts, monitor their computer activity, install a camera or a listening device to capture the evidence. Taking control of your own destiny not only empowers you, but also makes such financial sense….