Radio Bugging Devices
The threats posed by traditional radio-based bugging devices is still very real and present.
Telephone line eavesdropping still uses radio based technology to transmit both sides of a conversation to an eavesdropper or recording device. Radio based room or telephone transmitters have fallen in price significantly in recent years whilst the quality and stability of these devices has risen.
Eavesdroppers use radio bugging devices as the intelligence is received in real time and is of a very high quality. Microphone technology and high gain circuit design enable these devices to pick up the slightest sound within a room up to 7 metres away from the installed bug.
Types of Radio-Based Bugging Devices
Radio based bugging devices are widely available and can be as cheap as £20 for a common FM device and range up to several thousand pounds for a sophisticated device employing complex modulation. Many such devices can also store the audio received and transmit the information in small bursts. Bugging devices employ this type of high technology to evade detection and avoid giving off signatures that are detectable by conventional radio scanning devices and equipment.
Most devices commonly sold in the UK are crystal controlled FM devices costing around £50 to £200. In recent years the amount of digital devices available has increased dramatically. Radio based bugs however may also be made by modifying existing technology such as radio intercoms, analogue cordless telephones and baby monitors.
The size of radio based bugging devices ranges from simple low power devices around the size of a kidney bean, up to large high powered digital or spread spectrum devices that may be the size of a one litre drinks carton. These radio bugging devices may be powered by batteries or may be wired directly into the mains power supply for constant operation.
Battery powered devices require good battery management in order to prolong the life of the device or cut down the amount of onsite visits by the eavesdropper to service the device. If a device is mains powered it will operate or remain in place until the device is removed or is discovered.
Radio based eavesdropping devices can also be remote controlled being turn on and off when required. In order to save battery power or to avoid transmission when no usable audio is required radio bugging devices can also employ VOX circuits that will force the device off or in to a low power mode when no audio is present in the room. When the device hears room audio the device switches on and starts transmitting, this in turn can operate a recorder that is attached to the receiver. This saves on battery life and unwanted transmissions. In addition only room audio is recorded onto the storage media avoiding long periods of recording an empty room.
Detecting Radio-Based Devices
QCC Interscan has discovered radio based devices in many different locations and client situations, radio based bugs are sometimes used to transmit audio a short distance within a building where the signal is then recorded or relayed onto other transmission mediums such as land line telephones or GSM devices.
Radio based bugging devices come in many forms and price ranges and are still a very popular choice for unauthorised audio surveillance. This type of attack is particularly favoured by internal staff wishing to gain internal information on company business.
Most expensive types of radio bugging devices can be very difficult to detect unless high quality equipment and experienced staff are used to complete a TSCM assignment.
Most sweep teams equipment will not be able to demodulate (listen) to the audio from digital/spread spectrum/ frequency hopping or burst transmitters, however good quality equipment operated by experienced staff will be able to detect and map the transmissions from these devices and locate bugging technology using these types of techniques.
Our expert teams and specialist equipment enable us to effectively detect and disable radio-based bugging devices. Contact QCC Interscan today on +44 (0)207 205 2100 for more information.
Incident Response - Act Now
Act now if you suspect that you are under surveillance.
1. Cease all sensitive communications.
2. Remove yourself from the target area
3. Call QCC Interscan from a payphone on +44 0207 205 2100
Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM)
Providers of world class TSCM (bug sweeping) services Globally. We offer professional and effective counter surveillance
to keep vour valuable information safe from prying eyes.
Read
more...
High Net Worth Individuals
As a high level company executive, celebrity or high net
worth individual, your privacy is important. Our specialist services include TSCM (bug sweeping) services,
covering residential sites and executive vehicles. We can conduct security inspections and review
services for ocean going yachts, private planes, and executive motor
vehicles.
Read more...
Specialist Vehicle Search
As part of our security inspection service for high profile company executives and high net worth individuals, we offer an extended security inspection service for executive vehicles. This includes all types of yachts, executive cars, limousines and private executive jets.
We have completed increasing numbers of counter surveillance inspections
and physical security reviews globally of numerous marine vessels, executive
jets and company vehicles.
Read more...
Physical Security Review
This service inspects and reports on all aspects of physical security including
locks, access control, CCTV, waste management, executive transportation and
asset protection. The physical security review will also cover particular
areas clients direct our attention to.
Read more...
Tiger Testing Services
Tiger Testing is a special type of vulnerability test that originated in the United States Air Force who use it to test air base defences.
Commercial Tiger Tests are beneficial to companies and organisations to highlight
true physical, procedural or technical vulnerability and are especially useful
in the maintenance of particularly valuable assets.
Read more...
GSM Telephone Evaluation
QCC Interscan has a dedicated telephone forensics unit offering an exclusive service to clients who are worried that their personal mobile telephones are being secretly monitored.
Many spy shops and on line surveillance equipment suppliers offer software
packages that monitor mobile telephone conversations and text messages by
an unauthorised agent. These phone bugging software packages are very difficult
to detect without specialist equipment and knowledge.
Read more...
Installing permanent bug detectors
QCC Interscan now offers a complete solution to large clients with the highest level anti-bugging requirements.
If your organisation requires a higher level of security than that afforded
by regular manual TSCM sweeps, then talk to us about our newly developed systems
for 'permanent, always-on radio and GSM bug detectors.'
Read more...
High profile sports organisations
High profile sports organisations and venues are known targets for illicit surveillance. Boardrooms, changing rooms, executive suites and other areas are all vulnerable when big money is at stake.
Read more...
