There are many types of audio and video surveillance equipment, but they fall into two broad categories of remote and physical. Wiretaps and some other kinds of listening devices require that an eavesdropper be physically present at some point. Other forms of audio and video surveillance are done remotely, through “bugs” or by subverting existing technologies that use wireless.

Wiretapping is one of the most well-known versions of audio surveillance equipment. Before wireless phone technology was invented, it involved creating an electrical connection between the subject’s phone wire and the surveillance team’s so that a conversation could be listened to in real time. This connection was called a “tap”.

With the rise of wireless technology, all telephone conversations are tracked by computer. Telephone companies can have their computers perform a “digital switch”, where a conversation’s audio is copied to a second line. Though it is performed remotely, this kind of audio surveillance is still referred to as “wiretapping” and is almost impossible to trace.

Enhanced listening devices are a more hands-on form of audio surveillance equipment. A more advanced version of holding a drinking glass up to the wall, these microphones are designed to hear through walls, and an eavesdropper must physically be in the same building as the subject for them to be placed. Many of these devices primarily consist of a powerful microphone and headphones.

A bug is another common form of audio surveillance equipment. Bugs are tiny microphones equipped to send out information through radio waves and or GSM technology. They can be hidden almost everywhere.

Miniature recorders are also a readily available form of audio surveillance equipment. Like bugs, they can be hidden in innocent objects such as pens, clocks, computer mouse, and just about anything.

Below are two types of bugs we are seeing more and more:

GSM Bugs

GSM bugs are small GSM listening devices that can be discreetly activated to monitor room or phone conversations. A GSM bug is able to be ‘dialed into’ by remote. That means you can activate GSM bugs by calling them up using a dial up phone. GSM listening devices, therefore, are operable anywhere you have access to a phone. 

GSM bugs can work as a GSM room bug in order to monitor room conversations. They can also be used for audio bugging in a vehicle such as a car, truck, boat, etc. Because a GSM bug can transmit like a cell phone bug, it can be anywhere a GSM cellular phone network exists.

Audio Bugs

Audio bugs are audio surveillance devices that can be placed in a room, on a person, and left behind to work as covert transmitters or bugging devices. Audio bugs do not always look like bugging transmitters built onto a miniature pc board with an antenna.

Most audio bugs are disguised in order to limit their accidental discovery should one be noticed. Because of the need for secrecy, covert transmitters and other bugging devices upon first glance may resemble a calculator, tv remote control, or cigarette lighter. That way, no one would suspect that the true nature of those objects were actually bugging devices used for monitoring conversations.

Please contact us immediately should you feel that your business or residence is a victim of an electronic bugging.