How To Tell If Someone Is Spying On You

Brian F.
How To Tell If Someone Is Spying On You

IS SOMEONE SPYING ON ME?

In our day and age of mobile phones, malicious software, and surveillance devices around every corner, there are countless ways someone could spy or eavesdrop on you without your knowledge. Thankfully, for each of the many spying devices, there is a way to counteract it and protect yourself, including a spyware app from every manufacturer in the industry.

There are many gadgets that can detect hidden cameras and microphones anywhere you are, such as your home, office, or your devices such as your computer, car, or cell phone.

HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE IS SPYING ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE

There is a risk of someone reading your messages, monitoring what you do online, and listening in on your phone conversations on all Android and iOS phones. Truthfully, the risk is there for any phone, regardless of the branding.

So, if that's the case, how do you protect yourself from hitting factory reset on your years' worth of photos, videos, and data? How do you know it's happening in the first place?

Keep reading.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR PHONE IS TRACKED, TAPPED OR MONITORED

DATA USAGE: If you see a sudden surge in the amount of mobile data that your phone is consuming, it can be a good indicator that something untoward is going on. Spyware apps are notorious for consuming data because their purpose is to transmit information back to their controller.

It's easy enough to check your iOS device. Go to Settings > Mobile Data. Once there, you can see your overall data, and then you can scroll down to see how much mobile data each individual app consumes.

On an Android phone, go to the Settings app, then click on Network & Internet > Data Usage. Under "Mobile," you can see the total amount of cellular data that your Android device uses. If you're still not satisfied, tap "Mobile Data Usage" to see how your data usage has changed recently.

Android users sometimes have the benefit of seeing their data usage even on WIFI (see "Show WIFI Data Usage. Keep in mind that not all Android phones have this capability), but most of the time, this trick is only going to work when you're not connected to WIFI.

Additionally, don't freak out at every app that's consuming a lot of data. It's important to rule out the legitimate apps before you jump to conclusions. Sometimes, the behavior of an app changes. For example, if your podcast app is downloading all the old episodes of a show you listened to and then forgot about, it's going to be consuming a lot of data even though you might not expect it to. (It might be worth a glance at your phone settings if your apps are doing unapproved downloads such as those.)

PHONE CALLS: Another way you may find out someone has been spying on your phone is if you hear strange noises during your phone calls. Any kind of high-pitched hum, clicking, beeping, or pausing static are all signs that the call is being recorded.

Hearing weird sounds every now and again is fairly standard because technology can be weird. Sometimes, it's just a sketchy signal. It's when the sounds get consistent that you need to check your phone.

BATTERY LIFE: One of the telltale signs of mobile spyware is the drain on your phone battery. Keep in mind that all batteries corrode and fail with time, so you're looking for a significant, sudden change, not a gradual failing.

If you do see this dramatic change, check your recently installed and updated apps before assuming you have a problem. Some apps are just battery drainers and the only way to fix that is to delete the app.

COMMON PHYSICAL SIGNS OF SURVEILLANCE IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE

Due to the incredible advancements in technology, spy cameras and microphones are fairly inexpensive, easily accessible, and smaller than they ever have been. All of that to say, they're easy enough to install in well-hidden locations.

While installation may be simple, people of this kind are often in a hurry and will leave behind evidence that something isn't as you left it.

OUTLET COVERS SLIGHTLY OUT OF PLACE: Look for anything that is left askew. Not only outlets, but light switches and smoke detectors are also popular places for listening devices. They're often chosen because the standard person won't look twice at them. We can thwart these placements simply by being observant. Look for debris on the floor beneath a fixture, a subtle difference in color from other wall plate colors, or gaps/poor alignment jobs that may have been left over from a hasty installation.

WHITE DEBRIS NEAR A WALL: When installing a small microphone or video camera inside a wall, a hole must be bored. This action usually leads to some debris, and someone nervous and in a hurry won't always clean up all their mess. When you see this dust near a wall, look all around the area for any signs of change.

Also, moveable ceiling tiles such as you find in a lot of offices are ideal for hiding spy devices. Luckily for those of us paying attention, these tiles are easily damaged. That means, when they're moved, they're likely to chip and crack. When you find any debris from these tiles or if they're sagging, take a closer look, just to be sure.

DISCOLORED PATCHES ON CEILINGS AND WALLS: This is a hard one to spot unless you're actively searching for it. These patches you're looking for could be very small--no larger than a coin. They can indicate small devices such as pinhole microphones or miniature video cameras.

WHERE THE FLOOR AND WALL MEET: The cameras and microphones being installed require wiring for power and data transmission. The most common place to hide these wires is behind the vinyl baseboards because they're easy to access and usually above notice. Look for ridges, bumps, or discoloration.

SOMETHING FAMILIAR LOOKING OFF: This tip for finding surveillance devices is a little less concrete and more gut instinct. The best places to hide devices such as these are places that the victim hardly ever looks at. Comfortable items like lamps, clocks, and picture frames are all items that we see every day but hardly ever look closely at. If you have a weird feeling about one of these items, if it catches your eye, or seems off in any way, it's best to check it out. Look to see if there are any strange, semi-reflective surfaces or tiny holes that warrant further investigation.

STICKY LOCKS: Of course, some locks just need to be oiled or replaced, but if your lock suddenly becomes stiff, sticky, or starts consistently failing, you should look into it. The chances are that it's been damaged by being picked or otherwise manipulated.

BELONGINGS MESSED WITH BUT NOTHING MISSING: It's a common misconception among eavesdroppers that things out of sight are easily forgotten. This means that when they're digging through drawers and filing cabinets, they're less cautious about putting things back the way they were. Stay aware of these locations and if anything feels off or isn't exactly as you remember leaving it, it's good reason to be suspicious.

NEW ITEMS: If you didn't put something in your home or office, and yet, a new thing has appeared, be wary. Clocks, phones, lamps, picture frames, you name it. If no one in your household or office recognizes the new item, take action.

HOW TO CATCH SOMEONE SPYING ON YOU IN YOUR HOME?

You can take more steps to protect yourself than just stay aware, though that's important. If you're wanting to be proactive, there are options for that, and then there are plenty of devices for helping you if you're concerned that something has already been planted.

BLUETOOTH SPEAKER SECURITY CAMERA


The cameras that are most effective are the ones that are placed in the open and are part of your everyday life. This high-definition, 1080P WIFI Bluetooth Speaker security camera is fully functional as a Bluetooth speaker with excellent sound quality. Any person who visits your home. family members, co-workers, business partners, and so on, can connect to the speaker and share their favorite music as though the speaker is only what it seems to be.

When the camera is recording, it can capture up to a 78-degree field of view making it great for desks, countertops, car dashes, or something to put in your pocket!

The 64GB SD card saves 34 hours of high-definition video, all accessible through Wi-Fi. You can download saved videos straight to your device via that option, or you can simply plug the SD card into a computer and download them from there.

The beauty of the WIFI option is that, once your camera is set up and plugged in, you never have to touch it again! It can sit around, approve reproach, and below notice for as long as you need.

Once it's connected to the accessible WIFI, the hidden camera can send out alerts based on motion. The battery life will kick on if the power goes out or the device is otherwise disconnected from power, which will give the camera another 2-3 hours.

2K ULTRA DIGITAL SECURITY CAMERA AND CALENDAR

The modern 2K Digital Clock Security Camera and Calendar is another perfect solution for any room. It's fully functional, of course, with a sleek design. The clock and calendar is easily customizable.

The camera on this clock and calendar records 2K ultra resolution, and it has built-in night vision. The infrared allows the camera to see up to 15 feet in total darkness.

With both continuous recording and motion activation options, the camera is able to fit a variety of situations and needs. It has a 120-degree field of view, making it ideal for any part of the room. The 256GB micro SD card allows the user to save up to 200 hours of recorded video files. It works seamlessly with Windows or Mac computers.

 HIDDEN INFRARED CAMERA DETECTOR WITH LCD IR FINDER

If you're concerned that someone already has hidden cameras in your space, the Hidden Infrared Camera Detector with LCD IR Finder is a new model in our line of hidden camera lens finders and is probably the best-hidden camera detector we've seen on the market.

The device has the standard bank of red LEDs that block out other colors as you scan the room looking for reflections from a lens that shouldn't be around.

What makes this unit the best, then? Unlike other models, this device comes with an LCD screen used to find invisible infrared night-vision LEDs that aren't visible to the naked eye. The package comes with a 940nm IR light so that you can easily test this feature.

To use, make sure the LCD screen is turned on with a two-second click of the left-hand button, then scan the room once you've turned all the lights off. Any bright LEDs are suspect. Tapping the light button while your device is active will increase the rate of flashing lights up to three times before cycling back to the slowest setting. This option helps determine if you're finding a flickering reflection among your decorations or appliances.

As far as batteries go, you can rest easy. This detector has a built-in rechargeable battery that will last for 2 hours of continuous use when it's fully charged. After two hours of searching for bugs, it's probably safe to say that you'll both need a break anyway.

CAMERA FINDER & WIRELESS BUG DETECTOR

If you're looking for one, why not look for the others? This device is the latest in hidden camera and microphone-finding technology. This dual search Camera Finder & Wireless Bug Detector is designed for efficiency and accuracy without all the expense of some other bug detectors.

Because it's compact, it's easy to travel with, and the ease with which you can operate it makes this bug detector excellent for not only home use but also overnights in hotel rooms and other rentals that might not be the most secure.

It won't matter if the invading device is on, off, hardwired, or wireless because this device can find it anyway by locating the exact position of a lens. Additionally, the built-in RF detector will detect wireless frequencies in the range of 1 MHz-6.5 GHz meaning that transmitting bugs and cameras don't stand a chance.

Since all cameras have a lens no matter how sophisticated they are, no camera can be advanced enough to escape this lens finder. You can be up to 30 feet away and your handheld device will pinpoint cameras with accuracy.

After it's turned on, press the LED light switch, and look through the red-tinted viewfinder. Scan the area for anything flashing back. If you see a flicker of light reflecting back at you, it could be a recording device. The next step of checking is to take five steps to the left or right while keeping your eyes fixed on the same location. If you continue to see the reflective light, it's likely something harmless such as a TV remote. If, however, the light disappears as you move, that's when you have to investigate further.

Why is that the case? It's because the red LED light refracts off of a coating on the glass lens of the offending camera. The coating is used for many other things such as IR receivers and indicator lights. This coating is exactly why no camera can be "too advanced" for this detector. Until we learn how to make lenses without this coating, this detector will remain effective.

To use the RF detector, turn the device on, celebrate the sensitivity, and you're ready to go. Calibrating the device is the most difficult step and it only includes fully extending the antenna and moving the sensitivity around until it's fine-tuned. Begin with it detecting some wireless signals, and then slowly bring it down until those wireless signals are gone. That's it!

ARE THERE ANTI-SPY APPS ON THE APP STORE OR THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE?

There are anti-spy apps that can be procured through standard means such as the app store. These devices will help, but they might not solve all your issues, which is why you still have to be careful.