How do Bug Detectors Work?

Technology is a wonderful thing in most cases. Efficiency and entertainment are brought right to your eyes, ears and fingertips. Unfortunately, others sometimes want to eavesdrop on you. When all is said and done, it is called spying or an invasion of your privacy. In some cases, this spying may expose a few indiscretions on your part, while in others it may give advantage to another that is competing with you. Finding out if you are being targeted with technology is now possible with the same types of technology that are being used against you.

Spying Devices

There are two main types of spying technology that most people who are being spied on come in contact with, video and audio. In either case, the devices that are being used operate on a radio frequency (RF) system. The technology to operate and construct these devices is fairly simple and has resulted in "bugs" that are no bigger then a penny. They use a lower range of RF, between 1-3 MHz which is generally on par with that of a garage door opener. Unfortunately, because their size is so small, they can be placed almost anywhere to capture their intended information. In some instances, like a phone conversation, they do not even need to be place on or in the phone. They only need to be placed near the phone.

Finding the Bugs

Fortunately, most radio frequency bugs are easily found. The signals that they transmit are fairly common and can be spotted by a simple device tuned to the frequency range that the offending bugs uses. Simply make sure all electronic products are turned off in the space you are checking and slowly walk around the room. If an offending radio frequency is operating in the room the device will pick it up and notify you.

The More Sophisticated Spy

Unfortunately, if you are dealing with a bit more sophisticated spy you may not find any bugs in the room. This is likely because they are using a more advanced form of RF bug that operates above the 3 MHz range. If you feel that this may be the case, you will need to follow suit and purchase bug detectors that work across a range of frequencies. In these cases, you may even need to be specific to a frequency. The spy may be using a range of frequencies just in case you choose to do what you are doing.

Get Help

If you feel that you are a victim, and these more simple RF avenues have been followed, you may need to seek help. There are bugs out there that work with microwaves and some fairly advanced technology. With the advent of the Internet, many rather unscrupulous vendors have popped their heads out from under a rock to offer ineffective equipment.Forget the simpler RF devices, you really need to seek help or risk spending a lot of money on equipment that simply doesn't work or cannot be properly analyzed by a layperson. When it comes down to it in this regard, the bigger the secret, the better it is to seek professional help.