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25 Signs You're Under SURVEILLANCE
And Some Suggestions For dealing with the Situation
by Rainer A. Melucci, EED Co. Inc, USA
Is Personal Spying The New High Tech Boom Industry?
A wireless camera hidden in a smoke detector, houseplant, bedside radio or baseball cap is no longer limited to shadowy CIA types skulking around chasing after the "new" KGB in a Mad Magazine Spy vs. Spy parody.
"Not at all," The intense proliferation of "spy shops", both on the internet with stores at such popular tourist attractions as San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf are more than happy to provide perspective James Bonds with things "M" never dreamed existed."
Reverse peephole viewers, tiny fiber optics that can "see" under a door or through a pinhole, a digital video recorder the size of a postage stamp are all on the open market.
If illegal adult originated surveillance isn't enough for you, several well known hobbyist catalogs now feature working "spy toys" for the pre-pubescent set.
Who would use such dastardly devices for their own advantage (or profit)?
Ask Nicole Kidman after she was victimized by not one, but two separate bugging attempts in just a couple of years, or the mayor of Philadelphia whose office was "multiple bugged".
Many defense lawyers, Hollywood studios and high tech businesses now include a portion of their yearly budget for electronic countermeasures.
NOTE: These are basic suggestions for detecting common surveillance threats. NO CASUAL SEARCH WILL UNCOVER SOPHISICATED installs, and even top level professional TSCM (technical surveillance countermeasures) people will not normally find a law enforcement level tap installed at the phone company's office.
The good news is that high attacks are the rarest types of surveillance, and, in theory, do require legal consent and normally a warrant.
General Indicators
People know things they shouldn't. Personal or professional secrets seem to be common knowledge where they shouldn't exist.
Bids, contracts or upcoming court proceedings don't seem to be a surprise to the opposition. Think of a poker game, who knows what they shouldn't?
If you're famous, infamous or in the public eye the media runs stories (or photos) they should have no knowledge of.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH LIVE AC POWER LINES, OR COMMIT TRESSPASS ON EQUIPMMENT OWNED BY SOMEONE ELSE (INCLUSING YOUR PHONE COMPANY – do not climb poles, enter manholes or otherwise commit any crime in any search for surveillance gear.)
All the techniques suggested herein can be preformed in more detail by following the methods outlines in our publications; How to Get Anything On Anybody Book 3 details how to fully carry out these operations for a more serious evaluation, The Extreme Covert Catalog shows exactly what virtually all of the bugs, taps, interceptors, etc. actually look like and where they are obtained. Breaching Security updates the latest news on surveillance/tracking/entry/security equipment and techniques.
The first and most important consideration in any counter surveillance application is to ask why would you be the victim of legal or illicit surveillance?
Selling pounds of Peruvian Marching Powder out the back door? Bet on it… Cheating on the spouse? Divorce rearing (or reared), its ugly head? Very possible… Not quite square with the IRS, or your business partner? Your or your firm involved with expensive, high profit, research heavy, projects, nosy "friend", make a list.
Surveillance falls into several general categories; general audio, phone-based (or both) and visual. The most common, and often most productive is phone based. Phones distill both access and information as they provide power, built-in transmission line and many points of "entry".
The most common form of phone attack the installation of a "drop out relay" (also called a recorder starter) from any electronic hobby supplier, such as Radio Shack. This device automatically senses the current drop conversation when the target phone (or any phone on the system with better models) is lifted from the hook. It then automatically starts a recorder and tapes both sides of any conversation. VOX (voice activated recorder) attached to the phone line. Both (above) units can be found by visual inspection of the phone line from the instrument itself to the outside connection to the actual phone line). Can be defeated by using a device which inserts current into the line, raising the level to just within the system's operating parameters and/or transmitting "white noise" down the line to burn up the recording medium. Note: many phone companies do not approve of this latter suggestion. A hook switch bypass or small remotely activated bug (developed in the 60's, called the "harmonica bug") which transmits room audio down the lines while the phone is still on-hook.
- See Shomer-Tec's X-Phone for a modern example.
- Secure an exact duplicate of your phone, remove the outer case and compare the interior components. They should be identical.
- Use a lineman's handset or isolated amplifier to listen for audio on the lines when instrument is on-hook.
Phone tap. Transmits RF to a nearby receiver, can be attached anywhere on the line. Series units draw power, parallels require their own battery and thus, have a limited life span.
Visual inspection of phone and line. Use a VOM (multimeter) to check on-hook and off hook voltage at phone, connecting block, other phone jacks, (use a breakout connector). Remember on a one-phone system we're talking the red and green wires, yellow and black should have no audio or voltage (unless they have been connected to the telco line). 2 phone systems can use both pairs. Do the same with your neighbor's phone (and line). Readings should be identical. Limited range, use good RF detector, watch for listening posts. Short out your lines at the telco connecting block and measure the resistance with a VOM. Should be only a few ohms, anything above this can indicate a low impedance tap. Follow your line by using the universal telephone color code or by installing a tone generator and tracing it with an induction receiver. (Jensen Tools is my favorite). TAP YOUR OWN PHONE! If an outside party installs a tap they will want to test it, probably late at night. Strange calls?
Sounds come from your phone when on hook. Bypass problem, see above. Strange noises (static, "popping" etc.) on your line.
(a) May be sign of cheap, "significant other" or private investigator recorder(s). Professional units will not produce this effect. Unexplained volume changes during a conversation, again can indicate a low-level eavesdropping invasion. The phone rings and there's nobody on the other end. Maybe an indication of a "slave". Used by law enforcement, medium to high level amateurs. May also, especially on very small, local phone companies, be a line test – this usually happens late at night.
Slaves are most often found at apartment house, condo, or the local phone company's terminal box. Physically evident, connects your line to another line in the same physical area (usually in the connect box, look behind the wiring. Phone rings and a high pitched tone is heard for a moment or two, then nothing. Indicates the possibility of a slave or loop extender.
Radio Frequency Bugs
Although illegal to buy, use or even possess they are readily available on the internet and/or from English, Japanese, Italian and German manufacturers. Sudden or unexplained Interface appears on any radio (usually FM).
Slowly tune through the entire FM spectrum on a good wide band (like an ICOM) radio while walking about the target area. Listen for feedback squeals or your own background noise. Use an amplified field strength device, see Breaching Security for reviews of the latest devices. Many radio bugs and taps not only operate on their intended frequency, but emit harmonics on frequency multiples. Remember most bugs are very low powered and will not show up on a broadcast type tuning indicator. Scanners should not be employed due to their low front end sensitivity. Get an RF indicator and front end pre-amplifier from OPTO Electronics. When used together these units will, for a very low cash outlay, lock onto, amplify and display nearby signals.
Strange interference appears on your television set.
With a local, "rabbit ears" type antenna, (no cable or dish), tune through all the channels including the upper band UHF numbers that normally have no signal. Watch for a candid camera view (or audio) of yourself… AC outlets have scratches on their mounting screws or edges that don't precisely match the paint pattern of the wall. Carrier current bugs transmit audio via the AC power lines. The signal will travel for some distance until it is deleted by a power company transformer. Many are simply intercoms (such as those sold by Radio Shack) with their case removed and the transmitter hidden in an object connected to the main power. Other units are built to fit behind the actual AC outlet inside the wall. WITH THE POWER OFF carefully remove wall plates and examine the interior wiring. Use a low frequency RF detector. The wires will radiate some VLF signal for a short distance. Buy a RS intercom and plug it in – check to see if they sell different units that operate on separate frequencies.
Objects, particularly those plugged into the AC power suddenly "appear" or are given to you as a gift that you would normally place in your office (or bedroom). You appear to have been burglarized but very little was actually taken. Dry wall dust, small flecks of paint or bits of ceiling tile appears on the floor
Always push up and check above false ceiling tiles. Acoustical tiles are NOT sound proof and false ceilings provide space and often, available power. Chance that someone has installed a microphone or video "pinhole" type unit into the wall or in an adjoining room. Check the walls and ceiling carefully, look (and smell) for fresh paint patches or dry "matching paint stick" residue.
Your smoke detector, clock radio, wall socket extender has a small, neatly drilled hole in its surface. Usually indicates an added audio or video transmitter. Note video cameras can see through "black" glass.
- Take the unit apart and examine it.
- Do a RF check with a directional, sensitive field strength meter.
- Someone leaves a personal item behind, especially during a meeting and later returns to claim the "lost" item.
- VOX recorders and mini DVR's are small enough to hide in almost any personal item.
- Watch for cell phones left behind in coat pockets or taped to the underside of furniture.
Telephone, video, plumbers, copier or air conditioning service personal show up to "fix" something without being called. Furniture or office items appear to have been moved slightly.
Measure the distance between major objects and the wall, study rug impressions, position of pictures, lamps etc. Lamps, picture frames, and furniture are favorite bug hiding places. Take an interior photo every so often and compare the results.
The same or similar vehicles, especially vans, UPS, Fed EX, phone or electric company vehicles seem to spend a lot of time in the immediate area. Vans with tinted windows or top mounted air vents are parked nearby but not owned by your neighbors. Remember the range of most transmitters is limited to about 500 feet, maybe a city block under ideal conditions, (without a repeater). Walk up to a suspicious van and suddenly shine a powerful flashlight through the tinted windows. Call the police and report a suspicious vehicle whose occupants seem to be talking to (or approaching) children in the neighborhood. See who responds and what action they take. Objects, or changes in existing objects, in particular traffic cones, power or telephone transformers, even rusted mufflers (or chunks of asphalt) appear outside, with a clear view through your windows.
- Video cameras come planted in all the above items.
- Close your curtains, move the offending object, check it with a real RF detector.
New, non-requested charges appear on your phone bill, i.e., conference calling. Someone gives, or loans you a cell phone.
Infrared beams are being bounced off exterior windows to transmit interior audio.
Car(s) or motorcycles seem to be following you as you drive.
- Drive a counter surveillance pattern (see our books).
- Have a friend (or two) follow you and see if anyone else is doing the same thing.
People seem to know where you have been when they shouldn't.
Visually inspect your car for "add-on's", most tracking units attach to the underside of the target vehicle with magnets and incorporate a short wire antenna. Active GPS trackers normally use cell phone transmitters, employ a cell blocker. Yes, it is illegal to "interfere" with a radio transmission, but hospitals, theaters, prisons, etc. employ these units and as of this writing no one has ever been arrested for blocking a cell call. Passive GPS recorders need to be downloaded every few days. Look for them. Any GPS unit needs to "see" the birds. This means the antenna (or unit) can be mounted under glass, but not under metal. The FBI loves to put them in rear deck stereo speaker compartments.
Some general precautions are to run at least two good anti-spyware on your computer on a regular basis, place a very, very thin piece of clear plastic (Scotch) tape at the edge of your entry door frames (if the seal if broken, you need to look for entry evidence), put the screws in wall sockets slightly askew DO NOT MARK THE WALL, use a thin coat of New Skin (a liquid plastic bandage) to cover the edges of screws, computer case fasteners, etc.
Rainer A. Melucci CFE,CSC,CFC,DABFE,FACFE,CHS-III P.I.
EED Co, Inc.
Specializing in TSCM Electronic Counter Measures
Rainer A. Melucci over (30) years of experience
Former President SPI, ALDONYS, NYCFE NY Chapter.
Regional VP IISSM, Int. Inst. Security & Safety Mgmt.
Member - Gov. Pataki's Sec. Guard Advisory Council.
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The Economic Impact of Counterfeiting
By Mr. Pawanjit S. Ahluwalia, Chairman & MD, Premier Shield Pvt Ltd., New Delhi
Introduction
In my talk I will try and highlight the menace that counterfeiting imposes to the society and Industry world wide. In some cases counterfeiting has a devastating impact on the society . Counterfeiting is by some estimates a 1000 billion US dollars a year industry. It is very hard to obtain accurate statistics, mainly because the activity is clandestine. In my search of this subject I have drawn heavily on a paper written by Hema Vithlani for the OECD some years ago.
Counterfeiting- Legal Meaning.
I propose to use the word counterfeiting in its broadest sense.
It encompasses any manufacturing of a product which so closely imitates the product of another to mislead a consumer that it is the product of the other.
The word may include trade mark and copy right infringements.
The concept also includes copying of packaging, labeling and any other significant features of the product.
Parallel Trading.
This word refers to products that are legitimately brought in one territory and diverted for sale into another territory with out the consent of the right holder in the receiving territory.
Factory Over runs.
This is the practice where factories that are genuinely outsourced manufacturing produce beyond the authorized numbers and put these products out in the market. In other words unauthorized production by legitimate suppliers.
What is counterfeited?
Any and everything is counterfeited.
There is saying in my part of the world- “If you can make it, we can fake it” Sports wear, leisure wear, cosmetics, perfumes, liquor, wines, medicines, auto spares, aircraft spares, music, motion pictures, DVD’s and all soft ware.
It is assessed that 50 % of all motion pictures DVD’s are counterfeited.
About 40 % of all business software.
About 33% of all music sold in the world.
Some of the countries that have become famous for counterfeiting products are China, Hong Kong, India, Philippines and Thailand in Asia. Poland and Russia in Europe. Besides these countries there will be several others.
Counterfeit in clothing, fashion and sports wear has become very common in Asia and the rest of the world. A common technique is to import goods into a country from where exports are easy, attach labels and release them into another country, benefiting from the free movement of trade e.g. Dubai/ Singapore/ Kenya.
Counterfeit clothing is very difficult to detect. In the past counterfeits were of poor quality. Would split at the seams or lose colour or bleed. Times have changed. The counterfeit clothing is as good as the branded one. Fakes are often produced by the same manufacturer that is contracted to produce the original. Originals and fakes are indistinguishable, but sold at half price or less.
Spare Parts Industry
Counterfeits are an over all problem of unapproved spare parts.
They are traded in the open markets along with over runs, recycled items and stolen goods, making it extremely difficult to control the market and separate legal items from the scrapped ones e.g. Denso – making alternators in Noida.
Aircraft components.
Although stringent controls exist for the supply of aircraft spares, there have been several incidents of aircraft disasters caused by fake components e.g. Indian Air force purchase of cheaper MIG spares.
Medicines.
Fake medicines are packed as well as genuine ones. Markings are the same. Except manufacturer employees no one knows how to identify them.
Very difficult to have evidence on medicines as once swallowed, the evidence disappears.
Books.
Harry Porter was being sold on Indian street corners for 2 USD.
Educational books sold at less than half price.
Counterfeits do not pay royalty, use inferior quality paper and print.
Modern printing ability makes it so easy to duplicate books.
Students love to buy cheaper books when printed accurately.
The impact of Counterfeiting
All estimates are based on assumptions.
Some estimates say that the world loses about a 1000 billion USD.
Some estimate that the about 6-10 % of the world GDP is lost to counterfeiting
This has serious impact on the revenues, profits and investment levels.
Reduces company revenues
Stifles investments and innovation.
Consumers get poor products at excessive prices.
The crowning effect is observed when losses force industry to close, jobs are lost, revenues of the company dip and the national GDP reduces.
There is a growing fear that the nexus between counterfeiters, criminal activities, terrorism and money laundering is on the rise.
Costs of Counterfeiting
- There is a clear impact on
- The companies whose products are counterfeited.
- To the economy of the country where the genuine products would otherwise have been manufactured./ developed.
- To the consumers of counterfeit products. They get inferior quality products.
- Impact on the companies whose products are counterfeited
- sales reduce
- Profits dip
- Loss of future sales
- Loss of brand value / image
- Costs incurred in protecting the brand, such as educating the public and law enforcement, due diligence costs, locating counterfeiters, bringing in either police action or civil suits.
- In India on civil suits one could wait for 10- 15 years before achieving damages.
- Impact on the economy of the country.
- Reduced tax revenues from corporate tax.
- Reduced Income Tax from individual employees of the company.
- Loss of jobs.
- Reduced spending power
- Counterfeiters do not pay taxes- Loss of revenue
- May result in higher taxation
- Governments spend more on enforcement procedures, product education to the police and customs, on the judiciary and when convictions are made on the prison services.
- In India the counterfeiters are small. They can shift base very easily. Majority have direct or indirect police or political connections/ protection.
Examples- Of raid for Castrol / Bombay dyeing.
- Protection against Counterfeiting. Three ingredients are most necessary to combat Counterfeiting
- An anti counterfeiting Policy
- Use of technology, such as holograms, smart cards, biometric markers and ink etc
- In some countries trade mark owners have established anti counterfeiting associations such as
- USA- International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition and the Intellectual property Alliance.
- UK- Anti Counterfeiting Group.
- Europe- Global Anti counterfeiting group.
- Dutch and Belgians- REACT
- India. Brand protection Alliance ( For FMCG ) products. Indian Fan Manufacturer’s Association etc
- Generally two category of actions are brought in to punish the counterfeiters:
Civil Action
Criminal Action
- Civil Action.
This is the most common . Action involves proceeding against those directly involved in production, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods.
- Criminal Action.
Some portions of the trade mark act and copy right act come under the purview of criminal action.
In the countries where the civil action can take years the right holders would like to bring in a deterrent. The case then becomes state vs. the accused.
- An overview of the Industries impacted by counterfeiting.
Actually there is nothing that is not faked. However due various surveys conducted in various parts of the world, some data has been collated as a percentage of World trade.
The data is not reliable and is based on guess estimates, trade associations and journalist’s imagination.
Watches - 5%
Medicines - 6% In Asia 20% In India 28%
Perfumes - 5%
Aircraft Spares - 10%
Toys - 12%
Music - 33%. In India 50%
Motion pictures 50% For Bollywood pictures 65%
Software 45-55%.
The software piracy in Asia is estimated by BSA at 55%, compared to 80 % in Eastern Europe, 79% in the Middle East and 70% in Latin America.
- Some highlights
Revenues derived from counterfeiting are estimated to have grown 500 times since 1990s in comparison to the genuine trade having gone up a 100 times. In India, fake medicines account for as much as USD 2 Billion a year. The Federal Aviation authority in the US estimates that 2.5% of the 30 million parts installed each year are counterfeit. The Automotive Industry in France estimates that up to one in 10 car parts sold are fake. The Motor and equipment Manufacturers association estimates that the global automotive industry loses USD 12 Billion to counterfeiting, resulting in the loss of 750,000 jobs. In India the spurious car parts market is over 37%. BSA estimates that the piracy of its member’s products costs them around US D 15 billion. 20% of the clothes sold in Italy are fake. 10% of gasoline sold in Bulgaria is counterfeit. Music piracy is estimated at 5 billion USD and growing. In 2001 , the state controlled Shenzen evening news reported 192,000 people died in China due fake drugs. A survey in Lagos , Nigeria reported 80 % of the medicines sold were fakes. In developing countries the percentage of fakes sold is higher.
Conclusion
Any counterfeiting system must change the risk return profile for the counterfeiters.. Raising risks and minimizing returns. To a counterfeiter costs include
- Direct cost to manufacture.
- Cost to distribute.
- The risk of being caught
- Police harassment.
- Possibility of conviction
- Severity of penalties imposed.
The risk to counterfeiters varies across countries.
Cooperation between private industry and enforcement agencies needs to be reinforced. Police and custom officials have to be updated regularly and skills sharpened to identify goods that infringe a companies IPR.
Business and law enforcement have realized that the magnitude and sophistication of infringers renders it impossible for any company to successfully address the problem in isolation.
Combating counterfeiting and fakes is every person’s responsibility.
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