How To Use A Bug Detector?

 A bug detector is a physical device that uses radio frequencies to detect and pinpoint illicit electronic surveillance, bugging, and eavesdropping devices. In a world of increasing uncertainty, it is not uncommon to be a victim of illegal and unwanted surveillance. Spy cameras and recording devices have become advanced enough to not be visible to the naked eye. They are disguised as a lot of things such as button cameras, nanny cameras, etc. it is important to safeguard oneself. Bug detectors are an excellent way to do this. In this article, we will be giving you step by step guidelines on how to use a bug detector.

Some Recommended Bug Detectors:

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How To Use A Bug Detector- Step by Step guide

Step 1

We need to first create a baseline for detecting unauthorized bugs, recording devices, trackers, and other kinds of surveillance videos. For this, we need to first turn off all electronic devices which can give a false positive on the bug detector.

A false positive means that the bug detector might indicate an unauthorized surveillance device where none exists or which is authorized. To do this we need to turn off all electronics such as phones, cordless telephones, microwaves, wifi routers, Bluetooth devices, etc. As these devices give similar signals as the bugging devices, the bug detector will detect these devices instead of the bugs.

Step 2

Go to an area that has minimum disturbance, which is an area that is devoid of any devices. Some bug detectors have an attachment for camera indicators while others have it inbuilt. If your bug detector has an attachment, attach the camera indicator on the bug detector. Extend the antenna of the bug detector and turn it on. You will see some frequency on the bug detector.

This will be the baseline for the bug detector. The baseline is a minimum point or a starting point against which the reading will be compared. If you want to search for only audio recording devices or tracking devices, remove the camera indicator attachment. Extend the antenna to its maximum length and turn on the bug detector. You will see some reading on the bug detector. This will be the baseline for detection. Doing this step will help detect even a weak signal on the bug detector.

Step 3

Go to the room in which you want to sweep for bugs. Let us assume that your bug detector has a camera indicator attachment. Remove the camera indicator attachment and move around the room with the bug detector. Look for hard to spot spaces such as clocks, bathrooms, crevices, decorations, etc. you will get notice an increase in the reading if a bug is nearby.

Depending on the type of bug detector, you will get an LED display or even a sound if a bug is in the vicinity. The reading or led light or sound will increase or decrease depending on the strength of the signal. Move-in the direction of the stronger signal.

Step 4

Once the reading, LED or sound reaches the highest point, you will have reached the area where the surveillance device is kept. Visually inspect the area. The bug can be in the form of a button, a circuit board, etc. Look for anything that is out of place. Bugs usually need a power source to work. So look in areas that are connected to a power source such as smoke detectors.

Step 5

In case your bug detector has a hidden camera indicator. Follow steps one and two. Skip steps three and four. Attach the hidden camera indicator to the bug detector and move around the room with the bug detector. Look through the lens of the camera indicator. Look for hard to spot spaces such as clocks, bathrooms, crevices, decorations, etc. you will get notice an increase in the reading if a bug is nearby. Depending on the type of bug detector, you will get an LED display or even a sound if a bug is in the vicinity. The reading or led light or sound will increase or decrease depending on the strength of the signal. Move-in the direction of the stronger signal.

Step 6

Once the reading, LED or sound reaches the highest point, you will have reached the area where the surveillance device is kept. Visually inspect the area. The bug can be in the form of a button, a circuit board, etc. Look for anything that is out of place. Bugs usually need a power source to work. So look in areas that are connected to a power source such as smoke detectors. In the case of a hidden camera, you will see a blinking light through the lens. That is the iris of the hidden camera lens recording photos or a video.

Step 7

We will now learn how to detect GPS tracking devices on the bug detector. You will need a friend or someone you can trust in this method. This person must know how to drive your vehicle. Ignore all the abovementioned steps. First, drive to a location where there are no transmitting devices such as cell towers. An open area with little or no civilization would be ideal. Make sure that you have enough fuel and battery charge in the vehicle for the trip back. The area should not have any establishments as they may have wifi service, which can give a false positive reading on the bug detector.

Step 8

We will first establish a baseline for the bug detector. Once you have reached the isolated location described in Step seven, move away from your vehicle. Keep a distance of about 5 meters from your vehicle. Turn off the ignition of the car. Turn off all phones and electronic devices you might be carrying with you. Remove the hidden camera indicator from the bug detector. You will not be needing it for this method. Extend the antenna of the bug detector and turn it on. You will get some reading, an LED display bar, or sound. This will be the baseline reading for the bug detector.

Step 9

A GPS Tracker will emit a signal every ten, thirty, or sixty seconds and only when the vehicle is in motion. Ask the friend to drive in wide circles with you in the middle of the circle. If the bug detector gives an increased reading, an increased sound or the LED display bar on your bug detector rises every ten, thirty, or sixty seconds, there is a GPS tracker in your car.

Step 10

Now we will locate the GPS tracker. As the friend to drive in a straight line at a slow speed. Walk parallel with the vehicle and move the bug detector with you. Be careful while doing this so as not to get hurt or damage the vehicle. Looks for places such as the rear bumper, near the brake lights, inside the tire wells, under the front hood, inside the plastic bumpers, top of the roof, etc. once the outside area of the vehicle is swept, stop the vehicle and get inside.

Keeping the bug detector on, move the detector inside the vehicle. Make sure that the vehicle is in motion and running at a slow speed. Look for areas inside the vehicle such as under the glove box, inside the seats, under the dashboard, etc. Be careful to not get hurt, hurt your partner or the vehicle in this process. If the bug detector gives an increased reading, an increased sound or the LED display bar on your bug detector rises every ten, thirty, or sixty seconds, there is a GPS tracker in that location.

Step 11

Go to a mechanic and explain the situation to them. Point to the location of the GPS tracker and ask them to remove the tracker. Do not try to remove the tracker on your own as the tracker might be connected to your vehicle power system. Once the mechanic confirms that the tracker has been removed, sweep the vehicle as explained in steps seven, eight, nine, and ten to re-confirm it yourself.

Things You Would Need Before It

• A Bug Detector: Use a bug detector of any type but there are a few basic requirements. The bug detector should have a hidden camera indicator, either inbuilt in the detector or as an attachment. The bug detector should be battery operated and not wired as you will need to move it around the area. An LED display bar would work best to indicate the bug detection as it can be done discreetly. For your convenience we have reviewed the AGtek CC308 Bug Detector, It is the best pick in the market currently. Also, if you don’t find a good bug detector in the market you can make a good bug detector at home.
• A Trustworthy Partner: we will need an accomplice who can drive only to check a GPS tracker in your vehicle as one person will be driving the vehicle and the other will be checking for the trace. This is necessary because a GPS tracker will emit a signal every ten, thirty, or sixty seconds and only when the vehicle is in motion.
• A mechanic: You will need a mechanic to remove the GPS tracker in case you find one in your vehicle. Do not try to remove the tracker on your own as the tracker might be connected to your vehicle power system.

Final Thoughts

We live in a world where privacy is violated daily, and technological advances make it even more difficult to stay safe. Nevertheless, it is important to safeguard oneself and not fall victim to unsolicited and unwanted spying. A bug detector, when used correctly, can help strengthen the security of your home or workspace. We hope that this article has given you enough knowledge on how to use a bug detector. Remember, just because you haven’t fallen victim to bugging devices yet, doesn’t mean that it cannot happen in the future. We can never know who is watching.