UK - He already has the power to arrest, and as of today, the British taxman will also be able to intercept phone calls, emails and letters, as well as bug residential premises and private vehicles. (more)
(sing-along)
Monday, February 18, 2008
SpyCam Story #433 - Justice not Blind
Philippines - A spy camera was found in a military courtroom where former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and former Scout Ranger commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 26 of their men were being arraigned yesterday.
Faced with a motion to rule whether it approved the installation of the spy camera, Fojas, court martial chairman, said the court did not know about the camera being placed on the ceiling.
“We have not permitted anybody to install the surveillance camera,” he said. “The court is unaware of it and I am directing whoever installed it to remove it.” (more)
Faced with a motion to rule whether it approved the installation of the spy camera, Fojas, court martial chairman, said the court did not know about the camera being placed on the ceiling.
“We have not permitted anybody to install the surveillance camera,” he said. “The court is unaware of it and I am directing whoever installed it to remove it.” (more)
Peter McCollum's Bug & Wiretap Devices of the 50's & 60's
The ST-2A Surveillance Transmitter The ST-2A is one of the earlier models in a long series of equipment. The purpose of a surveillance transmitter (ST) is to transmit the sounds (conversations) from within a room to a person or recording device monitoring a receiver nearby. For example, an ST may be hidden in a hotel room before the targeted person arrives, and the opposition can set up equipment on an adjacent floor to monitor and record any conversations that take place.This device, marked “F-371 IndCoil”, is an audio wire tap, most likely intended for telephone lines. It is an inductive pickup, so does not require any direct connection to the signal wire. This makes it much more difficult to detect, and does not interfere with telephone operation in any way.
When clipped over the red wire on a traditional telephone line, and connected to a suitable preamp, it can efficiently monitor a conversation. Note that it is necessary to tap only one of the two signal wires – if both wires pass through the device, the signal is canceled. The tap includes a square, closed armature that is opened by pushing a spring-loaded button. Two sides of the square have fine wire coils wound on them, connected in series.
Pushing the black button on the right side causes the armature to open so that it can be clipped over a wire. The oblong aluminum portion is a separate impedance matching transformer, marked “3.2” (ohms) on the input, and “1200” on the output. It has a 1/8” plug on the input side, and a matching jack on the output side.
(many more fine examples and photos)
Cape Town mayor Helen Zille says she is the victim of an illegal spying operation.
South Africa - Security around the opposition and Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has been stepped up and President Thabo Mbeki has ordered an investigation after Zille was tipped off that she is the victim of an illegal spying operation. (more)
The Eavesdropping You Agreed To
c. Eavesdropping. Our facilities are used by numerous persons or entities including, without limitation, other subscribers to HSI. As a result, there is a risk that you could be subject to “eavesdropping.” This means that other persons or entities may be able to access and/or monitor your use of HSI. This risk of eavesdropping exists not only with our facilities, but also on the Internet and other services to which access is provided as a part of HSI. If you post, store, transmit, or disseminate any sensitive or confidential information, you do so at your sole risk. NEITHER COMCAST NOR ITS AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS, OR AGENTS SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, ACTIONS, DAMAGES, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO SUCH ACTIONS BY YOU. You acknowledge that software programs are commercially available that claim to be capable of encryption or anonymization. We make no representation or warranty regarding the effectiveness of these programs. (more)
The Neighbor Stick
Finn Magee combined his industrial design talents with an imagination fermented within apartment walls to come up with what he calls the "Neighbour Rod". Here, "Neighbor Stick" (as in, 'stick it to your neighbor') seemed a more appropriate moniker.
When the neighbors get noisy, bang on the wall, ceiling, floor with the big white rubber mallet end. When the neighbors get suspiciously quiet, use the stethoscope end.
By the way, that's Betty. She loves to listen.
Finn is one cool dude. More about him, here.
Queen's offices 'swept for bugs'
UK - The Queen's rooms were regularly checked for bugging devices, the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed has heard. (more)
Regular inspections to detect electronic eavesdropping devices are an essential element of quality security programs.
Regular inspections to detect electronic eavesdropping devices are an essential element of quality security programs.
Electronic eyes and ears keep tabs on workers
Canada - The sudden resignation of a South Shore police chief over allegations of e-spying on the local police union is the latest controversy over electronic eavesdropping in the workplace in the greater Montreal area.
Here and elsewhere, advances in electronic technologies have given employers new tools to keep an around-the-clock eye on employees. Unions are crying foul and fighting back. (more)
Here and elsewhere, advances in electronic technologies have given employers new tools to keep an around-the-clock eye on employees. Unions are crying foul and fighting back. (more)
Alert - Analog Cellular - Discontinued - Last Call - Check you alarm system's cellular alarm reporting back-up unit.
Going, going... GONE!With 4G and WiMax services on the horizon, a new digital wireless era is approaching...but the era of another form of cordless communications is soon to come to a close: namely, analog cellular phone service, which will cease nationally on February 18. (That's TODAY!) Most phones now use digital service, but home and business owners with alarm systems may miss the analog signal. (more)
...and many more will miss the fun of easy eavesdropping.
In December 2005, the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) was commissioned by the Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC) to conduct research into issues relating to key criminal justice issues concerning technology-enabled crime.The report provides an instant eduction on technology enhanced crimes, and new crimes which have come into being because of advancements in technology.
Observations...
- It still takes the legal system about 10 years to catch up with technology changes.
- Technology has further cemented the need for international law enforcement cooperation.
- Technology is forcing some of the age-old crimes – that we rarely used to hear about – out of the darkness.
Very interesting document. Sign of the times.
(this report) (more reports)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
SpyCam Story #432 - Action Jackson
CA - Holiday Cleaners, a family-owned business that's operated in Jackson for the past 15 years. Since October, it's a store that has also been under the watchful eye of city police as they investigate allegations that one of its operators recorded images of women as they undressed in the changing room.
Police are hoping female customers who patronized the dry cleaning business will come forward to see if they were recorded in digital videos and photographs allegedly taken by the suspect, 35-year-old Pine Grove resident Alex Ko, who runs the business with his parents and siblings. (more)
Police are hoping female customers who patronized the dry cleaning business will come forward to see if they were recorded in digital videos and photographs allegedly taken by the suspect, 35-year-old Pine Grove resident Alex Ko, who runs the business with his parents and siblings. (more)
Spies Demise - Week ending 2/16/08
US - Four people have been arrested in the United States on spying charges relating to the sale of classified information - including details of the Space Shuttle - to China. (more)
Bolivia - President Evo Morales declared a U.S. Embassy security officer to be an "undesirable person" on Monday after reports that the officer asked an American scholar and 30 Peace Corps volunteers to pass along information about Cubans and Venezuelans working in Bolivia. (more)
US - Senator Specter, a Republican of Pennsylvania, wants to know more about the New England Patriots' practice of spying on the opposition... (more)
Afghanistan - Soldiers seized two Taliban fighters spying on Nato forces after one of the militant's smart shoes gave him away... A soldier said they were suspicious as he wore expensive shoes - rare in the poor farming area. (more)
South Korea's outgoing president has accepted the resignation of his spy chief, who offered to quit over the leak of a document detailing his secret trip to North Korea in December, a spokesman said Monday. (more)
Kenya’s longest serving spy master, James Kanyotu, died in Nairobi yesterday. The shadowy and burly spy who headed the Directorate of State Intelligence, then known as the Special Branch for 27 years, died at the Nairobi Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. (more)
US - Hewlett-Packard Co. said late Wednesday that it has settled with the New York Times and three BusinessWeek journalists who were spied on as part of the company's boardroom surveillance scheme. (more)
Bolivia - President Evo Morales declared a U.S. Embassy security officer to be an "undesirable person" on Monday after reports that the officer asked an American scholar and 30 Peace Corps volunteers to pass along information about Cubans and Venezuelans working in Bolivia. (more)
US - Senator Specter, a Republican of Pennsylvania, wants to know more about the New England Patriots' practice of spying on the opposition... (more)
Afghanistan - Soldiers seized two Taliban fighters spying on Nato forces after one of the militant's smart shoes gave him away... A soldier said they were suspicious as he wore expensive shoes - rare in the poor farming area. (more)
South Korea's outgoing president has accepted the resignation of his spy chief, who offered to quit over the leak of a document detailing his secret trip to North Korea in December, a spokesman said Monday. (more)
Kenya’s longest serving spy master, James Kanyotu, died in Nairobi yesterday. The shadowy and burly spy who headed the Directorate of State Intelligence, then known as the Special Branch for 27 years, died at the Nairobi Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. (more)
US - Hewlett-Packard Co. said late Wednesday that it has settled with the New York Times and three BusinessWeek journalists who were spied on as part of the company's boardroom surveillance scheme. (more)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
SpyCam Story #431 - Sticky Fingers
Security Guard Arrested For Vending Burglary
NC - A covert machine/changer camera was installed at the location to help determine the cause of these chronic unexplained shortages.
The video revealed evidence that a security guard from the location, a federal facility, was opening a vending machine and stealing cash. This machine was used to store the account vending collections in a mother bag from all the machines. The security guard was taking the cafeteria manager's vending key from an unlocked desk drawer in the cafeteria office. Audit records indicate that this individual stole $1,000 over three months. (more)
This is a commom problem. Many of our counterespionage reports contain this obvious recommendation...
Do not leave keys behind.
The most common offense we see is: Admin locks the executive's office door at night and leaves the keys in their unlocked desk just a few feet away.
"Would locking the desk help?"
No. Desk locks are easily pickable (or destructible)... as are filing cabinet locks.
"What could be worse?"
Those big key control cabinets which hold all the spare keys!
Most of their locks are as easily pickable as the desk locks... and, by the way, where is this key "hidden"? Can't find the key? Can't pick it? No problem. People rarely secure key-cabinets to the wall properly, anyway. Just grab it and go.
A few key control solutions for you...
FREE - Guide to Developing and Managing Key Control Policies and Procedures
Traka Key Control System
KeyTrak
NC - A covert machine/changer camera was installed at the location to help determine the cause of these chronic unexplained shortages.
The video revealed evidence that a security guard from the location, a federal facility, was opening a vending machine and stealing cash. This machine was used to store the account vending collections in a mother bag from all the machines. The security guard was taking the cafeteria manager's vending key from an unlocked desk drawer in the cafeteria office. Audit records indicate that this individual stole $1,000 over three months. (more)
This is a commom problem. Many of our counterespionage reports contain this obvious recommendation...
Do not leave keys behind.
The most common offense we see is: Admin locks the executive's office door at night and leaves the keys in their unlocked desk just a few feet away.
"Would locking the desk help?"
No. Desk locks are easily pickable (or destructible)... as are filing cabinet locks.
"What could be worse?"Those big key control cabinets which hold all the spare keys!
Most of their locks are as easily pickable as the desk locks... and, by the way, where is this key "hidden"? Can't find the key? Can't pick it? No problem. People rarely secure key-cabinets to the wall properly, anyway. Just grab it and go.
A few key control solutions for you...
FREE - Guide to Developing and Managing Key Control Policies and Procedures
Traka Key Control System
KeyTrak
"An ye, leave nae stone unturned..."
Isle of Arran, Scotland - Local police are on the look-out for a large quantity of rock that has gone missing from Hawthorn Quarry near Whiting Bay. The Forestry Commission alerted the police to the quarry theft last Friday, and are now being forced to install covert video surveillance at the quarry... (more)
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