Ireland - The Department of Finance and the National Treasury Management Agency carry out regular sweeps to ensure they are not subject to any bugging or surveillance.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan confirmed the steps were taken due to the commercial sensitivity of issues being discussed within the department... Mr Noonan said he was “aware of the importance of maintaining security given the commercially sensitive meetings held in the department and the sensitive information held by the department”...
A spokesman for the NTMA said it also carries out sweeps.
“Given the sensitivity of the business activities of the NTMA and its various linked business units, including Nama, the agency carries out regular, comprehensive security checks, including sweeps for any evidence of bugging. ” (more)
NV - The commission considered a two-count complaint by the Gaming Control
Board against Peppermill Casinos Inc., which owns operations in Reno,
Sparks, Henderson and Wendover, for sending out an employee to illegally
gather information on the slot machine win percentages of its
competitors. The complaint also recommended a $1 million fine.
The complaint alleged that since 2011, Peppermill employee Ryan Tors had a slot machine "reset" key that allowed him to enter the slots in other competitors to determine the amount of hold — the amount kept by casinos on wagers.
On July 12, hotel security officers at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno caught Tors using a reset key at their property. An investigation revealed that, beginning at least in 2011, Tors had used the reset key to obtain the information in 10 other casinos in the Reno-Sparks and Wendover areas. (more)
Google on Thursday unveiled Project Tango, an effort to "give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion" using a combination of robotics and computer vision.
The project has a prototype phone loaded with sensors and software "designed to track the full 3D motion of the device, while simultaneously creating a map of the environment," the Project Tango leader Johnny Lee said in a blog post. (more)
FutureWatch...
Smartphone business espionage spy tools are coming. A visitor to your organization will be able to walk out with a floor map, record the sounds of your manufacturing process (for later analysis), and use other sensors to gather competitive intelligence. And, they won't be as obvious as the folks you saw in the video.
Security Directors: I wasn't kidding. It is time to create a Surreptitious Workplace Recording Policy.
Need help?
Call me.
This is the new eavesdropping technology you are up against.
• Do you conduct regular information security surveys (TSCM)?
• Are your current current TSCM bug sweeps capable of detecting new technologies like the device shown?
If the answer to either question is no, contact me.
via Acustek...
The concept of the GEM AUDIO/VIDEO is... storing audio and video files on micro-SD card up to 32 GB and then forward, ultra-fast download, through protected WiFi connection.
DESIGNED FOR COVERT USE
The GEM WiFi A/V is a small device integrating a small powerful audio-video recorder, external miniature video camera and concealed built-in Wifi antenna for transmission together. This allows the user ultra fast download of large volumes of high quality audio and video without the need of direct connection with the recorder. It can be set up to record with multiple advanced timers or by voice activation mode. The supplied video camera is capable to provide good quality picture at very low light conditions, with sensitivity of .3lux.
HIGH AUTONOMY AND CAPACITY All audio records are stored to micro SD memory (up-to 32Gb) and can be downloaded at any time, or listened to "Live".
ULTRA FAST DOWNLOAD SPEED Downloading over WiFi is very fast and takes approx. 5 minutes for every 24 hours stored audio record.
DEDICATED FOR CONCEALED OPERATION All records are exported or reviewed securely via the included software. GEM WiFi doesn't transmit anything on air when disconnected from the host computer. It searches for the WiFi signal only from user host computer; this makes this device very confidential and makes it virtually impossible to find by any WiFi wireless spy detection technology such as RF Analysers. (We know how to find it.)
SECURITY The audio data transfer is encrypted, each record has a precision timeline and can only be reviewed using the supplied software, the records may also be password protected. If the recorder is intercepted then the micro SD card is unusable. (more)
Bugging devices in all shapes and forms, tracking devices to monitor movement, and remote controlled surveillance cameras were all an integral part of the British government’s war in the north. Over the years they were found in the homes of republican activists, under floor boards and cabinets, attached to wooden beams in attics, and hidden in the insides of cars.
In the years since the war ended the surveillance war has continued. It has become ever more sophisticated. Now according to some reports they can even bug your clothes...
The surveillance technology involved today reads like science fiction but it is real not imagined and very effective, and most times you don’t know that it is there. (more)
Thank you to all my readers...
who are pressing the goofy little buttons at the bottom of each Scrapbook posting. I sincerely appreciate it, as do the people who would have missed a cool bit of news had you not generously shared. ~Kevin
Indonesia - Jakarta Governor, Joko `Jokowi` Widodo confirmed the bugging device findings at his home office...
Jokowi stated that the findings of some bugging devices in his home office was found using a detector device in December 2013...
He described, those bugging devices were found in three different places, such as bedroom, private living room, and dining room used to hold meetings "Actually, I don`t want to talk about this. But in fact there are three devices in the home office found," he disclosed. (more)
Turkey - The former head of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey's (TÜBİTAK) Research Center for Advanced Technologies on Informatics and Information Security (BİLGEM) has said he was forced to make changes in a report as part of an investigation into a "bugging device" found at the prime minister's office.
In a blistering statement over his dismissal from the top post at BİLGEM, a critical department within TÜBİTAK that prepares expert reports for court cases and state agencies, Hasan Palaz said he was forced to make changes on a scientific report that was prepared as part of a criminal investigation into the installment of bugging devices at Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's office in Parliament and his home in 2012...
In a stern warning, he said the government's interference in TÜBİTAK reports and politicians' meddling in scientific inquiries would be suicide for the science world.
The discovery of the bugging devices led to an outcry and fueled a debate over who is responsible for monitoring and bugging the prime minister's office. (more)
Note: Although this translated news story makes it sound as if he did make the change, a careful reading of the whole story indicates he did not, hence his dismissal.
From the other side of the fence in Turkey today...
Turkey - Battling a corruption scandal,
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is seeking broader powers
for his intelligence agency, including more scope for
eavesdropping and legal immunity for its top agent, according to
a draft law seen by Reuters. (more)
UPDATE: (2/22/14) - Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that two suspects
believed to be involved in a bugging scandal have fled the country. (more)
NASCAR fans can listen to an uncensored buffet of communication ranging from foul-mouthed rants to finish line screams of victory on FanVision controllers that provide access to live broadcast feeds, onboard cameras, official timing, data, statistics, instant replays and a digital radio scanner.
At Daytona, the device rents for $59.99 for the weekend. (Or, it may be purchased, plus a per race subscription.) They have to be returned no later than 90 minutes after the race ends. (more)
Other NASCAR eavesdropping options...
• Sportstronics NASCAR Proscan 100 Scanner
• eBay
Smart Baby Monitor (Bug) in your pocket!
The baby monitor (bug) for the smartphone age. Includes all standard features of a hardware baby monitor (bug) and some surprising extras.
Works at any distance. Dormi can use any available route to connect parent and child units (WiFi, mobile data), and can work even when Internet is not available (WiFi Direct, HotSpot / AP)
Ultimate feature?
You can connect MULTIPLE devices in parent mode to a single child device simultaneously.
Intelligent audio
You don't need to configure microphone sensitivity - Dormi adjusts to noise levels automatically. Leave the device several meters away from the sleeping baby (target) and it will still be able to detect when it cries (or plans a corporate takeover) and amplify the sound for the parent device as if it were placed right next to the baby (target).
Press and hold the Listen button to hear sound from the child device even while the baby (target) is not crying (or selling stocks). Equally, use the Talk button to talk back to soothe or calm the baby (or spook the hell out of your target).
Convenient info-center
With Dormi you always know what's going on. All important information about the child device is always available while monitoring. If connection with the child device is lost, the parent device will notify you.
Dormi will even notify you about missed calls and new text messages received on the child device, so you will not miss something important while not having direct access to the device.
If the baby (target) starts crying (or talking with the General Counsel) while you are on the phone, you will be notified with vibrations and a gentle beep to your ear - without abruptly disturbing the phone call, yet letting you know.
Of course, Dormi works in the background, even when the device screen is off. Great care has been taken to limit battery usage - you can monitor for many hours on one charge.
Have you got an old Android device sitting in the drawer that you have no use for? Not anymore - try using it as the child device with Dormi. We have made the effort to ensure it runs from Android 2.3 onwards.
Start right away...
All you have to do after install is pair two devices together (our autodiscovery feature makes this a breeze) and start monitoring right away.
Although unlimited monitoring is paid, you will get 4 hours of monitoring for free every month.
If you do decide to make a purchase, you only have to do so on one of the devices participating in the monitoring. (more)
Why do I mention it?
So you will know what you are up against.
Jazzpunk has been nominated for the grand prize at the 2014 Independent Games Festival, is to video games what movies like Airplane!, The Naked Gun and Hot Shots are to film...
The setup is charmingly basic and silly, like the rest of the game. After an upbeat and stylized Saul Bass-inspired intro, you are plopped into your role as Polyblank, a spy for an unnamed organization helmed by a bureau chief who makes his office in a subway car and sounds like the person that delivered Ethan Hunt his impossible missions, perhaps if he was talking through a fishbowl.
With the satisfying wheeze of an obviously placed whoopee cushion, the game wastes no time letting you know you are here for the gags, not the story. (more)
Jazzpunk is a first-person comedy adventure game set in an alternate-reality Cold War World, plagued with Corporate Espionage, CyberCrime™, and Sentient Martinis. Gameplay is inspired by spoof comedy films and cartoons of yester-year (eg: Naked Gun, Airplane!, Hot Shots, etc), with a focus on weird gadgets, exotic locales, and open-world style exploration.
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is reported to have been cast as an action figure in a video game that has him reenacting the NSA spying scandal, while avoiding government capture.
A 12-inch action figure of the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor is being marketed by Thatsmyface.com for 99 dollars.
Proceeds from the action figure's sale will be donated to the Freedom of the Press Foundation. (more)
P.S. They can make one of you, too.
(Note: Garda = Police)
Ireland - The British consultancy firm which carried out a security sweep of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission's headquarters offered to sell gardai equipment similar to one of the devices at the centre of the 'bugging' saga.
Officials from the Verrimus firm met garda technical experts while they were in Dublin for the sweep.
They brought with them the "international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) catcher" device which, in an ironic twist, was similar to one that created the third and most "credible threat" to the security of the Ombudsman's offices. (more)
(Long but interesting. Proves no business is immune to business espionage.)
Stealing trade secrets has been a part of the business and international scene for a long time. I suspect such activity has made some people very rich when they don’t get caught and some lawyers very rich when they do...
Military secrets, medical research, computer technology, certain oatmeal raisin cookie recipes... it’s understandable why some people, companies or countries might be tempted by any of these. The payday would be huge.
Agriculture has not been immune to incidents of unethical business activity... (more)
Want to know if eavesdropping has occurred in your organization?
These days, your chances of knowing has skyrocketed. Here's why...
Electronic eavesdropping devices have become:
• so inexpensive,
• so easily available,
that they are now throw-away objects.
Eavesdroppers don't have to risk discovery by replacing batteries or retrieving them. Just toss one behind the bookcase, or into a lighting cove once a week.
Bonus For You - Since many of today's eavesdropping devices are not being serviced or retrieved, the evidence is left there waiting for you (or me) to find it! Knowing you are having your pockets picked is valuable knowledge, and the first step in putting an end to it.
Example of a bug being sold on eBay today... ($21.97 - FREE shipping)
Each
battery should give you around 40 hours of use!
This IS the smallest bug on ebay measuring just 22mm diameter (plus a little extra for the protruding microphone and rear) x only 11mm thick and THIS IS WITH A BATTERY INSTALLED!!! This tiny transmitter runs off a small coin cell and the measurements given above include the cell holder!
The quality small electret microphone will pick up the smallest of sounds and transmit them to your radio with crystal clear reproduction. Only quality surface mount components have been used on a professionally designed circuit board. The copper of the board has been coated to prevent corrosion - this is NOT a cheap homemade item like others are offering!" (more)
P.S. We have the technology to find these bugs even after the battery is depleted.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan confirmed the steps were taken due to the commercial sensitivity of issues being discussed within the department... Mr Noonan said he was “aware of the importance of maintaining security given the commercially sensitive meetings held in the department and the sensitive information held by the department”... 
