Sweeping
Sweeping in the premises
Before starting sweeping, you should perform some preparations.
Firstly, it is necessary to consider the time of the sweep and the
situation. Since there are lots of devices that are remotely
controlled (particularly GSM/3G/Wi-Fi/etc.), it is recommended to
carry out a sweep during working hours in real situations, when
the eavesdropper most wants to listen and with the presence of
sound in the room. In this case it may be necessary to arrange
a fictitious meeting.
Start with the attenuator turned off. Enter the room while holding
the iProtect 1205 and start probing objects and surfaces with its
antenna (upper tip). Since some types of transmitters have
extremely low power, it is recommended to carry out inspection
at a distance of not less than 10-20 cm from the object. Move
around the room in a selected direction – clockwise or counter
clockwise and probe all the items/surfaces/gaps, etc. Pay special
attention to the places where electrical wires are present as a
potential bugging device could be powered by these. Do not
forget about any objects situated in the middle of the room.
Open all wardrobes, cabinets, etc. since a bugging device could
be anywhere; test the ceiling (opening tiles if necessary) and the
floor. Use a ladder if necessary to get as close to high points in
the room as possible.
The target zone (the area around the most used work space in
the room being checked) is the most important since sound
around this area is clearest; therefore inspect it with as much
care as possible.
An increased RF level on the bargraph and/or vibration from the
1205 are signs of radio waves, which can be produced both by
a normal device like a Wi-Fi router or a real bugging device, for
example by an FM VHF transmitter.
The task of operator is to find the place with the maximum RF
level and then to trace the transmitter. If it is impossible to find
the strongest place and the signal is similar everywhere (for
example near a window), it may be external interference. In
modern cities there is lot of interference like communication base
stations or broadcasting.
Please remember that interference may also get into a room from
adjacent premises. It can be Wi-Fi routers, DECT base stations,
conversations using GSM/3G/4G mobile phones in the neigh-
boring flats/offices or VHF/UHF communications from a taxi car
standing near the building. If the RF level is strong, the bargraph
may show the maximum level. The attenuator function will be
useful in this case. Turn it on and continue searching for the place
with the maximum level, after finishing and returning to the normal
sweep do not forget to turn off the attenuator.
If the RF level is strong, the bargraph may show the maximum
level. The attenuator function will be useful in this case. Turn it on
and continue searching for the place with the maximum level,
after finishing and returning to the normal sweep do not forget to
turn off the attenuator.
After finding a place with a strong RF level go to a physical
inspection. Disassemble the object and try to find the transmitter.
Before making a decision understand what the object is, maybe
producing RF waves is its normal function (like the Wi-Fi router).
Do not stop sweeping even if a bugging device is found. Some
other, better hidden, bugging devices may be still present in the
room.
Checking landline telephones and lines
Telephone bugs may be installed anywhere a phone line lays. It
may be within the phone set, the phone outlet connecting box or
cable. Most telephone bugs activate only when the receiver is
off-hook. Therefore sweeping of landline phone lines is carried
out only when the receiver is in this state. Start checking from the
phone set. Place the iProtect 1205's antenna near the set and lift
the receiver. Watch for an increase of the RF level. If you are tes-
ting a wireless phone, you will see a strong radio field on the
display, as the phone uses radio communication between the
receiver and its base. This is normal but such a situation makes it
difficult to check wireless phones for the presence of bug inside
it. Disassembling and inspecting the schematics of the telephone
for the presence of non-standard parts or 'signs of modification'
could be the solution in this case.
Move the antenna along the phone line while keeping it off-hook.
Check all the outlets and communication boxes. If you have an
assistant, ask him to lift the receiver and then hang it up repea-
tedly. If you see that the RF level changes when the line is
activated and deactivated, this isa sign of a bug's presence. Try
to locate the place where the RF level is highest and then
perform a physical search.
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Inspecting people
There are many types of body-carried transmitters. They may
broadcast conversations and (or) video signals. To test a person,
carry the iProtect 1205 in a pocket or in the supplied case with
the power turned on. Approach the person while sensing the vib-
ration of the detector. If it starts vibrating, it means that the person
is carrying a transmitting device. Note the detection distance of
the device. Some weak signals such as Bluetooth can only be
