When you stay in a hotel, or use public restrooms, or even go to trial rooms in clothing stores, it’s good to ensure there aren’t any hidden cameras. While authorities and many organizations are working their best to ensure you won’t face any such bad experiences, it’s still beneficial to check and make sure there aren’t any hidden cameras before using them.
Luckily, if you have your smartphone, it’s more than easy to find all those cameras and have peace of mind. So, how can you detect hidden cameras using your smartphone? Read along to find out.
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What Are Hidden/Spy Cameras?
A hidden camera or a spy camera is a small video camera used for recording people without their knowledge. Hidden cameras can be used for security purposes, such as monitoring a home or business, or they can be used to record people for personal use secretly. Hidden cameras usually have an infrared (IR) LED that allows them to record clear images in low-light or dark conditions.
While hidden cameras can be used for positive purposes, they have also been abused by people who use them to invade the privacy of others. In some cases, hidden cameras have been found in places like public bathrooms and changing rooms, where people are recorded without their consent. This has led to concerns about personal privacy and the misuse of hidden camera technology.
What Does a Hidden Camera Look Like?
There are a variety of different types of hidden cameras, each with its own specific purposes. Some common types of hidden cameras include smoke detectors, screws, USB chargers, and routers. Hidden cameras can come in various shapes and sizes and can be disguised as almost anything. It is important to be aware of the many different ways that someone could be spying on you and take steps to protect yourself from hidden cameras.
Where are Hidden Cameras Usually Located?
Hidden cameras are usually located in these areas:
- Electronic Devices like phones or USB sticks. They can be hidden in many places, including power outlets and telephones.
- Smoke Detectors and Alarms
- Mirrors
- Toilets and bathrooms – on the ceilings, in the air vents, under the sink, or behind the toilet.
How to Detect Hidden Cameras with a Smartphone
Now that we know what hidden cameras are, how they look and work, and where they are usually placed, let’s look at different methods of detecting spy cameras using your smartphone.
Find a hidden camera in a room by making a call from your smartphone
Remember those old speakers that make a specific sound when you receive a phone call and are placed next to it? The reason for that sound was because of the electromagnetic disturbances caused by the signals from the phone and some components inside the speaker. Well, guess which device can be found with this sorcery? Follow these steps to find out:
- Make a phone call with your iPhone or Android.
- Now, observe for any kind of buzzing or crackling sound.
- If you find any, look for the source of the sound.
Even if you don’t find any device, contact the respective people and ask about the source of the sound.
Use a phone camera app to detect hidden cameras
Cameras are called photographer’s eye, and it’s this eye that’s going to guide you from those creepy hidden eyes. How? Usually, these hidden cameras use the help of IR to capture data. While they can’t be seen through the naked eye, you can see spot them using your smartphone’s camera app:
- Open the camera app on your smartphone
- Start to look around the place through the camera.
- Check if you could see a blinking light source that wasn’t visible before.
- If you do, then look at the area to see if there are any hidden cameras.
Detect hidden cameras by scanning Wi-Fi with your mobile phone
Many hidden cameras are required to be connected to a Wi-Fi connection to transfer data.
- Turn on Wi-Fi on your smartphone.
- Visit the Wi-Fi page and look for any unusual names.
Even if you find unusual names, they may not be hidden cameras since some people’s creative minds are much more than the appreciable levels. But follow the rest of the guide to discover more ways in which you can spot hidden cameras using your Android phone or iPhone.
Use third-party hidden camera detector apps
While using cameras can help you find IR cameras, it still can’t be considered the best app to detect hidden cameras since it was never its purpose. For that, you need apps that are built for this purpose. While many apps claim to do the same, We think the Hidden camera detector is the best app to detect hidden cameras.
Install the app and check various options, as well as the instructions to detect hidden cameras with the app. Besides what we have suggested, You can find many different options from Play Store and App Store.
Turn on your flashlight
It’s the primary nature of lenses to reflect when exposed to a light source. Simply turn on your flashlight and flash it around the room. Be sure you are close to objects while checking since the hidden camera lens will be comparatively small, and so does its reflection. To spot them, you need to be closer to them.
Specifically, look at smoke detectors, electrical outlets, power strips, wall hangings, clocks, clothes hooks, etc.
What else can you do?
Check if there are any unusual devices or items in the room
Wherever you go, make sure to check thoroughly to ensure everything is safe. Look around for any suspicious object or even a thing. And if you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about a particular item, make sure to contact the respective people and clear your doubts.
Switch off all lights and observe the room
As we have mentioned before, many hidden cameras use IR sensors to capture data. Please turn off the lights, draw the curtains, and use the camera on your smartphone to spot them. This is specifically helpful to detect night vision cameras.
Scan for hidden cameras using dedicated devices
While smartphones mostly come in handy to detect hidden cameras, you can get better results if you use devices meant for this use case. If you are someone who travels quite often, it’s good to invest in such a device.
Specialized RF detectors can be used to detect secret recording devices. The detector is very sensitive to the radio waves wireless cameras emit. The detector gives audible signals that get more frequent as you move closer to the source.
What should you do if you find something?
The first thing to do when you find a hidden camera is to not freak out. Take a picture or video of the device using your smartphone and contact police. Be sure not to touch or interact with the device and let it stay where it is until you get law enforcement support.
This content was originally published here.
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