Re: Seeking a solution for detecting hidden cameras

["S. Schappert" <scottsch () ix netcom com>]

G'day,

Also there exists some types of optical scanning devices.  Any camera
will have some type of optical surface associated with it (lens).  One
quality of such a surface is a reflective component; light from a
specific source (e.g. laser) that may strike the first surface of the
lens will reflect off the lens itself.  Should the reflected light have
two qualities, one being a specific wavelength, the other coherence, it
is possible to detect the presence of an optical surface across a plane,
using some type of device that will be able to capture or identify
reflected light.  The basic concept of a radar system suffices to give
example.  Many conditions, e.g. aspect ratio (depth of lens from a
surface) and lens curvature (diopter) will affect a detectors ability to
identify the presence of an optical surface.  Knowing this weakness,
countermeasures exist that can hide or reduce the ability to detect an
optical surface by some antireflective material.  This can extend from a
diffuse covering of the lens, to AR (antireflective) optical coatings.
Further, both UV (ultraviolet) or IR (infrared) wavelengths have
interesting qualities associated with them due to the fact that these
wavelengths can be outside of the visible spectrum of light.  UV and IR
lasers are incredible tools for these and other types of applications.

Neat stuff !

-Scott S.


Ex nihilo nihil


-----Original Message-----
> From: Buz Dale <buz.dale () usg edu>
> Sent: Mar 13, 2007 10:15 AM
> To: security-basics () securityfocus com
> Subject: Re: Seeking a solution for detecting hidden cameras
>
> How about a nice bright coat of paint and a daily inspection procedure?
>
> Buz
>
> On 3/13/07, Yan Zhai <yanzhai () gmail com> wrote:
> > This may sound a little bit unrealistic, but how about having very strong
> > light source (maybe with high intensity of UV) in the room for a while, to
> > burn those hidden cameras' CCD?  I think most such cameras should have
> > quite sensitive CCDs to be effective under indoor light condition.
> >
> > On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:54:13 -0400, Murda Mcloud <murdamcloud () bigpond com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Good idea Todd. Any mesh would definitely make it messy to drill a hole.
> > >
> > > Just a thought, are there any small cameras that would have an in built
> > > recording function? And if so, would this kind of camera be affected by
> > > the
> > > mesh?
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Mondragon, Todd [mailto:todd.mondragon () fmr com]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 2:00 AM
> > > To: Murda Mcloud; Pranav Lal; security-basics () securityfocus com
> > > Subject: RE: Seeking a solution for detecting hidden cameras
> > >
> > > No need to jam, a wire mesh placed in the walls and grounded will stop
> > > most RF devices cold.
> > > The mesh should be of the same type as screen door mesh (must be wire
> > > though!) to be able to stop any 2ghz signals. The mesh would also need
> > > to be electrically contiguous of course.
> > >
> > > Might make it hard to drill as well, the mesh would foul any powered
> > > bits and a hand tool would have great difficulty dealing with it as
> > > well.
> > >
> > > Todd Mondragon
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
> > > On Behalf Of Murda Mcloud
> > > Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 7:53 PM
> > > To: 'Pranav Lal'; security-basics () securityfocus com
> > > Subject: RE: Seeking a solution for detecting hidden cameras
> > >
> > >
> > > One thing to do would be to build the room as clean and free from places
> > > that cameras could be hidden etc. ie no benches etc. Make it so that any
> > > tampering would be obvious.
> > > Also, make the walls etc out of something that would be hard to drill a
> > > pinhole in.
> > >
> > > Then some of those detectors that you listed could be used-though I
> > > can't
> > > vouch for any of them.
> > > Maybe there's a way of jamming signals too?
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
> > > On
> > > Behalf Of Pranav Lal
> > > Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 6:08 PM
> > > To: security-basics () securityfocus com
> > > Subject: Seeking a solution for detecting hidden cameras
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I have been asked by a client to find a solution for detecting cameras
> > > in dressing rooms etc. The client has trial rooms where customers can
> > > try various garments. The concern is that  some one could plant a
> > > camera in one of these rooms and photograph customers.
> > >
> > > I have checked online and have found the following sources;
> > > http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/sf-103.html
> > > http://www.spytechs.com/bug_sweep_equip/vcd_43.htm
> > > http://www.pimall.com/nais/countervideo.html
> > > http://www.intpro.co.uk/pinhole.htm
> > > http://www.intpro.co.uk/camera%20detector.htm
> > > Are there any others? Has any one on this list tried any such
> > > solutions? I have found an interesting reference on hiding and
> > > detecting cameras at
> > > http://www.tentacle.franken.de/papers/hiddencams.pdf
> > >
> > > Pranav
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Yan Zhai
> > Ph.D.
> > Cyber Defense Lab
> > NCSU
>
>
>
> -- 
> Buz Dale                                buz.dale () usg edu
> IT Security Specialist              1-888-875-3697 (In GA)
> 1-706-583-2005
> Office of Information and Instructional Technology
> University System of Georgia
> GMT -5:00