Tracking-prevention
Detecting and Preventing Location Tracking and Surveillance
For offensive guides, see Red Teaming Page. For additional digital force protection measures, see DFP Guide.
Overview
This page provides practical advice on detecting, preventing, and defending against unwanted location tracking and surveillance. This includes handling devices like Airtags and hidden cameras.
Everyday Prevention
Personal Awareness
Check surroundings: Regularly inspect personal belongings, vehicles, and living areas for unfamiliar devices. Minimize exposure: Avoid sharing location details publicly or on social media. Secure devices: Keep electronic devices updated and use security features like Bluetooth scanning to detect nearby unknown devices.
Technology Aids
Use anti-surveillance apps: Apps like AirGuard for Android help detect nearby trackers. GPS signal blockers: Consider using GPS blockers in sensitive situations (note legal restrictions).
Detection Techniques
Visual Inspection
Look for anomalies: Regularly check less visible areas of personal items and vehicles for signs of tampering. Use light: Employ a flashlight to help spot lens reflections from hidden cameras.
Electronic Scanners
RF detectors: These devices are essential for finding wireless devices and can vary significantly in function and cost based on needs: Frequency Range: Ensure the scanner covers frequencies most commonly used by surveillance devices. Sensitivity and Selectivity: Crucial for identifying sophisticated bugging devices and filtering out irrelevant signals. Usability: User-friendly interfaces are key for non-technical users. Portability: Consider if the device will be used on the go.
Network Monitoring
Check Wi-Fi connections: Monitor devices connected to your Wi-Fi network for unknown devices. Use security applications: Implement network scanning tools that alert you to unauthorized access.
Defenses if Tracking is Identified
Immediate Actions
Disable the device: If safe, disable or destroy the tracking device. Preserve evidence: If legal action is a consideration, preserve the device and document all details.
Legal Recourse
Consult law enforcement: Report to the police with all gathered evidence for action. Legal consultation: Seek advice from a lawyer specialized in privacy or harassment issues.
Long-term Strategies
Enhance security: Upgrade both physical and digital security measures. Awareness training: Educate family and colleagues on detecting and preventing tracking and surveillance.
Tool Selection
BLUF: Buy the best tool you can afford. If it’s multipurpose and decently priced, consider it, but evaluate it against the required scope, purpose, and type of tool.
Low-cost tools: Inexpensive RF scanners, like the $12.95 Harbor Freight USB-style, are sufficient for basic home-to-work route sweeps. Mid-range tools: For more detailed checks, such as hotel room sweeps, consider tools priced between $500 and $1000. High-end tools: Invest several thousand dollars in high-end tools for comprehensive TSCM (Technical Surveillance Countermeasures) quality site management.
Considerations for Selecting RF Scanners
Scope: Tailor the tool to the level of protection needed, from personal to professional applications. Purpose: Define whether the tool is for counter-surveillance, network security, communication monitoring, or technical maintenance. Type: Choose from handheld RF scanners, broadband RF scanners, spectrum analyzers, and integrated scanning systems based on specific needs and complexity.
From the Red Team Chat
BLUF: buy the best tool you can get for your budget. If it’s multipurpose for a decent price that works, but consider tool selection criteria measured against scope, purpose and type of tool required.
I succeeded with cheap tools like the harbor freight USB style ( 12.95) RF scanner for home-to-work CS style vehicle route sweeps, more elaborate 500- 1000 dollar tools for hotel room sweeps, and multi-thousand tools for full TSCM quality site management.
More specifically,
There are multiple considerations for the selection criteria:
When selecting an RF scanner, we should consider the following: • Frequency Range: The range of frequencies the scanner can detect should align with the frequencies of interest. • Sensitivity: The ability of the scanner to detect weak signals, which is crucial for identifying sophisticated bugging devices. • Selectivity: The ability to distinguish between signals and filter out irrelevant ones. • Usability: The user interface and ease of use, especially for those not technically skilled. • Portability: The size and power requirements if the scanner needs to be used in the field.
On top of this we need to consider the scope:
Personal protection Team members integrity protection Profesional application Expert TSCM program level application
And purpose :
Counter-Surveillance: Identifying and locating hidden cameras, microphones, and other spying devices.
Network Security: Detecting unauthorized wireless devices that may be attempting to breach or compromise a network.
Communication: Monitoring radio communications in various bands used by amateur radio operators, aviation, maritime, and emergency services.
Technical Maintenance: Troubleshooting issues with wireless devices by identifying sources of RF interference.
And of course type:
Handheld RF Scanners: Portable and typically battery-powered. Used for security sweeps in rooms or to locate hidden transmitters. Vary in complexity from basic detectors to sophisticated systems with signal strength indicators and frequency counters.
Broadband RF Scanners: Capable of scanning a wide range of frequencies. Often used by hobbyists for listening to various radio communications and by professionals for surveillance detection.
Spectrum Analyzers: An advanced form of RF scanner that detects signals and can analyze and display their frequency spectrum. Utilized in telecommunications, network management, and signal intelligence to understand signal characteristics and identify interference.
Integrated Scanning Systems: Include a combination of antennas, receivers, and software for a comprehensive surveillance or signal analysis capability.