When using public restrooms, hotels, or trying on clothes at shops, it’s crucial to develop the habit of checking for hidden cameras that may be installed in the room to protect yourself.
Matrix of Hidden Camera Devices
In 2023, a survey by VnExpress revealed that 58% of over a thousand participants reported having encountered or suspected the presence of hidden cameras.
According to Mr. Vu Ngoc Son, Technical Director of NCS Cybersecurity Technology Company, these devices come in various shapes and functions, but most are sourced from China. They are generally of mediocre quality, very small in size, and difficult to detect with the naked eye. Cameras are often disguised or integrated into ordinary items in the room, such as smoke detectors, electrical outlets, switches, chargers, and desk clocks.
Many cameras feature remote viewing capabilities, allowing intruders to watch live footage from the room without needing to access the device. Some have a memory card slot, storing data for about a week, while others are sold as modules that anyone with malicious intent can purchase and attach to household appliances.
5 Ways to Detect Hidden Cameras
According to information from FPT, hidden cameras are often installed in extremely sophisticated ways. However, you can easily check for them using the five simple tips below.
Visual Inspection
When entering any room in a motel, hotel, or public restroom, you should carefully observe your surroundings to identify any surveillance cameras if present.
Pay special attention to certain locations such as: televisions, remote controls, electrical outlets, under tables or chairs, doorways, decorative items like wall clocks, desk lamps, vases, stuffed animals, or even smoke alarms and air purifiers.
Inspect all positions and items in the room, including the smallest objects.
Turn Off All Lights in the Room
Cameras often emit red or green blinking lights or dim LED lights to record better in low light conditions. You can use this principle to detect hidden cameras by drawing all curtains and turning off all lights in the room. If you notice any unusual lights, check carefully to ensure your privacy and safety.
Check Mirrors in the Room
Mini hidden cameras can also be cleverly “installed” behind mirrors in motels, hotels, or public restrooms. However, do not panic; calmly follow the instructions below to check for concealed cameras.
Place your finger on the mirror and observe the distance between your finger and the mirror. If there is a gap between your finger and the reflected image, you can be confident that this is a real mirror. If you notice that your finger and the reflection have no distance between them, this indicates that the mirror is a two-way mirror, and a hidden camera may have been installed behind it.
How to Detect Hidden Cameras with Your Phone
Your smartphone can be an incredibly useful tool for easily and quickly detecting hidden cameras. You can apply the following four methods to detect hidden cameras using your phone:
- Use the Flashlight: Turn off the lights, draw the curtains, and turn on your phone’s flashlight, shining it around the room, especially in areas behind curtains, in dark corners, small holes, and on objects. If you see light reflecting from any location, you should check immediately.
Use your phone to check for hidden cameras.
- Open Your Phone’s Camera App: Open your phone’s camera and scan through suspicious areas. The camera on your phone can help you detect infrared beams or unusual light spots emitted from hidden cameras.
- Scan for Hidden Cameras via Wi-Fi: Turn on Wi-Fi on your phone and check for any Wi-Fi networks with strange characters or numbers. Typically, certain wireless hidden cameras use private networks named with unusual strings of letters and numbers. If you detect one, you should contact the reception of the hotel or motel to trace the source of that Wi-Fi signal.
- Use Hidden Camera Detection Apps: There are several free software and apps available that help smartphone users quickly locate hidden cameras, such as Hidden Camera Detector, Spy Spy, Glint Finder…
Download these applications on your phone, then access them and follow the instructions to detect any hidden cameras if they are present. However, these applications may also alert you when near certain devices emitting signals, such as radios or microwaves.
Use Specialized Camera Detection Devices
In addition to the methods for detecting hidden cameras mentioned above, investing in an infrared scanner or hidden camera locator is essential if you frequently travel for work and do not want your private images captured by intruders.
These devices are typically small and easy to carry, and they operate simply by being powered on and used to scan the room. If a hidden camera is detected, the device will emit an alarm sound and flash lights to notify you.
