How Spy Gadgets Work
There is a plethora of spy gadget available in the market, more than ever before – how useful are they really?
You can find a great variety of spy gadgets in the markets today, whether they are in special stores, in toy stores and, of course, from innumerable sites on the internet. Some of them come in the form of kits which you assemble yourself, though many of them may be for children. These may range from simple night vision binoculars or eyewear to spy cams to long range transmitters to easy to use lie detectors.
Advanced technology
The technologically wired world has made spy gadgets smaller and less easily detectable. They are also easier to use and where required have a great deal of memory. Gone are the days when lemon juice was used as invisible ink to send covert messages – today secret messages are usually heavily encrypted and sent by computers or mobile phones.
Neither do you need to use a crude device to listen through walls – today many covert voice transmitters and listening devices are available. And while you may have to physically follow somebody, you can even track the person’s movements either via a transmitter or tracking device attached covertly to a car or even via satellite imagery through the computer.
And you don’t have to use a handkerchief to talk into a phone in order to disguise your voice – there are more sophisticated voice changing devices which will make your voice totally unrecognizable.
You can track computer usage as well, whether it is of members of your family or staff, using undetectable software on computers.
How do the gadgets work?
Miniaturization and computerization have helped make the covert gadgets easier to use and decreased the likelihood of detections. Micro chips, GPS, mobile phones, computer software have all made tracking and keeping tabs on a person simpler.
Most gadgets emit some sort of signal which is picked up by the decoder and then put in simpler language or pictures for a lay person to understand. In the case of surveillance cameras, many are triggered by sensors and start recording when some movement is ‘sensed’.
While using audio gadgets these are usually voice activated. Security systems usually use security key pads which you have to key in. And then there is biometric or fingerprint scanning on a higher level, whether it is lock in a house, a safe or a computer.
Today, there are even gadgets which can analyze voices instantaneously and tell whether the person is telling the truth or not. Of course, none of these gadgets are infallible – even a properly regulated polygraph test by the authorities and people who are trained to use them can give erroneous results.
Why do people use spy gadgets?
Because criminals are also using technology to increase their fields of operations, because there is an increased paranoia about how ‘big brother is watching you’, because people are increasingly suspicious about their spouse’s behavior and it is easier to keep tabs on them, because people are more protective of their children, these gadgets find a ready market.
The fact that a lot of them are cheap and easy to use and buy (even though there may be legislation against their use by ordinary people) only results in more sales of covert gadgets.
