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Archive for January, 2011
Sunday, January 30th, 2011
Is your mobile phone acting “funny,” or not as fast as it once was? Have you noticed that someone seems to know more about what’s going on in your life than they should? Do people say that they tried to call you, but your phone was busy (and you weren’t using it)? Does your battery seem to be sucking more juice than usual?
You can mark it down to coincidence, or it may mean that your phone has either been infected with a virus, or there’s a program running on the OS that is “listening” to, and/or, recording your email, text messages, logging your calls, and conversations. Both are different in use and theory, but in both cases they’re a security threat and nuisance. (more…)
Tags: cell phone, chicago, chicago crime, eavesdropping, Electronic Countermeasures - Debugging, invasion of privacy, remote access, spy, spying, surveillance, U-Spy, U-Spy Store
Posted in "Hmm.", cell phone security, Criminal Foolishness, eavesdropping, Electronic Countermeasures, Electronic Countermeasures - Debugging, hacking, Home, Personal & Travel Security, Mobile Phone Security, Security, Technology, Technorati, U-Spy Store | No Comments »
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011
Spokeo is part phone book, and part social media monitoring site…”monitoring” being that users can monitor other’s activities online. Unlike the services that offer to find information for people when you look up a phone number on the White Pages site, Spokeo is pretty accurate with its information, and it doesn’t cost the $16.95 per search that other similar searches charge.
In fact, its free for basic stuff. If you want to check out how accurate the information is, type in your name or email address. Spokeo will either return nothing, or a number of “hits” that will show people with your name, or others with the same name. Then, narrow that down by location, and the site comes up with your address–and possibly a couple of addresses for places you’ve lived, a general statement regarding your demographic information (age, sex, etc) and maybe even a general income. Weirdly, it integrates with Google maps, and shows pictures of your neighborhood (if not your house).
Spokeo is one of several information-gathering companies–or, social media aggregators–that collect information. A one year membership allows for users to aggregate information from local, state and federal government databases and hundreds of social-networking sites. A kind of line computer surveillance warehouse, if you will.
It sounds ominous, but Spokeo isn’t perfect. For instance, I conducted a couple of searches where the site had my name correct, but but didn’t accumulate any other correct information. I searched for a couple of friends, and it found what could have been accurate information (income level, age, etc.) but got the address wrong.
According to Spokeo, the information is “garbage in, garbage out,” meaning that if anything, the information should be considered “kinda accurate” and used for reference only. One thing I noticed was that my household income was way over what it should have been…like six-fold…which I attribute to the fact that I am a normal person in a wealthy zip. Or, maybe I’m secretly rich…
A lot of the data comes from public databases, and would already be available, as federal agencies have gone to electronic record-keeping. To read more, check out the Fox News Investigation.
In the future, Spokeo might be something to be wary of, but right now it’s only half right half the time.
Tags: cameras, cell phone, crime, invasion of privacy, spy, spying, surveillance, U-Spy, U-Spy Store
Posted in "Hmm.", cell phone security, Intellectual Property Theft, Local News, Online Security, Security, Technology, Technorati, U-Spy, U-Spy Questions, U-Spy says, U-Spy Store | No Comments »
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
No doubt many have seen the commercials on TV highlighting all of the new car features that spotlight technology. There are the Onstar commercials depicting an invisible voice speaking, something like, “Mr. Jones, we show that you’ve been in an accident…” and people unlocking cars with their cell phones.
From the iPad to cell phones that control your television DVR set-ups, gadgets are the newest, “hot” trend in the United States and across the globe. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, there were more accessory and gadget vendors than there were actual tech companies. When it comes to automobiles, wireless entry, in-car GPS, and vehicle theft protection aren’t new; they are, however, making their way toward becoming standard features on lower-priced models. Keyless entry using a remote control has been available for over a decade, and most wouldn’t dream of purchasing a car that only operated off of a metal key to open the doors, trunk, and start the car. We expect newer cars to operate somewhat remotely. (more…)
Tags: chicago, crime, invasion of privacy, security, tech, technology, U-Spy, U-Spy Store
Posted in "Hmm.", crime, Crime News, Electronic Countermeasures, privacy, Security, Technology, Technorati, U-Spy Questions, U-Spy says, U-Spy Store | No Comments »
Friday, January 21st, 2011
We are now offering a huge price break on the Mini Covert Key Chain Car Remote DVR – Camera/Camcorder. These devices were priced over $200 not long ago and now can be sold for $49.95. The directions that come with the unit are difficult understand so we took the time to write out this version that is hopefully much more understandable.
(more…)
Tags: body worn cameras, hidden camera, mac compatible dvr, Video Security
Posted in CCTV, Gadgets, hidden camera, How to Catch a Thief, U-Spy Product Reviews, U-Spy Store, Video Security | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
InterGuard is a new cellular surveillance-like smartphone security software package that allows employers to keep sensitive information from being publicized (by design or accident) and also ensure employee’s are where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there. Designed by Awareness Technologies, the Interguard software will monitor activity on work BlackBerry’s & computers.
According to VerticalNews, the CEO of Awareness Technologies stated that there are “over 50 million BlackBerry subscribers worldwide, many of whom use their devices for work.” He also announced plans in 2011 for similar software applications that will work with the Android and iPhone platforms.
Using Interguard, employers can conduct surveillance on digital communications, monitoring content for every email sent and received by employees, and the parties with which employees are communicating. Once installed, the service is instantly implemented, allowing companies like insurance agencies and legal firms to protect themselves.
The software will also work on computers, monitoring all sites visited, emails, instant messages, and social network interaction. According to the article, Interguard is “mission-critical” in regulated industries (financial services is the example cited). Financial-type businesses usually own some sort of monitoring software for computers, but Interguard is bridging the gap to smartphones due to their explosive growth.
In such cases, the technology is available legally because the equipment is owned by the company; in most cases, employees usually sign a waiver stating that they were informed of the monitoring.
Tags: Business Security, cell phone, cell phone security, eavesdropping, Electronic Countermeasures - Debugging, mobile phone, mobile phone security, Smartphone Security, U-Spy Store
Posted in "Hmm.", CCTV, crime, Crime News, Electronic Countermeasures, Gadgets, hard to find security equipment, Home Surveillance, Home, Personal & Travel Security, Mobile Phone Security, privacy, Technorati, U-Spy, U-Spy says, U-Spy Store | No Comments »
Saturday, January 15th, 2011
The York City Police Department began the new year with a bang (not a whimper) with the installation of some high-tech AV devices in squad cars. Almost all of the department’s vehicles are now equipped with video cameras made possible by a grant for law enforcement. Always outnumbered, and at times out-gunned, video helps police nationwide even the playing field.
In-car cameras not only protect officers and the public, but they aid in suspect identification as well as provide documentation of arrests when the bad guys decide to take cops to court. It’s hard to argue with irrefutable evidence… (more…)
Tags: busted, cameras, chicago, chicago crime, chicago video security, crime, criminal, dvr, Electronic Countermeasures - Debugging, hidden camera, Remote Access Security Cameras, security, U-Spy, U-Spy Store, video, video installations, wireless cameras
Posted in Caught!, CCTV, crime, Digital Video Security, Electronic Countermeasures, Gadgets, hard to find security equipment, Home Surveillance, Home, Personal & Travel Security, Remote Camera Viewing, Technorati, U-Spy, U-Spy says, U-Spy Store, U-Spy Surveillance Equipment, Video Security | No Comments »
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
A new reality cable show isn’t out to Punk anyone, or catch them in the act of cheating, but intentionally puts common people in situations where they can act, or react, according to their moral values. The hidden camera show, called “The Good Samaritan” is about people helping people…not the usual fare for “candid camera” type shows.
The answer the show is after is, “Will people help strangers?” The premise of the series is that the host, Amy Weber, will actually contrive situations to see if people will actually do something nice for another person. Weber’s production team will catch all the “good and bad” interactions on video. (more…)
Tags: chicago, good samaritan, hidden camera, mac remote access security cameras, security, video, video installations, wireless cameras
Posted in "Hmm.", CCTV, hidden camera, Home Surveillance, Home, Personal & Travel Security, Local News, Remote Camera Viewing, Technorati, U-Spy, U-Spy Store, Video Security | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
 Television is chock-full of reality television where someone with a hidden camera either plays a joke on another person, or uses hidden video in a “candid camera” role to portray unusual and often funny events. However, as more people and businesses employ camera surveillance, the less funny videos become. In fact, law enforcement officials are turning to video surveillance more than ever to both ferret out, and document, criminal behavior.
Most police officials would tell you that they don’t want to catch people committing crimes on camera… it’s a lot less work and more beneficial to show stories of people obeying the laws than it is to catch someone on video and track them down in order to serve a fine or make an arrest. In Tennessee, a hidden camera sting sought to determine whether alcohol retailers were abiding by the law. (more…)
Tags: busted, cameras, catch a thief, chicago video security, hidden camera, police, privacy, security, spying, stealing, surveillance, U-Spy, U-Spy Store, video, video installations, Video Security, video surveillance, wireless cameras
Posted in "Hmm.", busted, Caught!, cell phone security, crime, Criminal Foolishness, hidden camera, Idiot, Spy Gear We Question, Technorati, U- Spy Spy Toys, U-Spy, Video Security | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Be very careful where you download your copy of “Angry Birds”, “Monkey Jump 2″, “Presidents vs. Aliens”, “City Defense”, “Sex Positions” (REALLY?) and “Baseball Superstars 2010″ from as well as other Android programs. A new trojan labeled “Gemini” has been found and is making its rounds on the interwebs.
(more…)
Tags: android malware, android virus, cell phone virus, Electronic Countermeasures - Debugging, invasion of privacy, security, smart phone virus, voyeur
Posted in cell phone security, crime, Crime News, eavesdropping, Home, Personal & Travel Security, Intellectual Property Theft, privacy, U-Spy says, U-Spy Store | No Comments »
Saturday, January 1st, 2011
Eavesdropping on others is normal when in close proximity to others, but it’s quite another thing when listening devices are found in city offices. In Charlotte, Vermont, two eavesdropping devices were found in Charlotte Town Hall, “spying” on town clerk and private town hall meetings.
While both of the audio “bugging” devices weren’t in operation, town officials don’t know why anyone would have installed bugging equipment nor do they have any clue as to who perpetrated the crime. The bugs were found when workers opened a drop ceiling. (more…)
Tags: busted, cameras, police, spying, U-Spy Store, video security systems, voyeur, wireless cameras
Posted in "Hmm.", busted, CCTV, crime, Crime News, Criminal Foolishness, eavesdropping, Electronic Countermeasures, Electronic Countermeasures - Debugging, hidden camera, Idiot | No Comments »
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