The Risks of Voyeurism and How Bug Detectors Can Help You Fight Back

By: Phil Washington Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Voyeurism can put anyone at any time at risk. These days, the problem is not just as simple as having a neighbor or some stranger peeking through a hole in the wall or behind the shrubs. Some people even get videotaped without their permission and their unguarded moments shared illegally. To avoid this type of embarrassment, fight back with technology, such as those built into bug detectors.

What are bug detectors?
A bug detector is a device that is designed to work against surveillance equipment. The term 'bug detector' was coined to refer to its ability to detect 'bugs' -- audio or video spy equipment that may have been installed surreptitiously. A good bug detector can sense signals coming from spy equipment within a given range, so the user is aware of the presence of a bug.

Understanding voyeurism
The clinical meaning of voyeurism is the practice of an individual of spying upon other people performing tasks that are considered private in nature. Some people who engage in these activities often achieve some form of sexual and/or personal satisfaction from doing it, although there are also people who spy on other people for other purposes. They may be in it for blackmail or for money, such as when they sell materials to third parties.

How bug detectors work against voyeurism
In the past, the most basic equipment used for voyeurism was a two-way mirror, something that can be easily corrected with a well-placed towel or blanket. These days, though, with spy equipment becoming more and more sophisticated, the best way to combat voyeurism is with the use of a good bug detector.

A bug detector works by picking up the electronic signals emitted by spy equipment such as video cameras, regardless of whether they are regular video cameras hidden behind the curtains or an AC shaft or small, spy-type hidden cameras built into an alarm clock, a button or a tissue paper holder. The bug detector can sense this frequency and then alert the user. A reliable bug detector should be able to sniff out a hidden bug within 15 to 25 feet.

Limitations
As a means to combat voyeurism, bug detectors can be quite effective but they also have their limitations. A good bug detector should be capable of detecting bugs at different frequencies. In general, spy bugs emit signals in the 1 to 3Ghz range, something that the most basic bug detector can detect. But some spy bugs use a higher frequency, usually up to 6Ghz. They can be neutralized with the use of more advanced bug detectors that are capable of sensing higher signals.