Do you live next to a spy? Recently some Americans have absolutely not realized that they are living side by side with spies, as revealed by the FBI who discovered ten Russian spies operating in the territory of the United States. All of them did harmless jobs and led seemingly normal lives.. So it is possible that spies are hiding in your environment, mingling with others and taking care, as a cover, of the same things that normal people do, and maybe even with more satisfying results. It can also happen that our fervent imagination and our lucubrations see spies where instead there are only innocent people who have nothing to do with that world. The methods to recognize a spy are not scientific and infallible, moreover the presence of certain clues or signals should not make you get paranoid or make you react without a real reason. In any case, learning the basics of how to recognize a spy hiding among us can be a useful and even fun activity.
Steps
Step 1. Get to know your spies
Some of the spies you may encounter include:
- Government Spies - Whether from your country or from abroad, spies hide among us to uncover illegal activities, wrongdoing and even to expose other spies. There may also be spies controlling non-governmental groups, such as terrorists, guerrillas, liberation fronts, etc; although these are not government spies, they usually move in the same circles and are selected by government spies.
- Industrial spies - these spies are of various types: from those involved in industrial espionage who steal secrets, plans and confidential information in the workplace (illegal); to corporate security officers who monitor employees in the event of theft, moles and any other suspicious behavior or even in the event of "IT weakening" (a gray area of legality, as the law struggles to keep up with technology); to spies who simply monitor what the competition is doing using a series of legal tools. Corporate espionage can steal physical information or breach electronic data. The most legitimate type of industrial espionage is that of competition: for example, some undercover controllers of the rival company (or of the same company) or of the secret and mysterious buyers can visit the competition to spy on the organization, the prices, the styles., even the quality of the staff; in the latter case, the company being spied on is very likely to do the same thing with the company that is spying on it!
- Cyber spies - they can be in the pay of the government, industry, a supervisory group, they can be self-employed or part of a criminal network. Cyber-espionage can be carried out anywhere in the world and can be undertaken by anyone who has the will and the resources; it is usually aimed at obtaining confidential information to sell to the highest bidder. Sometimes it is used for blackmail purposes to find out if someone is cheating (usually the spouse / partner) or to cyber-stalk a person.
- Detectives, cops or covert surveillance specialists - not so much spies as people whose operational work requires excellent investigative skills and the ability to hide, to uncover information for clients. For some of them, the work certainly includes espionage: these are the spies most likely to encounter and spot. A classic, for example, are the camouflaged vans that hide photographic equipment.
- Journalists and activists - not really spies but some investigative journalists and activists come close to spying (or are real spies, depending on your point of view!), When they work undercover to gather information that has not been made public.
Step 2. Learn about a spy's equipment
Knowing how to identify the equipment used by spies goes hand in hand with knowing how to recognize a spy! The problem with scoring equipment to spot a spy, though, is that modern surveillance technology is affordable for any person eager to try it. Spying equipment is no longer the prerogative of wealthy spies only, today they are within everyone's reach, so the presence of spy tools in your friend's bag or house can simply mean that he is just an "aspiring" spy or seriously paranoid. ! However, even minimal knowledge of spy gear is useful to learn to recognize them, so some of the things to look for (if you have a clue what to look for) may include:
- Night vision goggles, strange or unusual technology, technology that has been "transformed" ad hoc, hidden cameras at home or in the workplace, eavesdroppers, weapons, alarms, narcotics, long-range lenses, cameras high-quality compact, and so on.
- As for the vehicles used, they are usually normal and not particularly evident, to go unnoticed. Any vehicle equipped with strange antennas and flashy equipment probably belongs to a souped-up car whose owner is fond of stereos and two-way radios!
- To learn more, read some books and visit websites that explain the intricacies of spy equipment.
Step 3. Think about what a spy might look like
Of course, a spy is highly unlikely to walk around dressed like a fully armed ninja; Most spies will try to blend in with their surroundings, doing absolutely normal things, so the person sitting next to you or sharing your table at lunch could be a sneaky undercover spy. The clothing chosen usually consists of ordinary everyday clothes - work clothes, casual clothes, professional overalls, and so on, although such garments may require some modifications to allow for equipment or weapons to be concealed, or to protect the body. Of course, cyber spies usually don't need to be seen, so they're not considered in this step. Some things to look out for are:
- Usually the spy is in excellent physical condition and is less than 45-50 years old. Government spies who are required to be active on duty are usually quite young. It is unlikely to find spies older in age and in precarious physical condition. However age is not a determining factor in recognizing them.
- Does the prospective spy have any markings on their body that indicate involvement in violent confrontations? If there are no other reasons for scars or injuries, such as sports injuries or car accidents, it could be that this person has been involved in dangerous and violent covert operations.
- Does the person appear to have more flashy clothing and accessories than might be expected from someone who claims to have a "normal" job? This detail could be due to something else, perhaps that person has received an inheritance, perhaps he buys few but high quality clothes, perhaps it is the result of embezzlement or a lottery win, but it could also be that you have discovered a indicator light!
- Is there something strange in his character, in his attitude, in the affected ways he has with you? This is where your intuitive abilities come into play, but reading wikiHow's articles on how to spot liars can help you.
Step 4. Consider the educational and professional background of the person you suspect is a spy
Many spies are cultured and educated, in perfect physical shape and, for some roles, great intelligence is required. Many have political and military backgrounds, including in espionage and corporate security. Others may be proficient in foreign policy, theoretical and applied law or political science, and may have worked in these fields before becoming a spy. They may have made a career in certain areas of the bureaucracy or they may have been recruited from an early age. The lower-level spies may have been hired among people who have a modest level of education, poor money management skills and intermittent jobs.
Spies recruited to undertake surveillance work using high-tech equipment must possess a high level of knowledge of such equipment, which requires good intelligence and analytical skills
Step 5. Look for signs
If you suspect that someone you know may be a spy, check for any "spy signs". However the signs are not foolproof - there are a lot of people who look like loners, but they are not spies! Always be careful - snooping into someone's life is unwelcome and more often than not if a person realizes that they are being watched because they are thought to be a spy, they are forced to give very embarrassing explanations. Here are some possible signs, with the caveat that they could mean many other things as well:
- Has it suddenly become difficult to get along with this person? Did she go into sudden debts, did she commit embarrassing acts that prompted her family to reject her or ostracize her? The person may have been asked to leave the family sphere to undertake a dangerous espionage operation.
- Has the person ceased all communication with the family even though it is known that he is still alive? Some spies cut off all contact, drift away, even go overseas, and stop answering phones, emails and letters.
- If your relative or friend often talks about "time overseas" but doesn't say anything about what they actually did there, this may be an indicator that they were once a spy.
- Does the suspect like being alone? Spies are often seen as loners, people who are comfortable with themselves and who do not disdain to cut ties with family and friends and sever social relationships.
- Listen to how he talks. If the person claims to be a fellow countryman but speaks your language strangely, even with small inconsistencies in the construction of sentences, it can be a sign that he is not a native speaker but is trying to disguise himself.
- If the suspect asks persistent and repeated questions about a particular person or about a specific place or event, it is possible that there is something underneath, especially if the questions are persistent and repeated.
- Do your personal or business items appear to have been tampered with after this person's visit? If you notice strange things out of place, it's possible that he has sneaked in to snoop around.
Step 6. Consider what might be the behavior of an industrial spy and a cyber spy
If your business includes confidential and highly sought-after information, knowing how to spot an industrial or cyber spy can come in handy, but it won't be easy! An industrial spy could easily wander around your workplace without arousing suspicion, perhaps dressed as a normal work colleague or disguised as a computer repairer, or as a cleaning lady. He may also introduce himself as a friend of someone in the organization. Spying on someone can be difficult if your company does not have the means to monitor who enters and exits the building. Furthermore, there is always the possibility that you may have hired a spy without knowing it, or that a cyber spy is rummaging through your computer archives without your knowledge. Methods for recognizing a spy include:
- Check the credentials of people entering your workplace. Ask them for identification and get the names of people who can confirm their identity. You can also request their employer's phone number and check their credentials on the website of the company they say they work for. If the person claims to be a relative of an employee of your company, ask the staff to check the veracity of their statement before letting them in.
- Observe the people hiding behind your employees. Often the spy shields himself by mingling with the bunch of employees who gather to smoke in front of the office door or who return from lunch. A cup of coffee in your hand and a smile on your face can hide a spy who has sneaked into your workplace. Try to create an environment where everyone is used to being alert when a stranger walks in - don't leave this task to the receptionist or security guards alone.
- Check your computer regularly for spying. Such actions include data theft, encryption of codes, phishing, unusual downloading of information by employees, and so on. Use a virus scanner to find any vulnerabilities in the applications you use; always keep your antivirus programs and firewalls up to date. If you have found evidence of a spy tampering with your computer, contact a computer expert and the postal police.
Step 7. Don't let your guard down and always watch out for the presence of a possible spy
To keep the level of attention high, there are several things you can do:
- Is anyone following you? Although a spy is trained to follow someone unnoticed, if you are shrewd enough, you should be able to sense that you are being followed. Use your peripheral vision, check behind you from time to time (don't overdo it as you might give the impression of being scared) and change your usual routine. By varying your daily routine, it will be easier for you to spot someone who has started following you, because the potential spy will have less time to find strategies and tricks to hide and you will be able to keep an eye on them more easily. For more information read the wikiHow articles on how to protect yourself from someone who is following us.
- Is someone you don't know who is at a distance from you photographing you? Not the usual casual tourist but someone who is intentionally photographing you? Nowadays this type of activity can be carried out with easy subterfuges, since everyone has phones with integrated cameras and can therefore go unnoticed in a crowd.
- Has anyone tampered with your cell phone? Observe if there are strange clicks, if it turns off with difficulty, if it turns on or lights up by itself, if you hear unusual sounds, etc … Both fixed and mobile phones can be intercepted: even deleted messages can be recovered with the tools suitable! If you suspect your phone has been tampered with, take it to your dealer and ask them to reset it to factory settings so that any software that someone may have entered can be removed.
- Check for the most obvious signs. There are some "classic" things that you may have already seen in spy movies, such as a car parked under your house with someone sitting inside, or someone (not a child!) Observing your home with binoculars or a telephoto lens. While these individuals might indeed be spies, most of the time they are people doing innocent things, like checking a map because they got lost or sitting in a car sulking after a fight or trying out their new gear. It must be suspicious movements repeated over time to make you suspicious, not sporadic activities.
- Check your computer. there are many ways to spy on someone using your computer and webcam. To take cover, you can check suspicious IP addresses, look for malware, and so on. This is a topic of its own, but you can start by reading wikiHow articles on how to spot spyware and how to get rid of malware from your computer.
Step 8. Consider the limitations of spy spotting
Almost any of the indicators proposed in this article can be indicative of innocent activity that has nothing to do with espionage. You need to have a complete picture of the situation to be sure you have spotted a spy: it is not enough to rely on a single signal to build a guess. You could be mistaken and mistaken for real spies children who play spies or criminals who commit illegal acts of a non-espionage type. Remember:
- Use common sense, logic, good faith, and experience before jumping to conclusions.
- Don't get paranoid or paralyzed by fear that someone is spying on you - it's an unhealthy state of mind fueled by the culture of fear that control fanatics, spy film makers, and spy equipment dealers profit from.
- If you really suspect someone is spying on you, it's probably a good idea to ask someone you trust about your suspicions. if you have doubts about your computer, contact a computer expert; if you think you are being stalked, contact the police.
- Spy-spotting will remain in the realm of speculation and speculation for the average person. All in all, the recognition of a spy is especially important in the workplace and mainly concerns the IT sphere, as it could be very important for the security of your company and for yourself to know if your computer or mobile phone has been tampered with.
Advice
- Anyone who doesn't have much and doesn't have pets, potted plants, or anything else that needs regular care could be a spy who needs to get ready for action. Of course, it could also be someone allergic to pets, a bachelor or someone who doesn't like gardening!
- Read books and articles explaining how to become a spy - you will find tips that you can apply to your spy-spotting.
- With the advent of cell phones, spying on anyone has become easy. You can control your children, your employees, your spouse - you can turn yourself into a spy who monitors your family.
- If your company's business requires special attention to safety, make sure your employees are also aware of strangers entering the building at all times. In general, it gets employees used to becoming suspicious of unusual behavior - it's a natural assumption that people who are already inside the building are meant to be there, but that's not the case. If computer repairs or upgrades need to be carried out, for example, as a company policy it is necessary that such repairs are always announced well in advance and that only authorized technicians can have access to the repair work, upon presentation of their credentials and their identification document to the business supervisors. Make sure all computers are password-only accessible (and passwords are secure) and that company online data is password-protected and encrypted, based on employee skills. If a person sitting at a desk is attempting to access data through these levels of security, it will soon become apparent that they are not going anywhere!
- Turn off your cell phone when on the go. A service is already available in the UK that allows you to be located based on your mobile number (World Tracker) and, in many countries around the world, law enforcement and security services can already locate you if your mobile phone is switched on. Don't overdo the paranoia though, or you will be out of reach even for friends and family who are looking for you!
Warnings
- If someone stalks, threatens, or blackmails you, seek immediate help from the police authorities. Attackers' actions may have nothing to do with spying, but your safety comes first - don't waste time trying to piece it together!
- If you notice that someone has weapons on or in their possession, be careful not to provoke them to confirm your "theories". If possible, ignore it and then ask for help as soon as possible. If the person realizes that you are suspicious, dismiss him with a phrase like "Ah, I see that you are a security guard or a policeman" and immediately try to change the subject.
- Always tell health insurance and government agencies the truth about accident injuries and health problems. It is not uncommon for these agencies to send investigators to check on people suspected of defrauding insurance or welfare systems, claiming injuries and disabilities they do not have. This is usually a criminal offense and is not taken lightly.
- Some neighbors are spies as a hobby. This does not make them real spies; they are mostly nosy people, people who are probably hard to get along with, maybe very bored and mentally challenged people. Unless it's a neighbor who just moved in, you'd better think it's a neighborly issue rather than a spy affair. Either way, you never know.
- Hiring ex-military or corporate security cops can cause your company more problems than security benefits, because they often confuse intelligence gathering with spying. Rest assured that internal security officers know the difference and stay within the law (and without stressing employees) - a company involved in espionage can take a serious blow to its reputation.
- Employers, in certain situations, spy on employees, either by computer, with the help of other staff members or even by random checks. This is a question of vital importance for workers: if your business is carried out in a safety-conscious company, follow the instructions that have been given to you and ask for clarification, if you are not sure what is allowed and what this is. which is prohibited in the workplace. As careful as your company may be, the fact is that existing technology allows anyone to be able to read your emails, track your digital journeys, follow your SMS messages, write down every time you stamp your time card, see your inputs and outputs on video and hear your calls - if he has the ability to do so. Since this is the reality, there's no point in taking it: better accept it for what it is and organize your work accordingly, to prevent your data from falling under the lens of security checks and scans. Ultimately, the choice of how and how much to inform you is up to you, to be sure about what you can do or not do in the workplace, and to be able to responsibly interpret the guidelines and moral code relating to your company. Plus, you can always consider the frank approach and ask your supervisors if computers or cameras are used to record and monitor work activities.
