Bugged Essay, Research Paper

Bugged

In our high tech world, what was once a complicated electronic task is no

longer such a big deal. I’m talking about “bugging”. No, I don’t mean annoying

people; I mean planting electronic listening devices for the purpose of

eavesdropping. Bugging an office is a relatively simple process if one follows

a few basic steps.

First, a person needs to select the bug. There are many different types

of bugs ranging from the infinity bug with which you can listen in on a

telephone conversation from over 200 miles away to an electaronic laser beam

which can pick up the vibrations of a person’s voice off a window pane. The

infinity bug sells for $1,000 on the black market and the laser for $895. Both,

however, are illegal.

Second, one needs to know where to plant the bug. A bug can be hidden in a

telphone handset, in the back of a desk drawer, etc. The important thing to

remember is to place the bug in a spot near where people are likely to talk.

The bug may be useless if it is planted too far away from conversations take

place.

Last one needs to know how to plant the bug. One of the most common ways is

to wire a 9-volt battery to the phone’s own microphone and attaching it to a

spare set of wires that the phone lines normally contain. This connection

enables the phone to be live on the hook, sending continuous room sounds to the

eavesdropper.

It used to be that hidden microphones and concealed tape recorders were

strictly for cops and spies. Today such gadgets have filtered down to the

jealous spouse, the nosy neighbor, the high-level executive, and the local

politician.