GRAY MAN: Be sure to check for hidden cameras in the Airbnb apartment

Not only through a recent case it becomes clear: renting an apartment through Airbnb and similar platforms can be a certain risk. Stories circulate on various news sites that prove how sometimes malicious or perhaps just overly controlling landlords tend to monitor their visitors with cameras.

Cameras Against Rules

For those who do not want to be actively informed during vacation or business meetings, it is advisable to first subject holiday apartments or houses to a critical examination. This starts even before the trip: According to Airbnb, landlords are obliged to inform about cameras in their rental property. Those who do not do so will be kicked out by rental platforms. A hot tip is to read the fine print in the "Amenities" or "House Rules" categories.

Look Around

A second hot tip is to visually inspect the rental immediately upon arrival: Cameras are often found hidden in everyday objects that already have a direct power supply - such as a power plug. But also mirrors, smoke detectors, alarm clocks, or plants can be used. Not everything is perfectly disguised, sometimes the searcher can see at first glance that something is wrong. If that alone is not enough, there are other tricks.

Find the Lens

A flash is a simple way to find a hidden camera. Today, every smartphone has a flash. Almost every camera, in turn, has a glass lens. Even if it is hidden in an everyday object, the lens reflects more light than its surroundings. But it requires a bit of patience and precision in searching. And it is easier if the curtains are drawn and, of course, the lights are off.

Search the WLAN

But not all surveillance devices are so old school that they require cables: Most of the time, the malicious surveillant works with wireless models. Fixed wiring is either very noticeable, or, if the cable is to be laid, it was already considered during the construction of the building and is difficult to find. Modern cameras, however, continuously transmit images to the internet. Therefore, there is a wireless connection, which can be traced in various ways. Keep it simple: take a look at the host's WLAN. Connect to it, then use the free Fing App - there are also other apps - to check which devices you share the local network with at the host's. It is practical that good tools can even tell you which hardware the individual participants in the local network are using.

If this comparison reveals nothing or fails, sometimes entering the MAC address of a device and checking on sites like Macvendorlookup.com can yield more results. The tip only works if the owner of the system was so careless as to offer his visitors complete access to his WLAN. Modern routers have the option to set up their own guest networks, where stricter security rules apply. This also deprives you of the opportunity to verify who the other devices in the WLAN are. Other methods must be used.

Search for Bugs

The next step in the security escalation ladder is the bug detector. It is used to trace radio signals. Electronics are cheap nowadays, with prices starting at €50. Then it becomes a peepshow: the bug detector indicates with a tone whenever it finds a signal. The closer the searcher gets to a transmitting object, the higher and louder the signal becomes. More expensive technology can also show you the direction from which the signal is coming. If it beeps near picture frames, smoke detectors, or flower pots: this is where the object that wants to spy on you is hidden.

As always, there are exceptions: Modern smoke detectors communicate for legitimate reasons, they are connected to the network. This can be recognized from the outside, and checking the name and model will confirm such functionality. Of course, not everyone needs a bug detector. But if you really don't want intimate images or secret conversations to be exposed to the public or to an extremely curious landlord, investing in one might be worth it.

Report Your Findings

If you actually find something, call the police and the host/owner immediately, whether it is your Airbnb host or the hotel. And try to secure all evidence. But despite everything: Don't be paranoid. Airbnb has stated that hidden cameras in accommodations are strictly prohibited and incidents are taken extremely seriously. However, it is almost impossible to completely prevent such incidents with the multitude of private accommodations.

It becomes dangerous when the guests you have invited bring surveillance equipment that is worn on the body. Searches of the other party before starting a conversation are socially rather uncommon in our circles. If you are invited by other people without being able to thoroughly inspect the location, it is worth at least taking a closer look and not overlooking freely standing cameras (as seen in the image from a recent case).

For those who want to have secure conversations: loud music, running water, and even crowds sometimes provide much more privacy. For further education, well-known TV series like "House of Cards" or "Blacklist" are recommended. And never talk too trustingly... But that's another story.

HERE is the basic article "Be the Gray Man - Gray Man Theory" on SPARTANAT.