In this article, we will tell you exactly how to block out listening devices, and everything you need to know about these blockers (also known as jammers), and even how you can locate hidden microphones within your home.
Technology has improved to the point where it is possible to plant a listening device in someone’s home without them ever finding out. As a matter of fact, your house could be bugged right now and you would have no way of knowing unless you physically located the bug.
Luckily, if you suspect that a neighbor might be listening in on your conversations, there are ways to block listening devices.
Ready? Let’s get started.
What are listening devices?
Listening devices are devices that record audio from within your home. These devices can take a variety of shapes and forms. Besides the obvious hidden microphones, listening devices can also be disguised as regular objects, such as pens or calculators.
Most of these devices are voice-sensitive, meaning they only start recording when they detect a human voice. They can then either transmit the recorded data wirelessly through wi-fi or radio signals or store the data internally. In the latter cases, the person doing the spying then needs to return to collect the listening device.
What types of listening devices should you look out for?
Unfortunately, spy devices can either be super small or disguised as any other random object you could have laying around in your home (or in your car). If you find a random object on one of your shelves, or you find a new pen in your office stationery, then thoroughly inspect each object—they could be spy microphones!
However, it is very hard to tell you exactly what to look out for. Your own smartphone could be used to spy on you.
Because of that, the best thing to do is learn how to block listening devices from either recording or transmitting your data. But how exactly do you do such a thing?
How to block out listening devices
If you think that somebody might be spying on you, but cannot find the recording devices, then your next best bet is to block out the listening devices. Blocking the listening devices can either prevent them from recording audio or from transmitting the already recorded data.
There are three main methods of blocking out listening devices: audio jammers, mobile microphone blockers, and white noise generators. But which one should you use?
Audio jammers
Audio jammers interrupt the frequencies in which most hidden microphones operate at by generating a white noise that is imperceptible to our ears. They are different from other white noise generators because they are smaller and less audible.
The drawback to these devices is that, because of their size, they need to be placed somewhere in the vicinity of the hidden microphone. This can be hard to do if you don’t know where the listening device might be. In that case, an RF detector can come in handy.
Mobile signal jammers
If you think that your phone was breached by hackers and that they might have access to your microphone, then turning it off probably won’t fix your problem. Smartphones can appear to be turned off while still gathering data, especially if they are breached by professional hackers.
Because it is nearly impossible to remove your smartphone battery nowadays, your best bet is to remove its sim card and avoid any wireless connections. However, if you have an e-sim, then you might need a mobile signal blocker.
These signal jammers will kill any network operations in a significant area around them. They are an excellent choice if you don’t want hackers to listen in on your conversations through your smartphone.
White noise generators
While they might not be excellent for your mental sanity, white noise generators are great at ruining the audio that listening devices capture. These devices constantly output audio that will interfere with the hidden microphone’s recording, assuming they are loud enough.
You see, not every white noise generator is ideal for blocking out listening devices. Most white noise generators you find online are usually destined to help users fall asleep easier.
If you are buying a white noise generator, you need to ensure it is good for blocking out listening devices too. This means that these generators will be louder than the standard white noise generators, but, who knows, maybe you’ll get used to the noise.
How do you know if there is a listening device in your house?
Unless you find a suspicious object or are able to hear a suspicious sound (such as static interference or the crackling of a microphone), it is almost impossible to know whether you are being recorded or not.
An RF detector is your best bet at finding any hidden recording devices. Whether they are listening devices or hidden cameras, RF detectors are capable of detecting signaling devices that emit radio frequencies.
Sweeping your house with an RF detector is your best chance to easily find hidden microphones and other spy devices. However, they can be useless if the devices do not emit radio frequencies. In that case, your only option is to physically go through every single nook and cranny in your home—and you can’t forget to check every object either.
RF detectors can be time savers in that regard, but they are also a large investment and might not always be ideal. Still, if you have strong suspicions that you are being monitored, then they are your best bet.
What to do if you find a listening device in your home
If you do end up finding a listening device in your home, then your next steps are. First of all, it is essential to guarantee that the device is unable to record any more of your conversations. If you don’t want or know how to block out the listening device, you can always try to disable it.
The next step is trying to figure out who did it and why. You can always go to the police with it, but unless you have more evidence, chances are they won’t do anything at all.
Another idea is to place a trap. Depending on the type of device, there’s a chance that the spy might try to retrieve it. Catching them in the act can be enough to know exactly what they want—and guarantee that they will not do it again.
Our advice is to contact your police department and ask for their help with your case. Only if they refuse to help should you try any of the other methods.
