200 lines
10 KiB
Plaintext
200 lines
10 KiB
Plaintext
View: SCANNING
|
|
*******************************************
|
|
* Samurai Cat *
|
|
* Presents *
|
|
* *
|
|
* "SCANNING" *
|
|
* *
|
|
* The art of non-selective intervention. *
|
|
*******************************************
|
|
|
|
I would first like to make it clear that I am not talking about war-
|
|
dialing when I use the term "scanning." Several years ago a fairly good
|
|
science fiction film called "Scanners" was shown around the country. It
|
|
dealt with people who could "scan," i.e., telepathically read the thoughts
|
|
of other people in the area. The concept provided a unique look into some
|
|
very private worlds.
|
|
|
|
Unfortunately, I cannot show you how to read minds, but I can report on
|
|
the next best thing. Please bear in mind this is for informational
|
|
purposes only, many of the ideas detailed here are illegal, but people are
|
|
carrying them out...
|
|
|
|
This particular form of scanning is simply electronic surveillance of no
|
|
particulalr target. Why would anyone scan? Well, some people are just
|
|
naturally curious, while others have a more direct reason...
|
|
|
|
For instance, a couple of years ago a man staying in a cheap hotel in San
|
|
Francisco's "rough" district, the Tenderloin, was arrested after arguing
|
|
with a counterman in the hotel's sleazy diner. The argument was only over
|
|
a $3.00 breakfast. Even so, the man became so infuriated he went back to
|
|
his room, got a pistol and proceeded to threaten the waiter.
|
|
|
|
Needless to say, the waiter suddenly changed his viewpoint about the
|
|
relative principles involved in the argument. He also called the cops
|
|
approximately two seconds after the pistol waving tennant retired from the
|
|
diner.
|
|
|
|
The cops kicked in the hotel door and arrested the man. Under his bed
|
|
they found $175,000 in cash along with two ounces of heroin. The man had
|
|
been staying there for a week pushing smack...
|
|
|
|
Now just suppose you had been scanning the hotel and picked up on this
|
|
activity. Exactly how long would it have bothered you conscience to have
|
|
gone in during the ill-fated breakfast and borrowed the money?
|
|
|
|
A day? Two days? 27 minutes?
|
|
|
|
Scanning is done in concentric circles; one begins with the largest
|
|
possible "data base" and proceeds to narrow it down to any points of
|
|
interest.
|
|
|
|
A typical scanner operates in a high density area; an apartment complex, a
|
|
high rise building with windows that open or balconies, a large
|
|
hotel/motel.
|
|
|
|
Many scanners start with a long distance probe. This is usually
|
|
accomplished with the artificial aid of a shotgun or parabolic mic, and a
|
|
good amplifier/tape recorder.
|
|
|
|
To put the probe into operation, the operator darkens his room as much as
|
|
possible, opens the window, and if necessary, puts a view-killing, but
|
|
transparent audio curtain over the opening. He then positions his long
|
|
distance "ear" so it aims into an area of interest. Normally, the scanner
|
|
will monitor the unit, recording everything for later analysis. This
|
|
allows him to slowly check out a full 180 degree area for interesting
|
|
pockets of information.
|
|
|
|
If there is one area of particular interest, say a meeting room, or a
|
|
certain apartment, automatic scanning can be emloyed by simply aligning
|
|
the mic for best reception and then setting up a voice activated recorder
|
|
so recording will commence only when audio is available. This procedure,
|
|
while limiting the scope of the probe, automatically condenses days down
|
|
into mere minutes...
|
|
|
|
Remember, a good shotgun mic can sometimes, under optimum conditions,
|
|
actually pick up conversations from behind a CLOSED window.
|
|
|
|
Once an interesting conversation is recorded the scanner narrows his
|
|
procedures down to more efficient methods of data collection. It should
|
|
be noted that scanners usually make a written log, as well as an audio (or
|
|
video) recording of all probes so any conversation can later be traced
|
|
back to its source.
|
|
|
|
Another very illegal method utilized by scanners is to take a small
|
|
cassette recorder and equip it with an auto-phone start that turns the
|
|
recorder on when a target phone is lifted off the hook. The entire unit
|
|
is then loaded with fresh batteries and sealed inside a metal box. Often
|
|
the scanner will paint the box an innocuous shade of black or grey and
|
|
stencil something to the effect of "Southwestern Bell" (or whatever telco
|
|
organization is within his sphere of operation) on the side. Then he
|
|
locks the entire unit with a padlock, leaving only two small wires visible
|
|
on the outside.
|
|
|
|
The box is then mounted on a wall near a phone terminal box in the
|
|
basement of an apartment complex. Or it can be attached to a telephone
|
|
pole near a terminal board or "B" box (secondary terminal unit located
|
|
some distance from the target's phone). Most telco employees, even if
|
|
they happen to spot the unit, will not disturb it if it looks offical
|
|
enough... A lack of communication in the phone company?
|
|
|
|
The scanner then attaches his two wires to a pair of terminals, or
|
|
telephone wires (the green and red pair) and goes about his business. At
|
|
the end of a day or two, he returns to the scene of the crime, removes his
|
|
cassette tape, and moves the wire leads to another set of contacts.
|
|
|
|
Many scanners will even go to the trouble of obtaining a telco lineman's
|
|
handset and/or climbing harness, leather tool belt, and so on, to avoid
|
|
detection if they are spotted fooling around with telephone company
|
|
equipment. When was the last time you questioned a lineman?
|
|
|
|
In this fashion, the scanner can get an inside glimpse of a number of
|
|
telephone conversations. If he stumbles across something of interest, he
|
|
then consults his log for the wire number, checks with CNA, or the telco
|
|
computer (an auto readback system operated by the phone company can be
|
|
gotten from a friendly employee) to get numbers, names and addresses.
|
|
|
|
Outgoing calls can be deciphered by simply slowing down the recorder and
|
|
counting the numbers of pulses or comparing the tones to a recording of a
|
|
touchtone phone.
|
|
|
|
A more direct method is to employ one of the through-the-wall type devices
|
|
to check out the neighbors. Many scanners carry such a device with them
|
|
in case they check into a motel, or visit a friend's apartment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPPORTUNITY IS POWER
|
|
|
|
In room-to-room scanning a log is, again kept. If the scanner feels
|
|
anything is/will be of interest he will often run down the identity of the
|
|
targets by tracing their license numbers or whatever means available and
|
|
enters the finding in the log for later perusal.
|
|
|
|
Another favorite scanner trick is to place a bug, either one with long
|
|
lasting batteries, or an AC current operated model, in a room where
|
|
something of interest might conceivably happen in the future. Targets of
|
|
this type of scanning would be conference rooms, a "hot" switchboard, or
|
|
even in an expensive motel room.
|
|
|
|
Scanners have been known to unscrew the front plate of an electric socket
|
|
in any hotel room they have the opportunity to stay in, install a
|
|
not-too-expesive current drive bug and then "check in" whenever the mood
|
|
strikes them...
|
|
|
|
Short time scanning is another approach; for instance, a scanner drapes
|
|
his coat over a chair in a public place (restaurant, library, etc.) and
|
|
leaves his briefcase (which is of course equipped with a recorder) on the
|
|
table. Upon his return, he retires to the restroom or other private place
|
|
to peruse the conversations of his neighbors.
|
|
|
|
A live angle is to constuct a mini-shotgun mic, or purchase something like
|
|
the Viking Shotgun. Place it in a briefcase, wrapped package or nylon
|
|
bag, run the earphone up your sleeve, under your shirt and into the
|
|
nearest ear. In this manner the conversations of people at nearby tables
|
|
(restaurant or bar), passersby (airport, hotel lobby, swimming pool) or
|
|
even people accomplishing a specific functon (say at a bank teller's
|
|
window) can be actively monitored in real time, from a safe distance.
|
|
|
|
It is also possible to secrete a small transmitter inside of a number of
|
|
common objects (books, wrapped packages, articles of clothing, etc.) which
|
|
can be "left behind" on counters, under desks and tables, or in plain
|
|
sight. In this instance the scanner simply sits within range and monitors
|
|
the transmission.
|
|
|
|
It is also possible to hard-wire a mic in any area to be placed under
|
|
surveillance and simply listen in, except the risk is visibly increased as
|
|
wires can be traced. Several motel owners have been arrested for this
|
|
very thing.
|
|
|
|
Of course it also possible to visual scan with the aid of telescopes,
|
|
binoculars, video recorders, and night vision devices, but the information
|
|
gained in this manner is often very limited unless matched with its audio
|
|
counterpart.
|
|
|
|
Scanners are often creative, I know one person who built a large white
|
|
parabolic mic. He then mounted it on the roof of his building, pointing
|
|
upward. To all outside appearances it appeared to be a satellite dish.
|
|
Then day by day he gradually aimed his "dish" a few degrees earthward,
|
|
until it was pointing in the direction of the apartment complex next
|
|
door. By this time the neighbors were used to seeing the device and
|
|
accepted it totally. My friend equipped his "dish" with a voice activated
|
|
recorder.
|
|
|
|
What do scanners learn? Frankly I don't know, anything is possible. One
|
|
way to look at the entire phenomenon is that they are simply extending the
|
|
range of their five senses. After all, they aren't hearing anything that
|
|
isn't said of someone's own free will. Another view of the same situation
|
|
is that they are nosy vultures, who are leeching private data illegally.
|
|
|
|
Regardless of your loyalties, realize the procedures do exist. If you
|
|
want to keep from from being scanned; KEEP YOUR BIG MOUTH SHUT!
|
|
|
|
******************************************************************************
|
|
* Brought to you by Samurai Cat. Call DSF Devestator (214) 581-7565 *
|
|
******************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Downloaded from Just Say Yes. 2 lines, More than 500 files online!
|
|
Full access on first call. 415-922-2008 CASFA
|
|
|
|
|