Ways to Tell If A Smoke Detector Is A Hidden Camera

Whether you are traveling or staying in either an apartment of Airbnb, there is always a concern of a risk of hidden cameras. Concealing these cameras have gone a long way. In fact, fake smoke detectors are a common way to hide cameras. In this article, we shall investigate about this and provide information on how to tell if a smoke detector is a hidden camera.

There are numerous ways for you to know whether a smoke detector is a hidden camera. In fact, there are signs which you could see if a built-in camera is attached to a smoke detector. For example, a phone could be used to check for infrared light bulbs or WiFi devices. RF detector could also be used in determining different hidden cameras.

Though it is difficult to determine whether a smoke detector comes with a hidden camera, if you know what you are looking for, then, you could easy know if a smoke detector has a camera. Here are some ways to determine whether a smoke detector is real or fake.

Ways to Tell If a Smoke Detector Is A Hidden Camera

Look for Lens

Most parts of a camera could be concealed except for the lens. Lens needs to be exposed as it is used for filming. If Lens is concealed, light will not be able to enter which would make the camera non-functional. Though lens could be very small, it would not be invisible.

Check the smoke detector and see if you would find any type of lens. Expect it to be tiny which means, you might have to check if anything glints when you shine light to it. With this, we suggest for you to use a flashlight while you inspect the smoke detector.

Look for Suspicious Wires

Keep in mind that most smoke detectors are battery operated which means it does not need any wires. Those that are using wires to operate, they usually use light gauge wires. This means, if you see fat cables or you find USB data cable or an Ethernet cable, be suspicious and look under the smoke detector cover. Even if you do not see cables on the external part, always try to look under the smoke detector cover.

Look for Wall-Mounted Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors could be attached to a wall or on the ceiling. Smoke detectors with cameras, however, usually are mounted on the wall. The reason behind this is because if it is placed on the ceiling it would give it a poor vantage of covering the whole room. This means, if it is wall mounted, it is best to check if there is a hidden camera.

Make a Phone Call

Smoke detector cameras could use RF wireless signal to communicate with its base station. If you use your phone, the signal of the RF could interfere with it if you are right next to it. Check if your phone’s signal cuts out. If it does, it could be that there is a hidden camera.

Scan for WiFi Connected Devices

Another type of camera is a camera that uses IP which uses WiFi signal. For you to detect this, try to use smartphone apps which would let you find other devices which are connected to the WiFi network. When choosing an app, be cautious as it could be a shady.

Use Your Smartphone Camera

Though this method would not work in all cases, if the camera has an infrared night vision, you could detect a hidden camera. Turn off the lights and look for infrared lights. This could be done by operating an infrared remote of your phone.

Test the Smoke Detector

Smoke detectors which come with camera would never work as a smoke detector. Press any button and if it does not beep, then, you will have to be a bit suspicious. Also, a smoke detector which has a camera would have a sticker on the back which would say non-functioning.

Use an RF Signal Detector

Not all RF signals could interfere with your phone’s signal which is why it is best to use an RF signal detector. It is a great tool to pick up radio signals and it could pinpoint the source of the RF signal.

Spy Camera Laws and Rules

There are different laws in different countries and states. Though this is the case, it is illegal to place a hidden camera in any place where privacy is usually expected. For example, you cannot put a hidden camera in bathrooms, bedrooms changing rooms and many more.