How to detect hidden cameras in the hotel room reveals an “ex-hacker”: from flashing a torch on appliances to checking the fire alarm if it’s on the bed
- Brit TikTok user shares tips for detecting hidden cameras in hotel and B&B rooms
- Marcus Hutchins, who teaches cybersecurity, advises you to keep the torch for fire alarm
- It also warns how digital alarm clocks and USB charging points can have cameras
Do you ever feel like you are being watched?
A British TikTok user who describes himself as a “former hacker” has shared his tips for detecting hidden cameras in hotel and Airbnb rooms.
Marcus Hutchins, who teaches cybersecurity and posts with the @malwaretech handle, recommends throwing a torch around the room when you arrive to look for possible recording devices.
In a video clip shared with the social networking platform, Marcus said the first thing you want to look for for devices that are conveniently located where a “tangler” would want to look.
A British TikTok user who describes himself as a “former hacker” has shared his tips for detecting hidden cameras in hotel rooms and Airbnb
“Take this fire alarm, for example, it’s right on the bed,” he explained as he guided his own camera to the ceiling.
Now, one way to see if the device is a camera is to make it glow. If you hit a camera lens, you will get a blue reflection.
“Now you can try it by turning on the phone and seeing what the camera looks like when placed under a flashlight.”
He then moves to a digital alarm clock next to the bed, which also has a stealth camera that hides behind the mirrored glass.
In the video, which has garnered more than 5.5 million views, he explained how it is possible to see if there is a camera shining the glass light.
In a video clip shared on the social networking platform, Marcus said the first thing you want to look for devices that are conveniently located where you want to look at a “crawler,” such as a fire alarm on the bed (pictured)
“This technique can also work in two-way mirrors,” he added.
Marcus also made the disturbing revelation that some USB chargers may have small pinhole cameras hidden inside that, once again, you can find if you shine light on them.
“These cameras are really small as you can see here, so they can be hidden in anything, even a hole in the wall,” he continued.
“You’ll want to check for any suspicious device or hole you give in the shower, dressing room, or bed.”
He also warned how night vision cameras use infrared LEDs to see; you can detect them by turning off the light and using the phone’s front camera to view them.
“The front camera is the only one that tends to work, as the back face has an IR filter,” Marcus explained.
In the video, which has accumulated more than 5.5 million views, he explained how it is possible to see if a camera is integrated into a digital alarm clock by shining a bright light on the mirrored glass
Marcus also made the disturbing revelation that some USB chargers may have small pinhole cameras hidden inside that you can once again find if a light shines on them.
In comments, he added: “Disclaimer: It’s not a real Airbnb, it’s a stage setup to show how to find cameras.”
Marcus ’video attracted more than 5,000 comments, with many users horrified by the subtle and complicated degree of hidden cameras being detected.
“A new fear was unlocked,” one user wrote, while another commented, “Another reason to never leave home hahahaha.”
And one wrote, “Um bro, now I don’t trust hotels or anything, thank you.”
“That’s it, I shower with clothes,” joked a quarter.