In a report published by the American magazine "Fast Company", writer Michael Grothaus highlighted recent reports that many travelers found hidden surveillance cameras in properties and rooms they rented through Airbnb, even though the site prohibits hosts from placing cameras in their properties. without informing the tenants.
And the magazine "Fast Company" published a report on a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, who discovered two cameras hidden in the rooms he and his family rented.
And the magazine "Atlantic" reported that a New Zealand family rented a property in Ireland, only to discover that it was equipped with a secret security camera that recorded a live video broadcast.
So if you are afraid that there are spy cameras in the property you rented or the hotel you are staying in, you should follow these steps to find them:
Pay close attention to odd-shaped electronic accessories
Often, smart devices that appear large have a hidden camera inside.
Therefore, travelers are advised to pay close attention to the presence of strange-shaped electronic gadgets or accessories, and it may be difficult to detect the presence of a hidden camera, especially since it has become so small that it can be hidden in almost any device.
For example, if you find an alarm clock in the bathroom or anywhere else you don't expect it to be, this may be a sign that the matter is suspicious.
And if you find a USB plug on the wall and it's pointing toward your bed or bathtub, make sure something is wrong.
Keep an eye on these accessories and make sure they are not prominent in your field of vision.
A computer science professor discovered two hidden cameras in the rooms he and his family rented (Getty Images)
Flashlight light to detect camera lenses
A flashlight can be used, as the camera lens is usually made of glass, which is one of the most light-reflecting materials, so it can easily detect hidden camera lenses if they reflect light into the room.
All you have to do is turn off the lights, use your phone as a flashlight and point it across the room.
If you notice a reflection of light coming from a device, check it closely, as you may find a hidden camera in it.
Wifi Scanning Apps
Visual scans may not always suffice to find hidden cameras, but the good news is that there is a better way to discover these cameras.
All modern hidden cameras use Wi-Fi technology, allowing footage to be broadcast over the Internet.
But these devices secretly rely on a wireless signal to broadcast footage on the Internet, leaving them vulnerable to detection.
Smartphone users can use apps like FING, which is available on iOS and Android, which displays all wireless devices connected to a Wi-Fi network.
After you get to the room or property you rented, connect to a wifi network and do a network scan using the app, then it will show you all the devices connected to the same network.
Smartphone users can use apps like Fing that displays all wireless devices connected to a Wi-Fi network (Getty Images)
Radio Frequency Detector
If the host has another private wireless network that you can't access, the apps that show all wireless devices connected to the Wi-Fi network won't work.
In this case, the only solution is to use a radio frequency detector that is able to locate devices emitting radio frequency signals by beeping.
This small device can be purchased from Amazon at a price between thirty and fifty dollars.
What should you do when you find a hidden camera?
You should contact the host directly and report the camera as soon as you find it, or report it to the police if you want to, especially since the laws regarding placing hidden cameras vary by country or region.
And if you can't reach the host, you can simply unplug the camera.
The report emphasized that the camera is not the only devices that we should pay attention to, smart amplifiers contain microphones that can record and listen to your conversations.