Getting Started

Safety first: if you suspect that even looking for a camera may compromise your safety, DO NOT PROCEED, and contact your local victim advocates as soon as it is safe to do so.

To find a hidden camera, follow these safe, practical steps. Remember, do not touch any suspicious device. If you feel unsafe, leave the area if and when possible, and contact local authorities.

• Common camera decoys: smoke detectors, clocks, vents, air fresheners, mirrors, outlets, USB chargers, or decorative items that seem oddly placed or duplicative.
• Small holes at waist- and head-height, and places with a view, such as shelves, curtain rods, light fixtures, or potted plants.
• Other indicators: unusual wiring, inconsistent dimensions (e.g., in drawers or shelves), or inconsistent/extra shapes in environments of multiple objects (e.g., one of the toilets in a public bathroom looks different than the others).

• Image Sensitivity: Is this camera likely to capture compromising or sensitive images (e.g., full/partial nudity, full/partial faces, minors)? 0 = unlikely, 5 = highly likely
• Camera Avoidability Is this camera difficult to avoid or evade? 0 = easy to evade, 5 = impossible to evade
• Camera discoverability: Is this camera hard to find? 0 = easy to spot, 5 = very hard to find

1. Turn off the lights.
2. Using your phone or a flashlight, slowly scan the space. Look for strange reflections from camera lenses.
3. Listen for faint electronics sounds or network activity.
4. If you are able, use a network scanner (e.g., nmap) to identify internet-connected devices. Note: not all covert cameras are internet-connected.

For details on identifying mirror-based cameras, see this guide.

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