Ever Wish You Knew How To Detect Eavesdropping?
Posted: Tuesday, November 23, 2010
by Rachael Olajide
RachaelO
A new device from Mark J Neer, CEO of C4I Capital Management can now provide users the peace of mind that comes from the knowledge that no one is listening into their private conversations over the telephone.
The COMSEC C3I senses previously undetectable wiretapping surveillance and assures those using it that their telephone conversations are not being monitored and recorded.
Retailing in the region of $275/183, this invention works by detecting electronically isolated remote extension drawn loops, which are the most sophisticated and common type of electronic surveillance.
Once connected to a phone line it will display the slightest electrical changes in telephone line impedance which result from signalling and switching equipment, telephone lines, eavesdropping, espionage, wiretapping and surveillance equipment connecting and disconnecting on a target telephone line.
Neer explains that when a telephone line is cloned an additional telephone line is connected and disconnected from the target telephone line. When the additional telephone line is connecting and disconnecting the COMSEC C3I detects the equipment's electronic signature fingerprint.
The conception of this piece of equipment came as the result of Neer's personal experience with being monitored by the US Government.
Between 1986 and 1989 a two-year long wiretapping surveillance investigation of the Chicago commodities exchanges took place and resulted in the indictments of 45 commodities traders.
At the time Neer was a commodities trader and this invasion of his privacy by the government prompted a three-year crusade to find, develop and construct a means to battle the undetectable wiretap.
Having succeeded in creating a device that can detect wiretapping, the US government, in Neer's words, were not amused' by his invention. "Governments are interested in communications security," he said "they want to listen without detection."
However, Neer concedes that the nation needs to be protected and that wiretapping is part of that, but emphasised that people have the right to protect themselves too:
"The government has the right to listen in or eavesdrop at will
"People have the right to detect eavesdropping and surveillance, as the vast majority of eavesdropping and surveillance is illegal".
So what are the advantages for users of the devices?
"The COMSEC C3I products are extremely user friendly, after four or five telephone calls the user becomes an expert in using the products. They will work anywhere in the world, (but) in some countries a modular adapter is required to connect the COMSEC C3I products to the telephone jacks."
Not totally convinced by this invention's claims or its value for money, Taz Wake, a Security Consultant with Halkyn Consulting, said:
"I have no issue with this sort of device being available on the open market, other than the fact it won't actually work.
"If people want to spend money on snake oil, it's up to them.
"Assuming police or the intelligence agencies are intercepting, there is no way for a user holding a telephone in their hands to have any way of detecting the interception.
"It just isn't possible. As for amateur' interception, well that is a different matter, but it is unlikely to be competent enough to actually work so spending money to detect it seems fairly pointless."
In the era of terrorism, what role would the COMSEC C3I play in global threats to security? Neer replied, "the only threat that exists is illegal eavesdropping and surveillance' and that it would neither' complement efforts to put an end to terrorism or hamper them."
Taking a different view on the effectiveness and long term viability of the COMSEC C3I, John M. Feeney at ADT Security Services said:
"Terrorism will never END.
"I see this product as a short term temporary fad.
"What the device will do is bring the question of privacy and security of the phone line to the forefront or perhaps, it will just be another app you can pay for from the telco companies (i.e. caller ID, Do Not Call List, etc).
"What we are totally over looking here is the product is based on land lines, this is the only country in world that is dominated by landlines and not cellular phones.
"Hence I say short lived, you're taking advantage of a product that technology will eliminate by just growing and advancing."
With this in mind, does our world of surveillance and counter surveillance, contain numerous devices that claim to detect and protect against surveillance? This is not the case according to Neer, who said:
"The COMSEC C3I products are the first to be US patented. There are numerous alternatives that purport to provide security but don't detect the more sophisticated technology in use today.
"The COMSEC C3I products provide established security benefits and have been proven to provide eavesdropping detection previously undetectable."
Feeney quashed fears that the products and other similar devices could hamper any ongoing police operations and other government operations, saying:
"This product is addressing the lower food chain.
"Criminals already have anti-devices against this in place, if not, they are stupid and will get caught."
The next generation of COMSEC devices are already on their way. The latest COMSEC device, the C4I DSP, connects to any computer and enables the user to print out a visual display of the telephone line activity. This device costs approximately $675/448.
In regard to what the future holds for the telecommunications counter surveillance industry Neer said:
"As long as telecommunications exist people want to know whether they are being eavesdropped on. Who doesn't want privacy?"
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