Difference between Surveillance and Counter-Surveillance

What is the difference between Surveillance and Counter-Surveillance?

SURVEILLANCE

Surveillance is something observing activities of groups and people from position of power or authority.  It aims at gathering information of a defender on the work to prepare for an aggression or serve as a demonstration of potential aggressor’s capacity to harm with the intention to scare the defender to stop engaging him/herself in such insensitive activities.

Surveillance is carried out through many means. It always has a goal. We must bear in mind the risk of being watching or following. We might deliver witness or victim to those who are watching us while we attend meeting with them.

By whom and how can we be watched?

Those who order that we be watched may also send operatives or members of their organizations in areas where there are chances we happen to be. It is also possible they may follow us from a distance. In such a case, they will surely be members of any organized group or institute and they will use tactics in following us so that we are not aware of it. In such a case they will keep a safe distance, turn and change location, vehicle, etc.

Such modes of surveillance include:

COUNTER SURVEILLANCE

Counter surveillance involves taking measures to stop or prevent others from monitoring your activities. These measure can be taken only after hostile surveillance has been detected.

You may do this with the intention of safeguarding the following:

Counter surveillance can protect you and your family on a personal level, or by using it you can protect your business and employees from people who want to steal your trade secrets, financial records, or proprietary information.

Technology has developed  so anyone can record your activities in the form of pictures, video, and speech into the palm of their hand. This technology allows the microphone and camera of your smartphone to be small, portable, and discreet can create covert surveillance devices that are inexpensive to obtain and are more sensitive and accurate and because of their small size they are even  more easier to conceal. If you doubt you may be the target of surveillance for  any criminal purposes, then there are a number of ways with the help of which you can put a stop to it. Accumulatively, these methods of stopping surveillance are known as counter surveillance. There are some simple counter surveillance actions that you can perform on your own. However, for more advanced and unique counter surveillance measures, including the electronic devices of surveillance detection, you may need the personal source of a counter surveillance, i.e a private investigator.

The Steps You Can Take Against Different Types of Surveillance?

The measure of counter surveillance you take on depends upon the  type of surveillance  that is being used against you. The more detailed and perfect the surveillance method, the more sophisticated method of counter surveillance used to neutralize it must be.

The different surveillance types that you may found include the following:

Probably this is the oldest method of surveillance. But still it is commonly used. Physical surveillance means someone watching from a distance to observe your activities and learn behavior. This type can take the form of a tail, i.e., a person who follows you around the whole day wherever you go. This activity is also known as foot surveillance. When a person stays in a particular location then occurs Fixed surveillance, e.g., outside your home or business place, in order to observe your activities.

It is not needed to take elaborate measures to prevent physical surveillance. By simply looking over your shoulder is one of the simplest counter surveillance measures you can perform. Other measures against physical surveillance include the following:

This one is an advanced and most recent forms of surveillance, and advanced technology continuously making it easier. To access computers to observe online activities or obtain private records remotely, the best way is installing malware on your computer.

To combat computer surveillance Cyber security measures  include the following:

Remember, other devices can also be used for computer surveillance, such as smartphones or tablets. In such situation the similar counter surveillance actions can be effective against this.

This includes the installation of cameras or voice recording devices inside your office or home to record your activities. The objective of these devices is to be surreptitious, meaning that it is not easy to find them even if you have reason to find them. It is not impossible to locate them, but they require electronic detection equipment to locate.

GPS tracking device is another form of electronic surveillance. While monitoring and recording devices can track your activities only when you are in a certain area, a GPS tracker allows others to observe or follow your movements.

If you suspect any electronic surveillance, you may require the assistance of a  technical surveillance professional . Top-grade equipment is not affordable and low-tech detection devices may not be effective.

How Does Electronic Counter Surveillance Work?

Sweeping is the informal term for attempts in order to locate electronic surveillance devices. Sweeping devices seek out sources of radio waves and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Most recording or monitoring devices emit radiation in some form, no matter how small they are.

Another way of electronic counter surveillance is installing and maintaining covert security cameras inside and around your business place or home. It is best to consult a counter surveillance professional, like Beau Dietl & Associates, to make it sure that you are compliant with any applicable laws.

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Difference between Surveillance and Counter-Surveillance

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