Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!think!eplunix!raoul From: raoul@eplunix.UUCP (Otero) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: Re^2: Electronic sweeping and debugging equiptments Message-ID: <775@eplunix.UUCP> Date: 28 Aug 89 14:53:46 GMT References: <6660@stiatl.UUCP> <6672@stiatl.UUCP> Organization: Eaton-Peabody Lab, Boston, MA Lines: 28 While it is true that it is theoretically impossible to detect a properly installed and designed phone tap, what government agencies have the resources? Especially in their foreign offices, to cover literally thousands of phones? (Specifically, the Chinese students here). Such installations are *expensive*, and Ma Bell does *not* like other people messing with her gear. Nor do Ma Bell's "siblings". A high impedance tap at the central office relays cannot be spotted. OK, but most taps are wire taps or inductive taps inside the building hooked to a transmitter or recorder. That means you can trace your house phone wiring to a cheap local tap. But this is all electronic games, and can be outsmarted by someone willing to put in the work and money. A more effective way to test this, based on behavior, is to make some false conversations over the suspect lines that involve whatever your suspected listener is interested in. Look for some reaction to *that*. For example, plan a meeting or message dump in an observed place. Wait for them to show up, and make sure you are absolutely clean when they grab you. I've tried this, for suspect confidants although not for government tapped phones. It has worked reasonably well for me. But if you establish that your phone or home is tapped, what in the heck do you do then? -- Nico Garcia Designs by Geniuses for use by Idiots eplunix!cirl!raoul@eddie.mit.edu