GPS bug detector

[swatpup102]

In the wake of a ruling by the crazies at the 9th circuit court of appeals "The Government's New Right to Track Your Every Move With GPS" I am wondering if there is a current app or one that could be made as a "bug detector" for GPS signal. I know most if not all androids have GPS in them, but could it be possible to scan for that same signal in the area, say from a different GPS device? Not sure if this is even technologically feasible, but the tricoder app makes me think there might be a way.

 

[Szadzik]

The easiest way is to turn off GPS, haha.

However, that will not stop anyoe from tracking your position on the basis of cell signal.

 

[swatpup102]

The easiest way is to turn off GPS, haha.

However, that will not stop anyoe from tracking your position on the basis of cell signal.

It's not so much to have it not tracked by your cell, but to use your cell basically as an RF detector for other external devices. I know the tricoder app will use the radios in the phone to scan for frequencies, my question is can this be done for the GPS or is GPS a "read only" type radio in the phones.

 

[Szadzik]

It's not so much to have it not tracked by your cell, but to use your cell basically as an RF detector for other external devices. I know the tricoder app will use the radios in the phone to scan for frequencies, my question is can this be done for the GPS or is GPS a "read only" type radio in the phones.

The chip built into your phone is called a receiver, so I would assume it only works one way, but have not verified that.

Just a receiver: How GPS Works

 

[w_bovine]

What are you doing that you need be so concerned about the Feds putting a GPS tracker on your car, or is paranoia simply a hobby of yours? A cell phone isn't going to have the circuitry/sensitivity needed to be an efficient bug sniffer. A dedicated device would be more appropriate. Of course if you go out and purchase such a device they will then know that you have one and take appropriate "evasive" action when they bug you!

Besides...it was a ruling from the 9th Circus Court of Appeals. It will be overturned in time.

 

[InstantKarma]

What are you doing that you need be so concerned about the Feds putting a GPS tracker on your car, or is paranoia simply a hobby of yours?

Why should you care if the government monitors your internet usage without a warrant? You're not a terrorist!

Why should you care if the police kick your door down in the middle of the night? You're not a drug dealer!

Big Brother is just looking out for you!

 

[KlaymenDK]

@bovine: A little critical perspective is never amiss, even if "all you're doing" is taking a leak behind a tree.

@swatpup: Sorry, you can turn off your GPS service, but it's still possible to locate the phone. You cannot "detect" other GPS devices nearby, as they are just receivers. It is, however, possible to "jam" them ... but I'm pretty sure you don't wanna do that.

 

[swatpup102]

@bovine: A little critical perspective is never amiss, even if "all you're doing" is taking a leak behind a tree.

@swatpup: Sorry, you can turn off your GPS service, but it's still possible to locate the phone. You cannot "detect" other GPS devices nearby, as they are just receivers. It is, however, possible to "jam" them ... but I'm pretty sure you don't wanna do that.

W_bovine - Nothing to hide at all, if I had stuff to hide I wouldn't be posting this kind of thing on a forum on the net.... Some theory there.

I know you can still locate phones, and it's not really anything having to do with tracking of the phone, it's more wondering if you can use the frequency of live GPS transceivers that are not only receivers using the receiver in your GPS device. The tricoder app can detect items in the frequency ranges that your cell phone uses, so I am curious if you can pickup the signal of the live transceivers using the GPS receiver in the phone. Just not sure what the frequency ranges are for GPS transceivers and if the GPS chip can scan for those or not. I know you can't really monitor for a receiver in this same type of way.

More an interesting concept that would be neat to try if it can theoretically work than dealing anything to do with .gov.

 

[w_bovine]

@bovine: A little critical perspective is never amiss, even if "all you're doing" is taking a leak behind a tree.

@swatpup: Sorry, you can turn off your GPS service, but it's still possible to locate the phone. You cannot "detect" other GPS devices nearby, as they are just receivers. It is, however, possible to "jam" them ... but I'm pretty sure you don't wanna do that.

As for relieving oneself behind a tree, I would dearly hope the Feds have better things to do than watch for such things. And if you're doing something like that in a public area (as opposed to when one is out on the trails and such)...well, if you get caught, no sympathy.

I don't know of ANY jamming device that's legal to use. True, you can purchase easily enough a cell phone jammer, for example (Cell Phone Jammers : Mobile Jammer : Cell Phone Blocker Sale : GSM Jammers : Buy GPS Blockers), but they're not legal in the U.S. And a jamming device would easily be picked up with a frequency counter or bug detector. Oh...and if you have a sensitive and selective enough device, you actually can pin down a GPS receiver. Even receivers generate detectable levels of RF.

 

[w_bovine]

W_bovine - Nothing to hide at all, if I had stuff to hide I wouldn't be posting this kind of thing on a forum on the net.... Some theory there.

I know you can still locate phones, and it's not really anything having to do with tracking of the phone, it's more wondering if you can use the frequency of live GPS transceivers that are not only receivers using the receiver in your GPS device. The tricoder app can detect items in the frequency ranges that your cell phone uses, so I am curious if you can pickup the signal of the live transceivers using the GPS receiver in the phone. Just not sure what the frequency ranges are for GPS transceivers and if the GPS chip can scan for those or not. I know you can't really monitor for a receiver in this same type of way.

More an interesting concept that would be neat to try if it can theoretically work than dealing anything to do with .gov.

Fair enough on the theoretical aspects of these things. If I had the time and money I'd play with things like that too. I doubt that a cell phone's innards are even close to being sophisticated enough for such endeavors however.

 

[Szadzik]

Just buy an old Nokia 3210 and you will be safe.

 

[w_bovine]

Just buy an old Nokia 3210 and you will be safe.

Now that's just cruel and unusual!

 

[w_bovine]

For anyone interested, here's a short article from Gizmodo:

How to Stop the Government From Tracking Your Location (Illegally!)

 

[Szadzik]

Guys, let's not be paranoid. Unless you are a guy who has something to worry about why would anyone want to track your position? Even if they do track you, what is the harm? They will know that at 7 PM you were at the shopping mall and then had a date at a nice restaurant? How does that harm you?

I am not saying, this should be done by anyone and that such rulings are good or bad, just saying that unless you are someone who tries to hide from the police, there is nothing to really worry about.

 

[w_bovine]

Guys, let's not be paranoid. Unless you are a guy who has something to worry about why would anyone want to track your position? Even if they do track you, what is the harm? They will know that at 7 PM you were at the shopping mall and then had a date at a nice restaurant? How does that harm you?

I am not saying, this should be done by anyone and that such rulings are good or bad, just saying that unless you are someone who tries to hide from the police, there is nothing to really worry about.

Why should you care if the government monitors your internet usage without a warrant? You're not a terrorist!

Why should you care if the police kick your door down in the middle of the night? You're not a drug dealer!

Big Brother is just looking out for you!

Clearly there are those that don't agree!

 

[Szadzik]

Clearly there are those that don't agree!

The only question remains - will they do it?

 

[maluminse]

No one is understanding what hes asking. Hes not asking about the gps on HIS phone hes asking whether is an app which detects OTHER gps items. Like it would detect a tomtom.

And by all means if your not using a right go ahead and give it away. Really the only time you want privacy is if your doing something illegal??

Lets imagine for a moment. There are a lot of people who think this admin is comunist. (I dont) but the point is this.

If a dictator took over tomorrow or a near dictator you really want an infrastructure in place to monitor when you go to your "freedom meeting".

Cant believe that the Constitution is so cheap that we give it away as long as were not doing anything "wrong".
lame

Anyway yea a bug detector or gps detector would be awesome.

 

[maluminse]

Guys, let's not be paranoid. Unless you are a guy who has something to worry about why would anyone want to track your position? Even if they do track you, what is the harm? They will know that at 7 PM you were at the shopping mall and then had a date at a nice restaurant? How does that harm you?

I am not saying, this should be done by anyone and that such rulings are good or bad, just saying that unless you are someone who tries to hide from the police, there is nothing to really worry about.

You dont deserve the freedom you have. People have died for your freedom and you give it away. pathetic.

 

[maluminse]

AND if you are in a confidential business and you want to detect if others are following you or your wife is following you or whoever is trying to gps you.

 

[Carl6]

A GPS tracking device like law enforcement would use has three components. The first is a GPS receiver. The second is some type of storage where it records the GPS track information. The third is a way to extract or send that information. The first two are for the most part not detectable with any consumer grade device. Neither transmits an rf signal that can be detected or tracked. The third capability typically is done by periodic cell phone calls (maybe once or twice a day), or upon recovering the device and reading it. While you can get a device that can detect a cell phone transmission, differentiating a brief call from your car that may only happen once a day (and last for a minute or less) from all of the other cellular traffic around is not practical.

As to jamming the GPS receiver, that would probably work okay for the first 12 to 24 hours (until the first data upload). Then whoever placed the device would recognize that it was being jammed and take some other action to track you.

On the philosophical side of this discussion, I agree with both sides. I agree that if you aren't doing anything illegal why should you worry. I also agree that we have well defined constitutional protections that are being eroded on a regular basis, and that we have a civic responsibility to stand up for our rights.

 

[rishi235]

hi,
what about protection against normal citizens who happen
to invade your privacy by placing gps devices/ gizmos in your car ,
is there any way that some ppl can track your location using ur cell or car.
I come from a conservative society in India where it is considered taboo to
be dating before marriage.

Thanks,
Rishi.

 

[Charlesleonard]

Your soon to be ex spouse, your boss, and many other crazies might try to track you. So if you have any concerns, it might be better to be proactive rather than fighting it out in court. Lawyers are expensive.

 

[euph_22]

hi,
what about protection against normal citizens who happen
to invade your privacy by placing gps devices/ gizmos in your car ,
is there any way that some ppl can track your location using ur cell or car.
I come from a conservative society in India where it is considered taboo to
be dating before marriage.

Thanks,
Rishi.

As far as tracking the phone, you can turn off your gps, and check the services that are running. If there seems to be anything involving location that's running more than it should then you might have an issue (although many apps use location, so don't assume you're being tracked if it shows up). And for someone to track you're phone, the need access to it. Use some form of password/pattern lock and you should be safe.


As far as using a gps device to track your car, you really can't find those devices using your phone. At best you might be POSSIBLY be able to find SOME kinds of tracking devices with your phone, but you will definitely be unable to find other devices in the same way. However, I'd be surprised if any of the current GPS tracking devices on the market would be detectable by the phone at all.

If you're genuinely worried about that, you'd better off checking for bugs the old fashioned way. There aren't that many places you can easily put a tracking device on you're car, there about the size of one of those hide-a-key boxes, and can only be put somewhere you can access.

 

[rishi235]

hi euph,
thanks for ur response, also how do u check for bugs the old fahioned
way?

 

[ylexot]

hi euph,
thanks for ur response, also how do u check for bugs the old fahioned
way?

Use your eyes.