News sent out via mailchimp.

Discovery of recording device leads to multiple charges against Canadian soldier

from CBC.ca May, 2017

A soldier at the Canadian military base in Oromocto, N.B., is facing several charges, including sexual assault, voyeurism and possession of child pornography, after electronic devices and videos were seized from his former residence near Washington, D.C., in February.

The charges involve two alleged victims, members of the Canadian Armed Forces in Washington and Esquimalt, B.C., at the time of the alleged incidents, said Lamirande.

The charges stem from the Washington-area member’s discovery of a recording device at their private residence in January, said Lamirande.

Variety of covert cameras and common recording devices

Variety of common recording devices

“The victim reported discovery of the device to their chain of command and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service was notified,” she said in an email.

When the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigated, the device “was linked to the accused,” said Lt. (Navy) Blake Patterson, public affairs officer for […]

2017-07-01T11:25:09-04:00July 1st, 2017|
Read More

50 years of ATM fraud, and a holiday weekend… watch out for skimmers

This past week marks the 50 year anniversary of the Automated Teller Machine, and probably 50 years of fraud as well. Krebsonsecurity offers advice: You are far more likely to encounter ATM skimmers over the weekend when the bank is closed (skimmer thieves especially favor long holiday weekends when the banks are closed on Monday). Also, if you have the choice between a stand-alone, free-standing ATM and one that is installed at a fixed location (particularly a bank) opt for the fixed-location machine, which is typically more secure against physical tampering. Most ATM skimmer devices can still be foiled by simply covering the PIN pad while entering your PIN...

2017-07-01T10:10:17-04:00July 1st, 2017|
Read More

SA Advocate suspended for ordering installation of listening device.

It doesn't take much to motivate someone to spy or eavesdrop. Spy devices are readily available to anyone with online access. Even those who should know better are willing to breach the privacy of others for their own benefit. Duty of care may require security sweeps be scheduled for law offices, accountants, and many other businesses who handle the confidential affairs of their clients. South Africa: Advocate Penny Hunt has been suspended from practicing as an advocate for six months. Judgment handed down on Tuesday that Hunt was responsible for instructing a surveillance technician, Houston Wayne Impey, to plant a “listening bug” in the ceiling of the advocates’ chambers. She was also accused of having a GPS tracking device attached to the car of a fellow advocate.

2017-06-30T09:43:48-04:00June 29th, 2017|
Read More

Google to pull in the reins on email snooping.

Google to stop scanning Gmail for ad targeting

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24 — Google said yesterday it would stop scanning the contents of Gmail users’ inboxes for ad targeting, moving to end a practice that has fueled privacy concerns since the free email service was launched.

A Google statement said Gmail users would still see “personalized” ads and marketing messages but these would be based on other data, which may include search queries or browsing habits.

Google Cloud senior vice president Diane Greene said in a blog that the free Gmail service would now follow the same practices as its corporate G Suite Gmail.

“Consumer Gmail content will not be used or scanned for any ads personalization after this change,” Greene said.

“This decision brings Gmail ads in line with how we personalize ads for other Google products. Ads shown are based on users’ settings. Users can change those settings at any […]

2017-06-25T09:27:18-04:00June 25th, 2017|
Read More

Corporate spying costs billions, can it be stopped? article from CNBC

If your company has valuable assets of any kind- be it information, technology, even your own valuable personnel- you can be sure there is a target on your back for someone who would like to either bring you down or at least take part of your value for themselves. Not all enemies are cyber hackers trying to break in to your computer network or people walking out with a thumb drive of documents. Many may be insiders already within your walls looking to intercept any piece of information or communications they could use for their own benefit. This information could include executive schedules, hiring and firing plans, new product development and timing, or anything else they could turn around and use against you or sell to a competitor.

2017-06-18T19:54:59-04:00June 18th, 2017|
Read More

Concealed camera at animal shelter prompts sweep of other city facilities.

The recent discovery of a hidden camera in the city animal shelter won’t spur a criminal prosecution, authorities say, but is the subject of an ongoing internal inquiry, and it factored into the dismissal June 2 of longtime City Marshal Mike Harris. The discovery of the camera prompted a search of other city facilities, which turned up another concealed camera focused on an office/storage area doorway related to a specific loss prevention concern. 

2017-06-14T21:25:10-04:00June 14th, 2017|
Read More

City official and town employee charged with eavesdropping

Employee guilty of eavesdropping? We are always warning our clients about this. Establish clear privacy policies, let everyone know, then check your work. With the proliferation of devices being sold, the temptation to eavesdrop is soaring (everybody wants to be a spy).

Regular proactive sweeps should be scheduled for all sensitive locations, and be wary of any suspicious activity in the workplace.

Here are accounts of two recent incidents of employee eavesdropping.

Henrietta, NY:

A Town of Henrietta employee has been accused of recording coworkers’ conversations.

Marlene Youngman, 57, of Henrietta was charged on May 3 with eavesdropping, a felony, and possession of an eavesdropping device, a misdemeanor, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Employees told Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies that when Youngman’s bag was jostled at work one day, a recording device tumbled out, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. John Helfer. The device was reportedly actively recording at the time, he said. […]

2017-05-17T22:50:59-04:00May 17th, 2017|
Read More

In the news: Toy hacked by 6th grader becomes spy device

Reuben Paul, 11, tells a conference that smart cars, fridges, lights and even teddy bears can be used to spy on or harm people. Plugging into his laptop a Raspberry Pi Reuben scanned the hall for available Bluetooth devices, and to everyone’s amazement including his own, suddenly downloaded dozens of numbers, including some of top officials. Then using computer language Python he hacked into his bear via one of the numbers to turn on one of its lights and record a message from the audience.

2017-05-17T18:48:59-04:00May 17th, 2017|
Read More

Is communications interception ever legal?

Alpha Group Investigations recently posted: Thanks to Hollywood and TV Dramas like CSI, the average citizen might imagine a private investigator has the right to legally bug and wiretap anyone’s office or home. However, that is an incorrect and morally wrong picture of a reputable investigator. The laws in each State and Country, for what accounts for legitimate electronic surveillance, vary greatly. A good Private Investigator has a responsibility to both to protect his or her client from illegal electronic countermeasures and to abide by the privacy laws of the region.

2017-04-28T23:09:38-04:00April 28th, 2017|
Read More

TSCM Electronic Security Sweeps for Law Firms and Their Clients

Sharon Nelson and John Simek, of Sensei Enterprises, host a monthly podcast called Digital Detectives on the Legal Talk Network. Their guest for March 2017 was Charles Patterson of Exec Security TSCM. They discussed electronic surveillance countermeasures and how electronic security sweeps can help ensure privacy for lawyers and their clients.

2017-04-07T10:09:41-04:00March 31st, 2017|
Read More

Threat de Toilette, Kaspersky’s Cyber Security Perfume

Kaspersky’s full range of toiletry items, guaranteed to please the most discerning cyber security professional.

Russian anti-virus and anti-malware firm Kaspersky has launched a full range of toiletry items, guaranteed to please the most discerning cyber security professional.

From hotel size shampoo, conditioner, and body gel, to perfumes “pour homme” and “pour femme”, there is something for everyone.

Multiple scents include Social Enginoir, Mal-wear, and Phish. (Yes, even Phish.)

“Fear awakens our senses” is the marketing tag line from David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky.

“We launched our fragrance, Threat de Toilette, to highlight the issues surrounding cyber security to consumer audiences and to articulate the importance of safe practices online,” explained the company. “We believe that fear awakens our senses and is no longer felt only in the physical world –it’s all around us in our online lives too – so we need to make sure we’re constantly protected from cyber threats.”

Unfortunately, […]

2017-03-19T19:43:45-04:00March 19th, 2017|
Read More

P.I. faces one year in jail for planting illegal tracking device.

Orange County Superior Court Judge W. Michael Hayes sentenced Christopher Joseph Lanzillo, a private investigator and former Riverside police detective, to 364 days in county jail and three years’ formal probation.

Lanzillo had pleaded guilty in September to allegations that he illegally used an electronic tracking device and a false drunk-driving report against Costa Mesa council members.

In September, Lanzillo pleaded guilty to two felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime of unlawful use of an electronic tracking device, one felony count of false imprisonment by deceit and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime of falsely reporting a crime to an agency, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

GPS Tracker illegally placed by PI

Five years ago, Lanzillo was working for the Costa Mesa Police Assn.’s law firm. One night, prosecutors said, he followed Jim Righeimer, a member of Costa Mesa’s City […]

2017-03-19T17:57:23-04:00March 19th, 2017|
Read More
Go to Top