How to spot hidden cameras in your hotel room, 'ex-hacker' reveals - from shining a torch on appliances to checking the fire alarm if it's above the bed
- Brit TikTok user shares tips for spotting hidden cameras in hotel and B&B rooms
- Marcus Hutchins, who teaches cybersecurity, advises holding torch to fire alarm
- Also warns how digital alarm clocks and USB charging points can have cameras
Ever get the feeling you're being watched?
A British TikTok user who describes himself as an 'ex-hacker' has shared his tips for spotting hidden cameras in hotel and Airbnb rooms.
Marcus Hutchins, who teaches cybersecurity and posts using the handle @malwaretech, recommends shining a torch around the room when you arrive to look for any potential recording devices.
In a video clip shared to the social media platform, Marcus said the first thing you want to look for devices that are conveniently placed where a 'creeper' would want to look.
A British TikTok user who describes himself as an 'ex-hacker' has shared his tips for spotting hidden cameras in hotel and Airbnb rooms
'Take this fire alarm for instance, it is placed right above the bed,' he explained while guiding his own camera to the ceiling.
'Now one way to see if the device is a camera is to shine a bright light at it. If you hit a camera lens it's going to get a blue-ish reflection.
'Now you can test this by shining a light at your phone and seeing how the camera looks when placed under a flashlight.'
He then moves to a digital alarm clock beside the bed which also has a sneaky camera lurking behind the mirrored glass.
In the video, which has notched up more than 5.5million views, he explained how it's possible to see if a camera is there by shining a bright light on the glass.
In a video clip shared to the social media platform, Marcus said the first thing you want to look for devices that are conveniently placed where a 'creeper' would want to look, such as a fire alarm above the bed (pictured)
'This technique can also work on two-way mirrors,' he added.
Marcus also made the disturbing revelation that some USB chargers can have tiny pinhole cameras concealed inside which, yet again, you can find if you shine a light on them.
'These cameras are really small as you can see here, so they can be hidden in anything, even a hole in the wall,' he went on.
'You're going to want to check any suspicious devices or holes that are facing the shower, dressing area or the bed.'
He also warned how night vision cameras use infrared LEDs to see; you can spot these by turning off the light and using the front-facing camera on your phone to see them.
'The front-facing camera is the only one that tends to work as the back-facing one has an IR filter,' Marcus explained.
In the video, which has notched up more than 5.5million views, he explained how it's possible to see if a camera is built into a digital alarm clock by shining a bright light on the mirrored glass
Marcus also made the disturbing revelation that some USB chargers can have tiny pinhole cameras concealed inside which, yet again, you can find if you shine a light on them
In the comments, he added: 'Disclaimer: this isn't a real Airbnb, it's a stage set-up to demonstrate how to find cameras.'
Marcus' video attracted more than 5,000 comments, with many users horrified by how subtle and tricky to spot the hidden cameras can be.
'New fear unlocked,' wrote one user, while another remarked: 'Another reason never to leave my house hahahaha.'
And one wrote: 'Um bro I don't trust hotels or anything now thanks.'
'That's it I'm showering in clothes,' joked a fourth.
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