The article mentions Nmap as a way of identifying cameras on the network. Does anyone know how robust of a solution this is, or if there are other ways of ensuring that any cameras are found?
Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
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Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#12Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#13The article mentions Nmap as a way of identifying cameras on the network. Does anyone know how robust of a solution this is, or if there are other ways of ensuring that any cameras are found?
Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#14Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#15Camera detectors are cheap (I purchased a combo camera detector (IR strobe type) and RF Detector (0 to 6GHZ, overly sensitive but works nicely if you retract the antenna and dial down the sensitivity) for the equivalent of $15.70 USD + shipping through amazon) and easily available these days - anyone renting an AirBNB or hotel room should get one and check the room before settling in.
Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#16The article mentions Nmap as a way of identifying cameras on the network. Does anyone know how robust of a solution this is, or if there are other ways of ensuring that any cameras are found?
Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#17Camera detectors are cheap (I purchased a combo camera detector (IR strobe type) and RF Detector (0 to 6GHZ, overly sensitive but works nicely if you retract the antenna and dial down the sensitivity) for the equivalent of $15.70 USD + shipping through amazon) and easily available these days - anyone renting an AirBNB or hotel room should get one and check the room before settling in.
Neat! Link to the one you bought? Are you happy with it?
As mentioned, the RF detector is overly sensitive to the point where you have to turn down the sensitivity quite low to make it usable, which means you have to be within about half a metre distance to the transmitter to detect it. I haven't found any real bugs yet, but it will reliably detect mobile phones, wireless access points, etc.
It is pretty easy to spot cameras with it, I have hidden my phone around the house as a test and there is a noticeable glint from the camera lens when looking through the filter with the IR strobe on, so I feel confident it would find any real hidden cameras.
My only other gripe is it doesn't include an Australian power supply, so I had to purchase one separately. Overall it's a nice product, obviously not pro-tier but good for the price.
Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#18This is extremely disturbing. The author may have cherry-picked a few extreme examples, and a majority of Airbnb bookings may go smoothly. Nonetheless, after reading that article, I’ll probably not use Airbnb ever again. FUD can be an irrational beast.
Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#19Camera detectors are cheap (I purchased a combo camera detector (IR strobe type) and RF Detector (0 to 6GHZ, overly sensitive but works nicely if you retract the antenna and dial down the sensitivity) for the equivalent of $15.70 USD + shipping through amazon) and easily available these days - anyone renting an AirBNB or hotel room should get one and check the room before settling in.
Re: Airbnb has a hidden camera problem
#20As a (legal) Superhost I place a lot of trust in my guests and have never felt the need to record them. Maybe this is because I meet at my guests in person or have a trusted friend do so. I've never felt the need to record what is going on. I am able to check my Wi-Fi remotely and see how many devices are logged on, but also don't care to do so.
If you feel the need to record guests constantly you're either a) too nervous, b) creepy or c) a commercial operator.
That being said Airbnb has put a lot of pressure on hosts to accept guests with no previous reviews. They also no longer let hosts see guests' profile pictures until after booking a booking is accepted. This makes it harder for hosts to trust guests.