Surveillance is the monitoring of the behaviour, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting them. The word surveillance comes from a French phrase for “watching over” (“sur” means “from above” and “veiller” means “to watch”).

Surveillance is very common in society today. Many people are not even aware of how much they are being watched. Surveillance can be used to monitor the activity of individuals and groups for any number of reasons including political, social and business purposes.

Surveillance Cameras: These are cameras that are placed in a public area to monitor activity. The camera may record video or take still photos. The recording can be stored on a computer hard drive or DVD.

Interception: This type of surveillance involves listening to private conversations or reading written messages. This can be done using wiretaps or bugs planted in the target’s home or office. An eavesdropper can use binoculars or telescopes to see people from a distance without being seen.

Tracking Devices: These devices track the location of people or vehicles by using GPS systems, radio frequency identification tags (RFID) or cell phone triangulation. Tracking devices can be placed on cars, boats and other vehicles and items owned by the target. They may also be used to track someone’s movements within their own home or vehicle if they do not disable them first.

Reconnaissance: This is an intelligence-gathering exercise performed before infiltrating an area where an operation will take place later on. Surveillance teams may perform reconnaissance by observing targets’ movements and habits over time until they have enough information about them so they can plan their attack with more precision. You can check more information at Trojan Investigations.

Physical surveillance

A physical surveillance is a direct observation of the target by an individual or group. Physical surveillance can take place in a variety of locations and situations, but generally involves following the target person as he or she goes about their daily activities. This may include following someone from one location to another, or just keeping watch on their home or place of work.

Communications surveillance

Communications surveillance refers to monitoring and recording telephone calls, e-mails and other forms of electronic communication. Communications surveillance can also involve recording conversations that occur between two parties when one or both parties do not know they are being recorded (this type of recording is often referred to as “bugging”).

Computer/data access and analysis

Computer/data access and analysis refers to accessing information stored on computers or other electronic devices belonging to either the target individual(s) or other persons directly connected with them. Computer/data access and analysis may also involve breaking into computers belonging to others in order to gain access to their data storage facilities (for example, through “hacking”). You can contact Private Investigator Manchester for more information.