Best GPS tracker *finder*?
Discussion
Asking for a friend (no, seriously, I am. Seriously.)
She suspects her car has been sneakily fitted with a GPS tracker but can't prove anything.
I have explained the usual places to look, such as inside bumpers, and sent a Web link to a site detailing the lesser known tracker hiding places and how to find them, however I'm sure I've seen gadgets that can scan for and pick up said devices?
I've just had a look line and it appears to be extremes of either a £50 ebay device which does nothing, or a £300 police spec device which is a bit of a pricy purchase.
Does anyone know please of something relatively cheap that actually works?
Thanks in advance!
She suspects her car has been sneakily fitted with a GPS tracker but can't prove anything.
I have explained the usual places to look, such as inside bumpers, and sent a Web link to a site detailing the lesser known tracker hiding places and how to find them, however I'm sure I've seen gadgets that can scan for and pick up said devices?
I've just had a look line and it appears to be extremes of either a £50 ebay device which does nothing, or a £300 police spec device which is a bit of a pricy purchase.
Does anyone know please of something relatively cheap that actually works?
Thanks in advance!
You can get gps blockers for a tenner that plug into the cigarette socket of a car, it's not strictly legal but then again neither is tracking someone without their consent.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/feb/13...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/feb/13...
untakenname said:
You can get gps blockers for a tenner that plug into the cigarette socket of a car, it's not strictly legal but then again neither is tracking someone without their consent.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/feb/13...
Just beat me to it.https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/feb/13...
If I suspected I was being GPS tracked, I would have a good look round the car, and failing that I would just buy a cheap GPS jammer like all the thieves who steal Sprinter vans do.
Actually, I would probably just use another one of my numerous vehicles, but if they know you’ve been out in the tagged car and the GPS hasn’t worked, they will be forced to retrieve the device or fit a different one, and that’s the time you lie in wait for them with CCTV.
Although I know almost nothing about apps and mobile phones, would moving sim into an older pre-android phone work to prevent it being tracked? It appears that the tracker must access the original phone to initiate phone tracking.
Another thought would be to use another phone for a few days with some excuse like 'getting the other phone serviced'.
Of course leaving the phone at home for a few days would also work, although that may be akin to asking the modern woman to stop breathing for a week...
At least if your friend can prove the phone is not the cause of the tracking, then it makes the car tracker idea more plausible.
Another thought would be to use another phone for a few days with some excuse like 'getting the other phone serviced'.
Of course leaving the phone at home for a few days would also work, although that may be akin to asking the modern woman to stop breathing for a week...
At least if your friend can prove the phone is not the cause of the tracking, then it makes the car tracker idea more plausible.
Does she suspect the tracker to be fitted by someone who could gain access the inside of the car? Battery life is quite limited for most of the affordable trackers so it may need an external power source if it's still working past a week or so, (obvious places are under the dash or in the roof lining with a power feed from an interior light etc). If fitted to the car externally then key places for a magnetic tracker are on top of a bumper support or inside a wheel arch.
Bear in mind a GPS tracker will need a reasonably unblocked "view" of the sky so you wouldn't expect it to be too hidden underneath as metal bodywork seriously reduces their effectiveness.
As for tracking software on a mobile, there are various apps that can be installed and then hidden from the app list but they should appear under the settings--> apps list. 'Where's-My-Droid' is a popular one if it's an Android phone.
Obviously if she thinks she's being stalked going to the Police is probably advised, unless "you/she" thinks it's the authorities that are tracking "you/her".
Bear in mind a GPS tracker will need a reasonably unblocked "view" of the sky so you wouldn't expect it to be too hidden underneath as metal bodywork seriously reduces their effectiveness.
As for tracking software on a mobile, there are various apps that can be installed and then hidden from the app list but they should appear under the settings--> apps list. 'Where's-My-Droid' is a popular one if it's an Android phone.
Obviously if she thinks she's being stalked going to the Police is probably advised, unless "you/she" thinks it's the authorities that are tracking "you/her".
I imagine the friend thinks a partner/boyfriend has fitted it because they make comments about where she has been when she hadn't told them?
If so, it's also worth checking her phone for any dodgy apps, and that only she has access to the main account tied to the phone (ie. if it's Android, that they can't view https://www.google.com/locationhistory )
For a device in a car, it'll be very difficult to detect because it'll send data intermittently and if the car isn't moving it might not connect and send anything at all. If it doesn't have a data module... good luck. It'll be much easier to just search the car.
If so, it's also worth checking her phone for any dodgy apps, and that only she has access to the main account tied to the phone (ie. if it's Android, that they can't view https://www.google.com/locationhistory )
For a device in a car, it'll be very difficult to detect because it'll send data intermittently and if the car isn't moving it might not connect and send anything at all. If it doesn't have a data module... good luck. It'll be much easier to just search the car.
Just to echo this - Advise her to change her google password immediately. It might be as simple as the stalker knows her password (or is a delegate to her account) and is just using her account to track her phone - Turning on those particular "find my droid" notifications might be a first step just to see if it's happening at all.
Also, facebook has a "where are my friends" feature - Turn that off too. I think Whatsapp do as well, but I'm not sure about that one...
Also, facebook has a "where are my friends" feature - Turn that off too. I think Whatsapp do as well, but I'm not sure about that one...
There is basically no such thing as a gps tracker finder gps uses a receiver only, and although it might be possible to detect noise generated by it's operation, bit like the tv license detector vans, technically possible, but in practice completely unworkable for civilian use, so anything claiming to actually detect gps is probably snake oil.
What can be easily detected is the emission of any device that transmits data wirelessly, but that is not necessarily done continuously, or even at all, so not always easy to detect, especially if the device is designed to be covert which you might expect from a device so elusive you can't find it. This is probably where the difference between a cheap and a more high end detector would come into play.
What can be easily detected is the emission of any device that transmits data wirelessly, but that is not necessarily done continuously, or even at all, so not always easy to detect, especially if the device is designed to be covert which you might expect from a device so elusive you can't find it. This is probably where the difference between a cheap and a more high end detector would come into play.
Hi all,
Many thanks for all the advice, I shall pass it on especially the bit about checking phones and apps.
Without going into too much detail, someone who now has a restraining order against them is using friends in low places to go after her, and said people are showing up when she is out and about or even whilst staying over at someone else's house.
Many thanks for all the advice, I shall pass it on especially the bit about checking phones and apps.
Without going into too much detail, someone who now has a restraining order against them is using friends in low places to go after her, and said people are showing up when she is out and about or even whilst staying over at someone else's house.
ChemicalChaos said:
Many thanks for all the advice, I shall pass it on especially the bit about checking phones and apps.
Without going into too much detail, someone who now has a restraining order against them is using friends in low places to go after her, and said people are showing up when she is out and about or even whilst staying over at someone else's house.
If she doesn't know what she is looking for there may be limited value in checking her phone. She needs to get a new one & leave the old one turned off. You can get a basic phone for peanuts these days. She needs to log out & change the password of any Google or Apple accounts or any other account which may be compromised eg email.Without going into too much detail, someone who now has a restraining order against them is using friends in low places to go after her, and said people are showing up when she is out and about or even whilst staying over at someone else's house.
My local radio club had a demonstration of one of these:
http://j3.rf-explorer.com
From what I can tell, you need the ‘3g combo’ to cover all the current phone frequencies.
Essentially you need to take the car somewhere that is rf quiet and then scan the car for emissions.
But as others suggest, start with changing phones - or lending the phone to a long distance truck driver!
73’s
http://j3.rf-explorer.com
From what I can tell, you need the ‘3g combo’ to cover all the current phone frequencies.
Essentially you need to take the car somewhere that is rf quiet and then scan the car for emissions.
But as others suggest, start with changing phones - or lending the phone to a long distance truck driver!
73’s
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