Bells + Whistles : Covid Update

The GizmoGuy neighbour has installed a flashing gadget, in a probable attempt to fool over the 'harmlessness' of his camera intrusions into people's personal domains in the darkness hours of night/early morning, and general jokey antics. Perhaps there is more than one system, such as a general scouting operation followed by a probing light.

I became aware regarding a window of mine directly opposite his. I noticed him watching someone else before that, which I thought at first was a good neighbour scheme. I had pondered some things 3 or 4 years ago, but that was impressions rather than specific issues here.

The actual camera being used in my direction and the timing seem to have changed, and one fine day (or a wet and windy one) I will hope to get it checked out: If someone behaves as though they have a veritable #licencetosnoop, then I have one to #probe the nature+intent. It is the behaviour of this #NFH who acts like Mr Bumble, with a friend who seems much more purposeful and businesslike, that brought the idea of a Franchise operation to mind.

After further events and looking up on Google, I wonder if GizmoBumble has access to technology such as a drone, a satellite, or something using laser lights or sound, combined with things I am not genned up on. What I do fathom is that things which seem to be impossible are not, so other factors may be in play, including his seeming to have foreknowledge as I am almost home. Perhaps he tests stuff on a target population for a fee: Not just an end-of-garden or windowsill Hobby then, as he'd have us believe. A thrill junkie maybe, or linking to other activities? He seems to have upped the ante of late, hence the unmothballing of this Blog in May 2016, and again now 2021.

I am reluctant to cause trouble as it is not really my battle, I can prove nothing, and no doubt he can cover himself. I know how unsettling it is to lose privacy like this, along with any sense of neighbourly support.

Updated for Covid 'N' All, 2021

So much water under-the-bridge that there's no need to bore with detail! Talk of 5G & stuff, whether it's a plot to inject all-&-sundry, fast, with more than just a risky medical procedure supposed to improve our lot in the dilemma. (Know anything about the effects of graphene, or why it might get introduced in vaccines?) Might it be a nefarious design to kill us off one way or many, over time? Could 5G swipe us sideways if we choose vaccination, or will it act more as a personal tracker? See a Blog on Mind Invasive Tech for more.

What then of GizmoGuy? First he took down all his antenna things that bristled in full view. Maybe all the ambient Wi-Fi, Internet Of Things, special doorbells/cams, made those redundant. Second, he got quite friendly. An odd thing while chatting, was when I mentioned something I'd bought. "I saw that" he said. As far as I know, he's never been inside my home. Through-the-wall radar? Also he had lots of visitors, new fancy bright lights blaring my way at any movement. Finally it's gone from open-plan garden & low fencing, (anyone could see through their big window), to bare-bones style, v.high fences obscuring garden/windows, plus a solid gate. As William Shatner says: Weird or What?

I looked into what people were saying about how powerful 5G will be; it seems set to roll out throughout UK, judging by new control boxes sprouting at corners all around. You could look into how to screen your sleeping area and so on, without spending a fortune on unverified methods. Now, if GizmoGuy has long-term, advanced awareness of likely effects of some of this, I'd suggest the changes in his immediate environment and lifestyle, make perfect sense. Whether he is hunkering down so that, under wraps, he keeps others under more surveillance, or to block EMF around his property? I always thought he was a prototype, a forerunner, useful as a scout in return for payment or favours. He does an ordinary job, but is certainly unusually talented, even a charmer.

Windows on my World

Here I invite you to a brief view of my World. Not everyone does - or in fact should have!

For some time, someone has had at least one of my windows under visual surveillance: The likelihood is that other people's homes are in their sights, mainly at night. I don't know if they pick up some audio. This Peeking Tom is a regular GizmoGuy, whose partner revels in the window dressing, hence a Peeking Team. If I am right about the basics, it is an unwarranted intrusion into what I was under the impression was private space. It changes a great deal if it is not.

It coincides with recent publicity over hacking of personal or financial data. We are asked for our date of birth to pay a utility bill by phone, to provide all our financial info when seeking advice on a simple matter (then stored online for other firms to access). Our medical and dental data have gone to electronic storage: Where, shared where? People clever enough to handle complex databases and websites are meant to keep our data secure from accidental or deliberate blips. But is that even possible? It begins to look as though privacy has become a thing of the past.

My guess is GizmoGuy at the rear would claim my predicament is overspill from his home security. It has been intrusive, entering via net curtains or a gap in curtains, and pulsing a light across walls and ceiling, a little high up to be looking for intruders through a single-storey estate, would you think? Most of the gizmos or antics are designed to look innocent or as something else altogether. I am not dealing here with physical entry into a building or bug-placing inside or on outside walls (I think!). This is about what can be done to unsuspecting persons by someone using it as a form of Sport, or leverage.

It seems to be mapping shapes, or seeking differences in light and shadow, and movement or contrast may set part of it off. As we enter November 2015 further possibilities occur. When I first sought advice, I asked if anyone could access my windows by bouncing light off a wall or window of a neighbouring building, or even a chimney or TV dish. I was told it would have to be line-of-sight. I am not so sure.

An alternative scenario could be as a group with similar interests, i.e. consensual. Or it might be coercive such as: 'I know things about you and can in fact see them. If you include your gadgets in the resource pool to snoop on neighbours, you can sometimes turn off surveillance on you.'

GizmoGuy has a way with things, and my bet is he excels in Trigonometry or angles. By shining a light at thin curtains or a small chink around, he might get an image inside one's room via a highly reflective surface.  Remember that even shiny curtains facing outward can be translucent unless backed by something thicker, if there's a strong light source outside, or from inside your room with a light or TV on.

More speculative is whether RF radio frequencies, or illegal hacking software is being used against residents' homes, their security systems or baby monitors, their webcams and gadgets. Now that is more serious.

Picture a residential site with bright street lamps, plus a guy with 2 strong security lights facing your way. He may persuade people opposite your other windows to have their lights on, or to accommodate a camera on their shed. Indeed. Where you like your brass ornaments or shiny fittings and choose your technogadgets with care, snoopers think of other uses for them.

If I give more clues about the nature of the place and surrounds, you might realise where it is. The purpose of this is to be general, and to urge you to take care of your own or your family's privacy, whether pottering round at home or engaging on the Web.

If something like this is happening to you, even though parts are different, you are not the only one facing the effects of other people's dubious actions, plus of course Technology.

My Neighbours the Space Invaders

Not in a sense of encroaching via a fence, or parking, or even noise - But to the point of a webcam or somesuch pointed at my window, at least during night hours. 'It' seems to work via bright street lights shining into people's windows, or at least that portion of 'It' does. I believe there to be other modes, but am not Radio Frequency or anything savvy.

It is easy to wonder if one is seeing the light shifting until a defined round shape flickers its way across the ceiling and walls, or why anyone would do that. It is not just my window; which is simply en route to others. If this happens to you, check it out till you know what is consistent. You need to allow time to switch over to night vision. American TV in particular shows Neighbours from Hell with security systems facing into someone's kitchen window, or the yard where children play.

Currently my NFH are working hard to confuse the issue with shiny window jumble to signify Halloween approaching - whatever that may have to do with it, though I've noticed it before. Now, the CCTV screen gets moved and slanted, a small round orange light shows constantly at night to the left of their centre pane, instead of concealed at the right. That position makes it harder to reach the gap in my curtains, but hey, another camera appeared down their garden with a light that's harder to see in my room.

If someone installs a security system to check the sides or access to their building or even the road, it should not be entering other people's windows, starting high and working down through the room. Having one camera that has done that, should give them experience to set up another so it does not repeat the error. Why is it duplicating time and expense, both starting well above intruder height, and both accessing my room?

Last week a case hit the headlines where someone in Leeds used cheap downloadable software to hack people's own webcams while they were engaged in private activity on Skype. 'Webcam hacker spied on sex acts' www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34475151 He got a short suspended sentence, his name on the sex offenders' register, plus the fact that for years to come any web search will reproduce this at the click of a mouse.

• "The application in itself is not that difficult to detect but typically the attackers will wrap some sort of exploit around the application," said Mr Monrad. "Even with patches the victim will still be vulnerable so long as there is a hole in the operating system." Mr Monrad recommended that computer users be careful of clicking on suspicious links or downloading dubious email attachments.

'CSI Cyber' is currently showing in the UK with Patricia Arquette leading a team that includes some erstwhile hackers. It makes interesting viewing! See Channel 5 on Tuesday evenings, with a 5USA repeat on Sundays.

I wish I could get the activity affecting me checked out by someone who could do it without announcing their cyber presence.

And work out the What, Why, How and, more importantly, How to Jam

Meanwhile I live in a Twilight Zone of window drapes until this thing is resolved in some way.

I do not aim to name these spooks or to drop hints to other Neighbours. Just to make it known that this kind of thing can happen, whether or not it does in your vicinity, or (I think) from afar called RAT. It may be that, if I cannot do much about the idiots at the end of my garden, someone else may, or at least it will stop some other idiot somewhere else.

That'll do for me Folks

Some useful reading is on the Books Page http://targatt.blogspot.co.uk/p/books.html

Send in any Book or other suggestions.



As I understand the legal situation, one is entitled to tell someone they have a camera aimed at your window, and say that you will report them to the Police if they continue, or to Crimestoppers (which can be done anonymously).

NCA, the National Crime Agency may get involved when someone hacks into other people's systems. I don't know if one can anonymously report the kind of activity in Leeds mentioned above, or if things can be investigated remotely.

Be careful about making allegations or voicing suspicions to anyone.


Stalking is dealt with more generally on a separate page http://targatt.blogspot.co.uk/p/stalking.html

Spyder in our Midst

My aim is not to over-speculate, rather to go on observations over time. Some things have changed in the un-Neighbourly situation. What I do not think has changed is they are doing things solely for their benefit, for curiosity/kicks, or for leverage over other people in some way. Their system appears to be undergoing various upgrades.

What looks like a home security system on their property, is now displayed more prominently. 'It' takes in the road between, my driveway and back window. 'It' could have a sound system. 'It' gets through net curtains or, with a good boost from the street lamps, sees through thin blinds. A home security system is sure-as-hell not meant to scan or map a Neighbour's private room/s.

It would be nice to open up some curtains to let light in and see the trees and sky, for it is a pretty place, but not for the time being. Other things are also disturbing, and the words 'Open Season' come to mind. It would be a comfort to think that if anyone were prowling the estate or there were a break-in, Spyder at the rear would offer his footage. I doubt that is the kind of footage he specialises in, or watches so avidly around 6.00 am.

My job is done if I convey to readers to take care over window/door security, over computer or phone activity, and your own home security system or baby monitor. And what you leave lying around or put in bins for collection. Watch also who befriends you, or whom you voice suspicions to. People are part of a social web, or may engage in pub chat.

If 'thoughtless' people leave your gate open, get a gate closer or prop it open. Some folks love having any small way to make others more vulnerable, and they could be leaving a signal for others.

You can do it! Think of it as being a whole lot better than being under house arrest, or sleeping in a shop doorway till you freeze to death or get pushed off.

Hello, My Name is Billie

After searching the Web and talking to a few people, I had not found anyone with almost exactly the same experience. Until now.

I cannot tell you what a difference it makes to find someone else describing their experience, even though from a different country.

I hope this helps someone else too, though hope it is not happening to you. The more people can see 'it' for what it is, and share some methods of coping or counteracting, the better.

Actually and it may sound daft, I toyed with the idea this might be run along lines of a Franchise: some equipment and expertise in return for an expectation of power, influence, leverage, knowledge, more territory and, oh yes, money. Certainly it is being performed like a job, and has been going on for some years, in plain sight though disguised to look like a harmless hobby.

So my question is: How many other hobbyists out there have a target population?

And seem to receive advice, funding, and visible hardware upgrades?

Could he ping the surrounding cell towers even?

Snooping, Stalking or Avoidance

I am in the UK, and by coincidence the series 'CSI Cyber' with Patricia Arquette started airing last night on Channel 5. It explains a great deal about the types of technology that can be used, alone or in conjunction with each other or with other people. I am more cautious about using Wi-Fi on the affected property, just mainly watching TV or DVDs, and hoping they tire of what they are doing. I do not take it quite so personally, though wonder why anyone would want to peer into a tiny bedroom at 3.00 am night after night.

I try to keep my reactions low key, but I will make my point from time to time that I am aware of something going on. And do not like it! I do not have money to get an electronics expert in to check more what is happening, and there is no way someone could be there inconspicuously through the night to catch the activity.

The reason for this Blog is I know how upsetting this has been and how very puzzling. I always felt their interest in me was OTT and not solicitous, and hoped they'd just get used to me. Any kind of obsession or stalking frankly worries me. Not knowing that it has a pattern other people saw, made it harder.

If something similar is happening to you, I hope it helps you to know that other people have indeed had much of this happen. Many have learned to live with it. I am not so sure about my own resilience...

I am also not sure what to do in case it exacerbates the situation, or if I should say something to others who may be snooped on, and I do not know who else may actually be in on it. Some people have such effective blinds or drapes that I can't help wondering if they have been tipped the wink on how to get along.

People are reasonably friendly, though some seem to have stopped wanting to chat. The place can feel eerie with hardly anyone chatting across the fence, to each other in the garden, or when walking the dog. Some vanish inside their boundary when they see someone approach. Is this a learned cultural response?

Gotta Keep an Eye on The Neighbours!

I thought that a neighbour directly across the road was trying to get me to complain about him. I didn't fall for it - if that is what the minor stuff was about. I did wonder what might be behind it though. For some reason I looked out of the back in the early morning, and the window opposite seemed to have a small CCTV screen flicking from one view to another, resembling people's bedroom windows. The street lighting is very bright which could have made it easy for him to peek and film without people being any wiser.

A week later I went into overdrive when a small round light pulsed across my bedroom ceiling and walls, moving across till it reached a wall hanging and then it went down the side. I closed the narrow gap in the curtains and checked things out a week later:  Same pulsing moving light at the same hour, with the chap over the back watching his little TV screen early next morning as if watching footage.

A few months before, I'd gone out to measure a fence before anyone was up and about, and the chap was literally in his window peering down the road, either at someone's window or the car park which were all he could see. I think his screen alerted him to something of interest.

Ups, Downs, or Harassment?

In a nutshell, over a period of 3 to 4 weeks I became aware of increasing and unusual interest in my usual (boring) activities, with apparent scanning or mapping of a tiny room at the rear of a small home via CCTV or a pulsing light of some kind.

I had idly wondered if the people in the home over the road had placed a bug under mine, and amused myself by muttering things like 'If you continue with this I will tell people. Have fun.'

Either they did not hear and stop, or they did hear and it got up their noses.

I did a cursory bug sweep, but think they'd be using a directional microphone aimed at the window, or RF radio frequency of some kind. I don't know if it takes in other rooms, or if physical devices are placed on other properties around to expand their limited vision. I think Bluetooth could come into it in some circumstances, or they pick up from other people's private webcams or Android gadgets.

Why? Well they could be uploading people's private moments to the Web on a pay-per-click basis. See 'The Dark Net' by Jamie Bartlett http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Net-Jamie-Bartlett/dp/0099592029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444290250&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dark+net

I am not identifying the location, but it would just take a few small clues to make it apparent where, and who.



Read on...

Eavesdropping & Security

Hello. My name is Billie.

Today I posted a couple of comments on a site about eavesdropping and security by Bruce Schneier at https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/10/eavesdropping_t.html 

{Search Amazon for books by Bruce Schneier on Security http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruce-Schneier/e/B000AP7EVS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1445276627&sr=1-1 

See also https://www.schneier.com/about.html }

+ + + + +

A post towards the end of the page on eavesdropping from 2012 described pretty much what I became aware of during the last month, in a small home I was moving into over a period of time. Someone with no further need for it made it over to me, which I thought was the nicest thing anyone could do!

Not much had been done to it for a few years, and I gradually found people who could do a few basic tasks to keep it going a while longer, which all took a lot of waiting around until things worked out.

I had read about people who felt they were targetted in some way for harassment, in the street, in their homes or whatever. During an ordinary working life I experienced being in some groups that were supportive, and some that were vindictive, but mostly they were run-of-the-mill with usual ups and downs. I have done things I realise were selfish or tactless, but nothing worth being attacked over.

So what happened in the nice small home I had hopes and plans for? It was pleasantly situated in a village similar to the one where I had grown up and biked around.

Your Comments & Observations

Some of what I have written brings in things from the periphery of experience and reading, plus what comes into my thoughts along the way.

The aim is to raise reasonable discussion, and reduce the isolation of being suddenly in the middle of another person's obsession, set-up or scenario.

Comments are welcome. Not all will be published, and some may be edited. Please indicate whether your posts are NOT for publication, and always be careful about making allegations here or elsewhere.

It is likely that people are facing different situations with some common themes. Let's see what can be done!

See Book Suggestions page for some useful books downloadable from Amazon.co.uk and give suggestion or tips of your own.