🚀 go-pugleaf

While it is true that it is theoretically impossible to detect a properly
installed and designed phone tap, what government agencies have the
resources? Especially in their foreign offices, to cover literally thousands
of phones? (Specifically, the Chinese students here). Such installations are
*expensive*, and Ma Bell does *not* like other people messing with her gear.
Nor do Ma Bell's "siblings". 

A high impedance tap at the central office relays cannot be spotted. OK, but
most taps are wire taps or inductive taps inside the building hooked to a
transmitter or recorder. That means you can trace your house phone wiring to
a cheap local tap. 

But this is all electronic games, and can be outsmarted by someone willing
to put in the work and money. A more effective way to test this, based on
behavior, is to make some false conversations over the suspect lines that
involve whatever your suspected listener is interested in. Look for some 
reaction to *that*. For example, plan a meeting or message dump in an
observed place. Wait for them to show up, and make sure you are absolutely
clean when they grab you. I've tried this, for suspect confidants although
not for government tapped phones. It has worked reasonably well for me.

But if you establish that your phone or home is tapped, what in the heck do
you do then?

-- 
			Nico Garcia
			Designs by Geniuses for use by Idiots
			eplunix!cirl!raoul@eddie.mit.edu