How to properly bug sweep an automobile

1. Vehicle SweepsVehicle Sweeps
James M. AtkinsonJames M. Atkinson
Granite Island GroupGranite Island Group
tscm.comtscm.com

2. Vehicle Sweep BasicsVehicle Sweep Basics
1.1. Make a PlanMake a Plan
2.2. Follow the PlanFollow the Plan
3.3. ““Show Your Work” - DocumentationShow Your Work” - Documentation
4.4. Shop ManualsShop Manuals
5.5. Essential Tools and Test EquipmentEssential Tools and Test Equipment
6.6. Place to WorkPlace to Work
7.7. Knowledge of ThreatsKnowledge of Threats
 What is out there?What is out there?

3. Essential ResourcesEssential Resources
 Shop ManualsShop Manuals
• Original Hardcopy Shop ManualsOriginal Hardcopy Shop Manuals
 Avoid “Chilton Style”, or Multi-Year BooksAvoid “Chilton Style”, or Multi-Year Books
 Avoid CD’s, or Hardcopy ThemAvoid CD’s, or Hardcopy Them
• Make, Model, Year, Trim?Make, Model, Year, Trim?
 Trim and Powertrain VariationsTrim and Powertrain Variations
• Electrical Diagrams are CriticalElectrical Diagrams are Critical
• These are VERY ExpensiveThese are VERY Expensive
• NOTNOT the Owners Manualthe Owners Manual

4. Essential ResourcesEssential Resources
 FlashlightFlashlight
• Plus, lots of extra batteriesPlus, lots of extra batteries
 Compact Mirror SystemCompact Mirror System
• EOD kits are perfectEOD kits are perfect
 Thin Latex GlovesThin Latex Gloves
• Keeps the grease out of the carKeeps the grease out of the car
 Protective Tarp or Covers for SeatsProtective Tarp or Covers for Seats
 Ground Tarp (if appropriate)Ground Tarp (if appropriate)

5. ImportantImportant
 In a Perfect World:In a Perfect World:
• Performed in a 4000+ sq ft GaragePerformed in a 4000+ sq ft Garage
 Have a Hydraulic Lift, Four Mechanics, etc.Have a Hydraulic Lift, Four Mechanics, etc.
 Contain Every Known Mechanics ToolContain Every Known Mechanics Tool
 Sterile Clean Room, Epoxy Floors, Lab CoatsSterile Clean Room, Epoxy Floors, Lab Coats
 In Reality?In Reality?
• Work With What You HaveWork With What You Have
 In the Amount of Time Are GivenIn the Amount of Time Are Given
 Always bring cleaning suppliesAlways bring cleaning supplies
……and a first aid kitand a first aid kit

6. Critical Test EquipmentCritical Test Equipment
 Broadband Signal DetectorBroadband Signal Detector
• One for each Mobile “Uplink”One for each Mobile “Uplink”
 Sharp Band Pass Filters AND AntennaSharp Band Pass Filters AND Antenna
 Most of the U.S. Requires 4 FiltersMost of the U.S. Requires 4 Filters
 Spectrum Analyzer, Amps, AntennaSpectrum Analyzer, Amps, Antenna
• DC Adapter/HP FilterDC Adapter/HP Filter
 Digital VoltmeterDigital Voltmeter
 PCM ToolPCM Tool
 Bluetooth DongleBluetooth Dongle

7. PCM ScannersPCM Scanners
 GenericGeneric
• BnB, AutoTapBnB, AutoTap
• ActronActron
• One-Size-Fits-All MentalityOne-Size-Fits-All Mentality
 ProprietaryProprietary
• DealershipsDealerships
• Snap On, MacTools, etcSnap On, MacTools, etc

8. Detection ModalitiesDetection Modalities
 RF AnalysisRF Analysis
 Voltage/Current AnalysisVoltage/Current Analysis
• What Does the PCM and Radio Draw?What Does the PCM and Radio Draw?
 Physical InspectionPhysical Inspection
• Dismantle As NeededDismantle As Needed
 NLJD on GPS and Cell/PCS BandsNLJD on GPS and Cell/PCS Bands
• Generic NLJD Good for 800/900 MHzGeneric NLJD Good for 800/900 MHz
• GPS/PCS Needs a Different UnitGPS/PCS Needs a Different Unit

9. What Are We Looking For?What Are We Looking For?
 Any Threat or Risk, PeriodAny Threat or Risk, Period
• Tracking DevicesTracking Devices
• Video DevicesVideo Devices
• Audio DevicesAudio Devices
• Telemetry DevicesTelemetry Devices
• ExploitsExploits
• Other Hazards or RisksOther Hazards or Risks

10. TrackingTracking
 Most Often a GPS Receiver, and CellMost Often a GPS Receiver, and Cell
Phone RepeaterPhone Repeater
 Could Be an On-Star SystemCould Be an On-Star System
• Sold Under Many Names/VariantsSold Under Many Names/Variants
 Lo-Jack, Remote ActivationLo-Jack, Remote Activation
 Other Security System ElementsOther Security System Elements
SiRF State of the ArtSiRF State of the Art
SmallerSmaller thanthan your thumb,your thumb, and shrinking…and shrinking…

11. VideoVideo
 Police Dash CamsPolice Dash Cams
• Officers Didn’t Know the Chief Did ItOfficers Didn’t Know the Chief Did It
 Parental SupervisionParental Supervision
• Old Owners Never Removed ItOld Owners Never Removed It
 Car Rental CompaniesCar Rental Companies
• ““Liability Recorders”Liability Recorders”
 Suspicious SpouseSuspicious Spouse
• That’s not my brand of lipstick…That’s not my brand of lipstick…

12. AudioAudio
 Microphones,Microphones,
• Easy enough to findEasy enough to find
 SpeakersSpeakers
• All speakers are a issueAll speakers are a issue
• Follow those wires closelyFollow those wires closely
 RecordersRecorders
• Often under seats or inside upholsteryOften under seats or inside upholstery
 TransmittersTransmitters
• Mind your vehicle beltlineMind your vehicle beltline

13. TelemetryTelemetry
 Primarily for Vehicle ServicePrimarily for Vehicle Service
• Little Black BoxesLittle Black Boxes
 PCM InterfacePCM Interface
 Attorneys and DOT Love TheseAttorneys and DOT Love These
• Who Did What, When, and WhyWho Did What, When, and Why
• May Be Interfaced To:May Be Interfaced To:
 Tracking SystemTracking System
 Video, or ImagingVideo, or Imaging
 Voice RecordingVoice Recording

14. ExploitsExploits
 Cell PhoneCell Phone
 Concierge ServicesConcierge Services
• On-Star/GM, Ford, ToyotaOn-Star/GM, Ford, Toyota
• Lethal To Your, Client’s PrivacyLethal To Your, Client’s Privacy
• ““Listen-In” FeatureListen-In” Feature
 Security SystemsSecurity Systems
 Similar “Conveniences”Similar “Conveniences”

15. Other Hazards or RisksOther Hazards or Risks
 Safety IssuesSafety Issues
• Duty to InformDuty to Inform
• Bald Tires, Bad BrakesBald Tires, Bad Brakes
 SecuritySecurity
• Bad Locks or Bypassed AlarmBad Locks or Bypassed Alarm
• Missing Grease, or Scraped AreaMissing Grease, or Scraped Area
 ObservationsObservations
• Leaking Fluids, Bad Things Under SeatsLeaking Fluids, Bad Things Under Seats
• Missing Jewelry, etcMissing Jewelry, etc

16. Cardinal RuleCardinal Rule
Convenience andConvenience and
Privacy are InverselyPrivacy are Inversely
Proportional™Proportional™

17. Questions?Questions?
Thank YouThank You

18. Vehicle SweepsVehicle Sweeps
James M. AtkinsonJames M. Atkinson
Granite Island GroupGranite Island Group
tscm.comtscm.com