Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Former Hacker Shows How To Uncover Hidden Cameras In Your Airbnb In Eye-Opening Viral Video

Former Hacker Shows How To Uncover Hidden Cameras In Your Airbnb In Eye-Opening Viral Video
@malwartech/TikTok

While Airbnb is usually a better option than staying at a hotel, people staying at vacation rentals have experienced their share of inconveniences after putting their faith in the temporary lodgings they found online.

Many vacationers renting an Airbnb have dealt with various setbacks—including unforeseen cancellations, owners dropping by without warning, and unlivable circumstances.


Hidden cameras have now become another frequent complaint, adding to a vacationer's list of "I never signed up for this."

Marcus Hutchins, a.k.a. TikToker @malewaretech, is a former hacker with 117K followers on the video-sharing app who made a video demonstrating how to detect hidden cameras in their vacation rental accommodations.

"So here's how to spot hidden cameras in Airbnb or hotel," said Hutchins in the viral video.


@malwaretech

Reply to @safarijackza How to find hidden cameras in AirBnBs #safety #travel


"The first thing you are going to want to look for is devices that are conveniently placed where a creeper would want to look," he said.

Hutchins directed our attention to an inconspicuous device above our heads in a staged room made to look like an Airbnb for purposes of the demonstration.

"Take this fire alarm, for instance. It is placed right above the bed. One way to see if the device is a camera is to shine a bright light at it."
"If you hit a camera lens, it's going to get a blue-ish reflection."
"Now you can test this by shining a light at your phone and seeing how the camera looks when placed under a flashlight."



@malwartech/TikTok


Next, he showed another unassuming device in the room, typically placed on a bedside table.

"This alarm clock is mirrored but if we shine a bright light at it, we can see through the glass and see there is a camera there."
"This technique can also work on two-way mirrors."



@malwartech/TikTok


He added:

"These cameras are really small as you can see here, so they can be hidden in anything, even a hole in the wall."

Hutchins said the alarm clock was powered by a USB cord, and its charger plugged into the wall was also a camera.


@malwartech/TikTok


While the clip—which racked up 5.5 million views—attempted to be helpful, it produced an unintended effect on some TikTokers.


@malwartech/TikTok



@malwartech/TikTok



@malwartech/TikTok


@malwartech/TikTok


@malwartech/TikTok



@malwartech/TikTok


Amateur comedians seized the opportunity for levity.


@malwartech/TikTok


@malwartech/TikTok

One TikToker had a gut feeling.


@malwartech/TikTok

Enjoy your next vacay.

More from Trending

Donald Trump; Playstation 5 logo
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Gamers Rage After Sony Raises Price Of Playstation Amid Trump's Tariffs

Gamers are very unhappy after Sony announced a $50 price hike on PS5 gaming consoles due to "a challenging economic environment"—a move that puts them in line with many global businesses impacted by President Donald Trump's tariffs.

In a blog post, Isabelle Tomatis, Sony Interactive Entertainment's Vice President of Global Marketing, said the company has "made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. starting on August 21."

Keep ReadingShow less

People In Long-Term Relationships Explain The Things No One Tells You About

None of us can look into the future and scan everything that will ever happen to us, so there's really no telling exactly what will happen at that job, during that vacation, or throughout that relationship.

But at least on the last point, there are some things that tend to come up in long-term relationships and marriages that brand new love birds might not see coming.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @zarababyz's TikTok video
@zarababyz/TikTok

Little Girl Goes Viral For Her Adorable Way Of Wearing Her Backpack For First Day Of Preschool

Back-to-school season is in full swing, and everyone's social media feeds are full of cute, smiling faces off to their first day of school, more mature faces off to their last first day before college, and every school year in between.

And let's not forget the accessories, including outfits of the day, backpacks and purses, and more!

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @adayinaeats' TikTok video
@adayinaeats/TikTok

Working Mom Gets Emotional After Realizing She's Missing All Her Baby's Major Milestones

Anyone who has raised children or is regularly around children can attest that they truly do grow up so fast.

That's what makes it so hard for new parents to go back to work after having a baby. It's not necessarily balancing the new responsibilities of parenthood with their preexisting responsibilities as a working adult, in an office and at home. It's the fact that they're going to miss out on some of the first moments and milestones with their children, which they can't ever get back.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @heyimgazza's TikTok video
@heyimgazza/TikTok

Guy Sparks Debate After Preventing Seats In Front Of Him From Reclining For Entire 8-Hour Overnight Flight

We can all agree that flying can be long, frustrating, and uncomfortable, and most of us would love to experience a little more comfort when we fly. But preventing other people from seeking comfort likely isn't the way to go about it.

TikToker @heyimgazza was surprised when he witnessed a fellow passenger's questionable behavior and pressed the record button, capturing a man on camera who sat with his arms up for eight hours, hands pressed against the seats in front of him to prevent three passengers from reclining their seats.

Keep ReadingShow less