Spy Secrets that Can Save Your Life

Book Cover

DESCRIPTION

“When Jason Hanson joined the CIA in 2003, he never imagined that the same tactics he used as a CIA officer for counter intelligence, surveillance, and protecting agency personnel would prove to be essential in every day civilian life. In addition to escaping handcuffs, picking locks, and spotting when someone is telling a lie, he can improvise a self-defense weapon, pack a perfect emergency kit, and disappear off the grid if necessary. He has also honed his “positive awareness” - a heightened sense of his surroundings that allows him to spot suspicious and potentially dangerous behavior - on the street, in a taxi, at the airport, when dining out, or in any other situation.”—Provided by publisher.

Highlights

SURVIVAL INTELLIGENCE (Location 130)
Rule 1: Practice Adaptability (Location 143)
Rule 2: Be Self-Reliant (Location 150)
Self-Reliance=Helping Others (Location 157)
Rule 3: Don’t Be a Hero (Location 161)
Rule 4: Movement Saves Lives (Location 177)
Rule 5: Perception Is Everything (Location 187)
Do I look like a person who would be an easy victim? Does my house appear uninhabited? Am I walking with confidence? What about those around you? Is the person sitting next to you in a restaurant acting suspiciously? Are you being followed by the man who you just passed in the grocery store? Learning to be aware of perceptions can play a key role in remaining safe. (Location 193)
Rule 6: Notice Baselines (Location 196)
If you’re not acutely familiar with the baseline of your home, your neighborhood, and your place of employment, you will not be properly equipped to know if you are about to be in harm’s way and need to take immediate action. Being able to establish a baseline is a key component for any intelligence work, and I’m going to show how to do this in detail. (Location 198)
Rule 7: Practice Situational Awareness at All Times (Location 201)
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (Location 216)
By asking him what time it was, I accomplished two things. First, I had completely removed the element of surprise. My hands were up, so if necessary I could strike or disarm him. Secondly, I know that a normal reaction time is approximately one and a half seconds. (Location 241)
Get Off the X: The Most Important Thing to Remember in Any Emergency (Location 324)
It Did Not Come Out of Nowhere: Recognizing Pre-Incident Indicators (Location 330)
Pre-incident indicators can be described as predictable patterns of behavior that a person will exhibit in a particular situation. (Location 334)
Pre-Incident Indicator 1: Staring (Location 336)
Pre-Incident Indicator 2: Pacing (Location 340)
Only people with ill intent will match your pacing. It is not natural for humans to want to walk in step with strangers, so be (Location 340)
aware when someone is matching your pace. (Location 341)
Pre-Incident Indicator 3: Distraction (Location 344)
Beating Normalcy Bias: Knowing That It Can Happen to You (Location 349)
Normalcy bias is how humans cope with unwanted change. It’s a way of processing traumatic events or disasters. Humans are wired to fear change. When a big event is about to take place or is taking place, such as a hurricane, terrorist attack, or an outbreak of an illness, it’s natural for us to try to normalize the situation to the best of our ability. (Location 358)
A baseline is an informal measure that determines what is normal and what is not. (Location 397)
Places Have Baselines Too (Location 404)
Establishing a baseline of your home, your immediate surroundings, and places you frequent can save your life. (Location 410)
Know Your Norm—And Keep It Consistent (Location 423)
Based on what I know from past experience, does everything appear as it should? (Location 447)
Is a person dressed inappropriately for the weather? Wearing a winter coat even though it’s warm? Is the person displaying odd gestures or mannerisms? Is the person somewhere he or she isn’t supposed to be? Is the individual paying too close attention to you or someone else? Does the person appear to be following someone? (Location 467)
Is the person looking around nervously? In other words, is his or her head on a swivel? (Location 471)
YOUR SPY ESCAPE AND EVASION KIT (Location 480)
The Three Tiers of Survival Gear: What an Ex-CIA Officer Really Carries Around (Location 509)
Tier One: Everyday Gear (Location 516)
Pocketknife: (Location 517)
Gun: (Location 521)
A cell phone: (Location 524)
Bobby pins: (Location 528)
Monkey’s fist paracord keychain: (Location 531)
Handcuff key: (Location 535)
American dollars: (Location 537)
Tactical pen: (Location 542)
Lock pick set: (Location 556)
Credit card knife: (Location 562)
To get a free credit card knife and to watch a video of how the knife works, visit SpyEscape.com. (Location 566)
Tier Two: Laptop Bag Gear or Purse Gear (Location 567)
Bulletproof panel: (Location 570)
Spare ammunition: (Location 576)
Lock pick kit: (Location 578)
Poncho: (Location 580)
QuikClot: (Location 582)
Flashlight: (Location 585)
Multi-tool: (Location 587)
Auto jiggler: (Location 589)
Duct tape: (Location 594)
Fire source: (Location 597)
Paracord: (Location 598)
Voice recorder: (Location 600)
Tier Three: Vehicle Gear (Location 604)
Toolbox: (Location 609)
Seventy-two-hour kit: (Location 630)
Pay close attention and be sure to follow any travel warnings issued regarding the country you are traveling to. Make sure you have the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Note possible exit strategies should you have to flee during a natural disaster or civil unrest. (Location 697)
HUMINT at Home (Location 700)
In the event of a major disaster, you may need immediate access to some or all of these places: Exits and chokeholds: If you had to escape on foot or by car, which route would you take? Chokeholds are places where congestion or blockage is likely to occur. If you know where such places exist, you’ll be able to avoid them in an emergency. Hospitals: How far are you from the closest hospital? If that hospital were inaccessible, where would you go? Pharmacy: It’s important to know where you could purchase medications you might need if you or a family member is injured or becomes sick. Water sources: One of the first things I learned about my new community is that I live about a hundred yards from a river, and about three miles from (Location 706)
The police department: (Location 718)
Your local municipal airport: (Location 720)
BECOME AN ESCAPE ARTIST (Location 752)
How to Escape Duct Tape (Location 767)
How to Escape from Zip Ties (Location 802)
How to Escape from Rope (Location 830)
How to Escape from Handcuffs (Location 849)
THE IMPENETRABLE HOME (Location 1012)
Tactic One: Case Your Own Neighborhood (Location 1039)
Look for the signals that a burglar seeks out to determine whether someone is home. Observe newspapers, mail, or any other papers that are delivered. Are newspapers lying in a pile on the sidewalk? Is mail bursting out of the mailbox? What do the lawns look like? Are they mowed and well cared for? Who leaves their garage door open (more on that in a bit)? These are all open invitations to burglars—they all suggest that the house is unoccupied. It’s also especially important to bring in the trash cans after the garbage is picked up. It’s easy for burglars to figure out when trash day is, and then note who still has their trash cans out a few days later, meaning that homeowner is probably out of town. You want your home to project a secure image. Noting who has these particular items in check is the first step toward making sure your house appears to be the most secure house on the street. (Location 1043)
Tactic Two: Case Your Own House (Location 1071)
Walk around the entire perimeter of your home. Note any places where a criminal could potentially hide, including any overgrown shrubs or bushes. You want to make sure that if someone is in your yard, either you or your neighbors are easily going to see them. (Location 1077)
Also look for symbols that suggest your home is full of valuables. Is there an expensive car parked in your driveway? Is your extremely large flat screen TV easily visible from the front yard because you forgot to close the blinds? (Location 1079)
Clean Up for Safety (Location 1083)
A scooter makes an excellent device for breaking glass windows. The same goes for any tools or other objects that can be used as a projectile. Any garden implements, shovels, or other tools need to be out of sight and securely locked. (Location 1084)
Tactic Three: Case Your House at Night (Location 1086)
Walk the perimeter and think about where you’d hide if you were a criminal. Would you know if there was someone hiding behind the area where you keep your trashcans? Is it too dark to tell? Note dark spots where criminals could hide, especially near your front door. Pay attention to lighting. Is the perimeter of your home well lit? Would you be able to see an intruder approaching? Take note of what the weaknesses are. (Location 1088)
Don’t Forget About the Garage (Location 1092)
Psychological and Physical Tricks (Location 1105)
Home Security Signage (Location 1108)
The Invisible Dog (Location 1113)
Am I on Camera? (Location 1117)
Driveway Alarm (Location 1164)
The Safest House on the Block: Safety Measures You Can Take Today (Location 1173)
Sight Lines (Location 1175)
Lighting (Location 1178)
Secure Your Windows (Location 1181)
There’s an Intruder—Now What? (Location 1195)
What I’ll Be Doing I’ll grab my flashlight, open my quick-opening safe and grab my gun. I’ll run to the top of the stairs, because the stairs are our choke point. This is the place where a criminal will be forced to pass if he is to get to my wife and kids. I’m going to tell the intruder I’ve called 911 and I have gun. (Location 1199)
If the criminal is foolish enough to come up the stairs to attack me and my family I will do what’s necessary to stop him. What My Wife Will Be Doing My wife is going to call 911. Then she’s going to try and get our children and herself in the same room while I’m at the top of the stairs blocking the choke point. (Location 1204)
Keep It Simple (Location 1208)
A good home defense plan should be simple and quick. (Location 1208)
Flashlight and weapon (I use a gun, but you could use a knife, bat, or other blunt object). Family member who calls 911. A chokepoint (defense position) where you will go to make sure that nobody gets past you. (Location 1213)
TRAVEL SAFETY (Location 1251)
How to Enjoy a Safe Hotel Stay Where to Book Your Room Stay between floors three and six. Criminals target the first two floors because they can quickly rob the rooms and then have quick access to a getaway car. You don’t want to stay higher than the sixth floor because in the United States a fire truck ladder will reach only to the sixth floor. If there’s a fire and you’re on the seventy-seventh floor, you’ve got a long way to get down. Do not stay near a stairwell. Criminals will often target rooms next to the stairwells since they provide easy access to escape. Practice situational awareness and make sure you are not followed off of the elevator. Should you ever suspect you are being followed off the elevator, do not enter your room. Call for help. Depending on the severity of the situation and what your gut tells you, you might call the front desk or the police. (Location 1460)
Protect Yourself and Your Belongings Do not forget to use your lock. The second you walk into your room, lock the door. Use a door alarm stopper. This is a very inexpensive security item that can save your vacation—if not your life. Simply set the alarm in front of your door while you’re in your room, and it will be set off automatically if someone opens your door, resulting in an extremely loud noise. (Location 1468)
Hotel Room Fire Protection Locate the exits. Before settling into your room, find the exits and note how many doors down the exits are. Note if you have to turn a corner, and which way you would have to go. You want to be able to locate the exits quickly even if you are unable to see. Consider investing in smoke hoods and gas masks. This is crucial if you need to travel to a third-world country. This is what executive protection agents carry with them when protecting people in certain overseas areas. Bring a hotel escape bag. This is a simple, light bag containing a few essential items that can save your life. A hotel escape bag usually contains about fifty feet of rope (about ten feet per floor), gloves for rope burn, and a carabiner that can support a weight of around thirteen hundred pounds. This is all you really need to get yourself safely out of a hotel room. In the (Location 1472)
event you needed to escape, you would clip your carabiner around a heavy piece of furniture (or around door hinges), and then use the rope to ease yourself to safety through a window. (Location 1479)
HOW TO RUN COUNTERSURVEILLANCE LIKE A PRO (Location 1491)
Most Crimes Are Crimes of Opportunity (Location 1524)
Would You Know If You Were Being Followed? (Location 1538)
Situational Awareness Is the First Step (Location 1576)
One time=an accident Two times=a coincidence Three times=enemy action (Location 1584)
A person walking too close to you on the street: As I’ve mentioned, a person who intends to do you harm will start matching your pacing. If you take small steps, he will match your small steps stride per stride. This is a big indicator that something is going to happen. Someone making intense eye contact with you: If a person is staring you down, this is a sign that something is going to happen. People (Location 1592)
usually look away when someone meets their stare. That is the normal human reaction. A person who seems way too interested in you: If someone is appearing at the same place and the same time during your daily routine (school drop off, the coffee shop, the bus stop, the gym), monitor that person and keep an eye on him. (Location 1595)
I’m Under Surveillance: Now What? (Location 1608)
Tactic One: The Pause and Turn (Location 1622)
Tactic Two: The Acknowledgment (Location 1628)
Tactic Three: Don’t Be a Soft Target (Location 1635)
Tactic Four: Stay Public (Location 1639)
Check Their Shoes If you’re on foot and you suspect you are under surveillance, pay attention to the person’s shoes to determine if it’s the same person who is following you. It’s easy to remove or put on a baseball cap, sunglasses, or other items that may quickly make it harder to identify a particular individual. However, it’s not as easy to carry around an extra pair of shoes. The shoes a person is wearing will likely remain the same. (Location 1649)
Tactic Five: Slow Down and Mix Things Up (Location 1652)
When You Have a High Threat Level (Location 1656)
Change Your Behavior (Location 1661)
Vary the time you leave the house in the morning. Change the route and timing of your commute. Mix up your activities. If you buy coffee at the same coffee shop every day, vary your routine so that you’re hitting different places at different times. Visit restaurants you haven’t been to before. Take a different route home from work. (Location 1664)
Extreme Surveillance (Location 1690)
Parallel Surveillance (Location 1694)
What You’ll Need Two or more vehicles Knowledge of the roads (they must be parallel) How it works: The first vehicle would follow the target, keeping a reasonable amount of distance between the cars. The other vehicle would follow the target on streets parallel to the route you are driving on. This enables the additional vehicles to take over the surveillance should the target take a turn. (Location 1695)
Leap Frog Surveillance What You’ll Need (Location 1699)
words (optional) (Location 1701)
How it works: This method requires both multiple vehicles and radios for constant contact. If you really wanted to channel your inner James Bond, you and your partner would create a series of code words to describe what is happening with your target. As the name suggests, this method of surveillance involves telling the people ahead that the target is approaching. This means the original car doesn’t need to slow down or pull back, making your presence less obvious to the target. (Location 1702)
Try to Confuse the Surveillance Team The best way to lose someone who may have you under surveillance is to simply start messing with them. Pass a random note to a complete stranger in order to throw off the surveillance … or walk into a store and start having a random conversation. These simple actions can confuse or throw off a surveillance team. (Location 1706)
Picket Surveillance What You’ll Need A team of individuals Radios Knowledge of the immediate area (Location 1709)
SOCIAL ENGINEERING SECRETS (Location 1722)
Why We Fall for It: Cognitive Biases (Location 1772)
Affect Heuristic (Location 1782)
Affect heuristic is what’s happening when you’re having an immediate gut reaction. (Location 1783)
The Decoy Effect (Location 1788)
The Ostrich Effect (Location 1799)
People tend to want lots of information, when it’s good news. If the information is negative, even if it’s helpful, people often opt not to know. (Location 1799)
Optimism Bias (Location 1805)
Recency Bias (Location 1812)
Don’t Let Cognitive Biases Get You Scammed (Location 1817)
The Law of Reciprocity: When You Don’t Necessarily Want to Return the Favor (Location 1826)
Why You Don’t Always Want to Be the Good Samaritan (Location 1847)
Pretexting (Location 1873)
Pretexting is when a scenario is invented to engage a person so that he will perform actions or give away information that he (Location 1877)
How Can You Spot a Pretext? The pretexter usually prepares by having answers ready. He anticipates what he may need to know to sound authoritative. A good pretexter is quick and ready to handle whatever direction the situation may go. Trust your gut and know something might be off if the person doesn’t have all the answers. An example of this is the guy who pulls a woman over but isn’t wearing a uniform or driving a marked car. (Location 1885)
The details don’t add up. Imagine a friend telling you, “Oh, we’re just having a small family dinner for New Year’s.” Yet there are thirty cars parked in front of her house and you can hear the music from all the way down the street. It’s too good to be true. Not many of us have wealthy Nigerian uncles. If you get an email saying he has $50 million waiting for you, it’s a scam and you should ignore it. Your credit card company shouldn’t be calling you, asking for personal information. If your credit card company calls you, hang up and call them using the number on the back of your card. (Location 1889)
Distraction Robberies (Location 1895)
HOW TO BE A HUMAN LIE DETECTOR (Location 1997)
Establish a Baseline (Location 2049)
What’s the Person’s Baseline? (Location 2056)
Tactic One: Make Him Comfortable (Location 2062)
Tactic Two: Ask What He Already Knows (Location 2068)
Tactic Three: Watch Him Like a Hawk (Location 2072)
with clothes (adjusting tie, collar, sleeves, etc.) (Location 2079)
The Lying Behaviors (Location 2082)
The First Three to Five Seconds (Location 2087)
The Indirect Answer (Location 2092)
The Freeze (Location 2116)
It’s common for a person who is guilty to move (Location 2117)
around less and freeze. (Location 2118)
The Over-Stare (Location 2122)
The Overreaction (Location 2134)
People who are lying tend to have extreme overreactions when confronted. Their intention is to beat you down—and make you feel ridiculous for even questioning their behavior. (Location 2135)
The Light Punisher (Location 2145)
It’s no surprise that someone who is guilty is going to be more inclined to suggest a lighter punishment. (Location 2146)
The Indirect Answer (Location 2153)
The Head Shake (Location 2161)
HOW TO DISAPPEAR WITHOUT A TRACE (Location 2169)
Disappearing: The Three-Part Process (Location 2202)
Step 1: Misinformation (Location 2208)
Skip Tracers: They’ll Be Looking for You (Location 2222)
Step 2: Disinformation (Location 2241)
Step 3: Reformation (Location 2252)
Just Like the President, You’ll Never Drive Again (Location 2264)
Habits Need to Be Broken (Location 2273)
Communication: Tricky, but Not Impossible (Location 2281)
The Prepaid Cell Phone (Location 2281)
The Break Phone (Location 2290)
Go to a store and buy one prepaid cell phone (using cash) and have them activate it for you. Go to another store and buy a second prepaid phone. And go to a third store and buy a third prepaid phone, so you now have a total of three phones. Take the first prepaid phone (phone one) and give it to the friend or family member that you’ve insisted on staying in contact with. (Location 2295)
Make sure you write down the phone number so you know the number to reach them at. Take the second prepaid phone (phone two) and set up call forwarding on it so that it automatically forwards to phone one. In other words, if anyone calls the second phone it immediately forwards to the first phone you’ve given to your family member. Once call forwarding is set up on phone two, you destroy phone two. Smash it in a thousand pieces and throw it in a river. Phone three is the phone you use to call phone two, which automatically forwards on to phone one. I know this can be a little confusing, but you’ve essentially put a middleman between you so that no one can track you (not even the National Security Agency). Just remember, only you can call your loved one; he or she cannot call you. The phones would need to be replaced frequently, at least once a month. (Location 2298)
Live the Disguise: How to Become Invisible (Location 2313)
New Hair Color Is Not Enough (Location 2320)
Change Your Features (Location 2371)
Hair (Location 2371)
Size and Posture (Location 2376)
Abandon Your Regular Style—Permanently (Location 2379)
Building a Disguise Kit (Location 2384)
Wigs Fake mustaches, goatees, and moles Temporary tattoos Sunglasses Hats and baseball caps Nonprescription glasses Fake eyelashes Clip-on earrings Fake piercings Clothing that fits whoever you were trying to be—hippie, conservative (Location 2386)
ring (if you wanted to appear unmarried, you would take your ring off in advance, to allow time for the dent on your finger to go away) Jewelry and watches (Location 2393)