Cameras also seem to be more common at traffic intersections and doorways. But they're also on cell phones and other places people would not expect.

How small can cameras be?

"They're small enough to fish one down your stomach," Hess said.

Many police agencies throughout Utah have reported cell phone cameras being used to spy on people in tanning salons and dressing rooms. But tiny cameras also can catch criminals. Hess said security cameras at the Eccles Broadcast Center recently caught someone carrying away VCR units.

Dave Packham, a technology research and development specialist at the U., said Webcams left plugged into computers can be used for spying. Packham said a simple Trojan virus, a program timed to go off at a certain date or time, can activate a Webcam. In the blink of an eye, you could become the unwitting star of your own reality show.

Securing personal computers has been an ongoing battle for several years now. Firewalls and anti-virus programs fight against hackers gaining access to personal information. The popularity of wireless networks has added a new layer of risk to computer security, Hess said.

Packham said many consumers don't bother to take the time to learn how to encrypt their wireless networks. Packham recalls proving his point during a staff meeting.

"I had a Bluetooth PDA. I searched and gained access to a woman's Mac. Lo and behold, I called up her picture folder and I downloaded a picture of her. I put it on my screen and held it up to her," Packham said.

A protective Web

Packham and other computer experts say there are some simple rules that can help you protect yourself online:

• Be aware if someone asks you for personal information. People can pose as anyone online.

• Make sure you download Windows patches often and run updates for your anti-virus and firewall software.

• Be conscious of what you type in and store on your computer.

• Allowing kids to do online gaming on your business computer could allow hackers to snoop around without you knowing it.

• If you are using peer-to-peer, file-sharing software, be sure to restrict what files you want to publicly share.

• Download a spyware removal program. There are many available online that will seek out and remove programs unknowingly installed on your computer to spy on you.

• Be careful not to do private things, such as online banking, at public computers — like at public libraries or photo copy shops. Keystroke programs can be installed that will record every key you press, allowing others to gain access to important log-ins and passwords.