How to Detect Hidden Hotel Cameras with Python and Scapy

1. Introduction

Recently, hidden cameras have been discovered in hotels, causing public concern. This article explains how to use Python to analyze a hotel network and detect pinhole cameras.

2. Principle

Because pinhole cameras are small, they usually lack storage and transmit video over the hotel's Wi‑Fi. By scanning the local network with Python's scapy module and identifying device manufacturers from MAC addresses, suspicious camera devices can be detected.

3. Required Environment

Ubuntu, Python 3.5, PyCharm.

4. Steps

Use scapy to construct an ARP broadcast packet.

Send the ARP broadcast on the LAN.

Collect responses; the ans variable contains ARP request and reply packets.

Parse the returned packets to extract each host's MAC address.

Query the MAC address manufacturer using an online lookup service (e.g., https://mac.51240.com/).

Enter the MAC address to obtain detailed information.

Extract the organization name from the lookup page.

Use a regular expression to match the organization name directly.

Run the program and view the results.

5. Conclusion

The method uses scapy to send ARP broadcasts, collects MAC addresses, queries a third‑party platform for device information, and helps identify suspicious devices such as hidden cameras in a hotel environment.