Q&A for How to Spy on People

Hold your breath, and try to keep a straight face. Think of something serious, and try to distract yourself until you no longer have the urge to laugh.

You can hide it in a pocket, a purse or a backpack.

Tell them that you aren't, but make sure you don't lay it on too thick, or they won't believe you. Always have at least three backup excuses, just in case.

You will need binoculars, Spy Pens, cameras, note pads, pens, various mirrors, and make-up.

They would either be cautious around you or try to get away from you when they see you near.

Yes. A secret agent is someone who is undetected. You can't watch the target with binoculars around people and remain undetected. You must be very careful.

Missions can be defined as any set goal you have, so you can come up with your own missions or ask others to come up with missions for you!

If your target catches you, pretend to be doing something else, such as searching for a friend. If they confront you, give them an excuse that is appropriate for your surroundings.

If you think someone is spying on you and you think it's serious, tell someone you trust. If you think it's really serious, you may want to get the police involved.

Then you're screwed. Always plan an excuse before trying to spy or just make one up on the spot.

It is bad if you're doing it in a wrong way, for example, stalking someone. But professional spying is good, because we deliberately target people who are doing bad things and we try to stop them from being bad.

It would depend on what you're doing. If you're spying on a sibling, then the worst that could happen is punishment from your parents. If you're spying on a friend, you could lose their trust. If you're spying on a stranger, you could get in trouble with them and your parents. If you're an adult, then you're dealing with a whole host of possible legal consequences.

It's probably best to give that person some space for awhile so that you don't keep making them feel uncomfortable. In the future, try to be more elusive.

Don't do anything suspicious when they are around. Act totally normal and boring and eventually they will stop. If the person is a sibling, make sure to hide anything private (like your diary), and make sure you're alone before having private conversations on the phone, etc.

Wear navy blue, camouflage, or dark colors, but not black. Check out this article on How to Sneak Around at Night .

There's a lot of affordable spy gear, such as binoculars, flash drives (for storing your confidential documents), notebooks, spy pens, etc. Keep in mind, the smaller and more easily-disguised, the better.

Invest in spy gear, keep your secrets and work hard to complete your missions.

It is neither necessary, nor is it advised, to bring any weapon.

Keep it low-key, and have an excuse in case you get caught. Also, act like you’re doing something else.

If you're spying on people you don't know, then there's a much greater risk of you getting into legal trouble if they call the police.

If you're following someone for long distances, it helps if you stay a block away from them and walk on the other side of the street. Since this can sometimes still seem suspicious, vary how far away you are from them without getting too close, and pretend to be interested in the store windows.

You will have to be very stealthy, as a spy will know all of the usual tricks!

Stay as far away from the target as you can! Getting too close can make it obvious that you're spying on them.

Fill the footprints back in with snow. It will be easier if you walk backward.

That depends on which location is more natural for you. The funfair is generally easier since you don't need to bring a bathing suit or know how to swim. Make sure to bring suitable items for each location and have a good excuse if someone suspects.

Hold it in, and run to the nearest suitable place (e.g., a bathroom sink or toilet, or the ground outside). If you get caught, just say you have a small stomach bug (or just got grossed out or ate a bit too fast/much) and ask them if they have any mouthwash or breath mints on them. Find some to clear your mouth out and then continue the mission when you start to feel better.

Yes, but you must have an excuse, e.g. you were too scared to sleep in your own bed or you had a nightmare. When you spy on them, pretend you're asleep if you're going in bed with them, or if you're out of bed, eavesdrop on them from outside the room. They might do or say something interesting when they think you're fast asleep.

Spying is considered evil because it's invasion of privacy. It makes people uncomfortable to think that someone is watching them or stealing their information that shouldn't be.

Depending on where you are, it may or may not be safe for you to go spying. If you are spying in a crowded area, like a mall, or near the target area without being suspecious (e.g., you are eavesdropping near your parent's room, and your room is right next to theirs), then your smell probably won't matter. You can have a friend spy if you trust them very well and if they won't be out of place. If the mission is really urgent and you are the only one, and your smell will give you away, then you should either avoid smelly stuff or at least know how to clean it off in time. You can even use the motivation to get those as a reward after the spy mission is completed.

Hide it in a box in your closet or under your bed. Don't label it "spy gear".