The Spy in Moscow Station: A Counterspy's Hunt for a Deadly Cold War Threat

The Spy in Moscow Station: A Counterspy's Hunt for a Deadly Cold War Threat by Eric Haseltine

The Russians and Americans were always trying to out-spy each other. The local embassies were a central point. This is both the "hub" of spying activity as well as a location in the land of the enemy. They each tried to spy as much as possible without getting caught. This book details some intricate tricks they used based on physics. Sound waves travel through the air and can be "caught" by antennas. Similarly radio waves can be used to send signals over various distances. Less known is the waves that are produced from physical activity. A computer may emit a small wave when turned on. Even the most minute signal can be picked up to some extent. Russia had been very keen on exploiting signals and various techniques are taught.

This book details the case of bugged embassy typewriters. The electronic typewriters had small transmitters in them which would encode and transmit the keystrokes made. They would transmit in a bandwidth typically used by local television to help evade detection. An antenna (which was eventually discovered by the Americans) was in the building to pick up these transmissions. The "spyware" was so carefully engineered that it evaded detection for years and only a persistent analyst was able to finally detect it. 

The engineering problem is only part of the story. The human factor was almost more of a challenge. Both sides were walking a diplomatic fine line. The Soviets knew they could often sew descent within the US to let various groups fight amongst themselves.  This continues to remain a challenge today. Russia can simply polarize Americans and let them fight each other.