1. • What are faraday bags used for?
2. • How do our faraday bags change the investigation process?
3. • For what other applications can your RF shielding tools be used?
4. • How do you test your bags?
5. • Can an iPhone and other touch screen devices be operated through the window?
6. • Do mobile device batteries die more quickly inside of faraday bags?
7. • Can I have my company/department logo silk screened on the bags?
8. • I would like a custom bag, can you help me make one?
9. • How are your products such high quality while prices maintain competitive?
10. • When will I need to replace my bag?

What are faraday bags used for?

A typical forensics faraday bag is built for cell phones, GPS devices, netbooks, PDA, iPads, and other types of mobile devices.  A device is placed inside of the bag, the bag is sealed, and signals are blocked from leaving or entering the bag.  This procedure ensures that chain of custody is maintained with evidence from point of seizure.  Not only can new texts, calls, GPS points, or other data come in and affect time of seizure or overwrite deleted date, but many phones provide the ability to remotely wipe data, remote lock the device, remote track, or remote listen using the phone's microphone.  MobileMe from Apple, for instance, allows nearly all of these functions.

So what happens to evidence once it is placed inside of the bag?  With other faraday bags the answer is "I don't know."  The standard procedure with other faraday bags is to place the device inside, attach evidence card, seal the bag, and send it off to the lab.  Our faraday bags have redefined this process.

How do our faraday bags change the investigation process?

Our bags redefine the process of securing mobile devices, allow investigators to:

• • Preview Evidence - Data can be safely previewed on-scene to provide actionable intelligence
• • Check Battery Status - If the device dies, the point of using a faraday bag in the first place is negated.  Batteries die faster inside of faraday bags, as devices "search harder" to connect to networks
• • Check Phone Condition - Damaged devices require different procedures for data recovery.  For example, a damaged phone might be sent to an entirely different lab than an intact phone
• • Assess Trace Evidence - If blood, fibers, fingerprints, or other trace evidence exist on the device, procedures can again change.  (We recommend using an evidence bag to contain trace evidence)
• • Find Appropriate Power Cable - Powering mobile devices sometimes has to occur in the field

For what other applications can your RF shielding tools be used?

 Although our website is geared towards investigators, we have sold RF shielding tools for a wide range of applications including:

• • Cell phone network testing
• • WIFI network testing
• • General GPS tracker testing
• • Cargo GPS tracker testing
• • Personal data security

How do you test your bags?

This is a very important question.  All of our bags have been tested using the bag itself.  Most manufacturers of faraday bags will provide you with a single test result, such as "100 db."  This is almost always a figure provided by the manufacturer of the faraday material, which represents the shielding properties of the fabric itself, not the bag!  When purchasing a faraday bag, always ask the manufacturer for a test report of the finished bags.  Chances are, they will not be able to provide you with it.  Beware, we have tested competitor's bags that shield half as well as they claim.

 eDEC faraday bags are all tested using the finished bag itself.  We take precautions to make sure the testing environment is correct and list our testing procedure and results on our Testing page.  You can be confident that our bags actually do what they say they will!

Can an iPhone and other touch screen devices be operated through the window?

Due to iPhone capacitive touch screen technology, this bag does not support iPhone operation through the window with ease.  iPhones can be operated, but the user is required to contort the faraday bag and usage is inconsistent.  Full support technology for capacitive screen usage is coming soon.

Do mobile device batteries die more quickly inside of faraday bags?

Cell phones and other mobile devices will search "harder" for a network signal when the signal is lost inside the bag, causing battery life to be shorter than normal.  Provision for power should be expected immediately.  It is not recommended to run cables inside of the bag to keep the phone charged as the level of shielding is reduced, unless you are using one of our travel bags with a shielded USB attachment.

Can I have my company/department logo silk screened on the bags?

Absolutely!  Please send us an inquiry with bag quantity, desired logo or information, etc.  We will send you our pricing for branded bags.  Order quantities over 100 will include free silk screening. 

I would like a custom bag, can you help me make one?

Our products are great because we listen to our customers.  If you need a custom solution based on special requirements, please let us know.  We have made custom bags for end-users in the past, and we consider it our specialty to do so.  No other company in the industry can match our strength in this area.

How are your products such high quality while prices maintain competitive?

Our design and manufacturing processes are tightly controlled.  Though we offer a number of products that you might consider as "accessories", nothing is an "accessory" to us.  Each product we make is carefully considered for quality and price, and the final result is deliberate in every way.

When will I need to replace my bag?

The length of faraday bag life is entirely dependent on frequency of use, types of use, usage environment, etc.  The metalized fabric is the most sensitive part of the bag, and is susceptible to rust if used continuously in wet environments, which can result in failure.  Please check the condition of the bag before each use and replace if necessary.

We recommend keeping our faraday bags inside of an airtight container/bag as this will lengthen their lifespan.