Which device records the numbers dialed from a telephone as part of electronic surveillance?

Which device records the numbers dialed from a telephone as part of electronic surveillance?

• A. Pen register
• B. Wiretap
• C. Tracing device
• D. Bug

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how different surveillance tools capture information. The device that records the numbers dialed on a telephone line is a pen register. It logs the digits someone dials, along with timing and duration details, without capturing the actual conversation. This makes it the right choice when the focus is on dialing data rather than content. A wiretap, in contrast, records the actual audio of the call, so it wouldn’t serve when you only need the numbers dialed. A tracing device isn’t the standard term for logging dialed numbers, and a bug records sound covertly. So the tool that matches the described function is the pen register.

The concept being tested is how different surveillance tools capture information. The device that records the numbers dialed on a telephone line is a pen register. It logs the digits someone dials, along with timing and duration details, without capturing the actual conversation. This makes it the right choice when the focus is on dialing data rather than content. A wiretap, in contrast, records the actual audio of the call, so it wouldn’t serve when you only need the numbers dialed. A tracing device isn’t the standard term for logging dialed numbers, and a bug records sound covertly. So the tool that matches the described function is the pen register.