jammer

Authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department are warning residents in Los Angeles’ Wilshire-area neighborhoods of a series of burglaries involving wifi jamming technology that can disarm surveillance cameras and alarms using a wireless signal.

According to police, the burglaries typically involve three to four suspects who enter homes through a second story balcony.

Once inside, the thieves target primary bedrooms in search of high-end jewelry, purses, U.S. currency and other valuables.

Man found dead in pond of Southern California apartment complex

“On many occasions, these suspects will have a getaway vehicle and driver to act as a look out,” authorities said in a community alert.

To deter these types of burglaries, authorities provided the following tips:

• Ensure your electrical circuit boxes are secured with a padlock to make it harder for thieves to tamper with alarm systems


• Never tell Uber, Lyft or taxi drivers or post on social media that you will be on vacation or away from home


• Stay alert for suspicious vehicles with temporary or dealer plates, as well as rental vehicles


• Share your cellphone number with trusted neighbors and ask them to clear your mail and keep an eye on your residence if you plan to be away


• Place cameras around the home and ensure that the alarm DVR is secure and cannot be tampered with


• Consider moving to an alarm system that is hard wired rather than running on a wireless signal


• Provide extra security such as a pole to sliding glass doors to eliminate easy opening


• Place tracking devices, such as Apple AirTags, on valuable items like jewelry boxes, purses or vehicles


• See what shrubbery or trees can be trimmed or cut to keep your residence highly visible


• Install proper lighting and security signage and always leave light on in your home, especially while away

Anyone with information on any of these crimes is encouraged to contact LAPD’s Wilshire Burglary Detectives at Wilshireburglary@lapd.online. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.

A recent caution has been issued for those who rely on wireless security cameras like "Ring" for safeguarding their residence.

In Detroit, a woman reported that her Ring camera failed to record the theft of her car from the front of her residence. An expert in the area suggests that this occurrence signifies the growing technological expertise of criminals.

The woman stated that her car was stolen from her driveway earlier this month. Upon reviewing the footage from her Ring camera, she noticed that there were missing hours.

The statement made by Chris Burns, the proprietor of Techie Gurus, highlights that security cameras relying on WiFi for recording purposes are primarily focused on convenience rather than security. This is attributed to the vulnerability of WiFi signals to interference, potentially leading to the camera's inability to effectively surveil the surroundings of your home, a concern that criminals are exploiting.

According to Burns, using wireless for security measures is a flawed approach. He pointed out that wireless signals can be easily interfered with or obstructed.

These individuals can employ this as a wifi jamming device, or a deauther, that could potentially be as compact as an Apple Watch.

By standing within close range, a deauther can overpower a WiFi system, compelling the WiFi camera to cease its recording operations. This accessory is available at a relatively affordable price, typically ranging from $10 to $50. On the other hand, a jammer comes at a significantly higher cost, with prices ranging from $150 to $1,000.

Due to their illegal nature, singal jammer are not easily accessible. Nevertheless, a strong camera jammer can effectively stop an entire street from being captured on WiFi security cameras by a mere push of a button.

In a statement, a representative from Ring highlighted the potential impact of WiFi signal interference on Ring device performance, similar to other wifi-enabled devices. Customers encountering connectivity issues are urged to seek help from Ring Customer Support.

How can customers protect themselves?

According to Burns, true security can only be achieved by utilizing hard-wired connections like ethernet.

The spokesperson representing Ring stated that they are mindful of the situation, highlighting its infrequency.

According to Burns, as technology becomes more affordable, the demand for jammers is expected to rise. Hence, it is imperative to ensure that people are adequately educated on this subject.

Feb. 16 started like any typical Friday night. My husband and I decided to stay home, grill chicken and make a salad for dinner. At about 6:45 p.m., we heard some loud rumbling overhead.

We walked onto the back patio, and two police helicopters were overhead – shining lights all over our property, and a recording echoed, "Police. You are under arrest. Stay right there and I won't shoot you."

As I looked across the fence, a swarm of armed members of the Phoenix SWAT Team with a few dogs were circling our property. One of the guys said, “Yeah, there’s a signal jammer right here.” He picked it up. I leaned over the patio and asked, “What’s going on?”

The police told me to go inside

A SWAT member said, “Ma’am, A South American gang is targeting homes to steal from. The cell phone jammer says you might have been next. Do we have permission to enter your property?” I said, “Yes!” and then he asked something like, “If we find anyone, will you pursue charges so we can arrest them?” I replied, “Of course!”

I opened the driveway gates to our property and the guest house while Barry tossed the police keys to open the security gates. It turns out that when the gang saw we were home, they likely diverted their attention to the house next door. A house four doors down from us wasn't so lucky.

The homeowner left at 5 p.m. to have dinner and got a notification his security cameras were offline at 5:05 pm. He thought the internet went down. The gang broke in and took $25,000 in cash and valuables worth $100,000. They were in and out in less than 10 minutes.

How are they getting away with this?

The gang places cellular and wifi jammer around the homes they’re targeting. This way, security cameras and phones are useless. A Phoenix police officer told me the gang probably noticed nothing was down in our house.

Our home’s security cameras and internet are hard-wired. Even when the thieves tried to jam the Wi-Fi signals, the security camera’s red lights showed they were recording everything. We also still have a landline.

But how frightening is that? Your phone doesn't work. Your cameras aren't recording anything. On the upside, the gang doesn't carry guns. If they get caught, they'll spend about six months in jail before being extradited to Chile.

If you’d like to watch the action captured by my security cameras, I showed them during a Kim Komando Today video stream. I am so thankful for our police force.

Nothing is random

The gang thoroughly scopes out homes beforehand. They drive the neighborhood and look up homes on real estate sites to get an idea of where the primary bedroom is located. They look for dogs, too.

It’s not only a problem in Phoenix. This is happening all over the country. A friend was robbed by a similar gang in a guard-gated community in California. Kudos to Phoenix Police – they arrested three members of the gang who were in my neighborhood that night.

How to stop wifi jammer attacks on home security systems

The internet was abuzz with a viral news story from Queens, New York, which showcased a burglar effortlessly sliding across the floor while holding an enigmatic device. According to reports, this device was suspected to be a wifi jammer, strategically employed by the intruder to disable the home's wifi network and render the alarm system inoperable, allowing him to carry out his activities undetected.

Is this even possible? Yes, yes it is.

So what is a wifi jammer?

In essence, these jamming devices generate a frequency that disrupts the functioning of 3G, 4G, 5G, cordless, and wifi networks. Essentially, they affect all of these networks.

The presence of excessive noise disrupts the functioning of devices that rely on those frequencies for their normal operation. This interference extends to emergency networks used by first responders, which is the reason why the use of such devices is deemed illegal. However, these unauthorized devices are produced and traded on the black market, and individuals can potentially create their own. It is strongly recommended not to search for instructions online, as it may lead to being monitored by authorities.

Through the generation of disruptive noise, a signal blocker device disrupts the frequencies utilized by our devices, preventing their proper functioning. This interference extends beyond the intended targets, affecting a significant number of devices.

With this new information in mind, do you foresee any issues with your phones, alarm sensors, alarm base station, smart locks, and wifi cameras? It is a potential risk.

You might be wondering about this: "Andy, my alarm system has a cellular backup for when the wifi goes down. Will it still be functional?" Sadly, the answer is no. The sensors will be unable to establish communication with the base station due to the interference caused by these jammers. It is crucial to keep in mind that these jammers not only disrupt wifi signals but also block mobile spectrums, rendering your base station incapable of making calls over wifi or a cellular network.

How To Stop Wifi Jammer and Deauth Attacks

With knowledge about the nature and outcomes of these attacks, what steps should we take to defend against them? Have you remembered my caution about refraining from showcasing the alarm company branded sign in your yard?

This serves as an explanation as to why it is crucial to keep your home security methods confidential to avoid being targeted by criminals who could exploit your defenses. It is quite simple to identify companies that utilize the 2.4 GHz band.

When selecting new smart home products, ensure they are dual-band or compatible with the 5 gigahertz frequency. I've read about the potential benefits of WPA3 security in preventing these attacks, but as a novice, I cannot confirm its effectiveness. Regrettably, wireless alarm systems are still at risk of jammer attacks.

Select the old-fashioned route by installing a fully wired home alarm system that is connected to a landline. If there are no wireless components, then you should have no issues.

Local storage is a key feature in cameras provided by companies like Ring. This feature allows the cameras to continue recording clips even if there is a wifi outage or cloud storage is not accessible. While you may not receive notifications during such circumstances, you can still access the footage by simply checking the SD card inserted in the camera itself.

To ensure the reliability of your home security, it is recommended to consider adding a cost-effective local storage camera to your existing wifi camera system. By doing so, you can mitigate the risk of losing all footage in the event of a jammer or deauth attack. However, it is crucial to note that if the attackers identify the camera, they may try to vandalize it and take it along.

The police have reason to believe that this technology has been employed in a sequence of nine robberies in Edina.

It has come to the attention of authorities in Edina, Minnesota that a serial burglar has been employing a Wi-Fi jammer to disrupt the functioning of connected security cameras. This strategic move enables the burglar to carry out thefts and abscond with the valuable possessions of their victims.Minnesota is generally not recognized for its technological innovations, so it is understandable that incidents involving Wi-Fi jammers being used to facilitate burglaries in the U.S. have been documented for several years. This serves as a reminder that technology is being leveraged by criminals, and an increasing number are becoming adept at utilizing it -- thus, homeowners should take steps to protect themselves.

The Edina police force suspects that a total of nine burglaries that transpired in the past half-year may have involved the utilization of Wi-Fi jammers to prevent the retrieval of incriminating video footage by investigators. It is believed that the individuals behind these crimes have a specific modus operandi:

• Houses are found in affluent localities.


• The homes are closely observed by burglars.


• The robbers evade direct conflict, seeming to prefer waiting for houses to be deserted.


• Capitalizing on the vacancy of a house, the criminals will activate Wi-Fi jammers.


• Safes, jewelry, and other premium designer items are frequently the objects of theft.

In an interview with KARE11, a security expert provided insights into the operation of signal jammer. The expert clarified that these devices do not block signals but rather cause wireless devices to become disoriented. By overwhelming wireless traffic, wifi jammer effectively impede the passage of genuine traffic, as explained to the source publication.

Jamming wireless security devices is a growing trend

A thorough examination of news reports reveals a substantial body of evidence suggesting the involvement of Wi-Fi jammers in various burglary cases. As early as January 2020, a post shared on the Ring community platform recounted an incident where a wireless doorbell successfully deterred a porch thief through a Wi-Fi deauthentication attack. Additionally, an increasing number of reports from 2021 to 2023 highlight instances of burglars utilizing Wi-Fi jamming technology, with the frequency of these occurrences steadily rising over time.

Ring is acknowledged for being one of the companies that popularized video doorbells to address multiple home security concerns, however, other wireless smart home security devices from Blink (Amazon) and Nest (Google) may also be at risk of wireless signal interference.

Before wrapping up, we would like to offer a few recommendations to those who may have concerns regarding the effectiveness of their wireless home security systems. Firstly, consider establishing physical connections for certain devices that support wired connections and enable local storage of recorded footage. Secondly, make use of smart home technology that can create the illusion of someone being present at home. Additionally, your device may have the capability to send alerts in the event of signal or connection interruptions, so it might be worth exploring and adjusting these settings.

I read a few of the news articles and it sounds like the thieves are jamming WiFi and the sensors. This prevents the system from even triggering. The thieves are walking around the homes without the glass break, door, and motion sensors going off it seems.

Not commonplace, but getting some exposure in the news recently - gangs of organized thieves in metro Detroit area are targeting upper scale homes for burglaries. They are purportedly using wifi jammer to circumvent alarms (like Ring).

What can millions of Ring (and customers from other wifi-dependent alarm companies) do about this? IS there a viable counter to these signal jammer? Maybe it's time to explore legacy, analog wired alarm solutions as backup instead of the reverse?

They're using a wifi jammer, according to this article. No obvious way to prevent this, so hardwired systems would be the only resistant option.

Most Wi-Fi jammers use disassociation flooding to kick the devices off the network. This attack is prevented with WPA3 which can use protected management frames. Unfortunately Ring still hasn’t got around to adding WPA3 support to its devices. It was requested via their feature request process a long time ago, so I’m not overly hopeful they’ll add it.

There are trade offs and risks with each security system. There’s also different types of burglars from opportune amateurs to seasoned pros.

If you’re concerned about this threat, there’s a raft of solutions out there with high definition footage without any reliance on Wi-Fi or internet.

Whatever they're using for jamming must go beyond the WiFi frequencies to affect z-wave and whatever frequency Honeywell et al uses for their RF communications.

This makes sense because most alarm systems these days (even ADT/Brinx/etc) rely mostly on wireless sensors.

This is a huge vulnerability because it's pretty rare to find a security system that's been installed to use all hardwired sensors. To go hardwired you probably had to have it built-in as the house was built or did it while doing some major remodeling.

Cellular jammers are readily available. DSL, cable, or fiber are not jammable, but all devices need to be hardwired.

Zwave can be jammed just as easily as wifi. Cellular is great but if the door/window sensors are blocked and unable to report to the base station, the alarm won't think anything is wrong.

What I found when doing some simple research over the last couple of days is that different manufacturers use different frequencies for their devices so it might be a guessing game for the burglar, although my guess is that the professional burglars carry jammers for most of the common frequencies used by the big name brands like Ring, Simplisafe, Nest(ADT), etc.

To me it makes sense to have devices from different brands. Ring doorbell, ADT alarm, Wyze cameras, etc...

What's scary is that there are a bunch of videos on youtube demonstrating how easy it is to bypass these alarms AND with instructions telling you exactly how to do it and how to get the jammers.

Is this pervasive? If you watch the news, it’s pretty evident thieves aren’t concerned with cameras. They mask up and hood up and go. Be on alert, they have no fear.

Burglars can use wide-band jammers to jam all frequency bands : GSM, LTE, Wifi and Z-Wave. Some alarm systems are robust to such attacks (like Ajax Alarm System -- https://ajax.systems/blog/what-is-jamming/).

In short, the alarm hub must be hardwired with Ethernet to your router; And hub, router and modem on a battery backup. Then, only communications between sensors and hub can be jammed.

Then, alarm hub communicates frequently with sensors. If communication fails, it signals a jamming attack, notifying the user via hardwired Internet. With a working speaker on the hub, it can sound a siren and send a voice alert to the intruders.

SimpliSafe system is another system that offers some jamming protection, but lacks the Ethernet hardwired connection, so it must rely on a GSM/LTE link, which is still better than Wifi alone.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released a warning regarding the unauthorized use of cellular signal jammers, GPS blockers, or other signal jamming devices by individuals, stating that it is prohibited unless officially authorized by the government.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently released a memorandum on July 1, addressing the public's interest. In this memorandum, it was explicitly stated that the government-approved jammers can only be procured and utilized by states, union territories, defense forces, and central police organizations.

The advisory indicated that private sector entities and individuals in the private sector are prohibited from purchasing or utilizing jammers in India.

Examination conducting bodies under the union/state government or union territories can utilize jammers procured from authorized vendors and approved models, following the necessary approval from the competent authority.

Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications has declared that promoting, selling, delivering, importing, or otherwise promoting jammers in India is illegal, unless authorized by government regulations.

The Department of Transportation (DoT) has declared the utilization of mobile signal repeaters and boosters by individuals as illegal, not limited to jammers. According to a memo, the unauthorized use of repeaters can have a negative impact on public telecommunication services by compromising their quality and coverage, leading to interference and disruption.

In January, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a strong caution to e-commerce entities such as Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Alibaba, Aliexpress, Ebay, and others regarding their involvement in enabling the trade of wireless jammer.

The oilfield company is required to challenge a $126,000 fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission before the May deadline. This fine was levied against the company for interfering with cellphone calls.

On April 9, the FCC issued a notice of apparent liability against Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard for allegedly deploying four cellular phone jammers to restrict cellphone usage among employees.

The company representatives informed the FCC that the cell jammers, which interfere with cellphone signals, were implemented to deter employees from using their cellphones during work hours.

Taylor was granted a 30-day period starting from April 9 to either settle the penalty or provide a written response to the FCC explaining why the fine should be waived or decreased.

Taylor officials failed to reply to phone calls requesting a statement.

The case commenced subsequent to the FCC receiving a tip and dispatching an agent to the company's premises in Broussard in May 2012. As per the FCC notice, company representatives acknowledged the utilization of four cell jammer and the possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not operational at that time.

The United States strictly prohibits the use of cell jammers, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed a ban on importing these devices from foreign countries. According to the FCC, the Broussard company admitted to purchasing its cell jammers from overseas.

The company was notified by the FCC that the illegal use of signal blockers presented a significant risk to public safety as it could potentially disrupt authorized communications, including emergency calls to 911 and law enforcement communications. Additionally, the use of cell jammers can have a negative impact on global positioning system signals.

Taylor's officials informed the FCC that they made an attempt to restrict employee cellphone usage following a close call that the company attributed in part to an employee using a cellphone, as per FCC records.

Corrections has silently eradicated all cellphone jammers from prisons.

The implementation of technology in 2008-09 aimed at preventing inmates from using smuggled mobile phones has resulted in costs surpassing $17 million.

Since June, jammers have been discontinued as they were discovered to disrupt the functioning of the recently installed safety systems for prison guards.

Corrections Minister Phil Goff declared that the introduction of cellphone blocking in New Zealand prisons is a significant stride towards curbing prisoners' ability to commit additional offenses while serving their sentences.

Details obtained through the Official Information Act reveal the number of cellphones seized from the 18 prisons operated by Corrections within the last three years.

Between January 2020 and November of this year, the Corrections staff uncovered 626 cellphones and more than 750 cellphone-related items, such as batteries, chargers, and SIM cards.

Neil Beales, the Corrections chief custodial officer, explained that the removal of the cellphone jammer in June led to inmates smuggling cellphones.

According to his statement, it was determined that the jammers were causing interference with modern safety systems, specifically affecting alarms used for the safety of corrections officers.

Developments in cellular technology have made jammers increasingly irrelevant.

Beales clarified that the tool mentioned was merely one of many utilized to prevent the usage of cellphones within prisons. He emphasized that there are still numerous more effective tools currently in operation.

Within the realm of cellphone detection, Cellsense devices stand out by effectively identifying a wide range of metals. These devices not only possess screening and x-ray capabilities but also utilize detection dogs to enhance their metal detection capabilities.

Beale stated that a few inmates go to great lengths to sneak contraband into prisons, and we are continuously endeavoring to anticipate the innovative techniques employed for smuggling contraband into our correctional institutions.

The Corrections department has been actively seeking out new and emerging technology to supplement their current systems, as mentioned by the spokesperson. They have recently begun incorporating full body imaging technology at several sites to detect concealed contraband on or within individuals.

The year 2018 saw Corrections officials confirming the existence of a communications blind spot near Rimutaka Prison due to cellphone jamming technology, which led to the inability to monitor residents of a child sex offender unit situated outside the facility.

The use of cellphones by inmates can lead to manipulation of individuals outside the prison environment and facilitate illegal activities like drug trafficking. In May of this year, nine prison staff members at Rimutaka were suspended due to alleged misconduct, which included the smuggling of cellphones into the facility.

Roger Brooking, a criminologist and drug and alcohol counsellor, has long been critical of the investment in signal blockers. Therefore, it is not unexpected that Corrections has chosen to discontinue their use.

According to him, their effectiveness is non-existent and has never been present.

According to the accounts of prisoners, they have discovered blind spots in the prison where the signal jammer does not function properly. As a result, inmates have been able to use cellphones to engage in illegal activities or stay in touch with their loved ones.

Cell phone jammers are devices designed to block the reception or transmission of cell phone signals by producing interference within the frequency ranges used by cell phones. This interference causes a lack of signal or a notable reduction in signal strength. While cell phone jammers can be employed in various settings, they are predominantly utilized in locations where quietness is essential.

Techopedia offers insights into cell phone jammers.

A cell phone jammer is composed of:

• Antenna


• Voltage-controlled oscillator


• Tuning circuit


• Noise generator


• Power supply


• RF amplification

The activation of a cell phone jammer results in the absence of network signal on most cell phones, while deactivating the jammer restores their connectivity. Cell phones employ specific frequencies for transmitting and receiving information. By blocking one or both of these frequencies, cell phone jammers indirectly impede communication on both ends, effectively preventing any form of interaction.The operation of cell phone jammers is based on the same principles as those of jammers employed to hinder radio communication. These devices disrupt either the frequencies from the cell phone to the base station or from the base station to the cell phone.

Law enforcement agencies and the military make use of cell phone jammers to restrict and disrupt communication in various situations. Certain organizations employ these jammers to safeguard against corporate espionage by blocking communication within sensitive areas. Moreover, some individuals opt for portable cell phone jammers to prevent others from using their phones in immediate vicinity.

With the exception of military and law enforcement applications, the use of cell phone jammers is illegal in many countries, including the United States. The United States has enacted some of the most stringent laws globally, prohibiting the sale and purchase of cell phone jammers and imposing strict regulations on their usage. However, in countries like Mexico, the use of cell phone jammers is permitted in certain public areas such as hospitals. It is crucial to recognize that laws governing the use of cell phone jammers differ from country to country.

There are three key reasons why cell phone jammers are considered illegal

The use of cell phone jammers can hinder your ability, as well as that of others, to contact 911 and other emergency services. Additionally, they present serious risks to public safety communications and disrupt regular forms of communication.

The following article delves into the mechanics of signal jammers, the legal implications of using them in the United States, protocols to follow in case of interference with authorized communication, and the services offered by Cellbusters for inquiries related to cell phone jammers.

Actions to Consider When Authorized Communication is Being Jammed

Have you considered the possibility of a signal jammer causing the interference? There are several factors, including signal jammers, that can result in unreliable network connections:

1. faulty equipment


2. physical obstructions that block the signal


3. lawful devices that are operating on the same frequencies

It is recommended to troubleshoot equipment and connectivity problems based on the manufacturer and service provider recommendations before lodging an interference complaint via the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. Along with reviewing the owner's manual and seeking assistance from the company's technical support, utilizing online resources to search for your device/model and the specific issue may aid in identifying or excluding potential causes.