Can A Thief Really Jam Your Alarm System?

How to stop wifi jammer attacks on home security systems

In a recent incident that gained widespread attention, a news story from Queens, New York showcased a burglar effortlessly sliding across the floor while holding an unidentified gadget. According to reports, this gadget was believed to be a wifi jammer, strategically employed by the burglar to disable the home’s wifi network and render the alarm system ineffective, enabling the intruder to go undetected.

Is this even possible? Yes, yes it is.

 

So what is a wifi jammer?

Broadly speaking, these jamming devices emit a frequency that interferes with the operation of 3G, 4G, 5G, cordless, and wifi networks. Essentially, they disrupt all of these networks.

The interference caused by all the noise obstructs the proper functioning of devices that depend on those frequencies. This interference extends to emergency networks used by first responders, making the use of such devices illegal. Nevertheless, these unauthorized devices are produced and distributed through illicit channels, and individuals can potentially assemble their own. It is important to avoid searching for instructions on the internet, as it may result in being flagged for surveillance.

By emitting its own disruptive noise, a signal blocker device monopolizes the frequencies employed by our devices, rendering them inoperable. This interference extends beyond the intended targets, affecting a multitude of devices.

Having acquired this knowledge, do you anticipate any interference with your phones, alarm sensors, alarm base station, smart locks, and wifi cameras? It is a definite possibility.

You may be curious about this: “Andy, my alarm system has a cellular backup for when the wifi goes down. Will it still function?” Regrettably, the answer is negative. The sensors will be unable to establish communication with the base station due to the interference caused by these jammers. It is crucial to bear in mind that these jammers not only disrupt wifi signals but also block mobile spectrums, preventing your base station from making calls over wifi or a cellular network.

How To Stop Wifi Jammer and Deauth Attacks

Understanding the characteristics and consequences of these attacks, what strategies can we implement to thwart them? Have you kept in mind my previous warning about refraining from placing the alarm company branded sign in your yard?

This is the reason why disclosing your home security setup can expose you to potential threats from criminals who might exploit your system. It is not difficult to determine the companies that operate on the 2.4 GHz band.

When acquiring new smart home devices, opt for ones that are dual-band or compatible with the 5 gigahertz frequency. I’ve also learned that WPA3 security could potentially mitigate these types of attacks, although the effectiveness is uncertain to me as a novice. Currently, wireless alarm systems are still susceptible to jammer attacks.

Consider going the classic route with a fully wired home alarm system that relies on a landline for operation. Just ensure that there are no wireless elements to worry about.

Security Cameras With SD Card Storage

Local storage is a feature found in cameras of various companies, including Ring. This feature ensures that even if your wifi connection is disrupted or cloud storage is inaccessible, the cameras can still save recorded clips using their internal storage. While you may not receive notifications during such instances, you can easily retrieve the footage by accessing the SD card within the camera.

For those who have heavily invested in a wifi camera system, it is recommended to incorporate a low-cost local storage camera as an additional security measure for your home. By doing so, in the event of a jammer or deauth attack, you will still have one camera recording footage. Nevertheless, it is crucial to be aware that if the attackers notice the camera, they might try to damage it and take it away.