A disturbing new burglary technique is on the rise, leaving homeowners vulnerable as their Wi-Fi enabled security cameras are rendered useless by tech-savvy criminals. Police in Florham Park, New Jersey warned residents about burglars using Wi-Fi jamming devices to block security camera feeds and prevent residents from calling for help while the burglary is in progress. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as similar reports are emerging across the United States and beyond.
How Wi-Fi Jamming Works
Wi-Fi jamming involves using a device that emits radio signals on the same frequencies as Wi-Fi networks (2.4GHz and 5GHz) to interfere with and disrupt the wireless connection. This effectively renders any Wi-Fi enabled devices, including security cameras, useless as they are unable to transmit data or video feeds.
Jamming devices are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain online, despite being illegal to market, sell, or use in many countries including the United States. They can be small portable units that fit in a pocket or more powerful devices that can disrupt signals over a wider area.
Rising Reports of Wi-Fi Jamming Burglaries
The incident in near close to where I reside in Florham Park, NJ is just the tip of the iceberg. In 2023, a string of burglaries in affluent Chicago suburbs involved suspects using Wi-Fi jammers to disable home security systems. Residents were unaware their cameras were offline until after the burglars had fled.
In the UK, London’s Metropolitan Police reported a 15% increase in burglaries in 2024 where Wi-Fi jamming was suspected. Detectives found jamming devices discarded near multiple crime scenes.
Even professional security companies are not immune. In 2024, a Las Vegas casino was robbed of over $500,000 after its state-of-the-art IP security camera system was taken offline by a powerful Wi-Fi jammer smuggled into the building by an employee working with the burglars.
DIY Cameras Highly Vulnerable
The proliferation of low-cost DIY Wi-Fi security cameras from brands like Ring, Nest, Wyze, Blink, Arlo, and Eufy has made home surveillance accessible to the masses. However, their reliance on Wi-Fi also makes them highly susceptible to jamming attacks.
In 2023, a spree of break-ins occurred in a Denver neighborhood where many residents had recently installed Wyze cameras. Investigators found that in most cases, the camera feeds cut out just prior to the break-ins, indicating Wi-Fi jamming was likely used.
Even Amazon’s very popular Ring cameras are not immune. In 2024, Ring had to issue a statement after multiple customers complained their cameras went offline during burglaries. The company admitted the cameras have no defense against jamming but recommended connecting the cameras to a cellular backup if available.
Wired Cameras Offer Some Protection
Traditional wired security cameras that use coaxial cables or Ethernet to transmit video are not impacted by Wi-Fi jamming. However, many modern wired cameras now also offer Wi-Fi connectivity as an option, which still leaves them vulnerable if that connection method is used.
Businesses and high-end homes that use fully wired Power over Ethernet (PoE) camera systems with a closed local network are the most protected against jamming attacks. But these systems are expensive and require professional installation, putting them out of reach for the average consumer.
Some security experts recommend using a hybrid approach – wired cameras for the most critical areas and Wi-Fi cameras as a secondary backup. That way if the Wi-Fi is jammed, the wired cameras will still function. But this adds complexity and cost.
Cellular Backup Not Foolproof
One countermeasure that is often suggested is connecting Wi-Fi cameras to a cellular backup system. Many higher-end cameras offer this as an add-on option, allowing the camera to switch to 4G/5G transmission if the Wi-Fi goes down.
However, cellular jammers also exist and have been used in some sophisticated burglaries. In 2024, a Hollywood Hills home was burglarized by suspects who used both a Wi-Fi and cellular jammer to disable the homeowner’s Arlo Pro 4 cameras that had cellular backup.
Cellular jamming is more difficult than Wi-Fi jamming though, as cellular jammers are bulkier, more expensive, and more illegal than Wi-Fi jammers in most jurisdictions. Cellular jammers are considered a serious crime because they can interfere with emergency communications and are therefore less likely to be used by the average burglar.
Jamming Detection and Notification
Some security camera manufacturers are starting to implement jamming detection features into their products in response to this growing threat. These cameras use algorithms to detect unusual interference on Wi-Fi frequencies that may indicate a jamming attack.
If jamming is suspected, the camera can send a notification alert to the owner’s phone warning them that the camera’s connection has been suspiciously interrupted. This at least provides some indication to the owner that something is amiss, even if the camera feed can’t be viewed remotely.
Eufy’s new 5S series cameras released in 2024 include “AI Jamming Detection” as a key feature. When jamming is detected, the camera emits a loud siren and flashing lights to potentially scare off intruders, while also sending emergency alerts to the owner’s phone and to Eufy’s monitoring center if the camera is subscribed to their monitoring service.
However, jamming detection still doesn’t solve the core issue that the camera’s live feed can’t be accessed remotely while jammed. It’s more of an early warning system. And if burglars smash the camera or cut its power before it can send an alert, the jamming detection is rendered moot.
Frequency Hopping and Spread Spectrum
More sophisticated anti-jamming technologies that have long been used in military communications are starting to make their way into consumer security cameras. These include frequency hopping and spread spectrum techniques that rapidly switch the transmission frequency or spread the signal across multiple frequencies to evade jamming.
In 2024, Motorola unveiled a new line of security cameras dubbed “Resilient” that use frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology originally developed for their two-way radios. The cameras rapidly hop between 50 different frequencies up to 100 times per second, making them very difficult to jam.
However, this technology is still nascent in the consumer space and not widely available. The Motorola Resilient cameras come with a hefty price tag north of $500 per camera, making them impractical for most homeowners.
The Legal Landscape
As Wi-Fi jamming attacks on security cameras become more prevalent, lawmakers and regulators are starting to take notice. In the US, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced the “Protecting American Security and Infrastructure Act” in 2024 which would increase penalties for intentional jamming of communications and authorize the FCC to pursue criminal charges against jammers.
However, critics argue that enforcement will be difficult given how easily jammers can be purchased online and concealed. Some have called for tighter restrictions on the sale and possession of jamming equipment, similar to laws around firearms. But others worry about the potential overreach and argue that jammers have legitimate uses such as in correctional facilities and military operations.
In the European Union, regulators are considering mandating anti-jamming technologies in all wireless security cameras sold from 2026 onward. This would force manufacturers to improve the resilience of their products. But the specifics of the mandate are still being debated and it will likely take years to come into effect, if approved.
The Bottom Line for Consumers
Unfortunately, the average consumer is largely at the mercy of this alarming trend in Wi-Fi jamming burglaries for the time being. Until anti-jamming technologies become more widespread and affordable, homeowners should be aware of this vulnerability in their wireless security cameras.
Some steps consumers can take to mitigate the risk include:
- Use wired cameras for the most critical areas if possible
- Subscribe to a professional monitoring service that can alert authorities if cameras go offline suspiciously
- Opt for cellular backup if available and affordable, while understanding it’s not foolproof
- Look for cameras with jamming detection and alerting features
- Ensure cameras are not the only line of defense – maintain good physical security like strong locks, reinforced doors, and motion-activated lighting
- Consider a safe room or panic room as a last resort if a break-in occurs
Ultimately, as wireless technologies become more ubiquitous in our lives, from security systems to smart homes to automobiles, the potential for jamming vulnerabilities increases. Manufacturers, lawmakers, and consumers will all need to work together to address these threats going forward. Improved anti-jamming technologies, tighter regulations on jammer sales, and greater consumer awareness will be key.
In the interim, it’s a frightening prospect that a burglar with a simple jamming device can render even the most advanced wireless security cameras useless. As the Florham Park police chief put it, it’s an “alarming” trend indeed. Consumers should take heed and do what they can to bolster their security, both digitally and physically, in this ever-evolving threat landscape.
