Minnesota police say thieves have been using Wi-Fi jammers to temporarily disable homeowners' internet-connected security systems. The technique is believed to have been used in nine robberies in the past six months. Edina police said the victims of a spate of burglaries over the past six months were not randomly selected; instead, criminals targeted homes in wealthy areas and broke into them when they were unoccupied to avoid conflicts.
What’s interesting about this case is that the perpetrators used Wi-Fi jammers to compromise the home’s security systems, such as surveillance cameras. Once inside, they steal safes, jewelry and other high-end luxury items.
Cybersecurity expert Mark Lanterman told KARE11 that jammers don't block signals, but they can overload wireless networks so that real traffic can't get through the device.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming device that interferes with authorized radio communications, including cellular telephone and personal communications services, police radar, and global positioning systems. There are no exemptions for use in businesses, classrooms, residences or vehicles, and local law enforcement agencies do not have independent authority to use jamming devices.
But the Wi-Fi jammers can still be purchased online from outside the United States for between $40 and $1,000. There have been cases a few years ago of using these devices to circumvent connected home security systems such as Ring video doorbells.
Some suggested ways to reduce the risk of Wi-Fi jammer theft include using hardwired cameras indoors/outdoors that connect directly to local storage. People are also advised to install security alarms and lights that do not rely on wireless networks. Given that homes are empty when these burglaries occur, leaving the lights or TV on may make your home a less attractive target.