As security systems grow more advanced and complex, so too do the tools designed to bypass them. New tools are constantly emerging to target and circumvent modern alarm systems and video surveillance. Recently, the rise of signal jammers, such as cell and WiFi jammers, has become an increasing concern for home and business owners.

As the name suggests, these devices intentionally create interference to disrupt or block cell and wireless signals within a targeted area. For home and business owners, it’s usually an attempt by burglars to disable security systems by blocking alarm signals and preventing outside communications.

Since 2021, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seen a roughly 830% increase in signal jammer seizures. And locally, Los Angeles leaders, law enforcement, and other security experts warn of an increase in burglars using WiFi jammers to break into homes in the last year.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce your system’s vulnerability and protect yourself from cell and WiFi jammers.

How Do Cell and WiFi Jammers Work?

Cell and WiFi jammers are illegal devices that disrupt a security system’s communications capabilities. With the security system effectively shut down, intruders can enter compromised facilities like jewelry stores, financial institutions, and even your home undetected.

Cell jammers emit electromagnetic signals on the same frequencies as mobile phones, disrupting communication to cell towers. Meaning any phones within its range are unable to make emergency calls while blocking any outside public safety communications.

Similarly, WiFi jammers transmit powerful radio frequency signals on the same bands as local networks – like 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz – creating enough digital noise to make it impossible for wireless devices to communicate with a router or internet access point.

This past summer saw two high-profile instances of WiFi jammers. In June, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the use of jamming devices in several Vermont bank robberies. And again in California, jamming devices were recovered in an attempted jewelry store robbery in La Verne.

Are Cell and WiFi Jammers Legal?

No, both cell and WiFi jammers are illegal to own and operate. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment that interferes with authorized radio communications, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS), police radar, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).”:

The use of a phone jammer, GPS blocker, or other signal jamming device designed to intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications is a violation of federal law. There are no exemptions for use within a business, classroom, residence, or vehicle.

Even local law enforcement agencies don’t have the independent authority to use jamming equipment, though federal law enforcement agencies may be authorized in some instances.

How Do You Know If Someone Is Using a Jammer?

Obviously, losing cell or WiFi connection may be an initial sign that a jammer is in place nearby. However, a variety of factors cause signal interference. Faulty equipment, local network maintenance, and physical obstructions that aren’t nefarious could all be factors causing bad connections.

However, if you’ve confirmed multiple devices or phones are affected, and your residence or business is potentially at risk as a target, you may be in the vicinity of a jammer. And while both cell and WiFi jammers operate similarly, there are a few distinguishing factors to be aware of between them.

Signs Someone Is Using a WiFi Jammer

• Bad signal quality and disconnections: Your Wi-Fi signal strength may significantly drop or disappear altogether, even when you are near your router. Additionally, any WiFi-enabled devices will repeatedly disconnect and attempt to reconnect to the network.
• High latency/packet loss and reduced bandwidth: Even if you manage a connection, you’ll notice your speeds are noticeably slower, along with delays in data transmission. Data packets fail to reach their destination, again leading to interruptions and slow performance.
• Wired connections work: Jammers only affect wireless devices. Any computers or smart devices connected directly to the router with an Ethernet cable (like a TV or gaming system) will continue to function normally.

Signs Someone Is Using a Cell Phone Jammer

• Loss of service on multiple devices: If multiple phones suddenly lose service in an area where reception is typically good, a jammer may be present.
• Signal fluctuations: Much like devices affected by WiFi jammers, your phone’s signal strength may jump erratically, rapidly changing between full bars and no service.
• Relocation restores service: Most jammers have limited ranges in a designated area around their placement. Depending on its power, it can span from a few feet to a few hundred feet. But if your cellular service returns to normal once you move away from a specific location (like a potential target building), a jammer may be operating nearby.

In both cases, you may notice rapid battery drain in affected devices and phones. Trying to re-establish a connection consumes much more power than usual. And since jammer devices have a limited range, it’s important to keep an eye out for any suspicious-looking devices with antennas in the area. Jammers can be as small as a handheld device, though some are more complex.

Protect Yourself Against Cell and WiFi Jammers

When it comes to protecting your home or business, the most effective strategy is a layered approach to your home security. First, start with strong outer defenses. Perimeter lighting, fences or gates, and video surveillance deter threats before they reach your doors. Add intrusion alarms, sensors, and monitoring to create multiple points of protection. Combining these layers greatly reduces the chances of being singled out as a target. And if one layer fails, others are still in place to safeguard your property.

For the alarm system itself, many professional security providers will recommend hardwired connections. These systems don’t rely solely on cellular or WiFi signals, making them less vulnerable to interference. However, they do come with higher installation costs since hardwiring requires more labor and can be more complex.

That said, whether a system is wired or wireless, it can still be hard-lined to your internet. The advantage is that most modern alarm panels will immediately recognize when communication is lost and report that event as a potential intrusion to your central monitoring station. Instead of dismissing a simple outage, the loss of signal transmits to monitoring operators, who treat it with the same urgency as an active break-in.

As always, if you suspect a threat, contact the proper authorities. The use of cell phone and WiFi jammers is illegal, and anyone deploying them could pose an immediate danger.

Protecting the Neighborhoods We Call Home Since 1956

New technology, like cell and WiFi jammers, presents a growing threat to both homes and businesses. But even arming yourself with the knowledge of what to look for – and how to better protect yourself as a target – can make all the difference. And with the right security provider, you can trust your system is always up and running.

For more than sixty years, Post Alarm has provided customers with the most advanced and reliable security solutions available. As a privately held, local, third-generation family business, Post has provided alarm and patrol services to Southern California communities, neighborhoods, and homeowners since 1956.

Our family founded Post Alarm with a passion for protecting people and the neighborhoods we call home. Now, we’re one of the only local, full-service security organizations in the Southern California area, providing professionally installed, fully integrated, and customized security solutions that result in earlier threat detection and a synchronized response, getting you help faster when it matters most.

Ready to start building your custom video monitoring and security package? Reach out and get a free security quote today!

The security landscape is changing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the government forces many businesses to shut down, more and more people are left wondering how to secure their companies and watch over their business from afar.

Even businesses still open need to find ways to adapt their security solutions to meet their unique needs. Post Alarm Systems has served businesses in Southern California since 1956, and they are here today to help address these problems with the latest innovative smart access control solutions. Here are some of the things access control can do for you and your business.

Unlock and Lock Your Business No Matter Where You Are

Smart access control lets you unlock for deliveries or employees even when you’re not on the property. Simply check who is at the door using the security app on your phone. Then unlock the door. You can re-lock it when they leave.

Always Know What’s Going on with Access Tracking and Alerts

Access control integrates with your intelligent security system allowing you to set alerts for any access control activity. With customized alerts, you’ll know when the last employee leaves for the day. You can see if anyone is on the premises or trying to gain access if your organization is closed due to COVID-19.

Using your security app, you can view reports and alerts that show you who unlocked a particular door, and you can track user codes easily. The system can also send you video alerts on critical access events like when someone tries to access an area off-limits such as storerooms or data centers.

Manage Your Access Control from Home

You can revoke and give access to your employees without having to go into the office. It’s easy to schedule access to all your properties from the dashboard on the web. Also, you can set up a new lock code or keycard for a new employee or revoke access for an employee leaving the company.

It’s also possible to assign employees varying levels of access with customized days and times for each one. To manage your access control efficiently, create different access profiles for specific employee roles. Then you assign new employees to these profiles depending on their role.

These are just a few ways that access control can help you manage your business from afar. Post Alarm Systems has dedicated solutions that still allow them to provide you with the excellent customer service that they’ve had for decades while following all the guidelines on social distancing. If you have concerns due to COVID-19, we can help you virtually, whether that’s via video or conference calling.

Our company is family-owned, and that’s why our customers are like family to us. We’re here to address any needs or concerns you have. For more information on access control or other security products, contact us today.

About Post Alarm – Your Local Home Security Company in Southern California

To learn more about home security technology, come to see us at Post Alarm Systems this summer. Our highly qualified and experienced home security experts can answer all your questions. Call us today at 1-800-654-7678.