Thieves in New Jersey are using Wi-Fi jammers to disable home security cameras and block 911 calls during burglaries. Security expert Robert Siciliano explains how the devices work and recommends hardwiring cameras and keeping a landline as protection. Police suspect a South American theft ring is behind the attacks.
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Well, a terrifying tactic— thieves using Wi-Fi jamming devices to stop victims from using their cell phones to dial 911 before breaking into their homes.
Yeah, police say it's happening in one New Jersey town. Fox 5's Stephanie Rattini is in Florham Park with the details.
Florham Park police say a home on Lincoln Avenue was almost burglarized. A man was in his basement as he watched someone try to get in on his security camera, according to police. All of a sudden, the camera wasn't working, detectives say, when the would-be burglar noticed someone was home, he took off. The resident's cell phone also wasn't working, police say, and so he ran outside and someone called 911 for him. Police haven't caught the suspect, but they're taking to social media and warning the public a Wi-Fi jamming device was used.
It's like a cell phone blocker, you know, they scramble signals, they make it very difficult for the, uh, signal to actually function properly.
Security awareness expert Robert Siciliano says Wi-Fi blockers make it very difficult or impossible for cellular-connected home security system to perform basic functions. Police in Glendale, California, recently dealing with the same crime trend— home security systems interrupted by Wi-Fi blockers. As police responded to a rash of home burglaries, one thing you can do, according to the security installer: I would always hardwire from your cameras, I mean, to your alarm system, everything. Siciliano says anyone can get their hands on a Wi-Fi blocker online.
You know, anybody can buy a Wi-Fi blocker. They're illegal in most states.
On Facebook, Florham Park Police said the information regarding this incident is concerning due to the advanced sophistication of criminal activity. The modus operandi of this incident suggests the suspect was part of what has been termed a South American theft group. As they keep investigating, police are recommending residents consider hardwiring their home security systems and have a landline. Stephanie Bertini, Fox 5 News.
