I’ve been seeing quite a few news articles on how thieves disable homeowners’ Wi-Fi cameras using jammers recently. I’ve also read about how some thieves can jam the frequency of motion sensors/entry sensors by using the same frequency as the security alarm.
Alarm manufacturers argue that this is difficult because the thief needs to know exactly which frequency your alarm is on and be close to each motion sensor (and know where it is) to stop it from communicating with the alarm system. However, I’ve also read that some thieves may use a wide band jammer, which can jam a larger area.
Does this mean that the thief wouldn’t need to know which frequency your alarm is on since they can jam lots of frequencies?
Hard-wired devices are always the best option for security. Plus, you won’t have to worry about replacing batteries, which is a nice bonus.
For alarm system sensors, it’s true that older professional devices and today’s consumer electronics often use a single, unencrypted RF frequency (like 319, 345, or 433 MHz in North America), which can be intercepted, blocked, or replayed, potentially causing false alarms. However, this is quite rare. Modern professional sensors usually use encrypted FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum), meaning the device changes frequencies multiple times per second. These typically operate in the 900 MHz range in North America and are much harder to hack, with very few reports of it happening. The key takeaway: avoid consumer electronics and outdated technology.
Regarding Wi-Fi cameras, Wi-Fi signals are much easier to block than alarm RF signals, and there are many tools available to do so. This tactic is becoming increasingly common among thieves. The best solution is to use POE (Power Over Ethernet) cameras with local recording. Cloud recording is also acceptable as long as your Ethernet or fiber connection entering your home is properly protected.
Thanks for coming back to me on this, I will make sure that I look for an alarm that at least has FHSS.