In the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, soldier Mykola shows off his drone jammer system: It may look like just a big white thermos, but it’s a vital shield for both sides in the war.

Jammers have become a workhorse weapon in Ukraine in recent months, used to neutralize the small killer drones that are now ubiquitous over the battlefield.

More than two years after the Russian invasion, the devices have become indispensable for the Ukrainian army.

Mykola describes them as “like a bulletproof vest, adding a little protection, adding a little confidence… so the chances of survival increase,” said the soldier from the 92nd Brigade’s Achilles UAV Battalion.

The system weighs 4 kilograms and fits into a backpack, Mykola said, and is “one of the first portable electronic protection devices” for Ukrainian infantry. “It protects our infantry from Russian FPV drones.”

First-person view quadcopter drones are small, relatively cheap, and equipped with cameras that provide pilots with live images from the scene, as if the pilot were right there on the device.

They are equipped with explosives and can directly strike enemy forces within a radius of several kilometers.

Oleksandr Pavlyuk, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, recently told the British newspaper The Times: "Drones currently kill more soldiers on both sides than any other weapon."

To counteract these interferences, scramblers send out jamming signal at the same frequency as the drone's control signals, thus cutting off the connection between the device and its pilot.

Mykola said Russia is one step ahead because it has "been working on electronic warfare systems for more than 30 years." Ukraine, he said, "only started developing equipment after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014."

Today, "everyone is looking for free frequencies to produce FPVs and other drones. Everyone is thinking about how to counter these frequencies."

Both sides sometimes come up with surprising ways to counter drones. Videos show Russian tanks covered in welded metal plates with only the cannon protruding - called "turtle tanks" on social media.

Both Ukrainian and Russian troops have filmed themselves placing large fishing nets on trenches.

A senior military officer specializing in electronic warfare said Ukraine is currently able to jam 60% to 70% of Russian FPV drones. But "every three months, we need to come up with new ways," the Ukrainian officer said.

A Chinese agency working with Russia has been trying to procure drone jammers

According to a May 22 procurement announcement on the official WeChat account of the Guangdong Provincial Council for the Promotion of Trade with Russia, foreign companies are seeking "drone equipment," including drone detectors and jammers.

The association, which is overseen by the province's Ministry of Commerce, said buyers want "jamming generators, drone detectors (trade names BorisTone, Assel Labs and Bulat) or other similar technical solutions, drone suppressors and communication band jammers."

The Bulat drone detector was developed by Russian company 3MX. It is known that Russian troops used it during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The Yunfu Municipal Council for the Promotion of Trade posted the same notice on WeChat last week, asking any "interested companies" to submit their information.

Drone jammers emit signals on the frequencies used by drones to operate and transmit information, thereby suppressing drones' communication capabilities.

Ukraine has relied heavily on drones since Russia’s full-scale invasion and has invested heavily in advanced technology and domestic manufacturing. Ukraine has been using drones to target Russia’s oil and gas industry, which remains the largest source of funding for Moscow’s war effort despite Western sanctions.

China’s announcement comes as Western governments are pressuring Beijing to ensure that dual-use products with military applications do not flow into Russia’s defense sector or its troops on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The United States accuses Beijing of covertly supporting Moscow’s war effort by selling such dual-use products. These products include semiconductor chips, navigation equipment and jet aircraft parts.

Beijing says it remains neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has repeatedly said it does not supply weapons to either side and “strictly controls” the export of dual-use items.

The Morris County Police Department is warning residents about a new home invasion technique that involves jamming Wi-Fi signals, making it impossible for residents to call for help or access security cameras while thieves are inside the home.

Police say the technique was used by thieves in an unsuccessful burglary in Florham Park earlier this week.

According to a social media post by Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando, authorities believe the suspect is part of a South American burglary ring that uses Wi-Fi jammers.

"While Wi-Fi jammers are nothing new to the criminal world, this is the first time we have seen or heard of them being used in Morris County," Orlando said. "The advancement in criminal technology used by these criminal gangs is alarming."

A resident of Lincoln Avenue in Florham Park was in his basement around 11:30 a.m. Monday when he heard a loud bang coming from the first floor, police said. He checked his home's security cameras and saw a man trying to gain entry to his home.

Soon after, the resident's camera system and cell phone lost service, indicating the suspect had used a Wi-Fi signal jammers to disable any Wi-Fi-enabled device, police said.

The suspect fled after realizing the resident was home, police said.

Still unable to use his cell phone to call for help because of the jammer, the resident ran out to the street to get help, police said. A pedestrian called 911.

Florham Park police arrived less than a minute later and searched for the suspect, authorities said. The Madison Police Department and Morris County Sheriff's Office also assisted in the search, but the man was not found.

Police said they suspected the man was part of a South American burglary ring that used Wi-Fi jammers, but they did not elaborate on any other connections between Monday's attempted burglary and the ring's previous crimes.

"These criminals are of South American descent and typically work in groups of three, park their getaway vehicles on adjacent streets, and utilize various pre-operative surveillance techniques to track their targets' patterns and behaviors to minimize the likelihood that they will commit thefts while residents are home," police said.

Police said gang members also used surveillance cameras (disguised as landscape plants to blend into the home's outdoor landscaping) to monitor movement in and out of homes before attempting to break in.

Police said the gang's surveillance cameras can be disguised in a variety of ways.

"They come in a variety of forms, including fake utility boxes, flower pots, tree stumps, rocks and boulders, and even those funny owls that move their heads, supposedly to repel critters," police said. "Basically, you know what's in your yard or front landscaping area and what doesn't belong to you."

Members of the South American burglary gang have committed burglaries across the country, including Baltimore, Los Angeles, Indiana and Florida. In April, the FBI warned of the presence of an international organized burglary ring in Indiana.

The FBI said the gangs typically target homes in affluent neighborhoods while residents are away and often steal high-end jewelry, accessories and cash. Officials said the gang members traveled to the United States to commit the thefts.

"While we are still investigating this incident, the only response strategy we can offer at this time is to install a surveillance camera system in your home and install a landline to combat Wi-Fi jammers," Florham Park police said. "In addition, regularly check your landscaping for any potential disguised surveillance devices and contact the police department immediately if you find such a device."

Officials are also asking Florham Park residents near Lincoln Avenue, Cathedral Avenue and Lockwood Road to check their surveillance systems between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday for signs of potential suspects or vehicles

Police said the suspect in Monday's suspected burglary attempt was a man wearing tan or beige pants, a dark shirt and a face mask.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Police in Florham Park, N.J., are warning residents that robbers may be using Wi-Fi jammers to prevent victims from using their cell phones to call for help.

Floham Park Police are investigating an attempted robbery involving a Wi-Fi jammer

A Florham Park resident was in his basement around 11:30 a.m. Monday when he heard a loud bang from the first floor, police said. When he checked his home security footage, he saw a stranger trying to enter his home.

The man then lost service on his camera system and cell phone, according to police.

Police believe the suspect used a Wi-Fi jammer — a device about the size of a smartphone that disables devices that use the signal.

Police said the suspect ran away, and the victim, still unable to use his phone, ran outside and flagged down a pedestrian who helped him call 911. Officers arrived shortly after, but police said the suspect had already fled.

"The victim had enough time to leave the area between the time he stepped outside and the time he flagged down a passerby and had him call the police," said Lt. Brian Ford of the Florham Park Police Department.

WiFi signal jammers can even block signals from police intercoms, home alarm systems and surveillance cameras that connect via Wi-Fi. The devices are illegal under federal law, and state Rep. Carol Murphy introduced legislation earlier this year to criminalize them at the state level.

"Every time I see something like this, I think, 'Wow, I need my law to pass,' because it's about giving law enforcement the resources to do what they have to do. I never want to see a story like this again," Murphy said.

"While Wi-Fi jammers are nothing new to criminals, this is the first time we've seen or heard of them being used in Morris County," Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando said in a statement.

No arrests have been made.

Attempted robbery victim in New Jersey has no recourse

The Florham Park Police Department may be linking the incident to a theft ring known as the "South American Theft Syndicate."

According to police, they usually work in groups of three and install hidden cameras in the landscape to track the movements of potential victims.

Police recommend that if you can, you should change your daily routine, check and report any suspicious devices and cars inside and outside the house, and even install wired security cameras and landlines.

Be cautious of cell phone jammers as criminals might incorporate them into their arsenal for illicit purposes. These portable devices, capable of initiating a "denial of service" or "DOS attack," are available for purchase on different online platforms for $1,000 to $2,000. However, the penalty for possessing one could exceed $10,000. Despite their compact size - with one model reportedly able to "fit into any empty cigarette pack" - these devices are highly potent. Once activated, they disrupt wireless signals within a range of approximately 100 feet.

Devices that illegally silence cell phones

The occurrence of cell phone jammers in Canada has attracted widespread attention, as reported by the Ottawa Sun. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has taken action by issuing a cautionary message to all law enforcement agencies nationwide regarding the use of cell phone jammers. This action was prompted after two Quebec police officers experienced interference with their walkie-talkies when they encountered two suspects on a dimly lit highway.

The effectiveness of these jammers in disrupting police radio communications was highlighted by the Mount Spokane incident. Consequently, multiple safety alerts have been issued in recent weeks to caution officers about the potential compromise to their safety posed by these devices.

Despite the provision outlined in Section 333 of the FCC Rules, which explicitly prohibits any individual from intentionally or maliciously disrupting or causing interference to radio communication, the regulatory body faces significant challenges in effectively enforcing this rule.

The owner of an upscale Maryland restaurant revealed that FCC and Verizon Wireless investigators paid a visit to the establishment last year. The unidentified owner disclosed that he invested $1,000 in a high-powered jammer to deter employees from prioritizing their phones over attending to customers.

He stated that he instructed them repeatedly, saying, "Place your mobile devices aside, place your mobile devices aside, place your mobile devices aside." However, they disregarded his instructions. The proprietor mentioned that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigators extensively surveyed the vicinity for a week, utilizing specialized equipment to identify signal jammers. Nevertheless, the proprietor had deactivated the equipment.

Verizon investigators faced a similar lack of success. The owner mentioned that the individual reached out to every resident in the town, providing them with his contact number and urging them to call him promptly if they encountered any issues. However, the owner has now discontinued the use of the jammer.

Global navigation jamming will only get worse. The U.S. needs to move fast

As geopolitical crises escalate, signal jamming and spoofing attacks on GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are becoming more common, creating significant challenges and risks to aviation, shipping, and other critical services around the world.

Data from GPSJam.org confirms widespread GPS/GNSS jamming in parts of Europe and beyond as a result of the war in Ukraine. Affected regions include Finland, the Baltic States, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, in addition to the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and Turkey. The Middle East has also seen jamming due to hostile activities by Israel and Iran in the region. Other jamming activities, albeit on a smaller scale, are also common in Pakistan, India, and Myanmar.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide critical positioning, navigation, and timing services to users around the world. However, like other electronic-based systems (and despite industry efforts to strengthen the security of these technologies), devices that receive signals from GNSS satellites can be vulnerable to wifi jamming and spoofing. It is time for the United States to coordinate international efforts to stop the marketing and sale of devices that jam GNSS systems.

To be clear, gsm jamming and spoofing are already illegal. In the United States, the Communications Act of 1934, the U.S. Penal Code, and other federal laws and regulations prohibit tampering with navigation systems, including GPS, cellular and personal communications devices, and police radar systems. However, without international coordination to enforce existing laws and regulations, bad actors will continue to jam and spoof GNSS signals, disrupting critical uses ranging from personal navigation and agriculture to emergency response and defense.

New drone tactics keep jamming risk alive

A key feature of current conflicts is the new use of drone warfare, which is what makes GNSS jamming operations so powerful. As this technology becomes more widely available to state and non-state actors, these tactics are likely to be repeated again and again—regardless of where the conflict occurs.

While the Middle East is likely to remain a major hotspot for such activity in the coming years, it is not the only region at risk. Any country facing conflict or terrorism could face the asymmetric threat posed by cheap satellite navigation capabilities.

As a result, more countries will have to resort to defensive GNSS jamming to defend against these threats, resulting in a wider range of unreliable navigation signals that could affect airlines, shipping, and more. This gps jamming is not limited to affecting receivers on Earth. Low Earth orbit satellites carry GNSS receivers to improve weather forecasts, predict space weather, and monitor climate change. These important missions and other scientific research should not be hampered by regulatory inaction or lack of resources.

The European Football Championship is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world, attracting millions of fans and widespread attention from the media and stakeholders. With the stakes high, the integrity of the tournament is of paramount importance. One of the tools used to ensure this integrity is the deployment of cell phone jammers. These devices are essential to preventing players from manipulating matches, a significant issue in professional sports.

Match-fixing refers to the manipulation of the results of sporting events for financial gain, often orchestrated by gamblers and criminal organizations. This illegal activity undermines the integrity of the sport, reduces fan trust, and can have serious legal and financial consequences. Players, referees, and other officials may be contacted and coerced into participating in match-fixing schemes through a variety of means, including cell phones.

How Cell Phone Jammers Work

Cell phone jammers interfere with communications by sending signals on the same frequency as mobile phones, creating a "noise" that clogs communication channels. These devices can be used to block phone calls, text messages, and data transmissions within a specific area. By blocking mobile communications, signal blocker can thwart attempts to influence or coerce players and officials at critical moments, such as before or during a match.

Implementation at the European Football Championship

Mobile phone jammers were implemented as a strategic measure to preserve the integrity of the competition during the European Championship.

Here are their typical uses:

Dressing Rooms: Jammers are placed in the players’ dressing rooms to prevent players from receiving or sending messages before a match or at half-time.

Referee Areas: Ensure referees are not contacted during critical moments.

Team Benches: Prevent communication with the outside world during matches.

Jammers are activated during specific periods when the risk of communications for match manipulation is highest, such as pre-match preparation, half-time and during matches.

Clearly communicate the presence of jammers to players, referees and staff. This transparency helps manage expectations and ensures all parties understand the importance of these measures in maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Advantages of using mobile phone jammers

By blocking potential match-fixers from accessing players and referees, jammers reduce the risk of undue influence on match outcomes.

Players and officials can focus fully on the game without the distraction of mobile devices, creating a fairer, more competitive environment.

The use of jammers sends a strong message that UEFA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in the sport of football.

Knowing that communications are being monitored and potentially blocked acts as a deterrent to those who would like to manipulate matches.

The use of mobile phone jammers during the European Championship is an important measure in the fight against match-fixing. By blocking unauthorised communications, these devices help ensure matches are played fairly, upholding the integrity of the sport and protecting its reputation.

An oilfield company faces a May deadline to contest a $126,000 fine assessed by the Federal Communications Commission against the company for jamming signal cellphone calls.

that on April 9, the FCC adopted a notice of apparent liability against Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard, accusing Taylor of using four cellular phone jammers to curtail cellphone use by employees.

Company officials told the FCC the cell jammers, which disrupted cellphone usage, were used to prevent employees from using cellphones at work.

Taylor was given 30 days from April 9 to pay the penalty or respond to the FCC in writing as to why the fine should be canceled or reduced.

Taylor officials did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

The case began after the FCC received a tip and sent an agent to the company site in Broussard in May 2012. The FCC notice said company officials confirmed use of four cell jammers and possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not then in use.

Use of cell jammers is prohibited in the United States, and the FCC prohibits companies from importing cell jammers from outside the country. The Broussard company said it bought its cell jammers from overseas, the FCC said.

“These unlawful jammer operations posed a tangible public safety hazard by potentially blocking authorized communications” such as 911 emergency calls and other law enforcement communications, the FCC said in its notice to the company. Cell jammers can also adversely affect global positioning system signals.

Taylor representatives told the FCC it tried to block employee cellphone use after a near accident the company said was partly connected to an employee using a cellphone, according to FCC documents.

So now that thief’s are using WiFi jammers that apparently can be bought for $40, what is everyone turning to to protect your property?

News of break-ins these days show quite a few security camera captures, but in many of them the perpetrator is covering their face. So ultimately I’m not so sure how much security cameras (even wired ones that capture clear images) can really protect a property.

It appears even traditional alarm systems would be disabled by a signal blockers since all the sensors’ signal would be blocked as well.

I have NEVER considered a WiFi connected device to be any sort of serious security device. For a serious security device, it needs to be wired (power and data), and the video recorded locally with serious backup power (no, a 15 minute UPS does not qualify). I do have what would likely be considered a Pro-sumer level video camera system, with hours of backup power.

With that said, I have over 40 Wyze cameras, and I do use them regularly as they are quite a bit less expensive than my wired system, and the software is more convenient for a quick look remotely.

Two of the most common attacks are a simple broadband signal generator and a specific WiFi De-Authentication. In the case of the first, the jammer simply broadcasts a strong enough signal that the intended signals are covered in noise. An audio example would be trying to talk back and forth with someone 100 feet away in an empty stadium. That would likely work fine, but now add 50,000 other people and there is so much noise that the person 100 feet away can not be heard. A broadband jammer is a quite simple device.

A De-Authentication attack is an smart device that to keep this simple, impersonates the WiFi client and sends a command to the WiFi access point telling it that the client is disconnecting. Note that WPA-3 prevents that by encrypting the management packets. However although the WPA-3 standard has been out for quite a few years, most IoT devices do not support it.

Both of these attacks happen between the WiFi client and access point, so a firewall or anti-virus never get involved.

We heard from our friend Charles Curry of Chronos Technology over the long weekend. He had a “yes and” to last week’s post about a jammer company with a new product line. – Full disclosure, Chronos has long be an RNTF corporate member.

Charles is semi-retired but still keeps an eye on the jammer market.

He and Chronos have quite the history detecting GNSS interference and recommending ways to mitigate it. They have worked with police departments advised governments, and published several papers.

Their “Sentinel Project – Report on GNSS Vulnerabilities” was issued in 2014. Most of its findings and recommendations are as pertinent today as they were seven years ago.

Here is Charles’ list of 100 active websites selling GNSS/ GPS jamming equipment, and a list of over 200 that used to do so, but that have links that appear inactive.

Charles said there are more sites, he just stopped when he got to 100. – Yeah, a hundred ought to make the point reasonably well…

FCC investigates Amazon over alleged marketing of wireless signal jammers

The FCC is the federal agency that has the authority to enforce the law on this, and establish and enforce supporting regulations.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says it is taking action to enforce the law against marketing, selling, and using wireless jammers, including those that target GPS/GNSS. While reports do not mention anything about spoofing, it is against the law also.

What Else to Know:

While news reports do not mention anything about the FCC addressing spoofing, that is against the law also.

Unfortunately, over the last 20 years the FCC’s enforcement bureau has been greatly reduced in size while the incidents of accidental (also not allowed) and intentional interference with GPS has greatly increased.

While it is illegal to market, sell, and use jamming devices, they are not illegal to own.

The U.S. does not have a systematic way to detect interference with GPS/GNSS signals. The 2022 interference event at Denver lasted 33 hours before it was geo-located and terminated. The event at Dallas the same year lasted for 24 hours and the source was never located.

We looked for the original statement from the FCC spokesperson, but were unable to find it on the FCC site. It looks as though it was made directly to NBC in response to their inquiry.

What’s the context?

US prison officials harness new technology to crack down on contraband cellphones but some still want powers to jam signals

South Carolina programme shuts off more than 800 phones

Federal action on broader signal jamming tech seen as unlikely

Activists raise privacy, rights concerns for prisoners

Digital privacy rights advocates and tech experts say even solutions less far-reaching than full-blown signal jamming - like the South Carolina pilot - threaten to trample on the rights of prisoners by, for example, sharing legally protected information with private phone companies or carriers.

Digital rights groups have long raised concerns over the push for cellphone jamming systems in prisons, describing them as overreach.

Under federal law, state and local facilities are not allowed to use jamming technology, which is opposed by the telecommunications industry amid concerns that it could knock out signals in areas surrounding prisons.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates communications technology in the U.S., has been wary of signing off on full-blown signal jamming but cleared the way within the last few years for states like South Carolina to implement so-called "contraband interdiction systems."

Stirling is convinced signal jamming is a solid option but does not think it will be authorised in state prisons. It is already allowed in federal institutions.

"I would love to get jamming – I don't see it happening, unfortunately," he said.

Asked if the FCC was contemplating changes, a spokesperson pointed to the federal law banning jamming devices.

Albert Fox Cahn, founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), says both jamming and interdiction systems like the one used in South Carolina are "chilling options" that could have unintended consequences.