Latest news with #burglars
CNET
29-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Protect Your Home by Installing Security Cameras Here
Securing your home is more than just picking among the best home security cameras. After you've chosen a camera to keep track of everything going on in your home, it's time to work out the best place to install it. For an outdoor camera, make sure it isn't blocked by plants or decorations, and that it's in a spot that has a clear view without being affected by glare. With indoor cameras, you'll want a clear view of the entire room, and in a place that isn't likely to be blocked by people going about their day. Picking the right location to install your security camera ensures that you'll always have an idea of what's going on at home, even when you're traveling. CNET Fortunately, today's security cameras have wide fields of view and easy-angle mounts. But you still need to start with the right placement for the best results. After years of testing dozens of various home cams, we know exactly where to put them; follow these guidelines, and you won't have any trouble. For more home security tips, check out how to prevent your home security cameras from being hacked and the best cheap home security systems you can buy. Where should you install a home security camera 1. Exterior: Front door You might assume that intruders always sneak into side entrances, but statistics from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors show that 34% of burglars use the front door. It's also where package thieves are likely to strike. A camera at your main entrance keeps tabs on everybody going in and out of your home, from family members and babysitters to maintenance people, delivery people and more. Pro tip: Video doorbells are great picks for the front door. You can use them as the primary camera or in conjunction with another outdoor camera aimed at the yard or garage. Blink's Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space. CNET/Tyler Lacoma 2. Exterior: Back and side doors Doors that are out of sight allow visitors to enter undetected, whether they're invited or not. NACHI statistics show 22% of break-ins happen through the back door. To ensure full knowledge of everyone who enters and exits, add cameras to your secondary doors, especially if one of them is used as often or more often than your front door, or if one (like a basement door) seems particularly enticing or accessible to a potential intruder. 3. Exterior: Garage and driveway Garages are a common target of burglars because they're one of the weakest entry points. A camera pointed at your garage and/or driveway keeps a watchful eye on bikes, tools, grills, sports equipment, cars and everyone that handles them. If your garage is detached, the camera helps you stay connected. If the garage is attached, the extra layer of security monitors another possible entryway into your home. If there's a gate at the end of your driveway, you may want a camera there to spot anyone attempting to get in. 4. Exterior: Wide yard views Monitoring the yard will help you keep tabs on anyone scoping out your house. It's also handy for capturing the activities of kids, animals and trespassers. As with garages, look for cams that have a wide field of view to capture lots of action, at least 130 degrees and preferably more. If you have a yard entrance, like a fence gate or a shed doorway, make sure the camera can see it. Blink offers a cheap option for a smart floodlight cam. Blink 5. Interior: Common areas Placing cameras in gathering points like the kitchen or living room is a great way to see if the kids are doing what they're supposed to do, if the babysitter is attentive, what the pets are getting into, or to check on household help like cleaners and repairmen. Consider prioritizing any rooms that have large ground-floor windows — that way you can see if anyone tampers with them or uses one as a break-in point. If there's a key point of interest like a sofa, pet bed or living room play area, make sure the camera can see it. 6. Interior: Main stairway or hallway Place a camera in the main thoroughfares inside your home to make it difficult for someone to move about undetected. If someone breaks in through a bathroom, bedroom or another unmonitored area, they'll still be captured on camera if they move about the house. Indoor security cameras are useful, but finding ones with privacy shields are worthwhile to help minimize the risks of hackers gaining access to sensitive footage. Arlo Here's where you should never install a security camera Places that violate your neighbor's privacy. Cameras are great for your safety, but you need to be mindful of the privacy of others in your neighborhood. In general, homeowners are allowed to have outdoor security cameras that cover a broad area, and it's usually OK to capture your neighbor's public-facing property in the background of your footage. Learn more with our full guide. Cameras are great for your safety, but you need to be mindful of the privacy of others in your neighborhood. In general, homeowners are allowed to have outdoor security cameras that cover a broad area, and it's usually OK to capture your neighbor's public-facing property in the background of your footage. Learn more with our full guide. Bedrooms and bathrooms. The urge to keep a watchful eye on kids or elderly folks in your household is understandable. However, some areas have a warranted expectation of privacy. Plus, if you use a monitoring service, you run the risk of a hacker tapping into a camera that has access to your private spaces. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives. Baby monitors are a smart choice for very young kids' rooms. Motion detectors and glass break sensors, as part of a connected home security system, can be added to doors and windows. Personal medical alert systems are strong choices for seniors. Arlo's compact cams also make a great bundled discount. Arlo Tips for outdoor security cam placement Once you decide which locations to monitor, you also need to plan your mounting decisions. These tips make easy work of this step: Install cameras 8 to 10 feet from the ground. This height is low enough to capture fine details but high enough to be out of easy reach of thieves and vandals. This height is low enough to capture fine details but high enough to be out of easy reach of thieves and vandals. Don't point cameras directly at the sun. Bright light causes glare and high contrast in your footage, which makes it hard to tell what's going on. Consider the movement of the sun and angle your cameras for indirect light. Bright light causes glare and high contrast in your footage, which makes it hard to tell what's going on. Consider the movement of the sun and angle your cameras for indirect light. Protect the camera from the elements. Top outdoor security cameras have ample weather- and waterproofing, but they are not all equal. Choose a camera that's appropriately rated for your climate, and place it under eaves or in another semi-protected area if you can. Top outdoor security cameras have ample weather- and waterproofing, but they are not all equal. Choose a camera that's appropriately rated for your climate, and place it under eaves or in another semi-protected area if you can. Avoid places too close to branches or bushes . Plants grow over time and can block your security camera. . Plants grow over time and can block your security camera. Let cameras be visible. Visible cameras can act as a deterrent against theft, and that's one of the best uses of your security system. Battery powered outdoor cameras allow more flexibility for placement, while wired ones will need to be close to a power source. Chris Monroe/CNET Tips for indoor security cam placement Corners are your friends. Hanging an indoor camera in the corner of a room usually gives you the largest possible vantage point. Hanging an indoor camera in the corner of a room usually gives you the largest possible vantage point. Choose a shelf for versatility . If you don't have to mount your cam, placing it on a shelf allows you to make adjustments later or even move it to another room. . If you don't have to mount your cam, placing it on a shelf allows you to make adjustments later or even move it to another room. Windows can cause reflection issues. Pointing a camera at the window might degrade its image quality. Many security cameras have infrared light technology, which aids in motion detection and enables the cameras to function in low light. IR light can reflect off windows and other glass objects and obscure your footage, especially in the dark. If your footage looks washed out or whited out, there is likely a reflection problem. Pointing a camera at the window might degrade its image quality. Many security cameras have infrared light technology, which aids in motion detection and enables the cameras to function in low light. IR light can reflect off windows and other glass objects and obscure your footage, especially in the dark. If your footage looks washed out or whited out, there is likely a reflection problem. Angle for indirect light. Again, direct light will wash out your footage. With indoor cameras, be mindful of lamps, light fixtures and bright windows. Avoid facing your camera directly toward these light sources. Ring's battery cam is on the higher-end but offers a versatile, weather resistant option to watch kids, wherever they are. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Do video doorbells have special installation rules? Position video doorbells so they have a good view of your porch or entryway. These cameras are angled a bit differently than other security cameras, so follow the manual instructions carefully. Usually, they need to be placed around 4 feet up from the base of the front door. In tighter spaces, video doorbells should be angled outward to capture as much activity as possible. Fortunately, many video doorbells come with a special wedge just for this purpose. Otherwise, put it where people would naturally press a doorbell. Are there super-portable security cams? In some cases, you may want a security camera that you can move around all the time. That makes it easy to put down wherever the kids are playing, indoors or outside, or to focus on a problem spot where things keep going missing (avoid workplace refrigerators, please). In these cases, we recommend battery-powered indoor/outdoor cams that you can move anywhere and that are weather-resistant in case they're left out in the rain. One candidate is Ring's Stick-Up Cam Pro ($180), which has an excellent collection of watchful features. Another option is the Google Nest Indoor/Outdoor Cam battery model ($176), which is often shown mounted but can also come with a tabletop mount. To learn more, check out our picks for the best outdoor security cameras or explore our comprehensive guide to the best home security systems.
CNET
25-05-2025
- CNET
The Worst Home Security Myths Everyone Needs to Stop Believing
In my home security research, I frequently come across rumors, misinformation and ancient beliefs that just aren't true. In fact, these myths can be downright dangerous -- or at least cost you a lot of money. From what security devices work best to how burglars behave, there's a lot of plain dumb ideas floating around, especially if you ask the internet for advice. Dumb! Netflix I've narrowed these mistakes down to the worst offenders, which I'll cover below. I'll also explain why these common myths about home safety and security systems just aren't true. Myth: Home security systems are expensive What's the point of a home security system if the initial and ongoing costs outweigh the value of what was damaged or stolen? It's a fair argument, but home security may be more affordable than you'd think, especially if you go the DIY route. While it's true that costs for a professional home security system can quickly add up, it's not uncommon for home security companies to run special offers that could save you hundreds on equipment and installation. Depending on the provider and available promotions, it's totally possible to get a basic system for free with installation included (yes, you'll have to sign a contract, but more on that in the next section). On the other hand, you'll have to purchase all your own equipment for a DIY home security setup. Still, you can get everything you need to watch your home inside and out, complete with cameras and motion sensors, for a couple hundred bucks or less. Professional monitoring isn't available with all DIY devices, but if it is an option with your camera or security system, expect an added monthly fee of $10 to $25 for a typically unlimited number of devices. Fees are often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Home security views from a DVR device - not every system needs to be this complicated. Zosi/Amazon Myth: You have to sign a contract or at least pay a subscription Again, this one originated from professional home security service providers, and it's admittedly still true in some cases. Most home security companies require a one- or two-year contract, particularly if you opt for any promotional offers like free equipment or installation. A contract isn't always required, however: Some providers like SimpliSafe and Xfinity don't make you sign one. And you won't have to worry about a contract at all with DIY setups, as systems from Arlo, Ring and others are always contract-free. Likewise, monthly subscriptions are not required, though you may want to add one for professional monitoring or more storage options. Subscriptions can cost as little as $10 per month to cover an unlimited number of devices. For a single device like a camera, they can fall as low as $3. If you don't want to pay for a subscription, no problem. Cameras, motion detectors and other DIY home security devices come with an app that lets you do your own monitoring and options like local video storage that let you skip extra fees entirely. Myth: Home security systems are complicated I completely understand this potential hesitation. Whenever a home project involves wiring, it starts to feel more like an expert job. However, when you go with a professionally installed home security system, someone else (a professional installer) will do the hard work for you. They'll also walk you through how to use the system at the time of setup, and technical support along with online resources are available 24/7 for any problems you may have down the road. As for DIY security devices, there shouldn't be any wiring involved outside of simply plugging it in and connecting it to your Wi-Fi. Hardwired video doorbells are an exception, but I can say first-hand that installation is still fairly quick and straightforward. Smart locks are also a simple DIY project. Either way, an app will guide you through all phases of installation, setup and use. Home security systems can be incredibly affordable, especially over the holidays. Simplisafe/CNET Myth: Burglars can cut the lines to a home security system This myth hasn't been true for a long, long time, because home security systems just don't use landlines anymore (and plenty of people don't use phone landlines anyway). From professionally installed full systems to DIY packages, home security systems work via wireless signals like your Wi-Fi network, plus specialized signals like Zigbee, Thread and cellular connection backups in case wireless connections aren't working. The result is systems that burglars can't "cut" or otherwise disable. Even if burglars get access to a security keypad or hub inside the house, many are designed to alert owners about tampering and automatically lock down. With cloud video storage, burglars can't get rid of automatically recorded video storage, either. Kangaroo's security keypad. Kangaroo Myth: Burglars can use Wi-Fi jammers or other tech to disable my security system It makes for an exciting headline and gives police departments an easy excuse to talk about community crime, but these high-tech burglaries don't really exist. Wi-Fi jammers are real, but burglars need to know the make and model of the security system or at least have in-depth knowledge of sophisticated spyware. That's why one of the few confirmed cases of successful home robbery via Wi-Fi jamming was someone who already knew the homeowner and their home. And jamming security signals won't magically unlock doors or open windows for burglars anyway. You can read all about it here in our full guide. On that note, fears about smart home hacking are largely made up, too. Cybercriminals have a million other things they'd rather do than try to hack into home security devices, and today's modern encryption techniques are very effective at stopping any efforts. This kind of "hacking" is usually done by a security center employee or an old acquaintance who already had access to the smart home system. Myth: I rent, so I can't get home security tech Your property and safety are important, regardless of whether you own or rent, and there are lots of home security solutions for renters. Such devices are often noninvasive (no holes in the wall, permanent wiring or mounts) and can come with all the home security features you'd need, including access to live camera feeds and recordings, push notifications, professional monitoring options and emergency response assistance. Even if you're just renting a room, you can still find plenty of security answers if you're worried about your roommate's behavior. Check with your leasing office or property owner before installing a system, and be sure to avoid any devices that may infringe on your neighbor's privacy. Arlo's fob is unique in its doorbell compatibility. Arlo Myth: Home security systems aren't effective That depends on what you mean by "effective." If someone is set on getting into your home, even the best security system will not stop them. That said, if someone is considering breaking into your home or swiping a package off your porch, the presence of a security system or surveillance camera is a good deterrent. A study from the University of North Carolina found that about 83% of professional criminals interviewed stated they would try to find out if a home or business had a security alarm before attempting a burglary. Roughly 60% claimed they would seek out an alternative target if an alarm were detected. Even if the burglar is successful, your security devices may capture images, video or sounds leading to their identification and arrest. At the very least, you can use the information to alert your neighbors and help prevent future occurrences. And don't forget, that evidence is very useful when making a claim on your homeowners insurance after a theft. Keep in mind, many security guard companies and other security services will try to convince people that security systems aren't very effective or that they can be easily jammed. That's not true, so don't mistake marketing for actual advice on home safety. How to buy the right security camera for you How to buy the right security camera for you Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:15 Loaded : 100.00% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:15 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to buy the right security camera for you Myth: I don't need home security because I have a big dog Dogs can act as a security deterrent, but they can't take the place of any real home security, for a few reasons all pet owners should know. First, it's hard to train a dog to be vicious toward only suspicious trespassers and not innocent strangers or visiting family. And if your dog attacks someone, even a burglar, they have powerful grounds for a successful lawsuit (we also don't think it's very cool to raise dogs this way). Second, many burglars will strike when you and your dog are away on walks or when you're on vacation and your dog is at the kennel, so pets won't help very much in these cases. Third, homeowners insurance tends to frown on some of the most infamous guard dog breeds. If you get a Rottweiler, Doberman or similar breed for home protection, your insurance company may deny burglar claims or threaten to cancel your policy. Blink's long-lasting outdoor camera include object detection and comes with floodlight versions. Amazon Myth: It's illegal to record video in your home Privacy laws do apply to video recorded in your home, but only in certain cases. You can't film or record any video where people have an expectation of privacy. That includes bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms and so on. But your living room, kitchen or yard are all fair game. Just keep cameras pointed away from neighbors and you should be fine. Likewise, you don't technically have to tell someone if you have a security camera posted up in a more public area, but it's still polite to let people (babysitters, roommates, etc.) know if you do. Myth: My outdoor lights will keep away all thieves Outdoor lights at night can scare away some trespassers, especially if they are motion-activated and include the ability to recognize humans so they can send you an alert. But there's one small problem: Most burglaries tend to happen during the day, when burglars don't think anybody is at home. Lights don't help much in these cases. Instead, an affordable home security system or even just a smart lock or video camera can help a lot no matter what time of day it is. Aqara's smart lock deadbolt replacement looks and feels great. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Myth: I live in a rural area, so I don't need any extra home security This assumption doesn't work because it varies so much based on region. While property crimes (which include burglary and vandalism, and should not be mistaken for violent victimization or other statistics) are generally on a downward trend everywhere, there's no guarantee that rural areas are free of property crime compared to nearby urban or suburban areas. In fact, in some rural locations property crime rates are higher than in cities. Even on average, property crime rates in rural areas are around 50% to 75% of those in urban areas, so there are still plenty of risks. And more remote locations may be more tempting to burglars who are trying to avoid the eyes of neighbors. For more, read up on the top home security mistakes you can make. Learn how to stop porch pirates, reduce the risk of car break ins and what you should keep in a safe. For more home security tips, check out the three places you should never put a security camera, and how to use an old smartphone as a security camera.
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- RNZ News
Kardashian tells court she ‘absolutely thought' robbers would kill her in $16m heist
US celebrity Kim Kardashian leaves court after testifying in the trial over the 2016 robbery that saw millions of dollars' worth of jewellery stolen at gunpoint in Paris, on May 13, 2025. Photo: AFP / Alain Jocard By Joseph Ataman and Christian Edwards , CNN Kim Kardashian, testifying in the trial of the burglars accused of tying her up and robbing her at gunpoint nearly nine years ago, told a Paris court on Tuesday (French time) that she "absolutely thought" her assailants would kill her. "I have babies, I have to make it home, I have babies," Kardashian recalled pleading with the armed men, who had broken into her hotel room while she slept during Paris Fashion Week in 2016. Facing her alleged attackers for the first time since the heist, the billionaire reality TV star detailed how she was robbed of nearly US$10 million (NZ$16.8m) in cash and jewellery, including a $4m engagement ring - gifted to her by her then-husband Kanye West - that was never recovered. Kardashian was mostly calm during her testimony, which lasted more than two hours, but was on occasions reduced to tears as she described how the burglary had upended her life and changed how she organises her security. The defendants - nine men and one woman whose ages range from 35 to 78 - are facing charges including armed robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy. Eight of them deny involvement, while two have pleaded guilty to some of the charges. Kardashian arrived at court in the French capital with her mother, Kris Jenner, wearing a diamond-encrusted necklace - in a seeming nod to the jewels taken from her on the night of the burglary. Kim Kardashian, left, leaves the courthouse in Paris with her mother Kris Jenner. Photo: AFP / Alain Jocard On the night in October 2016, Kardashian recalled being woken up by the assailants and at first not knowing what the men were demanding. "There was a lot of terrorist attacks happening in the world" around the time, Kardashian said. "I thought that's what it was." One of the reasons the trial has taken so long to start is because of a backlog of major cases in France, including those related to the 2015 Paris terror attacks. After the men had rifled through her jewellery box and snatched the engagement ring by the side of her bed, Kardashian said one of the robbers pressed a gun to her back and bound her hands together with a zip tie. She recalled being "hysterical," begging the robbers to let her live. Having been woken up while wearing just a bathrobe, Kardashian said she feared the men would rape her. "I was naked under the robe. Everything was exposed and I was sure he was going to rape me. I said a prayer and got ready for it to happen… but he closed my legs and taped them," she said. Kardashian then said she feared she would be killed - and that her sister, Kourtney, and friend, Simone Harouche, who was sleeping in an adjoining room downstairs, would have to find her body. "I knew… they'd see that… that I'd be on the bed, shot dead on the bed and they would see that and have that in their brain forever," Kardashian said. This court sketch made on May 13, 2025 in Paris shows Kim Kardashian testifying. Photo: AFP / Benoit Peyrucq Harouche, who has known Kardashian since they were 12 years old and is a key witness in the trial, testified earlier on Tuesday. She said she had been hired as Kardashian's stylist in Paris for the fashion week, and was woken by the sound of the heist. Fearing the burglars would next try to enter her room, Harouche locked herself in the bathroom and texted Kourtney and Kardashian's bodyguard, Pascal Duvier. Duvier testified last week that he found Kardashian "crying hysterically" when he arrived at the hotel. Once the burglars had left, Harouche described how Kardashian, having clearly "suffered major trauma", was frenetic and terrified that the men could soon return. "I heard her hopping down the stairs. She came into my room and she had tape around her feet," Harouche said. "She was just screaming and kept saying: 'We need to get out of here. What do we do if they come back? We might need to jump out the window.'" The night "changed her life forever," Harouche said. "I've seen her in grief, through a divorce, the worst of times. I've never seen her like this." After the experience, Harouche said she no longer wanted to expose herself to the risk of working with celebrities. "I changed professions and now I do interior design," she added. Dubbed the "Grandpa Robbers," of the original 12 suspects, one has since died, and another defendant who has Alzheimer's disease has been ruled unfit to stand trial. If convicted, some of the remaining defendants could face up to 30 years in prison. Several are repeat offenders, and much of the start of the trial - which opened on 28 April - has focused on their previous criminal acts. Toward the end of Kardashian's testimony, the presiding judge read her a letter from Aomar Aït Khedache, the alleged ringleader of the group, apologising for the trauma he had inflicted. Although he was in the courtroom, the 68-year-old Khedache is partially deaf and unable to speak, his lawyer told CNN before Tuesday's hearing. "I want to come to you as a human being and say how much I regret my act," he wrote. Visibly moved, Kardashian said she "forgives" him, "but it doesn't change the emotion and the feelings and the trauma". The trial is scheduled to run through 22 May, with a verdict expected on 23 May. -CNN
CNET
06-05-2025
- CNET
Can Burglars Use Wi-Fi Jammers on Your Home Security? Here Are the Facts
From resisting home hacking to automatic locks and arming techniques, home security has never been better. But we keep an eye on how burglars adapt to smart homes and use new technology -- and one of the most common concerns is about scary Wi-Fi jamming tools. You can spot eye-catching headlines on how burglars robbed a home while security devices mysteriously failed, with claims about Wi-Fi jamming from Los Angeles and Glendale, California, to Minneapolis, Boston and Colorado. Headlines aren't the same things as facts, which is why CNET experts have tested home security systems, Wi-Fi signal blocking and how jammers work. Here's why actual jamming devices are so unheard of in home burglaries, and what you can do if you're still worried. Don't get too jammed up Wi-Fi-jammers are out there, but they are unlikely to pose a threat to your home or any of your devices. Jamming signals need to be very close, have the model of your exact system system and don't work on many home security devices. Important reasons to stay calm include: The above reports are general police messages for their communities, and scant evidence has been presented that Wi-Fi jammers were used, only that affluent neighborhoods were being robbed. In some cases, local reporting makes it clear police are only saying burglars "could be" using jammers or are suspected of having jammers, not that they've caught any in the act. Some burglar arrests like this Connecticut event in 2023 did show proof of jammer devices, but it's one of the very few times it's been confirmed. Sometimes there's a professional security company ready to say that people can't trust DIY devices, but they should never be counted as a unbiased source. Smart home encryption helps prevent this type of attack and can notify owners immediately about problems (more on this below). And you can't "jam" things like video doorbells the way you can disarm a security system, especially since motion detection is faster and reaches farther than most jammers. As we've mentioned before in our guide on home hacking, burglars likely don't have the time or resources to buy and learn new tech. They're going to smash your windows or drill out your deadbolt -- blocking Wi-Fi isn't really in their plans. It's more commonly seen in military operations, for example. It's much more likely that suspicious smart home security failures are caused by dying batteries in wireless devices, or motion detection that didn't go off due to problems with motion zones or detection sensitivity. According to a 2019 FBI report, burglaries account for only 16% of property crimes, with only around 60% involving residential burglary and only about half of burglaries involving any kind of forced entry. Also note that burglaries in general decreased by around 50% between 2010 and 2020. However, Wi-Fi jamming technology does exist, and despite FCC laws banning their sale, burglars can still find and purchase jammers online. So let's dive deeper into this jamming tech and what you can do if you feel the need to take more action. We tested wireless jamming out for ourselves in this odd-looking setup designed to contain the RF interference. Tyler Lizenby/CNET Wireless Jamming 101 Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they're not unique to security systems. Any device that's built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequency can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let's say you wanted to "jam" a conversation between two people -- all you'd need to do is yell in the listener's ear. Jamming a wireless radio requires knowledge of its broadcast frequency (315 MHz, 433 MHz, 900 MHz, etc.) as well as the right equipment to jam that frequency. It also requires criminal intent, because jamming is highly illegal. Buying or selling these devices without the right certifications is illegal, too. That makes it impossible for a burglar to jam home security systems unless they buy black-market tech (that actually works) and study a house long enough to know what devices it uses, then learn how to research the signals produced and download the right firmware. People claim the latest jamming devices try to switching between a variety of signals to make jamming easier, but these core challenges still remain. As you can imagine, complex jamming hardly ever happens. Police in the stories above assumed that Wi-Fi jammers were being used because the robberies were in very affluent neighborhoods and security cameras didn't alert. Details are scarce and evidence of blocking gadgets appears thin. Even in the Connecticut case we referenced above, burglars only tried using jammers because they acquired detailed information about the home security system from a homeowner's coworker -- again, an unlikely series of events. Some systems use software to detect intentional RF interference. Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET Counter-measures Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. For instance, SimpliSafe, a two-time winner of our Editors' Choice distinction, utilizes a proprietary algorithm that's capable of separating incidental RF interference from targeted jamming attacks. When the system thinks it's being jammed, it'll notify you via push alert on your phone. From there, it's up to you to sound the alarm manually. We tested that jamming algorithm out back in 2015 after security researchers raised concerns that the system was susceptible to such attacks. After taking appropriate measures to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that it's possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified that SimpliSafe's anti-jamming algorithm works. It caught us in the act, sent an alert to a connected smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system's event log. Finally, smart home tech has greatly improved since our test. Encryption from major manufacturers has improved, new problems have been found and fixed and new protocols like Thread help keep individual devices safe. Still worried? Avoid Wi-Fi altogether Reolink offers a variety of PoE cams for those who don't want to use Wi-Fi. Reolink Our lengthy assurances above should satisfy you about the safety of wireless home security devices, but we know some home-havers may still harbor concerns. If you live in a particularly affluent neighborhood without a security patrol or with frequent break-in attempts (and constant monitoring), you may want to take an extra safety step. In that case, you have choices, including: Choose PoE (Power over Ethernet) devices: PoE cameras use a cable connection for electrical power and Ethernet for Internet access. There's no Wi-Fi involved and no worries about battery life. Some security-conscious homeowners look for battery backup models that work if their power is cut. Reolink is one of the best PoE camera brands available, but other companies also sell PoE equipment. Use a ZigBee home security system: ZigBee is an alternative smart home protocol on a different frequency than Wi-Fi, so it's much less likely to be the target of jamming efforts. The problem is that very few smart home systems use only ZigBee these days. One of the few remaining is the Sonoff home security product line. The bottom line Devices like Flipper Zeros claim they make hacking easy, but it still takes too much work and knowhow for home burglars. Flipper Zero The most likely burglary scenario by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some other kind of brute-force entry. Even attacks from more casual devices like a Flipper Zero don't have much effect against today's regularly updated home security systems. Home security systems help prevent common property crime scenarios and ward off intruders through a mix of visible cams, smart lighting, yard signs and, of course, the ability to turn on audio and yell, "Hey you!" They can also connect immediately to monitoring centers and professionals. These smart home upgrades are keeping homes safer than they've ever been before. No tech system is impenetrable, but the risk of anti-security technology isn't a concern for the average homeowner. That's especially true for the best home security systems from brands that reliably update firmware, improve encryption and patch vulnerabilities in their systems.
