Here you can find your own jammer

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…

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.

NBC News reported that online retailers and drone technology companies are marketing radio frequency jammers as drone deterrence or privacy tools, bypassing laws that prohibit the sale of such devices in the United States.
The warning issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says signal jamming devices can block emergency calls and pose a serious risk to public safety communications, as well as interfere with other forms of daily communication and air navigation systems.
"The use of telephone jammers, GPS jammers, or other signal jamming devices designed to intentionally block, interfere with, or interfere with authorized radio communications violates federal law," the FCC said. "There are no exemptions for use in businesses, classrooms, homes or vehicles. Local law enforcement agencies do not have independent powers to use jamming devices; With certain limited exceptions, use by federal law enforcement agencies is authorized under applicable statute."
The FCC's warning also states that "it is illegal to advertise, sell, distribute, import, or otherwise market interfering devices to consumers in the United States."
But NBC reported that Amazon third-party sellers, independent online stores based in China, and small domestic companies specializing in drone-related equipment flouted the law. The FCC told NBC that it is investigating the sale of jammers, including on Amazon.
As part of its investigation, NBC interviewed the CEO of an American company that offers portable anti-drone RF jamming devices online. The CEO told NBC that the devices are easy for consumers to buy if they have the money, but they are mainly seeing interest from large corporations and government agencies as they prepare for domestic drone terrorism.

The advent of GPS technology has revolutionized the way in which companies oversee their vehicle fleets. Real-time tracking capabilities now enable managers to monitor their vehicles efficiently, a crucial aspect for businesses heavily dependent on transportation. The integration of fleet GPS tracking has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and speed for these companies.
Azuga's advanced tracking system provides numerous advantages, such as efficient route planning and effective fuel management. Regrettably, the presence of fleet GPS jammers can hinder your operations. Let us delve deeper into the topic of GPS jammers and discover strategies to safeguard your fleet from their disruptive influence.
What are Fleet GPS Jammers?
GPS jammers are compact transmitter devices that allow drivers to hide their whereabouts. By emitting radio signals on the same frequency as your fleet GPS device, these jammers create interference that hinders the GPS device from pinpointing the vehicles' locations. Despite being illegal, the simplicity of these devices leads to many drivers flouting the law and utilizing GPS signal jammers.
How Do GPS Jammers Work?
A GPS jammer disrupts standard GPS signals. This disruption makes it difficult for devices to determine their location accurately. A driver can activate a GPS jammer with three easy steps:
They plug the jammer into the auxiliary power outlet.
The driver then places the unit near the fleet GPS tracker.
When the driver activates the jammer, it creates an interference signal that lasts over a 5-10 meter radius of the fleet GPS signal.
Of course, you want to prevent your fleet drivers from using GPS jammers. Not only are they bad for your business, but they can also have serious consequences. They are illegal because they interfere with essential services like navigation and emergency communications.
Three Tips to Combat GPS Jammers

• Tip #1: Privacy Mode Authorization


• Some authorized drivers use their work vehicle for personal tasks, like taking it home or running errands during lunch breaks. In these situations, they might prefer not to be tracked. GPS tracking devices often have a "privacy mode" feature, allowing drivers and dispatchers to hide their location and activity temporarily. This feature helps protect their privacy without resorting to using GPS jammers.


• Tip #2: Jamming Detection for Added Security


• Advanced GPS tracking devices, like Azuga's Fleet tracking software, can detect GPS signal jamming. This feature safeguards against vehicle theft and aids in recovering stolen fleet vehicles.


• Tip #3: Tracking Employees Using GPS Blockers


• Even without jamming detection, you can still catch employees using GPS blockers. When an employee activates a GPS blocker, it shows as a missing or interrupted trip on the tracking map. Additionally, you can set up alerts for GPS signal errors to notify management when interference occurs. Using a blocker would likely draw more attention to their actions.

Tracking is Easier with Azuga!
Azuga’s fleet management solution can help you implement the above tips. Our state-of-the-art tracking software can detect signal jamming and track accurate driver location. Reach out to an expert today and try a demo of our software if GPS jamming is a concern within your fleet.

Glendale police issue warning about burglars using WiFi signal jammers to disable alarms, security cameras
GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Glendale police have issued a warning about residential burglars who use WIFI jammers to disable security alarms and surveillance cameras.
As described by police Sgt. Victor Jackson, the devices used by thieves block the signal or scramble the WiFi. "So if you have a Ring camera, a Nest camera -- any kind of alarm system that is WiFi-based or a camera that's WiFi-based -- it blocks the signal and knocks it out," he said.
A disproportionate surge in residential burglaries plagued Glendale and Southern California in the fall, leading investigators to the crime trend.
"As our detectives started going into these cases, that's when they realized what was happening," Jackson said. "In some cases, because of the way the device works, it made it look like when you went back and rewound your tape and looked, it wasn't a black screen -- it was seamless. It didn't exist there, so there was no evidence."
Police recommend that residents increase security by:

• hardwiring alarm systems and cameras,


• using back-up batteries in those security devices,


• installing sturdy locks on security gates,


• enhancing exterior lighting,


• securing windows and balconies,


• and having a trusted neighbor or housesitter look after your home, when away.

The Glendale Police Department's residential burglary task force has been working to lower the number of break-ins, officials said.
"Our patrol officers, our motor officers, our special enforcement detail, and detectives -- we have them undercover in the area -- and we saturated the area," Jackson said.
Nora Alabi, a Glendale resident, told ABC7: "I feel like there's no part of the city that you can be in and not run into a cop or not run into a police car.
"If I stand here for five minutes, I might see like three cop cars drive by," she said. "So, because of that, I feel like it's a safe city."

In a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, officers warn that a group in Wilshire is using wifi jamming technology to disarm surveillance cameras and alarm systems that rely on Wi-Fi.
(TNS) — A group of thieves have been outsmarting smart devices across the Los Angeles area, authorities said.


In a March 4 statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, officers warn that a group in Wilshire is using Wi-Fi jamming technology to disarm surveillance cameras and alarm systems that rely on Wi-Fi.
This swarm of tech-savvy robberies in California is part of a larger “smart” crime wave happening nationwide. Last year, police in Minnesota and Connecticut issued similar warnings to residents when groups of Wi-Fi jamming thieves made their rounds. And those are just two examples of many.
While the Federal Communications Commission has banned Wi-Fi jamming devices, this doesn’t stop criminals from buying them cheaply, KARE11 reported. Wi-Fi jamming devices don’t necessarily deactivate devices, but work by overloading the network the devices are connected to.
“These (signal jamming) devices create traffic jams for the radio transmitter so that real traffic cannot get through,” cybersecurity expert Mark Lanterman told the outlet.
“If you are going to use a Wi-Fi camera for your front door, perhaps consider using a hardline camera inside your home,” he said. Wired cameras connected via Ethernet cables do not rely on Wi-Fi networks and would not be disrupted by a Wi-Fi jammer.
Los Angeles police also recommends hard wiring burglary alarm systems
While “smart” technology may be part of the problem, it may also have a hand in the solution, according to Tom’s Hardware. Officials recommend using timers or smart home devices to make it look like someone is home while you are away. Some smart home technology also comes with the ability to alert users if the signal or connection has been interrupted.
Tom’s Hardware also recommends connecting surveillance devices that store camera footage directly on your device, and not just to a cloud storage system. By having a camera that records to itself, you’ll have footage saved during a Wi-Fi disruption.
The LAPD also encourages people to stay vigilant by locking their doors, relying on neighbors to check on things when away and reporting any strange activity, including suspicious vehicles with temporary or dealer plates.

Jammers don't target individual phones - they actually block all phones in the affected area. They drown out communications between cell phones and base stations by generating RF noise - the equivalent of you trying to talk to someone while I'm standing next to you screaming at the top of my voice.
I doubt anyone is using jammers - jammers are uncommon, and the penalties for using jammers are quite severe in many places. Start by talking to your mobile carrier. If after all of this you still have reason to believe that jammers are being used, complain to the body responsible for radio and communication systems in your country - this could be the FCC in the US, or Ofcom in the UK - other countries will have their own equivalent.
Someone used a signal jammer on me. How do I find it and stop it?
I thought it was the same at my house where the signal was always down to 3g and I couldn't use the service unless I was outside. It turned out to be an IMSI trap installed in the apartment next door. I started getting phishing pages from my bank and realized that my email had been compromised, the virus software on my computer had been disabled, and everything I did had been copied because it acted as MITM.


How to prevent jammers?
This happened to me at the school where I worked. Now, a private company has rented the school building to conduct the exams. As previously agreed, in order to prevent rampant unfair practices in public exams, the company installed jammers in all 108 classrooms of our school. This was done a few days before the exam. Children are curious and mischievous by nature. One morning, we found that none of our smartphones on or off campus had received a signal. Several departments at a university next door were also affected. It's almost impossible for us to find the malicious jammer we suspect is at work. Fortunately, however, the school LAN as well as Internet connections and landlines are working. As head of technology, I had to come up with a solution, and today I'm going to share that solution.
Compared to GSM 4G cellular networks, Wifi uses a higher frequency (2.4 Ghz). The trick for all users with a phone that supports WiFi calling or VoIP is to route calls through the WiFi network. For other users with smartphones, the solution is to use Whatsapp to talk to FBM (Skype works too, only no one uses it except me).
This went on for a few days, and after the test was over, the renters left with their jammers.
Have you ever secretly used a cell phone blocker in a restaurant, theater, or on public transportation to end an unusually loud, obnoxious, and unnecessary phone conversation with a stranger sitting next to you?
I once rode the quiet Amtrak car between Boston and New York.
A woman was on the phone, completely oblivious to the signs posted and the announcements made over the public address system.
She replied, "The train hasn't moved yet," and continued the conversation.
From now on, all I have to do is ask the conductor for help, even if he's sitting next to me. I've gotten too many smart-aleck - or worse - replies.
Once, at a movie, I asked a young woman next to me to turn off her lit cell phone, and she reported me for harassment.
God, I'm easily twice her age, but that obviously doesn't count.
How to use cell phone jammer? Where can I buy one?
To use this phone number, first make sure you have the lawyer's phone number on hand - it is illegal to use a lawyer's phone number in most countries.
It's easy to find them online - try Google, but you'll have to check if they're allowed to be imported into your country. It's easy to find unsophisticated devices that broadcast across the entire spectrum (kind of like sparks, but more sophisticated), but this would obviously annoy more people and authorities even more, not least because it would block 911 calls and potentially also communications for emergency services, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.
If you want a device that allows 911 calls but blocks other calls, it's very complicated and expensive. In addition, as more and more frequencies (from about 800Mhz to more than 3GHz) are used in cellular networks, these devices must cover a range of radio spectrum.

Shortly before noon on September 11, 2018, Jared Johns, a former Army private, settled himself on his bed, switched on the camera of his iPhone, and bid a heartfelt goodbye to his family.
Towards the end of the two-minute video, Johns's eyes widened in alarm as he read a message on his screen: "She is going to the police, and you will end up in jail," the message revealed.
Following his time in Afghanistan, Johns exhaled slowly, then placed a 9 mm handgun under his chin and pulled the trigger.
Among the victims of a reprehensible "sextortion" scheme were countless former and current service members, including a 24-year-old veteran. Tragically, this young individual took his own life as a result of the scheme, which revolved around impostors posing as underage girls on dating sites. Prosecutors have revealed that these scam artists sought to extort money from men who fell into their trap.
Nonetheless, the most surprising aspect of the storyline in Johns' case was that it was allegedly carried out by inmates at Lee Correctional Institution, a high-security prison located in South Carolina about 150 miles east of Greenville. Additionally, the inmates accomplished this using smartphones - prohibited devices that were supposed to be blocked by the prison's $1.7 million "managed access system."
Prison officials, in conjunction with specific federal entities, are proposing the procurement of a more sophisticated and potentially more costly technology to halt illegal cellular and Wi-Fi communication from contraband phones in correctional facilities: a signal blocker device that can effectively block all calls within its coverage area.
Bryan P. Stirling, the head of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, has highlighted that prisoners, although physically imprisoned, maintain their digital autonomy.
Nonetheless, a number of experts raise red flags about the utilization of jamming technology, as recently tested by the federal Bureau of Prisons within a South Carolina correctional facility. They highlight the potential risks it poses to public safety, including the interference with emergency 911 calls and other cellphone services in close proximity. In the case of rural prisons, the concern centers around the impact on drivers utilizing local roads and highways. Furthermore, these experts assert that the effectiveness of this technology is highly unlikely.
Jamming all calls, even to 911
The proposal to utilize cellphone jammers, a technology that has historically faced resistance from the communications industry, has been suggested by corrections officials and federal agencies as a means to address these problems. The objective is to effectively block all calls, even those made from phones owned by staff or emergency workers.
While managed access systems grant permission for calls based on pre-approved numbers, jammers have the capacity to indiscriminately disrupt all frequencies, including data and Wi-Fi. This poses a particular issue for the nation's 911 phone system, which relies on a frequency that is in close proximity to those utilized by commercial carriers.
Only federal officials are legally allowed to utilize jammers, and solely in specific instances related to national security. Nonetheless, with the support of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who was appointed by President Trump in 2017, and the U.S. Department of Justice, the utilization of jammers within prisons might be sanctioned.
In September, the department and state officials released statements indicating that a test conducted at South Carolina's Broad River Correctional Institution showed that a micro-jammer could block calls within a cell block, while allowing "legitimate calls" a foot away from the walls.
However, the technical report issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration took a slightly different stance. It emphasized that the test solely employed one out of the 14 necessary jammers to disrupt calls in half of the cellblock. Moreover, the report highlighted the detection of jamming signals at a minimum distance of 65 feet, although the actual impact on regular cell-phone service remained uncertain.

A Chinese government-affiliated trade body sought to purchase drone-jamming equipment for Russian buyers, but dismissed accusations, claiming the Russians tried to buy children’s toys, FT says.
FT: China trade promotion body eyed drone jammers for Russia
China’s Guangdong Province Trade Promotion Association for Russia, established under the guidance of the provincial commerce department, posted a “Notice of foreign enterprises purchasing [unmanned aerial vehicle] equipment” on its WeChat social media site, seeking “interference generators, drone detectors (trade names BorisTone, Assel Labs, Bulat) or other similar technological solutions, UAV suppressors, communication frequency band signal blockers,” according to Financial Times.
China claims neutrality in the Russo-Ukrainian war, positioning itself as an alleged proponent of peace. Despite this, it provides economic support to Russia, including drone technology and gunpowder ingredients, following the announcement of their “no limits” relationship.
FT notes that the agency was set up last year to help Russian customers buy goods ranging from trucks to boats. This time, the buyers specifically wanted a locally produced equivalent to the Bulat drone detectors developed by the St. Petersburg company 3mx, which has said its products have been used “on the front lines” during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The procurement notice was later removed from the association’s WeChat account. When contacted by the Financial Times, a person from the group claimed it was “some sort of mistake” and alleged the Russian buyers were actually looking for “children’s toys,” contradicting the detailed drone countermeasure descriptions in the original post.
The US aims to disrupt supplies to Russia’s defense industry via China, a crucial support route for Putin’s war efforts. US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo emphasized in Berlin on 31 May that Chinese firms must choose between trading with Western economies or supplying Russia with dual-use goods.
The Financial Times report highlights the dominant role China plays in the global drone supply chain through companies like DJI, the world’s largest commercial drone maker.
Earlier, British Defense Minister Grant Schapps stated that forthcoming evidence from American and British intelligence would show China providing lethal combat equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine. However, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan dismissed Shapps’ claims, noting at a White House press briefing that the US has not observed such activities and he anticipates coordinating with the UK for a unified understanding.

The FCC says illegal devices that block cell phone signals could pose a security risk.

The FCC has noticed a rise in people selling "jammers." The devices can block cell phone calls, text messages, Wi-Fi networks and GPS systems and could be used to cause chaos in public places.
The small, battery-powered devices can be used to create "blind spots" in a small area (usually about 30 feet) and have been used by movie theaters, restaurants and schools to prevent people from using their phones. But they can also cut off 911 calls, interfere with navigation near airports and have been used to jam radio communications near police stations. FCC officials say they have noticed an increase in the flow of jammers, which are banned by federal law, into the U.S. Many of the cheaper versions, which sell for as little as $25, are imported from Asia, according to the agency.
It is illegal to sell, advertise, use or import jammers under the Communications Act of 1934, which prohibits blocking radio communications in public.
Earlier this week, the FCC issued subpoenas to eight individuals and companies that posted ads for jammers on Craigslist.
The FCC said cities including Orlando, Philadelphia, Austin, Mississippi, Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Cincinnati and Corpus Christi, Texas, advertised jammers on the site. Officials said they do not believe the cases are related.
"Simply posting an ad for a signal jammers on a site like Craigslist.org is a violation of federal law. Signal jammers are contraband for a reason," Michele Ellison, director of the FCC's enforcement bureau, said in a statement. "One person's moment of peace or privacy could jeopardize the safety and well-being of others."
According to the citations, most sellers advertised the jammers as a way to take an "undisturbed nap" on the bus, quiet a classroom or keep your area "free of interference," without mentioning the more nefarious uses the devices could be used for.
"We are increasingly concerned that individual consumers operating jammer devices do not appear to understand the serious consequences of using jammers," one of the citations read. "Instead, these operators mistakenly believed that their illegal operations were a matter of personal convenience or should be excused."
But the FCC said at least one seller appeared to know that jammers were contraband.
Keith Grabowski allegedly advertised on Philadelphia Craigslist for sale a "cell phone blocker, wifi blocker" for $300. In his ad, he said that "due to the nature of this item, we are revealing very few details," that the jammer was "not a toy," and that "I just wanted to get rid of it as quickly as possible."
"The nature of the ad suggests that Mr. Grabowski knew about the sensitive and/or illegal nature of the equipment he was selling on Craigslist," the citation reads.
People who receive the ticket have 15 days to remove the ad from the site and provide the FCC with information about where the jammer was purchased and to whom it was sold. Simply posting an ad for the sale of a jammer could result in a fine of more than $100,000.
The FCC has set up a "jammer tip line" for people to report to the agency people who may be selling or using jammers.
"We intend to take increasingly tough enforcement action against offenders," Ellison said. "If we find you selling or operating a jammer, you will be punished."