Cybersecurity expert weighs in on Wi-Fi jamming used in Florham Park burglary

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- Police in Florham Park, New Jersey, are recommending residents have a landline and hardwired security system after a burglary that used Wi-Fi jamming technology.

Wi-Fi jamming is a technology used to disable devices on a wireless network. Dr. Stanislav Mamonov, a cybersecurity expert and associate professor at Montclair State University, said wireless camera systems - and the technology used to circumvent them - have become more affordable and accessible. Wi-Fi jammers are illegal at the federal level but can be purchased on the black market for less than $1,000.

“I think these are the early warning signs of new types of attacks that are likely to occur with emerging technology,” said Dr. Mamonov.

“Jamming is actually extremely easy to do,” said Dr. Mamonov. “And so the technological sophistication is actually fairly rudimentary.”

In Florham Park, police said suspects used a jammer to disengage the wireless security cameras at a home burglarized on June 10. A resident who was home at the time was unable to use their cellphone to call 911.

The suspects fled and have not been caught. Police believe they are part of a theft ring out of South America, known for using Wi-Fi jammers and carrying out sophisticated operations, often fleeing the country before they are caught.

“They’ll set up cameras on victims’ homes ... They’ll have spotters, they’ll be using walkie-talkies, they’ll be listening to local police on scanners,” said Florham Park Police Lt. Brian Ford.

Depending on the model, Lt. Ford said Wi-Fi jammers can also disable cellphone carriers, making phone calls impossible, even if Wi-Fi is turned off.

“They’re normally the size of a cellphone,” said Lt. Ford. “They may have several antennae coming out of them. So they can be held in your hand, held in your back pocket, in a backpack while you’re committing a crime.”

Florham Park police recommend residents install a landline phone and use hardwired security cameras that cannot be disabled by a jammer.

The burglary has also prompted neighbors to consider their own home security options.

“We have Blink and, you know, all the different cameras around the home, but I think we’re going to consider putting in something more sufficient,” said Danielle Kelly, who lives around the corner from where the burglary took place.

Bob Palladino, who lives just a few doors down from the burglarized home, said he is satisfied with his current level of protection and realizes that no system is foolproof.

“How much protection do you want, because no matter what you do, it’s defeatable,” said Palladino.