‎Entry sensor signal is jammed | SimpliSafe Support Home
 

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 1:14 PM

Entry sensor signal is jammed

If the system is armed and someone attempts to jam the signal from an entry sensor, will the alarm go off? Thanks.

Captain

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6.2K Messages

1 year ago

@bosons_photic0b Suggest you use the search tool and read the different positions on this from various cusotmers, including myself and Simplisafe's official response.

Spoiler alert: I sleep quite well at night.

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Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

1 year ago

Hi @bosons_photic0b, 

Jamming is always going to be a concern for all wireless security systems. That's why the SimpliSafe system features intelligent jam detection to immediately notify users of a possible attack. We even have regular firmware updates to stay ahead of future threats like this. Check out this post on our blog for more information.

6 Messages

Tired of seeing this 5-yo article as the only answer to jamming.  NOT IMPRESSED.  Suggest you have a serious section on jamming that is thorough, not just gaslighting. Just because the vast majority of break-ins aren’t targeted or intetnional, doesn’t mean serious events don’t happen.  When you have a serious jamming problem it’s HIGHLY insulting and irritating.

6 Messages

They could improve things by at least calling us if there is a jamming attempt, rather than just sending a notification which may go ignored especially if the phone is on silent at night. 

Jamming is much more common nowadays than it was 5 years ago when this article was made, more thieves have access to wide band jammers which have the ability to block all of the sensors within a large area so they don't need to be 'directly next to a sensor' and they don't need to 'know the exact location of every sensor'.

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1K Messages

1 year ago

This is where layers of protection is important and I mean multiple layers. I have 2 simplicams inside, 2 live agent cameras inside, all doors with sensors and motion and glass breaks all over. I had a guy from another company come by and saw my simplisafe signs and said with this device I can bypass it and get in and I armedit and even left the window and door unlocked and we started at the street and as he got up to the driveway my phone went off I said got you on that camera, then the sidewalk, got you on that camera then front door yep got you on that camera and the video doorbell. So he pushes the button on his device and myphone went nuts and I can here the base yelling warning wireless interference detected. Now he did block the front door but he could not block all sensors and the motion got him and what he did not know was there is a extra siren above his head at the front door and the alarm went full blast. The guy ran and as I ask hey, where you going he said I'm sorry to have bothered you, have a nice day. So like captain said, I sleep well at night.

6 Messages

@lance843​ 

He must have had a very cheap jammer, as there are a lot of posts/articles now where thieves are jamming the cameras before even stepping on to your drive. It works with a large area so I think it would also jam your neighbours cameras.

I'm not sure of the correct term for these jammers, I think it was 'wide band jammers' or 10 band jammers and they reach quite far. Surely they would be able to jam all of your cameras and entry/motion sensors before even stepping on to your drive? Possibly also jamming a few of your neighbours wireless alarm systems at the same time. 

I may be wrong about this, but apparently a lot of the wireless alarm systems use the same 433 mhz frequencies, so the thieves wouldn't need to know which system you have. Especially if they have the better jammers (which are more common now) as they could just jam lots of frequencies. 

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88 Messages

1 year ago

It’s good that the SimpliSafe 3rd generation system is able to detect wireless signal jamming between the sensors and the base station and alert the user to this interference.  Apparently, some systems on the market are able to not only detect this interference but are still able to have the sensors and base communicate with each other and work normally as if no interference existed. What are the odds that the next generation SimpliSafe system and sensors will incorporate something like frequency hopping spread spectrum or some other technology that will actually prevent someone from jamming the system?  And can they do the same for Wi-Fi and cellular signals (unlikely due to standard protocols used there)?  If not, perhaps add an Ethernet port to the base station so that Wi-Fi jamming becomes a non-issue for those choosing to make a wired connection to their router. 

2 Messages

1 year ago

So I guess the short answer is no, in case someone tries to jam the entry sensor signal and even if the system detects this attempt the alarm will NOT be triggered. But the system will send a notification. Hopefully you’re able to access your phone or it’s connected (eg. you’re not in the plane, etc) so you can act quickly. Is that correct?

Captain

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6.2K Messages

The key is the "layers of protection" that was in lance843's post. For example, someone jams my back door sensor. Opens door, gets picked up my laundry room motion sensor. Jams that, gets into kitchen,  gets picked up by that motion sensor. Jams that, gets picked up by the Smart Alarm indoor camera. Jams that, goes into my office, opens third drawer, entry sensor but jams that, opens front foyer closest door, jams that, front foyer motion sensor......I think you get the idea.

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88 Messages

@captain11 What if someone used a more powerful jamming device that can jam the signal around an entire home or apartment at once?  Then none of the sensors would be able to communicate with the base station and the burglar would have free rein throughout the premises.

I really hope that SS uses frequency hopping or some other anti-jamming technology in their next generation system. Not sure if that would completely solve the problem but would definitely be an improvement over the current system.

Captain

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6.2K Messages

@Boring_Joe The starting post of this thread was one entry sensor and that was topic being discussed. Yes, a larger jamming device will be an issue and could take out the enitre system but that would be the case of almost any wireless system.  Based on the input from someone I know from a related industry, a sensor located near the base, if tripped, could still set off the alarm even if a large portion of the house was jammed. Knowledge of the physical layout of your premises, location of sensors and of the base, and local cell tower would be needed to guarantee a 100% effective attack.  As most intruders are not going to take that much diligence, I am of the opinion they would move on to a softer target. You are correct, and I agree, mutliple frequencies and signal hopping would make the SS system more secure, but even with that, not foolproof.

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6 Messages

@captain11​ What if they work in pairs or small groups? One or two guys jam devices and one guy does the business?  The people who enter my place don’t give a damn if I know they’ve come in as long as they’re not caught on camera.  They’re not there for the loot, they’re stalking/harassing me. 

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