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[picoVerse]

Are wireless security units vulnerable to jamming?

If so then is there any way to make wireless units check in once every second so if any get jammed then the central unit can make a phone call to note that fact?

[HA Dave]

Are wireless security units vulnerable to jamming?

All security alarms can be defeated. Many if not most can be defeated rather easily. To the best of my knowledge... all locks can be picked. Last Christmas a home in my area was robbed by cutting an opening with a chain saw (and believe it or not... no neighbors noticed).

I know of no way to protect valuables or people from thief or harm... short of armed guards.

However... the good news is: Expert burglars are extremely rare. The average intruder is a kid or young adult that lives in (or associated with in some way, someone in) the neighborhood. Generally speaking.. they have drug addiction issues. It is the drug induced impairments... that make these people dangerous.

Just about ANY alarm system will detect and report most every intrusion. Concerns of jamming... or sensor bypassing... and so on shouldn't be a major concern. In most cases... your door will be kicked open or a window broken. The intruder will be in and out in 3 minutes or less. More often than not... the intruder will cause more cost in damage.. than the value of the items taken.

The hardest home [in the neighborhood] to break into... will likely be the last one selected. Lights (and MORE lights), strong doors and windows, and good locks, plus a visible security camera or two will help to deter crime.

[dave w]

Are wireless security units vulnerable to jamming?

If so then is there any way to make wireless units check in once every second so if any get jammed then the central unit can make a phone call to note that fact?

Buttressing the sound advice from Dave_X10:

Yes.
But the the person jamming would need to know the systems frequency to jam, so don't let anyone know you are using an X10 system.

Even if they do know, there is no guarrentee the jamming is working or will continue to work during the break-in and time in the house.

Also my understanding is; the "shotgun" jamming approach of sweeping the RF is not very effective unless you have about  $30K plus of equipment, since alarm systems can operate in the 300, 400, 800, 900 mHz and 1.2 and 2.4 gHz bands.

In other words, if you are trying to protect an average, middle class neighborhood home, jamming is probably not a worry.

No.
The "heartbeat" or check-in time of the remote is fixed and can't be changed. As is true of the "expectation window" for the base. There probably are systems where these factors can be changed...but not in a $100 system. Besides a system that has a check-in resolution of one second on the remote, will have a battery life of one week (more or less). Everything is give and take.

[tom j]

Actually it is quite easy to jam the DS7000 even with something as innocuous as a palm pad remote, that's why it's important not to advertise what kind of system you have! Actually you should never advertise what kind of alarm system you have. I have a DSC system but my stickers say Brinks. But I agree with dave and pico the average burglar breaking in would not be aware of this especially if you didn't give them a heads up with those x10 stickers    just cut the x10 portion off and you should be fine. Of course if he/she did know you had an x10 system and had access to some x10 remotes that could prove problematic. Don't ask don't tell. 

Tom j.

[HA Dave]

... I have a DSC system but my stickers say Brinks.

I also don't use the X10 stickers. I bought my stickers via the Internet.

I think many of us at the forum are in agreement about many areas of security. Security is layers of protection... not a box of technology that sets up in a day. Even when people have alarm systems... most burglars don't break in... they just walk in the unlocked door. Good security starts (and ends) with good processes and safe practices.

But for some.. calling a professional could save them enough on their Home Owners Insurance.. to actually make the professional system free. Something to think about.

[Kramer Chins]

Are wireless security units vulnerable to jamming?

The hardest home [in the neighborhood] to break into... will likely be the last one selected. Lights (and MORE lights), strong doors and windows, and good locks, plus a visible security camera or two will help to deter crime.

I couldn't agree more !!! Lights and MORE Lights !!! Depending on which side of my house you approach determains which light (lights) come on. Even have Macros set up to turn inside lights on as well. And cameras covering every angle of the house....

If if by chance that don't deter them away and they do come in,  there will be 145 lbs. of Rottweiler waiting to play....

[tom j]

Yep and I got a 9mm and a 40 cal just in case they want to play.   


Tom j.

[Kramer Chins]

Yep and I got a 9mm and a 40 cal just in case they want to play.   


Tom j.

  I have the 9mm also... But it's fun to watch the puppy play........ 

[bitman]

I have a sign I had made on the front door of my house which also contains a recording studio.
Is says in English and Spanish:

"Smile you're on camera!"

I don't know about you but that would be enough to deter me.

[tom j]

Tom & Kramer       


Tom j.