Once more, state prosecutors from different parts of the country are calling on Congress to pass a law that permits state prisons to block cellphone signals used by incarcerated individuals. These prosecutors argue that these devices enable prisoners to orchestrate violent acts and engage in criminal behavior.

In a letter addressed to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a group of 22 Republican prosecutors, headed by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, expressed their plea for Congress to pass legislation. This legislation would empower states to implement a cell phone jamming system, aiming to protect inmates, guards, and the wider public.

Wilson's office has announced their intention to engage with Democratic state prosecutors, asserting that the issue is not a partisan matter.

A letter, provided to The Associated Press, has been brought forward by the attorneys. This letter outlines a number of criminal incidents that the attorneys claim were coordinated by prisoners using contraband cellphones. These incidents include a drug conspiracy in Tennessee and a double homicide that was reportedly ordered by an inmate from Indiana.

Furthermore, they made mention of a siege in 2018 that was connected to gang activity and took place at a prison in South Carolina. This violent incident persisted for more than seven hours and claimed the lives of seven inmates. A harrowing description provided by one prisoner depicted the grim sight of bodies literally stacked on top of each other, resembling a morbid pile of wood. The authorities responsible for corrections attributed the orchestrated violence, which stands as the most severe prison riot in the past 25 years in the United States, partially to the use of illegal cellphones.

According to the prosecutors, the prohibition of contraband cell phones among inmates would act as a deterrent against the escalation of drug trafficking, violent riots, and other criminal offenses.

In order to render the phones worthless, which are often smuggled into state prisons through various means like hiding them inside hollowed-out footballs, corrupt employees facilitating their entry, and even dropping them using drones, prosecutors are urging for a revision in a federal communications law that has been in place for almost a century. This revision would allow state prisons to utilize jamming signal technology to neutralize illegal cell signals.

For years, there has been a continuous drive to combat the presence of illicit cellphones in state prisons. South Carolina Corrections Director Bryan Stirling has emerged as a prominent figure in this effort, rallying corrections directors nationwide to advocate for enhanced technological measures to effectively tackle the issue of contraband phones.

A notable accomplishment was attained in 2021, as the Federal Communications Commission adopted a ruling permitting state prison systems to request licenses to identify and deactivate illegal cell signals, one at a time, in collaboration with cellphone providers. South Carolina took the lead by submitting an application to utilize this technology, but according to Stirling's statement to AP on Tuesday, no action has been taken on the state's application.

According to Stirling, federal prisons have the legal authority to interfere with cell signals within their premises, but as of now, they have opted not to employ this practice.

The wireless industry group known as CTIA opposes the implementation of jamming technology, as it believes it could hinder legal phone calls. However, in a 2020 document from the FCC, CTIA informed the commission that it has been collaborating effectively with its member companies to cease service to illegal devices as directed by court orders they have obtained.

Calling combating contraband phones "a serious issue," CTIA officials said in a statement to the AP that the "wireless industry remains committed to working with corrections officials and policymakers at all levels of government to implement effective solutions that combat contraband phones while protecting lawful communications."

A prompt seeking comment on the renewed push for jamming has been sent via email, but the FCC officials have not yet issued a response.

Previously, Congress has deliberated on the subject of jamming legislation, yet no bills have been approved or even given the opportunity for a hearing. U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, representing Arkansas and belonging to the Republican party, reintroduced a similar measure in August during the previous Congress.

"We're not going to stop advocating," Wilson told AP on Tuesday. "I can only hope that at some point, Congress is going to take note."

How to stop wifi jammer attacks on home security systems

The internet was abuzz with a viral news story from Queens, New York, which showcased a burglar effortlessly sliding across the floor while holding an enigmatic device. According to reports, this device was suspected to be a wifi jammer, strategically employed by the intruder to disable the home's wifi network and render the alarm system inoperable, allowing him to carry out his activities undetected.

Is this even possible? Yes, yes it is.

So what is a wifi jammer?

In essence, these jamming devices generate a frequency that disrupts the functioning of 3G, 4G, 5G, cordless, and wifi networks. Essentially, they affect all of these networks.

The presence of excessive noise disrupts the functioning of devices that rely on those frequencies for their normal operation. This interference extends to emergency networks used by first responders, which is the reason why the use of such devices is deemed illegal. However, these unauthorized devices are produced and traded on the black market, and individuals can potentially create their own. It is strongly recommended not to search for instructions online, as it may lead to being monitored by authorities.

Through the generation of disruptive noise, a signal blocker device disrupts the frequencies utilized by our devices, preventing their proper functioning. This interference extends beyond the intended targets, affecting a significant number of devices.

With this new information in mind, do you foresee any issues with your phones, alarm sensors, alarm base station, smart locks, and wifi cameras? It is a potential risk.

You might be wondering about this: "Andy, my alarm system has a cellular backup for when the wifi goes down. Will it still be functional?" Sadly, the answer is no. The sensors will be unable to establish communication with the base station due to the interference caused by these jammers. It is crucial to keep in mind that these jammers not only disrupt wifi signals but also block mobile spectrums, rendering your base station incapable of making calls over wifi or a cellular network.

How To Stop Wifi Jammer and Deauth Attacks

With knowledge about the nature and outcomes of these attacks, what steps should we take to defend against them? Have you remembered my caution about refraining from showcasing the alarm company branded sign in your yard?

This serves as an explanation as to why it is crucial to keep your home security methods confidential to avoid being targeted by criminals who could exploit your defenses. It is quite simple to identify companies that utilize the 2.4 GHz band.

When selecting new smart home products, ensure they are dual-band or compatible with the 5 gigahertz frequency. I've read about the potential benefits of WPA3 security in preventing these attacks, but as a novice, I cannot confirm its effectiveness. Regrettably, wireless alarm systems are still at risk of jammer attacks.

Select the old-fashioned route by installing a fully wired home alarm system that is connected to a landline. If there are no wireless components, then you should have no issues.

Local storage is a key feature in cameras provided by companies like Ring. This feature allows the cameras to continue recording clips even if there is a wifi outage or cloud storage is not accessible. While you may not receive notifications during such circumstances, you can still access the footage by simply checking the SD card inserted in the camera itself.

To ensure the reliability of your home security, it is recommended to consider adding a cost-effective local storage camera to your existing wifi camera system. By doing so, you can mitigate the risk of losing all footage in the event of a jammer or deauth attack. However, it is crucial to note that if the attackers identify the camera, they may try to vandalize it and take it along.