In Australia, a Gold Coast couple's home camera appeared to have been disabled during an attempted car theft, with a suspected Wi-Fi jammer seen as a possible cause.
The break-in attempt failed, but not because of any gadget. Nero, the family's dog, raised the alarm and scared off the intruder.
Here's what to know
A 7NEWS Queensland segment posted on the station's TikTok (@7newsq) showed footage of a stolen vehicle entering a cul-de-sac in Labrador, followed by what appeared to be someone getting into a couple's car.
@7newsq They're supposed to catch crooks in the act. But a new tool is helping thieves out-smart security cameras, cutting wifi and covering their tracks. It almost worked on the Gold Coast, but thankfully, the family dog was on guard.
♬ original sound - 7NEWS Queensland
No video exists from the couple's own property because their camera stopped functioning while the theft attempt was happening. Residents suspected Wi-Fi jamming after another camera next door also cut out briefly, while the recording that survived came from a neighbor's hardwired system.
In its caption, the outlet wrote that "a new tool is helping thieves outsmart security cameras, cutting Wi-Fi and covering their tracks."
Before they were noticed, the would-be thief had already reached the vehicle and started the theft attempt. As 7NEWS reported, Nero was "ready to pounce" and foiled the robbery.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
The station said a Wi-Fi jammer can flood the area with interference, preventing wireless cameras and other connected security equipment from working. Many home security systems rely on the same network to send alerts and save footage.
7NEWS also reported that such devices are illegal in Australia, even though people continue making them.
What can be done?
Since the wireless cameras dropped out, the segment recommended building security in layers. The outlet's specific suggestions were a hardwired camera or a camera that records footage to an SD card.
If Wi-Fi is disrupted outside the house, footage stored locally may still be preserved. 7NEWS also mentioned devices that can detect jamming and alert homeowners. That would not stop a thief on its own, but it could warn residents that an unexpected camera outage may be more than an ordinary technical problem.
In this Gold Coast incident, though, the best backup turned out to be a 121-pound dog.
"When you see a big 55 kilo Rottweiler coming at you, you're not really gonna hang around too long," the car's owner, Jake Davy, told the station.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
