Thieves allegedly used signal jammer to fool San Jose man's Nest security camera
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- This puzzling situation initiates like countless others, emerging in the stillness of the night.
The events unfolded on the front porch of Jim Grubb's house in San Jose, where he was awakened by the barking of his dog.
He mentions that they rose from sleep, made their way downstairs, observed the front door slightly open, and considered, "How surprising; we must have left the door ajar the previous night."
The next day brought forth additional clues. Grubb noted the absence of several items, including a laptop and a drone.
He mentioned, "I examined the Nest video camera situated at our front door. The footage showed the burglar in the front yard, with a flashlight visible, and occasionally, his beanie cap came into view."
He remarks, "...and during my examination of the video, I start to perceive these gaps, and I discover that I have several gaps."
Certain intervals in the video might have allowed us to recognize the thief's visage.
Jim made an inquiry to Nest customer support and learned that the video doorbell had maintained a clear connection to the router until the incident took place.
He stated, "I was taken aback by this situation. Therefore, I proceeded to investigate further and uncovered that it is feasible to obtain a miniature microcontroller. This device can actually remove clients from your Wi-Fi network, resulting in interference."
Each item is available for $7. Grubb has located a wrist model priced at $50, which offers greater control accuracy. Despite lacking solid evidence, Grubb harbors concerns that thieves may be obstructing Wi-Fi signals.
Google has indicated a level of uncertainty in its response to 7 On Your Side, remarking: "Google Nest is committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of our customers. We are aware of a particular issue with the Nest Hello Doorbell, and our team is currently investigating... there is no proof that the device was intentionally altered."
Tristan Perry, a blogger specializing in technology and based in Wales, has been analyzing this situation for a considerable duration and indicates that it is not unexpected.
There is a general consensus that Wi-Fi can face challenges, including issues with smartphones, problems during Zoom sessions, or delays in Netflix streaming, as he conveyed to 7 On Your Side.