Car thieves in the UK use GPS jammers to help them get away, and it was only a matter of time before criminals in the US — and even terrorists — figured it out.
Jammers transmit low-power signals that create signal noise that tricks GPS receivers into thinking satellites are unavailable. They can be used to confuse police and evade charges, and some pranksters have used them to troll unsuspecting iPhone users.
But the real threat is unknown. Criminals could use them to hide from law enforcement — and some experts worry that terrorists could use high-powered jammers to disrupt GPS signals on aircraft or during military operations.
These devices pose a serious societal risk, and they are unequivocally illegal to buy and use in the US. The FCC is determined to track down anyone who buys a GPS jammer, and will prosecute and jail anyone who uses one. Yet the devices are easily available online, and their supporters say they should stay that way. Fox News was able to buy GPS jammers from a number of online sources for as little as $50.
"GPS is so embedded in our society's transport, manufacturing and economy that the stakes are high," said David Last, professor emeritus at Bangor University in the UK and a leading authority on the criminal use of GPS jammers.
"This is particularly true in the telecommunications sector: GPS is the ultimate source of timing for most of our phone systems, the internet and, in the US, mobile phones."
All of these systems could fall prey to jammers, which is the main reason they are banned. But supporters of the devices say they work and people should be able to buy them. And, for now, they can.
GPS jammers can be easily stored in a car or bag and help avoid detection by spies - for example, when a spouse suspects the other of infidelity and installs a GPS tracking device like Zoombak in the car.
"GPS jammers will help you protect your privacy," GPS jammers are designed to block all possible tracking systems as well as all civilian GPS systems, including GPS L1, GPS L2 and GPS L5. To operate a GPS jammer, simply flip on the switch on the top of the jammer.
[source:foxnews]