Definition
GPS jamming is the deliberate or accidental disruption of the signals transmitted by Global Position System (GPS) satellites. It involves emitting radio frequency signals on the same frequencies GPS satellites use, overwhelming or drowning authentic signals.
This practice is illegal in many jurisdictions because it can compromise ships, vehicles, and aircraft navigation systems, leading to loss of life and accidents. Authorities use several measures to identify and prevent GPS jamming incidents to enhance GPS reliability.
When GPS Jamming Occurs
- Military operations: The military can use GPS jamming to disrupt enemy GPS systems, compromising their navigation and targeting systems.
- Criminal activities: Criminals can also use jamming to interfere with vehicle’s GPS systems, preventing authorities from monitoring their movements.
- Unauthorized activities: Unauthorised individuals can use GPS jamming to interrupt critical infrastructure or interfere with legitimate operations that depend on GPS for precise timing and synchronization.
- Privacy concerns: People may try interrupting GPS signals to safeguard their confidentiality by preventing location tracking.
What are the Security Concerns of GPS Jamming?
GPS jamming can cause minor interferences, like signal loss; it is also a risk to public safety. For instance, GPS jammers cannot differentiate between communication types and could interrupt incoming or outgoing calls with emergency responders.
Jamming can also interrupt business-critical operations and data, especially as more industries, like transportation and enforcement, depend on GPS-enabled devices.
For example, in fleet management tracking, GPS information can be linked to driving behavior, fuel use, vehicle synchronization, engine health, and safety metrics. Jammers can disrupt such information, causing significant outages.