Definition
Jamming is the practice of intentionally or unintentionally interfering with the radio signals of a network or system, severely affecting wireless communication.
Examples of Jamming
- Radiofrequency (RF) jamming: The intruder transmits his signal at the same frequency as that of the communication system to jam radio frequency. For instance, jamming GPS signals to affect their accuracy.
- Cellular jamming: It entails interfering with a phone’s capacity to transmit a signal to the cell station.
- Wi-Fi jamming: It involves denying access to the Internet within a certain range.
How to Prevent Jamming
- Check signal strength: A shift in the signal strength of a wireless network or a rise in interference could be a sign of jamming.
- Install an intrusion detection system (IDS): An IDS system flags suspicious network traffic and counteracts an ongoing attack.
- Strong encryption: Use strong encryption methods such as AES 256-bit encryption to prevent intrusions into your private networks.
- Personal education: Learn about basic cybersecurity concepts and best practices such as using 2FA, VPNs, and avoiding public networks.
Drawbacks of Jamming
- Disruption of communication: Jamming impedes communication because signals cannot be relayed from one point to another.
- Inaccurate navigation and positioning: Distorting GPS signals makes pinpointing exact locations difficult, affecting navigation and positioning.
