Bypassing Alarm System

[lawzalexander]

Good demonstration of the pitfalls of some of the lower-end security systems.

More sophisticated wireless alarms operate in the 800-900 Mhz region. Not only is equipment transmitting in this band harder to find, but many of the devices also hop between channels to escape any jamming - and trigger the 24h tamper circuit should anyone attempt it.

[analyzingfunny]

Still, this proves that wireless are stupid, and can be jammed.

[SteamFox]

@analyzingfunny No. Badly implemented wireless is stupid. It doesn't really matter whether the system communicates wirelessly or not. Wired systems can be cut just like wireless systems can be "cut" with jamming. What matters, is what the system does when it detects that there's a communication fault.

[analyzingfunny]

@SteamFox really, only a foll would use wireless. What do you think cell-phone signal jammers do?

[SteamFox]

@analyzingfunny Sorry I'm not following.. Jam cell-phones?

[analyzingfunny]

@analyzingfunny yah, just google "cell phone jammers"

[jungletrax]

@SteamFox Cutting cables on a wired system will just put the alarm into tamper, which will create and alarm. And no, shorting different pairs together wont work unless its diy, as most systems are EOL nowa days.

[SteamFox]

@jungletrax Youtube doesn't show which comment you're replying to, so I'm not sure what you're saying.. But yeah, cutting a wire will cause an alarm.

[klas2k]

As far as I know the 433 Mhz is NOT a approved frequency for alarms. That frequency is typical for cheaper (made in china) alarms.

The better alarms uses another frequency with a protocol which will make them go off if you jam that frequency.

/K

[SteamFox]

@klas2k You're right, 433 isn't reserved for alarms. It is however widely in use even with big manufacturers like DSC. 868 Mhz is a reserved frequency for alarm systems.

About the alarm going off if you jam that frequency: it doesn't matter what frequency is used. What matters, is how the alarm is programmed to handle jamming. Maybe you missed it, but even the alarm in this video has jamming detection.

[localizeractive]

@SteamFox Actually no, in the US the FCC took 868. DSC is using 433 for all of the wireless equiptment these days, even when looking at the new Alexor equiptment. The 433 Mhz, btw, is not the full freq. The frequency that the receiver and transmitters are working on go into the .001 decimal. So just hitting 433 Mhz on real system i.e. DSC, Napco, GE, Honeywell(Ademco) will not confuse the receiver. The system in this video is not for high security.

[SteamFox]

@localizeractive Thanks for the info, it seems the 868 only applies to Europe (DSC makes different mhz versions for different markets). The exact frequency is 433.92 which both (US) Alexor and the alarm in this video use. I agree with your last sentence, but is Alexor any better?

[SteamFox]

@SteamFox I can now confirm that DSC Alexor behaves just like the system in this video. Might do a video at some point.

[kee33f]

Okay, firstly that is not a real wireless alarm system.

That is a TOY. its sitting on a bench. What frequency are the devices ?

Try this on a REAL alarm system and see what happens.

[SteamFox]

@kee33f If you can't even comprehend why it's sitting on a bench, I'm not surprised why your post doesn't contain any valid arguments. Frequency is 433MHz.

[czarnyoleander]

Hello,

1. Systems on the move have Jamming function. If this function ON, after 30 second from jamming transmition will be alarm, In this accident this function is OFF !!. It is the same situation like cutting cable on wire systems.

2. In my opinion control panel in this accident is in the same room. It is easy show how jamming function don't work if this function is OFF and if You use other transmitter one or two meter near control panel...

[SteamFox]

@czarnyoleander 1.

The jamming detection is on, but as said in the video and as you said yourself, it doesn't do anything unless the jamming lasts longer than 30 sec.

2. Yes the control panel is in the same room, but I also tried this further away and it still worked. The device I'm using to jamm isn't even designed to do this! So real jamming devices have even greater effective range. If you don't believe me, theres nothing I can do to prove my point any further, as video can always be edited.

[czarnyoleander]

I want told only that it is clear that You can block radio, doesn't matter which radio system You use. Important is jamming function. On this system this function work good. Anty jamming can't work immediately because in this accident You have many times false alars. 30 sec is because control panel do do analysis and start alarm only if other radio signal "live" in one time 30 sec.

Second point I want told only that it is not easy block if You use other transmitter from outside house...

[SteamFox]

@czarnyoleander I agree with your first and second sentence 100%. However it is possible to battle against what I did in this video. Having 30 second activated jamming detection is NOT enough for a good alarm system. The detectors need to keep sending the alarm signal until they get a response from the control panel. This system doesn't do that, and it is thus seriously vulnerable.

[bestSVMS]

@SteamFox are the dectectors wireless battery powered? cause that might take too much power

[SteamFox]

@bestSVMS Not sure what you mean but yes, they are wireless and battery powered.

[bestSVMS]

@SteamFox

yeah your said for the little detector to constantly send signals to the base. That would probably drain the battery really fast.

I would assume it sents a short message once every 20-30 seconds, and a message if it trips

[SteamFox]

@bestSVMS Ah, got you. What I meant was that in the case of alarm (when it trips) it should keep sending the "tripping signal" (for lack of better word) to the control panel until it gets a response that the signal was received. In the video above, this tripping signal is only sent once (the detector doesn't know if the control panel receives it or not). This signal never reaches the control panel because of the jamming, and thus the system is vulnerable.

[bestSVMS]

@SteamFox

thats true, but it would probably make the system much more complex and use more power. and most breakins are smash an runs-opertunstic. most aren't going to have a remote for a thing to jam the signal and whatever.

[markleuck]

That just means you bought a piece of crap, try it on a real one security system next time

[SteamFox]

I would love to and probably will. But before I shell out another $1500 for a security system, I want to know which ones are the "real" ones. And that's why I'm here with this video.

[promoteandproduct]

This seems like a problem. My Alexor has an RF Jamming feature that causes and alarm if there is an RF jam condition present.

[SteamFox]

This has RF jamming detection too. But it won't help if the jamming lasts under 30 seconds, which is the case on the video (and also with Alexor).

[SteamFox]

Correction: 20 seconds in the case of Alexor.