Thieves allegedly used signal jammer to fool San Jose man's Nest security camera

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- This intrigue commences similarly to many others, taking place in the depths of the night.

It all started on the porch of Jim Grubb's home in San Jose, as the sound of his dog barking disturbed his slumber.

He recounts that upon waking, they went downstairs, noticed the front door slightly ajar, and thought, "It seems we inadvertently left the door open last night."

On the subsequent morning, fresh clues came to light. Grubb realized that certain items were absent, notably a laptop and a drone.

He remarked, "I reviewed the footage from the Nest video camera located at our front entrance. The burglar appeared in the front yard, where a flashlight was visible, and intermittently, his beanie cap could be seen."

He elaborates, "...and while I am reviewing the video, I start to identify various gaps, and I realize that there are quite a few gaps."

wifi jammer

The video contains segments during which we may have been able to identify the thief's facial features.

Upon contacting Nest customer support, Jim was advised that the video doorbell had experienced no communication issues with the router until the occurrence of the incident.

He remarked, "I found it hard to accept this information. As a result, I initiated some research and learned that one can acquire a compact microcontroller. This device has the capability to de-authorize clients on your Wi-Fi network, which ultimately leads to interference."

The cost of the items is $7. Grubb identified a wrist model for $50 that delivers superior control. While he does not possess definitive proof, Grubb is apprehensive that thieves could be disrupting Wi-Fi connections.

In a statement to 7 On Your Side, Google conveyed its uncertainty, asserting: "Google Nest prioritizes the privacy and security of our customers. We acknowledge a specific issue concerning the Nest Hello Doorbell, and our team is actively looking into it... there is no evidence suggesting that the device was deliberately tampered with."

Hailing from Wales, Tristan Perry is a technology blogger who has been investigating this issue for an extended period and claims that it does not come as a surprise.

It is a common understanding that Wi-Fi may experience complications, whether it involves a malfunctioning phone, disruptions in Zoom streaming, or interruptions in Netflix playback, as he explained to 7 On Your Side.