Is your neighbor pointing his CCTV security cameras at your backyard or house? How can you block or blind the security cameras from viewing your property? What are the most effective methods to disrupt security cameras?
In this article, we will list and explain a few practical methods about how to blind or jam security cameras. Blinding makes the cameras malfunction and they’ll not be able to record at all or the image quality will be unuseful.
How To Jam Security Cameras
Before you start, know one important thing: It’s not the security camera that watches or monitors you. Those are just brainless machines. It’s the camera’s owner who is spying on you and your property.
Understand the difference, you’re not trying to blind or jam a security camera, you’ll blind the owner of that security system. Here we will show how you do that and, of course, in a totally legal way.
Install security cameras in your property/house
There’s no better way to block your neighbor’s (spying) security cameras than serving them with the same medicine – place security cameras in your property as well. Having a security camera system will enable you to monitor anything that happens on your property and at the same time keep the neighbor in check.
There are many types of cameras that you can install such as high-resolution fixed-lens cameras, varifocal cameras with zooming capabilities or you can even mount a strong PTZ security camera.
You can place the PTZ camera high enough and use its pan/tilt/zoom capabilities to keep your neighbor under control. The beautiful part with PTZ cameras is that people can’t tell where the cameras are pointed at or how far away you can see (there are cameras that can zoom 40 times!).
If you go for a CCTV security camera system, make sure you purchase a system that is reliable and provides acceptable image quality. Always choose high-resolution cameras with the ability to see at night (built-in IR LEDs). Research the market buying anything to make sure you get the right equipment for your property.
This countermeasure has proved to be extremely effective in disrupting your neighbor’s security camera system. Many people who try this method report that once the cameras are up, the privacy-invading neighbors will back up and mind their own business. Or at least think twice.
Find out whether the security cameras are fake
What if the security cameras that your neighbor installed are actually not real?! Many people install fake cameras that don’t work or don’t record as a deterrent tactic.
So, before going through the trouble to blind or jam your neighbor’s security cameras, ensure that those are indeed real. Nowadays it doesn’t cost too much to purchase some fake cameras on Amazon.
There are many ways how you can tell if a security camera is fake. For example, most of the cameras are night vision, so when it’s dark you should be able to see the IR LED lights around the camera’s eye (they look red). If there’s no light coming out, most likely the cameras are fake or don’t work at night.
Also, check the wiring, most of the fake cameras have no cables coming out. Another easy way is to take a picture of the camera, go to google and search for fake cameras, maybe you can find the same camera model online being sold as a fake camera.
Ask your neighbor to re-position the security cameras
The most effective method to blind your neighbor’s security camera system is by talking to him. Many people are not even aware that their cameras are aiming at your windows or your property or may even think that you don’t mind.
Simply approach your neighbor and let him know about your concerns, that you think some of his security cameras are invading your primary, or that your family doesn’t feel comfortable.
Ask them politely and respectfully and most of the time people cooperate. Let him reposition the security cameras in a way that doesn’t point at your house. So, before going into blinding and jamming of security cameras, have an open conversation with your neighbor.
Plant trees or tall shrubs to block off the security cameras
You can plant a group of shrubs or tall trees to disrupt the view where the security cameras are pointed at. This is a great technique to blind the cameras and the neighbor can’t do anything about it.
Also, you can install high privacy fences around the perimeter of your property and no security camera can spy on you. Or install thick curtains on your windows.
Basically, you can use anything that will create a physical barrier and disable the security system of your neighbor. There’s no way for him to complain since you do whatever you want on your property.
Use LED lights
This strategy will only work if you are precise and quick. You need powerful lights to do it successfully. Also, this trick only works in enclosed spaces or at night. You need to know the exact location of the security camera.
Then you need to point the LED lights to the camera’s lens. If you are successful in doing this technique, no one watching the video clip will recognize you. However, that person will know that someone is out there blinding the surveillance camera.
You must be able to hold the light steady because if the light beams drop from the lens, anyone watching the video will recognize you because your face will be visible. You can also put infrared LEDs on your clothing, hat, or headband. Another strategy is to wear an IR LED mask.
However, ensure that the lights are bright enough to cover your face without blinding you. Note: we don’t recommend this method, it’s illegal you may get involved in much more trouble.
Use an infrared laser pointer
Aside from LED lights, you can also use an infrared laser that points to the security camera lens directly. This strategy is less harsh than the first technique.
However, it requires more precision than the previous approach because the security cameras will capture the face of the laser pointer strays away from it even for a moment.
Unlike the first strategy, using the infrared laser works nighttime or daytime. Also, this approach only works if there is only one security camera (if more than one camera, you’ll be caught by the rest of them). Same as before, we don’t recommend this method, you may get in legal trouble (and possibly damage/destroy the camera altogether).
Cover the camera lens (such as spraying it)
Smear jelly onto the lens. Rub Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or another viscous substance onto the lens of the camera to make the picture come out blurry.
In a pinch, try using sticky-but-spreadable foodstuffs like butter, jam, and peanut butter. Be careful to coat the entire surface of the lens. Make sure that you aren’t caught on camera as you approach the recording device.
This approach is the least practical because the motion detection neighbor security cameras will capture your image sensor even before you can cover its lens. We don’t recommend this method, you may be involved in any illegal activity.
Cut the wires
This method works if the neighbor is using a wired security system. You can cut the cables going to the camera (either the power cable or the data cable) and disable the camera.
Moreover, it’s gonna be very costly to replace a broken wire. However, be careful because this method is illegal and you may get into trouble.
Use a security camera jammer
A camera jammer has various sizes. But, if you are wondering how it looks, it is like a TV remote control. A discrete and handy device can disrupt signals and security camera recordings. Some models have GPS tracking and cell phone call blocker.
You can bring it wherever you go because you can put it in your bag or pocket. The camera jammer will disrupt signals, and you can go on with your activities in full privacy.
However, you must first determine the broadcast frequency of the surveillance cameras so you can purchase the right equipment to disrupt it. Not recommended, you’re basically inviting legal trouble in.
Check with a lawyer or the police
If for some reason the neighbor doesn’t want to cooperate or doesn’t agree to change the position of the security cameras, then it’s better to ask advice from a lawyer or even the police.
Especially if the neighbor is being extremely inappropriate such as engaging in voyeurism. If the security camera of your neighbor is able to see inside your home and the footage is used as harassment or coercion, you have the basis to sue for invasion of privacy.
Another suggestion is to ask for help from mediators, such as leaders in the local community. They can reach out to the unreasonable neighbor and try to talk sense into him. It may work, especially if you live in a small community.
FAQs about blinding or jamming security cameras
Is it legal for your neighbor to point security cameras at your house?
The legality of your neighbor’s security camera depends on the specific local law and whether the cameras are pointing at an area where privacy is expected.
If the security cameras of your neighbor capture only a part of the house, or the cameras are not purposely aiming at your windows or house, then it’s very difficult to file a complaint against your neighbor.
However, if the security camera aims at spots where you can expect privacy, places such as your bedrooms or bathrooms, then you have ground against your neighbor. Consult with a lawyer if you have a case.
Can a laser pointer damage a security camera?
It is possible but most standard laser pointers won’t have sufficient power to damage the sensor of a security camera; and while a more powerful pointer is more likely to be able to cause sensor damage, it has to be aimed extremely accurately and steadily, during which time the person so pointing is captured by the camera.
Moreover, there is no way for the person pointing the laser to tell whether or not damage has occurred and the reflection of the camera can damage the eyes.
High-level lasers not accessible to the average person, such as those used in medical equipment or for laser light shows, are able to affect a camera sensor with greater ease.
