GPS plays a vital role in daily life, in everything from navigation to locating family and friends. In an emergency, first responders can arrive on the scene faster, thanks to this technology.

However, a silent threat is putting you and your vehicle’s security at risk. GPS jammers, previously a niche device, can now be used by anyone to render your vehicle location tracking system useless.

Imagine a scenario where your vehicle is stolen. Your first instinct is to use its GPS tracking feature to pinpoint its location for law enforcement.

However, if the thieves are using a GPS jammer, your vehicle effectively disappears from the map.

Many in-vehicle safety systems, such as crash notification and emergency roadside assistance, rely on accurate GPS data to function correctly.

A GPS jammer can prevent or delay these life-saving services from locating you at a time when every second counts.

However, you can take steps to protect your GPS systems. By understanding what GPS jammers are and how they work, you’ll have the knowledge to detect their use and mitigate the risks they present to you and your vehicle.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is a GPS Jammer?

A GPS jammer is a device designed to disrupt and block signals coming from GPS satellites.

They are small radio transmitters that broadcast on the same frequencies used by GPS devices.

By creating a dominant "noise" signal, the jammer masks the comparably weaker satellite signals.

GPS jammers come in various forms, including:

• Portable jammers: These small, battery-powered devices are often used in vehicle-related crimes. Their low power output is typically sufficient to block GPS signals within the immediate vicinity of a car.

• High-powered jammers: Larger and more powerful than their portable counterparts, these devices can create a much wider area of GPS disruption. They are typically used in more sophisticated criminal operations to block GPS tracking across a wide area.

• Military-grade jammers: The military develops highly advanced and powerful jammers for defense applications. These devices are strictly controlled and not available to the general public.

The effectiveness of the jammer depends on its power, proximity to the receiver, and the specific frequencies it targets.

Regardless of the type of device, when a GPS signal is successfully jammed, your vehicle's navigation system will likely show an incorrect or frozen location.

In most cases, it will simply indicate that it can’t acquire a signal from the GPS satellites.

The Legality of GPS Jammers

In most countries, including the United States, the use of GPS jammers by civilians is illegal.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibits the sale, marketing, and use of any device that intentionally interferes with authorized radio communications because of the risk to public safety.

In addition to blocking your vehicle’s GPS signals, they can also interfere with emergency services, aviation navigation, and other critical infrastructure.

The penalties for using a GPS jammer can be severe, including substantial fines and even imprisonment.

Why Are GPS Jammers a Threat to Your Vehicle?

For car thieves, a GPS jammer is a powerful tool. The majority of modern anti-theft and vehicle recovery systems rely on GPS technology for location services.

By removing your vehicle from digital maps, one of GPS’s most effective theft recovery tools is effectively neutralized.

Even if a signal is only jammed briefly, thieves buy themselves valuable time to transport a car to a secure location, dismantle it for parts, or illegally export it.

Beyond the risk of theft, GPS jammers can disrupt the services you depend on daily. Your navigation app may suddenly lose its signal, leaving you without directions.

The map may freeze or display your location inaccurately, leading you astray. 

And you might experience "GPS drift," where your indicated position jumps around the digital map erratically.

While some of this may seem like a minor inconvenience, the loss of GPS services can be dangerous, especially if you are in an unfamiliar area.

GPS jammers interfere with the emergency response systems you find in many modern vehicles.

When first responders are delayed as a result, a survivable incident might turn into a tragedy.

Who Uses GPS Jammers and Why?

So, who would want to use GPS jammers, and what is their motivation? Here’s a look at the usual suspects:

• Car thieves: Defeating the anti-theft tracking devices installed in modern vehicles is perhaps the most common use of GPS jammers.

• Privacy-conscious drivers: People worried about being tracked by corporations, government agencies, or even individuals they know may seek out a GPS jammer.

• Employees avoiding oversight: In industries where vehicles are tracked for fleet management or accountability, some drivers may use jammers to hide speeding, unauthorized breaks, or other prohibited activities.

• Street racers and reckless drivers: A more niche but equally dangerous group includes individuals who use jammers to evade detection. Think street racers trying to hide their location from law enforcement, or everyday drivers with usage-based insurance plans who want to conceal their risky driving behaviors.

How to Detect GPS Jamming

How do you know if you’re the victim of GPS jamming? There are usually a few sure signs, including:

• Sudden loss of GPS signals: The most obvious indicator of GPS jamming is the abrupt loss of signal on your navigation or tracking applications, especially in areas with strong signal strength.

• Inaccurate location updates: Instead of a complete signal loss, a jammer might cause your GPS to report erroneous location data. Your vehicle might appear to be in a completely different location, or the position on the map might jump around (the GPS drift phenomenon).

• Frequent signal interference notifications: Some advanced GPS trackers come equipped with anti-jamming technology. These systems can recognize the jamming activity and will alert you with a notification on the device or through its companion app.

• Car tracking system malfunctions: If you have a real-time GPS tracker, an unexplained interruption in its reporting is a likely indicator of jamming.

How to Protect Your Vehicle Against GPS Jammers

Now you know about the threats of GPS jammers, but the good news is that you aren’t defenseless.

With a multi-pronged strategy, you can harden your vehicle’s GPS technology against criminals with jammers. Here’s what to do:

Invest in GPS Jamming-Resistant Tracking Systems

Some GPS trackers are better equipped to resist jammers. Look for a tracker from a well-known brand name that has multi-constellation support.

These devices can connect to other satellite systems beyond GPS, including the Russian GLONASS satellites, Europe’s Galileo, and China’s BeiDou constellation.

If a jammer targets the standard GPS frequency, a multi-constellation receiver can still calculate its position using signals from the other satellite networks.

Enable Real-Time GPS Interference Alerts

Many modern GPS trackers can provide real-time alerts when they detect signal interference.

These systems are designed to recognize the electronic signature of a jamming device and can immediately send a notification to your smartphone or display a message on its screen.

Use Hardwired GPS Trackers for Added Security

While some GPS trackers run on batteries, hardwired devices connect directly into your vehicle’s electrical system.

It’s more difficult for a criminal to locate or remove a hardwired tracker, whereas portable, battery-powered units are comparably easy to unplug and discard. 

On top of that, a hardwired system receives continuous power, which makes it more resilient against the power-draining effects of GPS jammers.

Leverage Geofencing and Motion-Activated Alerts

Geofencing is a GPS software feature that allows you to create virtual boundaries around specific locations, such as your home or workplace.

If your vehicle leaves this designated "safe zone" without your permission, you will receive an immediate alert.

Some systems are equipped with sensitive motion detectors, so you can receive alerts if your vehicle moves unexpectedly. 

Both geofencing and motion-activated alerts can alert you to potential vehicle theft, even if a criminal uses a GPS jammer.

Can GPS Jamming Be Prevented Completely?

Unfortunately, it’s not yet possible to completely prevent GPS jamming. However, by employing a multi-layered security strategy, you can effectively protect your vehicle.

Advanced Trackers and the Role of Cellular Triangulation

First and foremost, use an advanced GPS receiver developed with multi-constellation support, signal interference detection, and other anti-jamming measures.

Even if a jammer blocks GPS frequencies, your tracking device can often still communicate with cellular networks.

By measuring the signal strength from multiple cell towers, the system can calculate an approximate location. While less precise than GPS, cellular triangulation is often enough to guide law enforcement to the general vicinity of a stolen vehicle.

Dead Reckoning

Some GPS trackers utilize “dead reckoning” to continue to provide location data, even in the event of signal jamming.

This technique uses data from sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, within the tracking device to calculate a vehicle's position when GPS is unavailable. 

By starting from the last known GPS fix and continuously calculating speed and direction changes, dead reckoning can provide a surprisingly accurate estimated location.

RFID

You can also deploy other technologies in conjunction with GPS for extra security. For example, RFID tags don't rely on satellites and can be detected by specialized readers at short to medium ranges.

RFID technology is particularly useful for locating a stolen vehicle once it is in a known area, such as a garage or warehouse.

Are GPS Jammers Legal?

Remember that using GPS jammers is likely against the law in your jurisdiction.

You should report any suspected jamming incidents in the United States to local law enforcement or the FCC. 

Operating a jammer is a federal crime in the US, and the FCC actively investigates and enforces this law. See below for how to make a report.

A similarly strict ban exists across the European Union. The Radio Equipment Directive prohibits placing jamming devices on the market.

Member states are required to enforce these rules, and individuals caught using jammers face heavy penalties, which can include significant fines and criminal charges.

While the regulatory environment in Asia and other parts of the world can vary significantly, most countries have similar laws that restrict the use of GPS jammers.

How to Report GPS Jamming Incidents

Here’s how you can report GPS jamming incidents:

• Contact law enforcement: Your first point of contact should be your local police or sheriff's department, especially if you believe the jamming is part of an attempt to steal your vehicle.

• Report to regulatory agencies: Also, report the incident to the appropriate government agencies in your country, including the FCC in the US.

• Use your internal monitoring data: Modern GPS tracking systems log detailed records. Take screenshots or download logs from your tracking platform to include in your reports.

Choosing the Right GPS Solution to Protect Against Jamming

There are many different GPS tracking solutions to choose from. Here’s what to look for, based on your specific needs:

Portable GPS Trackers for Car and Equipment Security

For those who need flexibility and discreet placement, choose a portable GPS tracker.

These compact devices can be easily hidden in a vehicle, making them difficult for thieves to find and disable.

The LandAirSea 54 is an extremely capable portable tracker. It offers a waterproof design and a powerful built-in magnet for easy installation in a car’s metallic frame.

The 54 also features real-time tracking with location updates as frequent as every three seconds.

Plus, the accompanying software can detect and alert you to signal interference, for immediate notice of potential jamming.

Long Battery Life GPS Trackers for Extended Protection

If your vehicle may be left unattended for extended periods or you don’t want to deal with frequent battery replacement or recharging, consider a device with longer battery life.

The LandAirSea Overdrive boasts a battery life that is three to four times longer than that of the LandAirSea 54.

Depending on usage and update frequency, it can operate for weeks or even months on a single charge, providing long-term peace of mind. 

Like all LandAirSea devices, the Overdrive offers real-time alerts and multi-satellite connectivity, reducing its vulnerability to jammers.

Hardwired GPS Solutions for Continuous Tracking

For the ultimate in security and reliability, a hardwired GPS solution offers continuous power and is significantly more resistant to tampering by criminals.

The LandAirSea SYNC plugs directly into your vehicle's OBD-II port, which is typically located under the dashboard.

This installation makes it virtually invisible to the casual observer and difficult for a thief to find and remove quickly.

And because it draws power directly from the vehicle's battery, the SYNC never needs to be recharged. 

Continuous power eliminates the risk of a dead battery compromising your vehicle's security.

Protect Your Vehicle With LandAirSea

Not long ago, the threat of GPS jamming was a niche concern. Today, it poses a significant safety risk to every vehicle owner.

Criminals use GPS jammers for their gain, but they put you at risk by disrupting navigation and interfering with life-saving emergency services. Fortunately, you are not powerless against this threat.

Modern GPS tracking solutions have risen to the challenge, providing a multi-layered defense that criminals cannot easily defeat.

Find the perfect GPS tracker for your needs by visiting the LandAirSea product catalog today.