There’s a reason it’s called organized crime: criminals have more and more resources at their disposal to carry out highway robberies. One of the most dangerous tactics is the use of jammers. But do you know how they work and how to prevent a robbery in which this device is used?

Understanding how a jammer works will help you protect yourself and find the best technology to thwart a theft in which the signal from your device is blocked. Keep reading to learn more.

What is a jammer?

Imagine you're talking to someone on the street, and suddenly a train passes right by you. The noise from the train makes communication practically impossible, since it prevents the other person from hearing what you’re saying. Jammers work in a similar way: they are electronic devices that emit electromagnetic interference across multiple channels, such as GPS, cell phones, and radios, acting like the “train” in the previous example and completely blocking the signal.

How do anti-jammers work?

It is truly impossible to counteract the effect of a jammer: the signal cannot be restored to the devices while the jammer is active. So, what does an anti-jammer do? Anti-jammers are systems installed in the vehicle that automatically detect the presence of a jammer and lock the vehicle so it cannot be moved—in other words, so criminals cannot steal it.These classic anti-jammers come with their own set of problems. For example, there are places where jammers are used legally, such as in some prisons, guard posts, or at borders. Less sophisticated anti-jammers even interpret the absence of a signal as a jammer. These situations trigger false alarms and waste a lot of the operators’ time. Furthermore, most traditional anti-jammers lock the vehicle for several hours, without the operator being able to safely unlock it on-site. This results in extra costs and wasted time due to the need for tow trucks and additional technical services.

What is the difference between this and an advanced anti-jamming system like Logitrack's?

At Logitrack, we identified these two main issues and developed our own advanced anti-jammer system to address them. The main differences between a traditional anti-jammer and Logitrack’s advanced anti-jammer protection system are: On-site unlocking with dynamic codes. Once it has been confirmed that there is no risk of theft, the operator can unlock the unit locally using our keypads with dynamic codes, similar to a bank token.

Continuous operation

Using a delay button in conjunction with strict safety protocols, the operator can identify false alarms and continue the journey without unnecessary interruptions.

Anti-tampering system

Our anti-jammer system features anti-tampering technology that uses decoy wiring and automatically locks the throttle in the event of a cut wire, power loss, or attempts to bypass the wiring.

According to figures from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, more than 11,000 cargo transport robberies were reported in the country in 2024 alone. Logistics security experts warn that in more than 80% of cases, criminals used signal jammers to disable satellite tracking, communication, and remote response systems.

One of the most recent methods detected on Mexican highways involves the use of jammers hidden in vehicles that drive ahead of cargo trucks, creating interference zones before carrying out the assault. There has also been an emergence of modified drones equipped with jammers, which approach vehicles to disable their devices without the need for physical contact. This situation underscores the need for active anti-jammer technology and intelligent monitoring systems, such as those offered by Logitrack, which enable an immediate response to attempts at electronic sabotage.
If you’d like to learn more about Logitrack’s advanced cargo transport security systems.