Q&A for How to Blind a Surveillance 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 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 reflection off 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; this is why use of such lasers requires training and registration. Note that disabling security cameras with a laser is not legal in most jurisdictions.

Any answer depends on your jurisdiction; in some places it may be okay to record generalized visual footage as long as it’s not also recording audio, while in some jurisdictions it may be viewed as illegal surveillance. To be certain, seek legal advice from an attorney or ask your local municipality for guidance. It might be in your favor if you can demonstrate that the security camera is only picking up some sideways views as a side effect of primarily focusing on covering your own property and that there is no intention to surveil your neighbors. As a matter of courtesy, even if it's confirmed your camera's placement is legal, talk to your neighbor to explain that full coverage of your own property also means you happen to capture some of theirs but that you have no intention of disturbing their privacy. If possible, avoid such positioning altogether, both for legal certainty and good neighborliness.

Yes, this is possible. Lasers used for light show displays tend to be a common source of camera damage, as these are powerful lasers. To avoid damage to your camera's sensor at a concert or other place where laser lights are in action, do not take photographs of the apparatus projecting the laser and do not photograph direct beams of the laser light. It is also good sense to not aim any laser, whether or a pointer or otherwise at a camera, as the camera's sensor is even more sensitive than the human eye.

It is sometimes a good idea to put more than one security camera in one place, and make sure to keep one hidden.

Yes, in the same way that providing a massive input to a radio receiver can "jam" the signal, a massive light input can render imaging technology unable to produce an accurate photo.

First, you should ask them politely to remove the camera. If they refuse, contact a lawyer, because this qualifies as illegal surveillance in some states.

No, this is just like a computer monitor. If you turn off the monitor the computer will stay on. The same goes for security camera recorders.

Yes! It is still legally trespassing even if your neighbor is doing it with a garden hoe, and even if they are only in your "air space" and not on your lawn. It is also still destruction of property if they damage your camera. Contact your local police department with as much information as you can, especially if you have a video recording of your neighbor doing the damage.

The only appropriate response to vandalism on your property is to contact your local law enforcement and notify them of the problem. Supply the police with any recordings or evidence of the vandalism that you may have captured.

You must cut the wires or break the whole camera. However, this is not legal and you can get in serious trouble if you are caught doing this.

You can use an aerosol paint can to blind a camera; however, this is criminal damage/vandalism and is not legal.

You could put up some kind of large plastic fencing that blocks their view, but personally I would recommend calling the police immediately. This isn't legal.

You should confront them in a non-hostile way and ask them politely to leave your security camera alone. If that doesn't work, you may contact the police for help.

No, the repellent is clear and will only create a spray of water droplets on the lens.

Record it, find the origin, and send the information to the police or whatever agency regulates lasers. I believe the FDA regulates them in the US, and/or FAA if they're shining skyward.

CC means close circuit: it does not use wireless to send information, so you cannot jam it without gaining illegal access to police networks.

The best thing to do is to not take apart their camera, but place a permanent blocker, such as a fence, in its view.

The best course of action would probably to install some shades or blinds. In addition, obscuring the window with furniture or a potted plant, or placing reflective glass on the windowsill may work.

It depends on the material of the shirt and the strength of the light passing through it. If it is very bright and the shirt is made of sheer fabric, it would have very little effect on the camera; if it is dark and the shirt is made of a heavy fabric like flannel or denim, the camera would be useless until it is removed.

You might want to plant a tree, but that takes time to grow. In the meantime, you can block their view with privacy sails. They have them in various lengths, shapes, and colors and they provide shade, too.

Try enclosing the wiring and camera with an additional metal housing. I'd take a metal plate and move it around the camera to see if the interference is coming from a certain direction. If this doesn't help, I'd contact the FCC (or country equivalent) about it; I might do this anyway even if you find a solution on your own.

Put up more cameras to catch the shooters. Try various angles and maybe you will get lucky. Also record everything so you will see the shooter before he shoots out your cameras.

Legally speaking, your license plate should always be visible. That said, installing bright LED lights that shine into your license plate may help blind the camera, and it would not obstruct the view of the license plate visually from law enforcement.

Check the camera's documents to see if it's classified as "true" day/night camera. This means it has a mechanical cut filter that blocks infrared light (IR) during the day (so colors are accurate) and in low light (evening time). The filter automatically moves away from the lens to allow IR light to illuminate the scene. Most quality cameras are true day/night. Cameras need light to produce a usable image. When there is no visible white light illuminating the scene, some cameras use infrared lights to illuminate the view so the camera can "see in the dark." The image is black and white, not in color. Having IR light shining on the scene at night is a positive thing, not a negative one.

No, that is not possible.

You can purchase the fake snow in a can. It is inexpensive (especially after Christmas) and it will block it completely and should not damage the camera. Make sure you block your face while approaching the camera.

You can set up a deer camera, preferably off your property but so it covers the spot you think he is entering. It might be best to get 2 deer cameras and have one covering the one facing your house. You want to get a deer camera that has a “Black IR” and make sure you don’t have it on someone else’s property and place it when you won’t be noticed. Putting it inside a grey plastic box with a cut out on a telephone pole might be a solution.

A concentrated microwave burst will disrupt the signal, but not for long. All CCTV cams are sensitive to radio frequency interference, wired or not.

I suggest doing some research on IR light spectrum bulbs. There are so many variables though that it's impossible to say what the best lighting choice would be for you specifically.

Well if the entire system is being knocked out, that probably means they found a way to cut the power to it. An easy fix is to add a UPS(uninterruptible power supply) to the system so even with the main power down the DVR and cameras can keep recording for some time on the UPS battery's power.