--- title: "Laser Pointers Can Temporarily Blind Security Cameras" url: https://newscentral.site/laser-pointers-can-temporarily-blind-security-cameras/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-18T23:45:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-19T00:59:24.385Z id: 552fc900-f8f8-4822-89e9-2377d53a1dac source: "Engadget https://www.engadget.com/2286993/why-never-point-laser-pointer-at-security-camera/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/laser-pointers-can-temporarily-blind-security-cameras/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Laser Pointers Can Temporarily Blind Security Cameras A recent episode of the TV series Better Call Saul has sparked interest in using laser pointers to evade security measures. A recent episode of the popular TV series Better Call Saul has sparked interest in a clever method of escaping from a secure location: using a laser pointer to blind a security camera. In the show, Werner Ziegler successfully employs this tactic, but only gets away with it because Mike Ehrmantraut fails to notice the dead pixels on the monitor feeds until much later. Laser pointers can indeed temporarily or even permanently damage security cameras, depending on their power and other factors. However, such an outcome requires a combination of specific conditions: a very powerful laser, an older camera model, and a steady pulse from the laser device. A recent incident in Clearwater highlights the potential consequences of using a laser pointer to target surveillance cameras. In 2021, a local man was arrested for pointing his laser at several Church of Scientology-owned security cameras. The result was not complete destruction but rather dead spots on their lenses, resulting in significant damage estimated at over $2,000. The fact that the cameras were able to capture images of the perpetrator despite the temporary malfunction suggests they may be more resilient than expected. This raises questions about the effectiveness of using laser pointers as a means of evading security measures. In many places, pointing a laser at a security camera is considered illegal and can lead to severe penalties. The exact laws governing this issue vary by jurisdiction, but it's clear that such actions should not be attempted in real life. Security cameras rely on converting light into electrical charges to produce digital video frames. This makes them more susceptible to strong lights than the human eye. Exposure to intense light sources like bright headlights or sunlight reflections can cause the lens to become overwhelmed with light, resulting in glare or temporary whiteout effects in footage. Many CCTV cameras use either CMOS or CCD sensors, which can be targeted directly by laser pointers for a sustained period of time. The concentrated beam of light from a laser pointer would overwhelm the camera sensor, temporarily blinding it. This could also cause heat to build up, leading to dead pixels and dark spots in the resulting image. High-powered lasers held still for about 10 seconds can potentially damage a camera's lens. However, not all lasers have enough power to cause this kind of damage. Lasers with an output power under 5mW are unlikely to cause more than a temporary glare on the camera. Handheld laser pointers that exceed 5mW of output power are subject to strict regulations in some countries. According to US Food and Drug Administration rules, it is illegal to market, sell or promote such devices. This means that anyone with a laser that could potentially damage a camera would likely face more significant issues than the damage done to the lens. The regulations governing handheld lasers have implications for their potential to cause harm. Since high-powered lasers are difficult to obtain legally, it's unlikely that they would be used intentionally to target security cameras. In jurisdictions where such actions are not strictly prohibited, the consequences of using a laser pointer to overwhelm a camera's sensor can still be severe. Holding steady aim on a camera lens from a distance is a challenging task, even for those with experience in handling high-powered lasers. Researchers at IPVM attempted to blind security cameras using such devices, but their findings revealed that it's extremely difficult to keep the laser focused on an object without hand movement causing the beam to stray off target. The researchers' experiments showed that aiming accurately from a distance of around 5 feet was nearly impossible due to hand tremors. Regardless of the laser's power, they were unable to cause permanent damage to modern security cameras at this range. This suggests that even with advanced equipment and expertise, damaging contemporary camera systems is not a straightforward task. While high-powered lasers can be effective in certain contexts, their ability to harm modern security cameras is limited by advancements in technology and sensor protections. The creators of popular TV shows have also commented on the limitations of such methods, with Vince Gilligan noting that Ziegler's trick would only work on very old camera models from the 1960s. In order to protect security cameras from potential laser-based threats, limiting access to these devices is crucial. While it may not be possible to make a standard home security camera completely laser-proof, taking preventative measures can make damaging them more difficult and less appealing to would-be attackers. One effective way to make security cameras more resistant to laser attacks is to place them in elevated positions or at angles that are difficult to target. This approach was found to be effective by the IPVM team in their research, making it challenging for individuals to aim a laser pointer at the camera for an extended period. Another strategy is to install multiple cameras that cover the same area, ensuring there are no blind spots even if one of the cameras is compromised or damaged. Additionally, modern security systems can be integrated with cameras to detect sudden changes in light or unusual activity, sending instant alerts via phone if a camera's view is obstructed or hit by a bright beam. These measures combined can significantly increase the protection of security cameras from laser attacks, making it more difficult for would-be attackers to cause damage. --- Source: [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2286993/why-never-point-laser-pointer-at-security-camera/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/laser-pointers-can-temporarily-blind-security-cameras/