What is Netstumbler?

NetStumbler is an application that runs on windows. It allows you to scan for wireless networks and find more information about them. You can see if a network has security in place , what type of security, the frequency the data is being transmitted and much more. There are many uses for netstumbler but the main uses include:

- Wardriving

- Verifying network configuration

- Finding locations with poor coverage in one’s WLAN

- Detecting causes of wireless interference

- Detecting unauthorized (”rogue”) access points

- Aiming directional antennas for long-haul WLAN links

 

Those of you who do not know what war driving is, it is where you are mobile weather that is in a car, on a bike, on foot and so on, and are scanning for wireless networks. Basically the goal is to find some nice juicy networks to connect to.

 

There are some real Dangers if some one connects to your wireless network. They can use your network to connect to other computers and cause damage. When they trace it back it looks as if it was you. You can be held liable if some one connects to your network and does damage or even worse get confidential information from your pc(s). It is your Responsibility to secure your wireless network.

 

I did a little test to see how many wireless networks are wide open. I drove some where around 5 miles threw neighborhoods scanning with Netstumbler. I found some where around 800 networks and about 500 networks with no security at all. I would say that half of those who had security on there network where running WEP security. WEP is an old and outdated Wireless security. They say it can be hacked in about 5 minutes.

 

NetStumbler Could come in handy in a pinch if you need internet access quickly for directions or something else. This tool comes in handy to make sure your network is secure. Take some time and install this application and play around.

You can Download Netstumber at http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

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