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Wardriving - Mapping WiFi networks
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Wardriving is the process of mapping and identifying Wi-Fi access points (AP) using Wi-Fi-equipped computer devices such as a laptop or PDA; typically, people go looking for access points by car, hence the word “driving”. As far as the word “war” is concerned, it is not so obvious; this word is borrowed from the term “wardialing” which was first used in the movie “WarGames” (1983) and implied the process of sequential dialing phone numbers one after another to access modems.
Sometimes, Wi-Fi networks discovered by wardriving are mapped and posted on a web site; as of 2007, the most famous is Wigle.
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| How Octoox fits? |
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Octoox can map WiFi networks. If you have a Windows Mobile PDA equipped with a WiFi card and a GPS receiver, download and try Octoox for mapping WiFi networks.
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WarXing
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There are several similar activities designated by the broad term “warXing” named after the means of searching process such as
- Warwalking (warjogging) - searching for Wi-Fi access points when walking
- Warbiking – person who is searching for APs goes on a bicycle
- Warchalking – having detected a Wi-Fi access point, person marks its location with a chalk symbol on the pavement, sidewalk, or building.
- Warflying – identifying Wi-Fi networks when flying
- Warspying – detecting and viewing wireless video
Wi-Fi networks in the activities mentioned above are identified by Wi-Fi-equipped computers such as a laptop, PDA as well.
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| The equipment.
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Detecting Wi-Fi access points in WarXing is done by special software installed on a Wi-Fi-equipped computer. Depending on the OS your Wi-Fi-equipped device operates, there is a variety of freely available software to identify and even map (some of the tools) Wi-Fi networks.
To name but a few
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| What is a piggybacking |
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Often, wardriving is mistakenly confused with a piggybacking – the process of identifying Wi-Fi networks for unauthorized access and use of their bandwidth. Unlike wardriving, piggybacking means not only searching for and mapping access points but involves connecting to the networks without owner’s permission and using Wi-Fi networks capabilities for its own purpose.
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| Legal or not? |
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It’s a very confusing question to which no clear answer exists. No doubt that piggybacking is illegal but what about wardriving?
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| United States |
- As
of the beginning of 2008, it is known about a
document released by FBI in 2002 stating that identifying a presence of
Wi-Fi networks may not be illegal but actual network accessing including theft of
services is a criminal offense
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| United Kingdom |
- Wardriving is considered with regard to the
UK Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and 1989 (as amended).
- A wardriver might be prosecuted under clause "use of a computer for a purpose for which one does not have permission"
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| Australia |
- In Australia there has been no definitive case law about “theft of service” through unauthorized use of a network. Wardriving should be considered with regard to the
Cybercrime Act.
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| General considerations |
Despite all the acts, there is a simple logic which should be adhered to if you plan not to go beyond the law:
- Don’t look. Means don’t examine any data containing on Wi-Fi connected computers.
- Don’t touch. Don’t modify the contents of a network, i.e. don’t delete, don’t change anything.
- Don’t play through means don’t use a bandwidth of discovered network to email, download, view video, FTP and the like.
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| Who? Typical wardriver profile. |
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A white man under 25 in a vehicle alone or with some friends equipped with a PDA or laptop running Wi-Fi detection software.
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| Wardriving – what for? |
- Some people do it just for fun.
- For others, i.e. security experts, it is a part of their job
- By detecting and mapping open (non-protected) Wi-Fi access points, some enthusiasts want to draw attention of networks owners to the problem of poorly protected and so open for “theft of services” networks.
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