free public wireless access tool

taxi97w

NetStumbler : Free Windows 802.11 Sniffer
Netstumbler is the best known Windows tool for finding open wireless access points ("wardriving"). They also distribute a WinCE version for PDAs and such named Ministumbler. The tool is currently free but Windows-only and no source code is provided. It uses a more active approach to finding WAPs than passive sniffers such as Kismet or KisMAC.

Lil306

computershack wrote: »

Please note that connecting to an unsecured wireless access point without the permission of the holder is a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Oh and InSSIDer is better than Netstumbler as it works on all wifi cards, not just a select few.

Not sure where this goes, if you are deliberately connecting up to use it it's illegal. I believe it's not classed as illegal if you connect up to it to test it's security then notify the owners immediately to advise their network is unsecure ?

Not sure if it's correct, I'm sure I read it somewhere that it's not illegal if you connect up to it then notify the owners

davb

computershack wrote: »

Oh and InSSIDer is better than Netstumbler as it works on all wifi cards, not just a select few.

And it works properly on Vista which Netstumbler won't.

mr_fishbulb

Lil306 wrote: »

Not sure where this goes, if you are deliberately connecting up to use it it's illegal. I believe it's not classed as illegal if you connect up to it to test it's security then notify the owners immediately to advise their network is unsecure ?

Not sure if it's correct, I'm sure I read it somewhere that it's not illegal if you connect up to it then notify the owners

You need the owners permission before you do any testing of their network.

Lil306

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

You need the owners permission before you do any testing of their network.

I might try and spin it with my neighbours whos been trying to connect to my network illegally then. Plant a nice little trojan for them being nosy

PROLIANT

..........................................

joeypesci

Lil306 wrote: »

I might try and spin it with my neighbours whos been trying to connect to my network illegally then. Plant a nice little trojan for them being nosy

Setup a proxy and route all your traffic through it. You can then decide what they see someone did that because they knew someone was hoping on their network. All they'd see what the Internet back to front

It's an interesting on the legality of using unprotected wifi. I say interesting as there are a lot of devices that just scan for open wifi and automatically connect. Not far malicious intent but just how they are setup. They are technically breaking the law as well now.

Lil306

joeypesci wrote: »

Setup a proxy and route all your traffic through it. You can then decide what they see someone did that because they knew someone was hoping on their network. All they'd see what the Internet back to front

It's an interesting on the legality of using unprotected wifi. I say interesting as there are a lot of devices that just scan for open wifi and automatically connect. Not far malicious intent but just how they are setup. They are technically breaking the law as well now.

Yeah I know what you mean. I was thinking about setting up a redirect which required user confirmation. Put it in the disclaimer that my network is open and if they choose to use it I'm allowed to put viruses and crap on their PC's. I'd reckon that would cover the legality issue since it requires user confirmation. My wireless has since been secured I just got lazy about securing it, couldn't be bothered to setup the security there was like 10 PC's in my street connected to it, would be useful to see what they were downloading. Also good because my router stores their MAC addresses

I know what you mean RE: the automatic connection, Windows is gay for that, it's down to the settings of "automatically connect to preferred networks / networks in range"....

Meh, I'm thinking of going down the proxy / wireshark route

patman99

BT use a back-door on thier homehubs to allow thier roaming internet customers to access the web via any BT broadband connection (it doesn't get taken-off your monthly allowance though)

Lil306

patman99 wrote: »

BT use a back-door on thier homehubs to allow thier roaming internet customers to access the web via any BT broadband connection (it doesn't get taken-off your monthly allowance though)

Thats a different thing, I can't think of what it's called

I think it's Openzone or Hotspot. I know what you're referring to, it's basically so you can access broadband anyway by bunnyhopping everyones wireless, the clause is that yours has to become free for everyone else too

I didn't select that option (admittedly wasn't available when I was a member) but never the less I still won't be, nobody is hogging my bandwidth. Plus I'm using a diff router, I hate BT crap.