does NetStumbler actually CONNECT to access points?

**hijinks21** · 10-31-2004, 07:40 PM

with my drivers anyway.. windows can't connect with netstumbler running

**Geese** · 10-31-2004, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by hijinks21

with my drivers anyway.. windows can't connect with netstumbler running

Right. Promiscuous mode = Rx only. Netstumbler puts your card into a receive only mode so that it can channel hop and decipher raw frames. When you close NS, it should safely return your card to infrastructure or adhoc mode.

XP's built in wireless connection app is pretty good, actually. It will show all the WEP and non-WEP APs within range and connecting is as simple as agreeing to connect to an insecure AP.

Obviously, NS in its current form cannot be running while you are trying to connect. I think what the original poster is asking for, is a smarter NS that will take itself out of promisc mode and auto connect to that network. That way, he can drive around with NS in the background and connect to any given AP with a double-click without using XP's built in app.

**Grayscale** · 11-01-2004, 05:44 PM

indeed

I have been looking into WMI on MSDN. It's gonna be very tough to write this software if I can pull it off! And i'm gonna whine to the NS developer!

**Laidback** · 11-01-2004, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Grayscale

And i'm gonna whine to the NS developer!

Good luck!

**EBFoxbat** · 11-01-2004, 06:26 PM

Netstumbler specifically DOES NOT connect to APs because that's against the law. Windows XP SP2 has a very good built-in WiFi. It spits out a list SSIDs (or something) and you pick.

**Grayscale** · 11-01-2004, 06:44 PM

oh well im using Windows 2003

. No SP's. And don't try to steer me the other way, I'm quite happy with the speed of my OS

. So much faster, really! Wonder if theres a way to patch just the WiFI part of 2k3?

**big_cali_dave** · 11-09-2004, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by EBFoxbat

Netstumbler specifically DOES NOT connect to APs because that's against the law. Windows XP SP2 has a very good built-in WiFi. It spits out a list SSIDs (or something) and you pick.

Well that's a retarded comment.. Connecting to APs is against the law?? How do you connect at home? Have you ever even tried the program? There are even legitimate uses for netstumbler, like measuring ap network strength, range, coverage, etc.. And yeah, it would be a useful feature if NS could kill promiscuous mode and connect to APs because it takes too damn long to quit NS, open the windows connection manager, and select the AP you just drove past.. By then, it's too late. And although win SP2 works great, it doesn't refresh fast enough or have anywhere near the sensitivity of NS, so you can't find all the networks.

**Supermike** · 11-09-2004, 07:25 AM

So you are saying EBFoxbat is wrong and anybody can (legally) use somebody's $40 per month highspeed internet connection if they are not smart enough to secure it, or secure it properly?

**blurp** · 11-09-2004, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by big_cali_dave

Well that's a retarded comment.. Connecting to APs is against the law?? How do you connect at home? Have you ever even tried the program? There are even legitimate uses for netstumbler, like measuring ap network strength, range, coverage, etc.. And yeah, it would be a useful feature if NS could kill promiscuous mode and connect to APs because it takes too damn long to quit NS, open the windows connection manager, and select the AP you just drove past.. By then, it's too late. And although win SP2 works great, it doesn't refresh fast enough or have anywhere near the sensitivity of NS, so you can't find all the networks.

He was OBVIOUSLY talking about connecting to an access point that you don't own and/or don't have explicit permission from the owner to connect to. This IS illegal. What's more, this is a criminal offense, which means that the owner of the AP doesn't even have to press charges against you, the government can prosecute you just as if they caught you breaking the door down and entering someone's house.

**Grayscale** · 11-09-2004, 08:43 PM

The question is, are they gonna find out where that computer that connected to the network lives? Nope! Cause it's in a car! Yeah, I think it was pretty obvious what he was trying to say.