Windows XP w/wireless Linksys USB vs NetStumbler trying to wardrive

**clean customs** · 02-03-2005, 12:39 AM

Ive been searching for days now, and still can't figure out why I would need to use NetStumbler for war driving, or how to configure XP to work with it. I seem to get results by letting XP find locations, but I can't really tell. I drive around checking out areas, but get odd results, and it doesn't seem like NetStumbler is doing anything because I can turn it off and get the same results. NetStumbler finds a gang of access points, but I can't get online. XP will tell me when I have a connection, and how good it is. I don't if I am doing something wrong, or need to cut off the connection with XP or not. I read the notes on NetStumbler, but no help, and I did the auto configure.

I guess my question is, do I need to do something with XP's network settings for NetStumbler to work, or is NetStumbler even needed. Im tired of driving around the neighborhood slow and creepin everyone out while trying to figure out what is happening.

I got the impression I would need to choose a service everytime I wanted to access the interenet without NetStumbler, but I don't understand, I don't freakin understand.

Im using a Wireless G USB network adapter from Linksys. I never installed the software that came with the network adapter, just let XP take care of it. Don't hesitate to talk to me like an idiot.

**kandyman676** · 02-03-2005, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by clean customs

Don't hesitate to talk to me like an idiot.

You asked for it

http://faq.wardrive.net

Wardriving (using Netstumbler and Kisnet) is all about DETECTING access points. that's it. *NOT* connecting to them. once you connect to them, you are ILLEGALLY accessing them just the same as breaking onto someones computer or network from the internet. ethical wardrivers will not connect to an access point EVER and turn off their TCP/IP.

the reason that Windows XP's wireless manager and netstumber are different is because windows does not keep track of access points it sees...it will show what is in the area, but once you are out of range, its gone from the list. however, it will stay on the list if you connect to it.

netstumber, on the other hand, takes OVER windows xp wireless manager and becomes the wireless manager to only DETECT access pointsm, but not connect to them. it will record down the make, SSID, time and date of detection, signal strenght, noise ratio, etc and the GPS location (if you have a GPS unit hooked up and configured). it will also let you LOG this points as you go along.

once you build up a good sized log, then you parse the log with 3rd party programs into MS mappoint or a central wardriving database on the net, and your done.

wardriving for me is the thrill of the hunt, like an easter egg hunt. try to find as many as you can, log them, map them, and see what you found...rise and repeat in new areas or the same areas to see if any new access points can be found or disappear.

**clean customs** · 02-03-2005, 01:27 AM

Hmm, so NetStumbler finds points, and basicaly tells XP of the available points, and XP does what it wants with them? Thats kind of what I understand, but I could be completely off. That would make some kind of sense with the way it worked. How far off is an antenna outside the car vs one on the back dash. I want to try one, but I would have to pay for it. Still trying to find an antenna that is multipurpose, GPS,WiFi, and TV, or maybe some other combos, nothing I found on here though.
Thanks for the info

**kandyman676** · 02-03-2005, 08:58 AM

Netstumbler just takes over XP's wireless manager so it does not conflict with it. It does not communicate back to XP of the available points. Once you found a point that you wanted to test, you would have to stop scanning with Netstumbler, let XP's wireless manager detect it, then you can connect.

the antenna for wi-fi should be outside of the car to avoid any interference and one that has a magnetic ground for the best results. I stick mine through the sunroof to be just between the windshield and the sunroof. I love my antenna (looks like a cell phone antenna) but forget where I got it. of course, to use an antenna, you need to have a wi-fi card that supports external antennas and has a antenna jack. if it does not have one, some of the more common cards are hackable. seatlewireless.com is a good source for that kind of stuff.

there is no antenna that is mulipurpose for GPS and wi-fi. they all have different requirements and frequencies.

for GPS, you can place the GPS unit in either the front or back windows, and it will be fine. you will only find out where is best by experimenting in your car.

wow, i realize now I know too much from my own setup:-)

**clean customs** · 02-03-2005, 10:12 AM

I was hoping to narrow down the antennas. I have the GPS on the trunk, the XM on the roof above the rear window, the TV antenna on the front windshield behind the rearview mirror, the FM antenna inside the rear window (at least thats one, and now I will have a Wifi antenna. I saw a cell/GPS/FM antenna, but that doesn't do many any good. Trying to find me a slim wifi antenna right now in town, and really a USB wifi that has an antenna plug. Thats my hunt in Houston for the day. XP does a pretty good job it seems of picking points, from what it looks like, but it does look like it connects automatically to some points. I still haven't driven around and tested it enough, swerving in the lanes too much trying to figure out what is going on. I got the Linksys on the back dash, and doesn't do that bad for being there, I can't wait to find out the difference with a real antenna. I just bought a new sprint phone with a new plan, and the phone was so new they don't have the freakin serial cable for it yet. If I would have known I was going to be doing this, I would have got a bluetooth phone or something like that. Im getting poor enough as it doing this so I will have to wait, or see what I can get for my phone on ebay, or if I can get that phone on ebay. I want to get the bluetooth sprint, but I could probably get a cheaper sprint phone that has a serial cable for a little bit cheaper online.

thanks for the help

**DaRacerz** · 02-03-2005, 10:19 PM

Hate to hijack your thread clean customs, but was thinking about this statement

Wardriving (using Netstumbler and Kisnet) is all about DETECTING access points. that's it. *NOT* connecting to them. once you connect to them, you are ILLEGALLY accessing them just the same as breaking onto someones computer or network from the internet. ethical wardrivers will not connect to an access point EVER and turn off their TCP/IP.

Like you said Netstumbler just points out wifi's, but does not connect. But this does bother me. If you install WiFi manufactures software, like on my Belkin unit, by default without asking me any questions sets up itself to connect to either AP or AdHoc and to connect reguardlessly if its on my safe list or not. I myself have disabled this, but someone less knowledged can very easily accidentally start surfing on someone elses unsecure wireless AP at the fault of the manufacture in my opinion. Wounder how this would go based on the law....

Clean customs, as far as your antennas, guess the Hirschman antenna didn't make the cut for ya? Though, with all this different signal, I don't see how you can possibly have less then three or so antennas on the roof with the options out there. You may be able to get a Stub GPS/WiFi/cellular antennas, i knkow they exists, forget where I saw some.

**clean customs** · 02-03-2005, 11:01 PM

Thanks for the help. I was confused about the same thing, my network continually tries to connect, and connect to anything it finds. I think I just get lucky if that particular just happens to be unsecured, I can't tell yet. Fonts to small to read while driving sometimes. If I go through the XP, it asks me if I want to connect even if its secure, but that is when I click on the icon and it brings up the list. But while i am driving, it keeps telling me I have a signal and when it fades and when it gets another one. Just don't know what kind it is by that little note that pops up. I never installed the software, because I didn't know what options to choose to be honest. One thing I did do, was uncheck adhoc in the properties, and I got nothing. I would appreciate some help on an adhoc explanation from your opinion.
thanks again, still trying to figure this out.

**DaRacerz** · 02-04-2005, 09:58 PM

AdHoc in a way can be compared to as peer-to-peer file sharing. Basically, its an informal way of connecting two competers together. When using AdHoc, you do not need an Access Point. Your Wireless Nic becomes the Access Point. This allows other Wireless Nics to directly connect to you. Sorta like a dedicated link. This won't actually get you internet connectivity, but will give you network connectivity such as the ability to share files between the other user and other network related tasks such as video/voice communications given proper software setup on both sides.

**dafallus** · 01-07-2009, 12:18 PM

I would just like to clarify one thing mentioned above about the legality of connecting to wireless networks while war-driving. It is not illegal to connect to unsecured wireless networks. If a router assigns you an IP address after your computer politely asks it for permission to connect then you have legally been given permission to access that connection. Its just like knocking on your neighbor's door and entering after being told to come in.

Breaking into an encrypted network is obviously illegal, like picking the lock on your neighbor's door.