Finding wireless access points.

Can anyone direct me to some good info on finding wireless access points?

I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually finding the
building and room that the signal is coming from.

How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access point
device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such software?

Thanks!

jim

"jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4ml%j.72794$(E-Mail Removed). ..
> Can anyone direct me to some good info on finding wireless access points?
>
> I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually finding
> the building and room that the signal is coming from.
>
> How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access point
> device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such software?
>
> Thanks!
>
> jim
>
yeah right -
you mean just like on TV - CSI, NCIS, or Numbers ??

Hi
May be this can Help., http://www.passmark.com/products/wirelessmonitor.htm
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4ml%j.72794$(E-Mail Removed). ..
> Can anyone direct me to some good info on finding wireless access points?
>
> I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually finding
> the building and room that the signal is coming from.
>
> How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access point
> device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such software?
>
> Thanks!
>
> jim
>

"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 18:52:46 -0400, "jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Can anyone direct me to some good info on finding wireless access points?
>
> Search Google for "wi-fi direction finding".

Thanks for that. Searching for the proper terms does seem to enhance the
result set returned by Google.

>
> I've also posted some comments on the subject:
> <http://groups.google.com/groups?as_q=direction+finding+map+lines&num=50&sco ring=r&hl=en&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_ugroup=alt.i nternet.wireless&as_usubject=&as_uauthors=Jeff+Lie bermann&lr=lang_en&as_drrb=q&as_qdr=&as_mind=1&as_ minm=1&as_miny=1981&as_maxd=28&as_maxm=5&as_maxy=2 008&safe=off>
>

Great suggestions!

> This one covers the basics:
> <http://groups.google.com/group/alt.internet.wireless/msg/8998c66ef1df00f7>
> Note that it does take some practice. I suggest you try finding a
> known access point first. Also, be prepared to answer dumb questions
> from the police and officials. To the clueless, you will probably
> look like a terrorist.

LOL! I actually got pulled over about 1 this morning while war driving and
testing out my cantenna setup. It was a riot! They wanted to know what
"that gun looking thing" was...(it was my new cantenna with a pistol grip).

They did ask me to please do it during daylight hours (they said they have
been having problems with some burglaries and such). But, my slowly
cruising the 'hoods and jamming up traffic during the day will certainly
piss them off too. I'll just remind them that it was their idea - not mine.

War driving is addictive. I did it for 3-4hours and found approx 600
wireless access points. About 30% have no protection whatsoever. About 50%
have WEP (really no security wahtsoever). And the other 20% have WPA+.

>
>>I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually finding
>>the
>>building and room that the signal is coming from.
>
> Yeah. That's called "radio direction finding".

Sweet.

>
>>How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access point
>>device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such software?

I'm using WirelessMon right now. It is pretty good. I use the RSSI values
to home in on a signal. Then, I realize I am chasing a reflection and go on
the opposit direction (lol).

I am considering a 3 cantenna setup where the left and right cantennas are
offset by -45 degrees and + 45 degrees. I'll need software that can watch 3
antennaes simultaneously - which means I may have to write it (or pay
someone to write it) - but it may be worth the trouble.

Thanks so much for your help!

P.S. I added a green laser pointer to my setup to help locate wireless
access points from outside multi-floored buildings. Don't know if it'll
help much, but it looks cool.

jim

That's just what I am using. Netstumbler did not work with my Sony laptop +
Vista.

jim

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
> May be this can Help.,
> http://www.passmark.com/products/wirelessmonitor.htm
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> "jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:4ml%j.72794$(E-Mail Removed). ..
>> Can anyone direct me to some good info on finding wireless access points?
>>
>> I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually finding
>> the building and room that the signal is coming from.
>>
>> How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access point
>> device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such software?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> jim
>>
>

"LR" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:kt2dnSI-i6Co-(E-Mail Removed)...
> jim wrote:
>
>> War driving is addictive. I did it for 3-4hours and found approx 600
>> wireless access points. About 30% have no protection whatsoever. About
>> 50% have WEP (really no security wahtsoever). And the other 20% have
>> WPA+.
>>
> If it has become addictive you may be interested in Wigle.
> http://www.wigle.net/

Here are some pics of my beginner setup.....

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010005.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010006.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010007.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010008.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010009.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010010.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010011.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010012.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010014.jpg

jim

Oops.....this probably would have been easier....

http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn121/wardriverjim/

jim


"jim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:llu%j.19190$(E-Mail Removed).. .
>
> "LR" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:kt2dnSI-i6Co-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> jim wrote:
>>
>>> War driving is addictive. I did it for 3-4hours and found approx 600
>>> wireless access points. About 30% have no protection whatsoever. About
>>> 50% have WEP (really no security wahtsoever). And the other 20% have
>>> WPA+.
>>>
>> If it has become addictive you may be interested in Wigle.
>> http://www.wigle.net/
>
> Here are some pics of my beginner setup.....
>
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010005.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010006.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010007.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010008.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010009.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010010.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010011.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010012.jpg
> http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...m/S2010014.jpg
>
> jim
>
>

wow - nice WiFi tracking "package".
(not sure Hawkings can sell WiFi at this point in time - legal issues)

I specifically had an old Orinico PCMCIA card
because it had the external antenna connector,
but never used it...

Just driving around our area with the laptop open on the front seat,
and running NetStumbler,
I can usually pick up several dozen access points.

jim wrote:
> Oops.....this probably would have been easier....
>
> http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn121/wardriverjim/
>
> jim
>
>>>
>>>> War driving is addictive. I did it for 3-4hours and found approx
>>>> 600 wireless access points. About 30% have no protection
>>>> whatsoever. About 50% have WEP (really no security wahtsoever).
>>>> And the other 20% have WPA+.
>>>>
>>> If it has become addictive you may be interested in Wigle.
>>> http://www.wigle.net/
>>

jim wrote:
> I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually
> finding the building and room that the signal is coming from.
>
> How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access
> point device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such
> software?

what are you trying to do ?

It's different if you are wardriving around,
and can have a laptop + the cantenna all in the car...

If you are trying to locate rogue AP's around your company/school,
then how are you physically gonna carry the required "stuff" around the
floors & halls ?

Since you mention "building & room", it's hard to guess exactly your
"situation" ?

"ps56k" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:EFz%j.1771$(E-Mail Removed)...
> jim wrote:
>> I don't mean simply being able to connect to them, but actually
>> finding the building and room that the signal is coming from.
>>
>> How do you track down the physical location of the wireless access
>> point device that you can detect using netstumbler or other such
>> software?
>
> what are you trying to do ?
>
> It's different if you are wardriving around,
> and can have a laptop + the cantenna all in the car...
>
> If you are trying to locate rogue AP's around your company/school,
> then how are you physically gonna carry the required "stuff" around the
> floors & halls ?
>
> Since you mention "building & room", it's hard to guess exactly your
> "situation" ?

The original intent was to find rougue waps on a couple of company campuses.

the wardriving was just something fun to do and to get a little experience
in using the cantenna.

jim