WarDriving is the act of moving around a certain area and mapping the population of wireless access points for statistical purposes, and to raise awareness of the security problems associated with these types of networks. WarDriving does not in any way imply using these wireless access points without authorization.

The term WarDriving refers to all wireless discovery activity (WarFlying, WarWalking, and so forth).

The term WarDriving originates from WarDialing, the practice of using a modem attached to a computer to dial an entire exchange of telephone numbers to locate any computers with modems attached to them. This activity was dubbed WarDialing, because it was introduced to the general public by Matthew Broderick s character, David Lightman, in the 1983 movie, WarGames.

The FBI has stated that WarDriving, according to its true meaning, is not illegal in the U.S.

There are two primary hardware setups for WarDriving:

• A laptop computer

• A PDA

In order to WarDrive, you need:

• A wireless NIC, preferably with an external antenna connector.

• An external antenna of which two types are primarily used:

• Omni-directional antennas are used to WarDrive when you want to pick up as many access points as possible in all directions.

• Directional antennas are used to WarDrive when attempting to pinpoint particular access points in a known location or direction.

A pigtail with the proper connectors for attaching your antenna to your wireless network card.

A handheld GPS...