The Death Of Wardriving

By Nathan Kartchner

Wardriving: Driving around looking for open wireless networks. (courtesy of WarDriving.com)

The history of wardriving runs parallel to the adoption of WiFi technology. As big corporations installed wireless LANs, hackers would drive from place to place attempting to hack into the networks. This expanded even further with the proliferation of consumer-grade wireless routers. It became a simple thing for hackers and freeloaders to locate open wireless networks and leech a free internet connection.

Though for several years, this was a major movement, complete with its own hacker scripts, makeshift antennas, and other equipment, wardriving has faded into obscurity. There are several reasons for this.

First, there is increasing awareness among corporations and consumers about the importance of securing wireless connections. Routers have become much more user-friendly in this regard, making it extremely simple to secure your network from casual wardrivers.

Another reason is the availability of free internet in places like Starbucks. Why waste time wandering around to find an internet connection, when you can get one for free from Starbucks?

Finally, cellular WAN networks are becoming increasingly popular. People can now connect to the internet from anywhere that they can get a cellular internet signal. This has made connectivity extremely convenient to individuals who need the ‘net on the road.

There is another additional layer to this technology. Some companies have begun to manufacture routers that convert a cellular WAN signal into a standard 802.11 b/g signal, making the internet available to multiple people, not just the individual with the wireless internet card. Some, like the Kyocera KR1 are built specifically with high-speed EVDO networks in mind, while others, like the TopGlobal 3G Phoebus cater to a wider range of networks.

With the availability of convenient, and sometimes free, wireless internet, the necessity of wardriving has diminished so as to become nearly nonexistent. But don’t mourn its loss, there will always be HaXX0rz willing to try some new trick.

Nate Kartchner is the marketing coordinator for Sewell Direct.com, a premium online computer and electronics retailer that carries the TopGlobal 3G Phoebus and the Kyocera KR1.

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