Wifi Anywhere Anytime

Net Stumbler (also known as Network Stumbler) is a tool for Windows that facilitates detection of Wireless LANs using the 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g WLAN standards. It runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems from Windows 2000 to Windows XP. A trimmed-down version called MiniStumbler is available for the handheld Windows CE operating system.
The program is commonly used for:

• Wardriving
• Verifying network configurations
• Finding locations with poor coverage in a WLAN
• Detecting causes of wireless interference
• Detecting unauthorized ("rogue") access points
• Aiming directional antennas for long-haul WLAN 
•  links

 

 

NetStumbler:

Project homepage: http://www.stumbler.net/

NetStumbler is probably the first wireless discovery tool that people come across.  It is free, easy to install and simple to use.  Netstumbler is a tool for Windows that allows you to detect Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) using 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g.

Netstumbler sends out a probe request about once a second, and reports the responses. This is known as Active Scanning.

 

Using Netstumbler:

Once Netstumbler is installed all you need is a compatible wireless card then simply double click on the Netstumbler icon and Netstumbler will start probing for nearby wireless LANS:

One of the weaknesses of Netstumbler is its inability to detect Wireless LANS utilising hidden SSIDs.

 However, Netstumbler does include a very useful graphical representation of signal strength (indicated in green) and noise ratio (indicated in red) over time, which is extremely useful for direction finding Wireless LANS:

Netstumbler Options:

Netstumbler is able to merge .ns1 files via the File > Merge option in the menu.

GPS configuration can be carried out via the View > Options > GPS tab.

The Scan speed can also be altered via View > Options > General tab.

Netstumbler saves files in the .ns1 format.  Providing a GPS device is attached these files can then be then be imported (via Stumbverter) into Microsoft's MapPoint software to produce a graphic representation of any Wardriving or Site Surveys that may have been carried out:

TO download this software click on the link below

NetStumbler – 0.4.0 

MiniStumbler – 0.4.0