| Wardriving: Driving around looking for open | | | | wandering around to find an internet connection, |
| wireless networks. (courtesy of WarDriving.com) | | | | when you can get one for free from Starbucks? |
| The history of wardriving runs parallel to the | | | | Finally, cellular WAN networks are becoming |
| adoption of WiFi technology. As big corporations | | | | increasingly popular. People can now connect to |
| installed wireless LANs, hackers would drive from | | | | the internet from anywhere that they can get a |
| place to place attempting to hack into the | | | | cellular internet signal. This has made connectivity |
| networks. This expanded even further with the | | | | extremely convenient to individuals who need the |
| proliferation of consumer-grade wireless routers. | | | | 'net on the road. |
| It became a simple thing for hackers and | | | | There is another additional layer to this |
| freeloaders to locate open wireless networks and | | | | technology. Some companies have begun to |
| leech a free internet connection. | | | | manufacture routers that convert a cellular WAN |
| Though for several years, this was a major | | | | signal into a standard 802.11 b/g signal, making the |
| movement, complete with its own hacker scripts, | | | | internet available to multiple people, not just the |
| makeshift antennas, and other equipment, | | | | individual with the wireless internet card. Some, |
| wardriving has faded into obscurity. There are | | | | like the Kyocera KR1 are built specifically with |
| several reasons for this. | | | | high-speed EVDO networks in mind, while others, |
| First, there is increasing awareness among | | | | like the TopGlobal 3G Phoebus cater to a wider |
| corporations and consumers about the importance | | | | range of networks. |
| of securing wireless connections. Routers have | | | | With the availability of convenient, and sometimes |
| become much more user-friendly in this regard, | | | | free, wireless internet, the necessity of wardriving |
| making it extremely simple to secure your | | | | has diminished so as to become nearly |
| network from casual wardrivers. | | | | nonexistent. But don't mourn its loss, there will |
| Another reason is the availability of free internet | | | | always be HaXX0rz willing to try some new trick. |
| in places like Starbucks. Why waste time | | | | |