wardrive

Wardrive

Wardrive is an open-source WiFi mapping and surveying tool for Linux. It allows users to map the locations and details of wireless access points while driving or walking around an area.
wifi mapping surveying access-points

Wardrive: Open-Source WiFi Mapping and Surveying Tools

An open-source Linux tool for mapping and surveying wireless access points while driving or walking, providing valuable insights into network coverage.

What is Wardrive?

Wardrive is an open-source application for Linux that is used to map the locations and details of WiFi access points. It allows users to survey an area while driving or walking around with a WiFi-enabled device and GPS, mapping out all the wireless access points that are detected.

Some key features of Wardrive include:

  • Mapping wireless access points and recording details like SSID, MAC address, encryption type, signal strength, etc.
  • Integrated GPS support to map locations of access points
  • Support for external GPS devices via Bluetooth or serial connection
  • Visual mapping of survey route and locations of detected access points
  • Export survey data to various formats like KML, CSV, OpenStreetMap XML
  • Command line and GUI modes
  • Open source software licensed under GPLv2

Wardrive can be useful for network administrators who want to survey an outdoor area before deploying wireless gear. It can also be used by security researchers and enthusiasts who are interested in mapping out WiFi networks around neighborhoods or cities. The survey data allows analysis of wireless coverage for planning purposes.

Wardrive Features

Features

  1. Scans for WiFi networks in range
  2. Records GPS coordinates of access points
  3. Generates map of WiFi networks based on GPS data
  4. Open source codebase
  5. Available on Linux platforms

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Free and open source

Allows mapping of WiFi networks in an area

Useful for network surveying and security assessments

Works on common Linux distros like Ubuntu

Cons

Limited to Linux only

Dated interface and graphics

Not beginner friendly

Requires external GPS device

Official Links


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