NetStumbler

NetStumbler is a wireless monitor program (scanner ) for Windows. It scans the Wi-Fi channels to available networks (Wireless APs ), so it is suitable for the detection of hot spots. It runs under Microsoft Windows from version 2000 to XP but not under Vista and Windows 7

Due to the detailed information on the detected access points as well as the ease of use it is very often used for wardriving.

The information obtained through the Access Points extend to MAC address, channel, network name (SSID ), signal quality ( graphically ) and encryption. Under certain circumstances, the program can also detect the manufacturer of the access points as well as the subnet used in the network. The access points are sorted by channel, network name, and criteria such as encryption, etc.. The biggest shortcoming of Netstumbler is that it is all encrypted with WEP WLANs always displays, even if they are protected with WPA or WPA2.

The program offers support for many GPS receivers, thereby access points found can be saved with their position and later drawn on maps. This is especially very useful when wardriving. In addition, a scripting interface allows, for example, a text - to-speech output of the network name or any further processing of the data obtained.

In contrast to other known wireless scanners like Kismet Netstumbler does not scan passively by listening to the network packets, but active by regularly sending so-called probe request frames. If the access point is configured to respond to this request, Netstumbler can recognize him. Otherwise, the AP does not appear in the list, then one speaks of a so-called closed AP.

For Windows CE, a version exists called MiniStumbler.