War driving 101

This is possible because individuals, due to lack of knowledge, lack of adequate information, ignorance or laziness leave their access points unsecured. In many cases the devices are unsecure because an unknowing individual uses an access point (AP) with the default configuration that was in place when the device was purchased, a default SSID or without WPA or WEP encryption. 

Many wardrivers use GPS devices to measure the location of the network find and log it on a website (the most popular is WiGLE). For better range, antennas are built or bought, and vary from omnidirectional to highly directional. Software for wardriving is freely available on the Internet, notably, NetStumbler for Windows, Kismet for Linux, and KisMac for Macintosh. See the page on WLAN Tools to get the software.

According to , in the USA millions of wireless access points are spread across the country. A majority of these access points are unprotected - wide open to access by anyone in the neighbourhood. A minority of the wireless access points are protected by WEP and a smaller handful are protected by the relatively stronger WPA standard, neither being really safe from a knowledgeable, well-motivated, 14 year old...

What is required:

a laptop computer

a Wireless Network Adapter

What is nice to have:

A Wireless adapter with an external antenna connector

The correct external adapter cable for the adapter and antenna you have

A directional antenna or a Pringles can antenna

A GPS receiver connected to the laptop (NEMA, USB or PCMCIA)

A used GMC Grumman delivery truck with tinted windows...