Mapping Hacks

Map Nearby Wi-Fi Hotspots #17

Chapter 2, Mapping Your Neighborhood

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HACK

HACK

#17

Map Nearby Wi-Fi Hotspots Hack #17

Create interesting and useful maps of local and international Wi-Fi hotspot

coverage.

Ever wonder how you can track the wireless networks in your neighbor-

hood, or near your office—or how you can find free wireless connectivity

when you’re away from your home and office? I wondered the same thing,

and so with the help of Eric Blevins, we created http://www.WiFiMaps.com

for exactly this purpose.

WiFiMaps.com is a web-based, interactive map of wireless networks, with

detailed street-level maps. If you’re looking for open Wi-Fi nodes nearby,

you can use the web site to browse geographical areas, perform various

types of searches, and compare location or user statistics. The wireless node

data is kept up to date by users who upload their wardriving data.

Figure 2-11 shows a map of some of the Wi-Fi hotspots found in California,

made with data contributed to WiFiMaps.com.

The Art of Wardriving

Wardriving is the geek sport of driving about (or walking, or biking, or even

flying) while searching for wireless networks. The idea is to connect a GPS

and wireless card to your portable computer, hop in the car, fire up your

favorite wardriving program, and go out for a drive. As you move, the GPS

records your location and some of the parameters of what your wireless card

hears. The software on your ...