Windows XP Hacks, 2nd Edition

Chapter 7. Wireless

Hacks 65-74

It’s an unwired world, and XP is at the center of it. XP was built with wireless in mind. Because it includes a built-in wireless discovery of networks, it’s easy to set up home and corporate wireless networks, as well as connect to hotspots when people travel with their laptops or PDAs.

In this chapter, you’ll learn about wireless hacking—everything from war-driving to find wireless networks, to protecting your home wireless network, using wireless encryption, solving hotspot woes, and more.

Go War-Driving for WiFi Access

WiFi networks are everywhere, it seems; you can get free Internet access on wireless community FreeNets armed with your laptop, a car, and software called Network Stumbler.

One of the coolest technological advances in popular use today is the wireless network. Wireless networks based on the WiFi standard (802.11x) are becoming increasingly common across the country—not only in people’s homes, but also in universities, corporations, coffee shops, airports, and other public places. Now you can bring your email to Starbucks.

Frequently you’ll find dozens of hotspots in one location, particularly in certain urban neighborhoods and suburban office parks that house high-tech companies. Where I live—in Porter Square in Cambridge, Mass.—there are dozens of wireless networks in private homes, apartment buildings, and businesses within a very short walk from my home. There are at least a half dozen on my three-block street alone, in addition ...