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V12 · Jan 17, 2005, 07:19 PM

I was jsut wondering if devices like the Wifi Dectector or WiFi spy are legal, and if so how good and/or acurate are they?

Do you use one?

What are your views on these?

SSharon · Jan 17, 2005, 07:44 PM

I don't use one, but I don't see anything wrong with them. People should protect their routers, but if they don't I don't see a problem using them on occasion for legal purposes of course.

V12 · Jan 17, 2005, 07:51 PM

i figured the same, however what do you consider legal purpose?

i just wanted to use on to get a quick connection to check emails when awya from home

SSharon · Jan 17, 2005, 07:57 PM

Using it to download movies would be a no no. I don't see a problem with checking your e-mail except its not secure. The same way you can get onto their network because its not encrypted means that everything you send can be read (unless you use a VPN or something). As I said I don't use a device I just open my ibook and see what's around. For example in the apartment building I live on (all college students) lots of people have routers and until I had mine set up I would use other peope's connections since they left them open just for this reason. This is of course different because I was not using a lot of their bandwidth, and they don't pay any extra for a faster speed since its all included in our rent.

iMOTOR · Jan 18, 2005, 02:51 AM

A wi-fi finder can be used for legit proposes. I use mine to check for public hotspots at airports and and coffee shops etc. The only time it gives a false alert is when some dummies at the airport setup a wi-lan party in the terminal while they're waiting for their next flight. But yes, you don't have to use one to lookup private networks.

As far as legality goes, I bought my Kensington wi-fi finder at Circuit City, and there was no sort of disclaimer that you can get in trouble for using one.

Xeo · Jan 18, 2005, 04:31 AM

Detecting a wifi surely can't be illegal. Your computer does that automatically. I'm sure these devices simply go off when the WAP is sending out the SSID which means it only picks up the wifi networks that are advertising anyway.

It's when you choose to actually use that network that legality can become an issue. But as others have said, morally I see no problems with using someone's non-secure wifi network. There are plenty of ways one can keep others off their network. If the person goes out of their way to break the security and gain access, well that's a whole different ball game.

V12 · Jan 18, 2005, 03:42 PM

I bought my Kensington wi-fi finder at Circuit City, and there was no sort of disclaimer that you can get in trouble for using one. [/B]

sort of off topic, how is that dectector? I am looking at the wifi spy but the only way i can get it is if i order online( no problem its just that for a cheap item its awfuly expenisve shipping costs) is the kensington detector just as well you think?

iMOTOR · Jan 18, 2005, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by V12:
sort of off topic, how is that dectector? I am looking at the wifi spy but the only way i can get it is if i order online( no problem its just that for a cheap item its awfuly expenisve shipping costs) is the kensington detector just as well you think?

I have the old one and it works pretty well for what it's for.

Apple sells the new "Kensington wifi finder 2.0" which looks way nicer than mine btw.

I think your best bet would be to find out if your apple store has one, they sell for $29.

V12 · Jan 18, 2005, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by iMOTOR:
I have the old one and it works pretty well for what it's for.

Apple sells the new "Kensington wifi finder 2.0" which looks way nicer than mine btw.

I think your best bet would be to find out if your apple store has one, they sell for $29.

yea im trying to decide between that or the marware wifi spy right now...

does the bluetooth detector help at all for my purposes?

ink · Jan 18, 2005, 09:35 PM

I just use my ibook and KisMAC. Is there a benefit to stand-alone devices?

waxcrash · Jan 18, 2005, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by ink:
I just use my ibook and KisMAC. Is there a benefit to stand-alone devices?

I use my PowerBook and MacStumbler myself.

ink · Jan 18, 2005, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
I use my PowerBook and MacStumbler myself.

Yeah, but KisMAC goes into passive mode and can "see" closed networks. Although it doesn't have any GPS integration.

mdc · Jan 18, 2005, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by ink:
Is there a benefit to stand-alone devices?

they are tiny, and you don't have to take your 'book out your backpack.

Xeo · Jan 18, 2005, 10:24 PM

The benefit to a stand-alone device is that you can just have it with you, on a keychain or whatever, and discover ones you wouldn't otherwise notice. Then you can bring your laptop with you the next time you go to that location. Using an iBook and one of those pieces of software require you to haul your laptop around and keep it from sleeping through one of various methods.

V12 · Jan 18, 2005, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by Xeo:
The benefit to a stand-alone device is that you can just have it with you, on a keychain or whatever, and discover ones you wouldn't otherwise notice. Then you can bring your laptop with you the next time you go to that location. Using an iBook and one of those pieces of software require you to haul your laptop around and keep it from sleeping through one of various methods.

exactly...its great if you go on vacation or trips often, you can be having lunch or something and notice a network..then go get your book or bring your book back later and get a quick connection....

V12 · Jan 18, 2005, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by Xeo:
The benefit to a stand-alone device is that you can just have it with you, on a keychain or whatever, and discover ones you wouldn't otherwise notice. Then you can bring your laptop with you the next time you go to that location. Using an iBook and one of those pieces of software require you to haul your laptop around and keep it from sleeping through one of various methods.

exactly...its great if you go on vacation or trips often, you can be having lunch or something and notice a network..then go get your book or bring your book back later and get a quick connection....