Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Wirelss Network Connection Problem? No Problem

Wireless devices are becoming more and more commonplace. For some, a wireless connection network problem can be a costly and annoying experience. Spotting the presence of a wireless device can be imperative for business or personal communication. A WiFi sniffer is a comparatively new tool that may help you find a signal when you need it the most.

Hotels and airports allow access to networks for business and leisure travelers, and networks are often useable to people who want to work or study from a park bench, a coffee house, or a shopping center. Mobile WiFi antennas give truck drivers, RV vacationers, and other mobile individuals continual access to the Internet, so they needn't keep their laptops or PDAs at home, and can reliably stay connected to their families or their employers.

As though such gadgets weren't enough, WiFi users can now own a sniffer, which is a wireless tool that finds the presence of other wireless devices, calculates the strength of their signals, and sends a report to the owner on the locality of the access point.

A WiFi sniffer can be an excellent tool for campers, backpackers, and other outdoor lovers. If you were to get lost while hiking or traveling in remote areas, by finding the signal of other wireless devices, you could call for help, or find the route to your camp or destination.

Likewise, if you were to misplace your own wireless equipment, such as your notebook, bluetooth or PDA, your sniffer can help you to find it; or if you are having a wireless connection network problem and are in dire need of a connection, your sniffer would give you a report of other such devices close by.

These are all good uses for a WiFi sniffer, but network accessories such as these can likewise be used for more nefarious intentions. For instance, a hacker intent on sabotaging or debasing the users of any WiFi network could use his or her WiFi sniffer to discover the presence of wireless devices, set up a fictitious WiFi network, or hack into the existing network, and take personal information from the users.

Likewise, the owner of a cyber café bent on stealing guests from a competing café could use their sniffer to spy on the network traffic of their competitor, and then elect to lower the cost of accessing their network to lure customers away from their rival. Or, the managers of a shopping mall may use their device to count the number of people who connect to their network, and then raise the cost to derive more profit from their customers.

Like most tools, a WiFi sniffer can be used for good or evil, and it depends upon the objectives for which someone uses such a tool. But if you are struggling with a wireless connection network problem, being able to access the nearby network can be a lifesaver. If you are interested in purchasing a WiFi sniffer, be sure to do a complete internet search on the range of products available. Get support on mounting your device, and chat with current owners to find out what other accessories you may need.

For more info, check out Wireless Internet or Purchasing Wireless Equipment. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Authoring Articles.

Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Ron King - EzineArticles Expert Author

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