MaxAttacks
Fri May 23 15:51:45 PDT 2008
On May 23, 12:06 am, "MEB" <meb@not h...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "MaxAttacks" <kickofthe...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:b2455119-1f40-493d-9961-83f53720de96@t12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> | On May 15, 11:30 pm, "MEB" <meb@not h...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> | > "MaxAttacks" <kickofthe...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> | >
> | >news:b2bc9102-4f23-401c-8e8a-fa44ee09e43b@q27g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> | > | On May 15, 11:46 am, "MEB" <meb@not h...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> | > | > We could attempt to help here, but I think you would have more luck
> on
> | > | > forums/groups which deal specifically with Netstumbler and
> | > cards/adapters.
> | > | >
> | > | >
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=netstumbler&btnG=Google+Search
> | > Okay, as you have found out, the program is extremely limited, though
> | > useful *IF* you can find chip specific adaptations.
> | >
> | > There are other programs [perhaps not exactly what your looking for]
> like
> | > CommView, Wireless Sniffer, other [general listed and searched for as
> | > wireless sniffers]
> |
> | I'm a little late getting back to this, but appreciate the help and
> | mention of other similar products. I tried to reply a couple of days
> | ago but Google News seemed to think I should wait and try again
> | another time.
> |
> | I did find out through reading way too many postings about Netstumbler
> | that, it only works under Windows 98 SE "if" your using an adapter
> | with a Hermes chipset. As they added support for newer operating
> | systems, they didn't bother to add support for Win98SE, to allow for
> | the new chipsets in the newer devices supported. Which means I'm out
> | of luck when it comes to using Netstumbler unless I update my OS
> | first.
>
> Well I didn't want to burst your bubble, I have Netstumbler here... and it
> is only useful as you indicate.
I managed to locate a used 500 mhz cpu for the desktop in the house,
but my old montherboard doesn't support it very well so, when I find
time I'll be updating and going with XP on that computer. At least
I'll have one system that I can use to check signal strength for
connections to the laptop and my other desktop in the trailer. I've
mainly been using the laptop in the yard and when in town at hotspots,
but with only Win98SE on it and being too old to upgrade, I think it
will soon be time for something newer.
> So let me get this straight, you mentioned a laptop, that ISN"T the one in
> the shop is it?
>
> If its a desktop, an internal adapter can provide MUCH more ability to
> modify than a plugin USB. Think of modifications that the old CB users used
> to make....
> |
> | > | > Are there any identifying chip numbers available on the Chinese
> | > Adapter?
> |
> | I couldn't find any meaningful markings on the ISSC unit apart from
> | the "ISSC IS89C35 802.11bg WLAN USB Adapter" on the outside and the
> | name of the company "Integrated System Solution Corp." in the .inf
> | file that was part of the driver on the CD. I opened the unit and it
> | has Winbond chips, but I'll have to shoot some pictures and enlarge
> | them to see what numbers are on them. For now, its my most reliable
> | method for accessing the router. Based on the name of the company, I
> | found what I believe is their website here:
http://www.issc.com.tw/
> |
> | So its not Made in China. I guess Made in Taiwan isn't a bad thing.
>
> Contrary to popular opinion, China does ship some good products.. and
> Taiwan has been providing the world with a large part of its technologies
> and hardware for decades.
>
> Actually, looking at the site, ISSC amalgamated with Alinks Communications,
> Inc. in Silicon Valley in 2000 so what do you actually have, or does it
> really matter.. they seem to be making their own designs, so though not
> POPULAR and WELL ADVERTISED, they may make better products and chips.
They sell these on eBay for about $0.99 each but the shipping is
inflated to around $12.00.
> |
> | > Let's see if someone else wants to post some tools to use, you don't
> mind
> | > if we wait a few more hours do you?
> |
> | No big rush, but life will be simpler once I get this all straightened
> | out and can focus on the variety of other things I'm doing. By the
> | time I catch up on all the other projects here, MS may put out another
> | OS and Vista might become a stable operating system.
>
> ROFLMAO,,,, right, like that will happen in my lifetime, VISTA stable,,,
> sshhshshhs, they just found another batch of new vulnerabilities, and in
> Vista's UAC....
Ok, so I was getting a flashback to a MAC/PC commercial. If they
didn't make other OS's like Linux and Ubutu sound like old Unix, I'd
consider going that route, but then I'd have to hunt up new equipment
and drivers to make it all work.
> |
> | I'm sure there are some people wardriving around here, looking for
> | vulnerable systems, but not very often. At least, I know enough to not
> | broadcast my SSID, have my network set up for peer-to-peer and use WPA-
> | PSK TKIP. Unlike some of my neighbors, (one who insists that his
> | business and personal info is safe because he is hard wired, but still
> | doesn't have a firewall), I wouldn't even use a computer without a
> | firewall and scheduled scanning for viruses, etc. And I'm thinking
> | using a program called FakeID, if I can find another old computer to
> | run it on. I might have the wrong name there, but the program I'm
> | thinking of lets you hide in plain sight by broadcasting thousands of
> | SSID's.
>
> Ah, heard of those [have to say that]. Guess you haven't done that sniffer
> search I suggested.
> You might just use a dedicated firewall server if you can find that extra
> machine... much more to them than just the normal "software firewall".
> Several free Linux stand-alone versions out there...
I poked around abit, but so far most sniffers are aimed at Linux, or
WinXP. Maybe its me and I've got some sort of obsessive compulsive
thing going on with USB adapters, but I've actually been looking at a
USB firewall adapter. Its hardware based, but as easy to get up and
running as plugging it in to a USB port.
> As for your neighbor without the firewall, likely bought into the "routers
> are the only firewall I need" sales hype, or maybe "mine has a hardware
> firewall built in", yep, and so did the CISCO and others that were recently
> wacked....
>
> And of course:
> Over 1.5 million pages were affected by the recent SQL injection attacks.
> SQL Injection attacks lead to wide-spread compromise of IIS servers[hmm,
> another Microsoft product] and giess what, they were behind firewalls and
> routers...
The neighbor in question thinks that the ISP's firewall is enough and
they actually run a business taking and using credit cards for most
transactions. I shake my head every time I see another poor sap going
there to do business with them, but I've tried to report this to the
parent company they contract with and to the media, but they're all
paranoid about making accusations and potential liability. Oh well.
> |
> | > WG111 -
> 54Mbps
http://review.zdnet.com/adapters-nics/netgear-wg111-usb-adapter/4505-.
> ..
> | > "the WG111 earned a less remarkable 6.2Mbps score at 200 feet"
> |
> | That score would be an improvement over what I've been getting at 300
> | feet, but I'm hoping the addition of an external antenna will made a
> | significant difference. When I'm sitting idle watching the Wwu utility
> | for this Taiwanese adapter, it shows a speed of 54 mbps, but as soon
> | as I click on another webpage link it drops down to 1 mbps. If I
> | recall correctly, when I download files, a 10 Mb file takes about 20
> | minutes, unless I take the laptop into the house where it can take as
> | little as 3 minutes. I know I would do way better to upgrade to WinXP,
> | but until I upgrade my computers, thats something that can wait. For
> | now, I just need to be able to browse the web and email. The few files
> | I upload are small and don't contain personal, or business
> | information, but it would still be nice to have things happening at a
> | pace that didn't leave me wondering if I should take another coffee
> | break while I wait.
> |
> |
> | K.
>
> Ouch, I'm still using phoneline for this identity... but you already know
> that isn't going to happen with the Netgear, it won't even connect at 300
> now...
Until a few months ago, I was using dialup and paying more than if I
had cable internet. I finally made the break and hope I'll never have
to go back.
> Okay, so it IS the laptop then. Well, if you get the time, play around with
> the antenna conversion, and maybe research some boosters.
> But if you're going that route, might as well make it the one that
> presently works to boost. At least that already has a signal indicating a
> better potential outcome.
When I was deciding on which USB WiFi adapter to use, I couldn't find
any side by side comparisons showing dBi of gain for each. So, I went
with a brand name and moderate model of adapter. I had seen some
complaints about the WG111v2, but not many compared to some other
models. I had also seen someone on eBay who was selling preassembled
biquad antenna's using a Netgear USB adapter and when I spotted
someone else selling several of them at a good price and cheap
shipping, I bit the bullet and bought a few.
So, the designs on these pages are what I'm looking at, apart from the
fact that I'm "thinking" of going with the "double" biquad design in
the last link. I haven't decided on just how fancy I want to get yet.
The single biquad design seems easier and I do have an unused
satellite dish I could use with it, (using the biquad as the feed
horn), if I decide to do that at a later date.
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~redwood4/
http://www.trevormarshall.com/biquad.htm
http://martybugs.net/wireless/biquad/
http://martybugs.net/wireless/biquad/double.cgi
I was just browsing that last website and came up with a link to an
eBay store that sells kits for the antenna's, so I might go that
route since the shipping seems pretty reasonable. If anyone is
interested, here's the link:
http://stores.ebay.com/War-Driving-World
As you suggested, I mainly want the external antenna for the laptop,
but it wouldn't hurt to have a stronger antenna and signal for my
other computers. I've found that most laptops have very weak signals
from internal antenna's and both my desktop and laptop do far better
when I use an active USB cable, (3 meters long), and put the adapter
as far away as possible from the computer. One other use I have for
the laptop, is when I go camping with my travel trailer and want to
use a "hotspot" at the local Walmart, or Staples, etc, but can't park
close enough to get a good signal. Or when I'm in a campground that
has internet access and I end up at the far end where the signal can
be very weak.
Anyway, I think I've covered everything and I feel better informed. I
will be continuing to hunt for a sniffer that works with my adapters
and Win98SE as I have time, but if anyone knows of one similar to
NetStumbler, feel free to post it here.
Have a good day!
K.