SMART ID - WFS-1 WI-FI Detector
It is becoming increasingly difficult not to be caught up in WiFi traffic since so many homes and businesses are taking advantage of this technology. Unfortunately, the ever-decreasing prices and ever-improving ease-of-use has also caused wireless networks to be real security problems within businesses and institutions. At a personal level, it would be useful to have a way to know where these public "hotspots" are without having to carry around equipment that makes you look like an extra from a Star Trek set. At a corporate level, it would be extremely advantageous to have a means to detect rogue WiFi equipment at all company sites without having to spend many thousands of dollars on an enterprise-level WLAN detection system.
A solution may be at hand with the appearance of two "pocket-sized" 802.11 detectors on the market: the Smart ID WFS-1 and the Kensington WiFi Finder. Both devices claim to detect 802.11b and 802.11b/g traffic and report the strength of the signals. They each cost in the area of $30 USD. The question is: how well do they work and how can you use them for both personal information gathering and corporate protection?
Bob Rudis
September 2, 2003
http://www.smartid.com.sg/