What is a Wardriving Attack?
Wardriving attack is the process of finding vulnerable local Wi-Fi networks, and wireless connections to carry out malicious activities including theft of personal data, banking details, distribution of malware, and access to the sensitive information of the users. Black hats use wardriving to track vulnerable wireless networks with weak passwords and encryption codes and exploit these vulnerabilities to do illegal activities that implicate the network owner in committing the act and save the main culprit. They can use wardriving to create digital maps and submit the information to third-party websites.
Pete Shipley in 2000 developed computer programs that integrated with GPS to automate the mapping of weak Wi-Fi access points. He named this process “wardriving.” Using this technique he was able to reach location data from the GPS and automatically mark the positions of unsecured Wi-Fi networks on a map. During his survey, he discovered that only 15% of the Wireless networks had strong security measures. In the following years, this discovery led to the evolution of wireless security, hacking techniques, and network mapping technologies. Over time, security protocols like WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 were developed to improve Wi-Fi protection.
What are the Different Types of Wardriving?
Wardriving attacks take many shapes and forms and are known by different names based on the methods and means of transportation they employ to track the wireless networks in a specific area. They are as follows:
1. Traditional Wardriving
It is one of the most common types of wardriving in which the wardriver drives a vehicle in a specific area to locate the unsecured wireless networks such as WiFi, Hotspot, LAN Etc. The aim of this type of access point mapping is to find the signal strength, SSIDs, security measures, and other important details that help cybercriminals access the network and exploit the vulnerabilities to launch cyber attacks and do all types of malicious activities.
2. Warbiking
As the name suggests cybercriminals use bikes or bicycles to search for wireless networks and publicly available WiFi connections in this type of access point mapping. It is a convenient method for the black hats to roam areas where four-wheelers cannot go.
3. Warwalking
In warwalking, malicious actors walk into the targeted areas to collect information about wireless hotspots and unsecured internet connections to exploit them for carrying out a diverse range of malicious activities. They use this technique to detect connections in areas where neither cars nor bikes can travel.
4. Warjogging
This is another variation of warwalking that black hats use to explore areas with the aim of collecting information about vulnerable WiFi connections but instead of walking, they jog around. They use this method to cover more areas and collect more information while staying physically active at the same time.
5. Warrailing
In this type of access point mapping, cyberpunks use trains or rail-based transportation. Using this they can track the networks that come across during their travel of long ranges from one city to another or cross-states.
6. Wartraining
This is another form of Warralining in wardrivers that uses public transportation systems such as buses, trams, or subways to collect information about wireless connections in different areas.
7. Warkitting
In Warkitting, wardrivers use a combination of tools and techniques such as hardware, sensors, and software to collect data about wireless networks. It is a whole kit that allows them to carry out advanced levels of network mapping activities such as detecting covert connections, network strength, and more.
8. Warcloaking
Warcloaking is a smart method in which the wardriver uses advanced tools such as encryptions, and VPNs, to go anonymous for other devices and avoid detections. It helps them protect against legal alerts while maintaining their privacy to do malicious activities.
9. Warhacking
In Warhacking cybercriminals extend their activities from mapping networks to accessing the unsecured WiFi networks and do all types of malicious activities. They exploit the vulnerabilities in the vulnerable connection and infiltrate the system to spread viruses, trace online activities, and steal sensitive data from the system.
10. Warflying
Warflying is an advanced technique in which hackers use drones and other types of flying objects to track wireless networks in a particular area. Using this they can cover large areas and enter even those areas in which they can neither drive nor visit physically.
How does Wardriving Work?
Cybercriminals use a combination of tools and techniques to execute Wardriving activities. To do so they use wardriving software, a wardriving antenna, a wireless network card, GPS, and a mobile device such as a laptop, smartphone, or tab. They set up all these tools and take a drive to the location they choose to mark the network maps. WiFi networks display themselves to any device that has an in-built network receiver to freely connect with the devices. When a person turns on this setting in the device the publicly available connection automatically starts appearing in the device.
GPS receiver logs the location of detected networks, wardriving software visualizes the network location and the wardriving software continuously captures details like SSID (Service Set Identifier), Signal strength, Security type (e.g., WPA, WPA2, WEP) and BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier). They combine this data with GPS data to record the physical location of each detected network and find insecure networks for security audits. When they find a vulnerable connection that is not protected with any security measure they take immediate action to access unauthorized networks, steal sensitive details, install malware, and hack other important details.
What is the Legal Take on Wardriving?
When you turn on the WiFi network receiver in your mobile device and roam an area the available wireless connections will automatically show themselves in your device. It is so because these networks are freely available to access and note on the device. It is a passive activity upon which you have no control. You will automatically know what connections are available in a particular area. This activity so far has no negative legal implications.
However, if you start mapping these details to compromise private networks, breach privacy, and take control of the connection to launch a cyber attack then you will automatically become involved in the malicious activities that lead to legal implications.
What are Some Examples of Wardriving Attacks?
Cybercriminals use wardriving attacks to do a wide range of malicious activities. Here are some examples of wardriving and how they exploit it to launch powerful cyber attacks:
1. Eavesdropping (Data Interception)
Hackers locate insecure and vulnerable networks to capture sensitive data that is being transmitted to them. With the help of this, they harness sensitive information of the users such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, and intercept and capture data shared through digital communication channels.
2. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks
After hacking an insecure connection attackers position themselves between the network and server to intercept traffic, trace all the online activities, and inject all the malicious activities. They can redirect the user to an illegitimate site by modifying the traffic. Due to this, the users visit malicious websites that are planted with malware and fake login pages. When a user visits these pages, he gets malware infections and reveals sensitive information such as bank details, social media credentials, and business data.
3. Denial of Service (DoS)
Attackers use Denial of Service (DoS) to flood a Wi-Fi access point with excessive data requests to overwhelm and crash it. Using this tactic they spread malware to devices on the network, and degrade the service quality in the process.
4. Ransomware Deployment
Cybercriminals use wardriving to plant ransomware on vulnerable devices and hijack critical data and access points. They ask for huge ransoms from the victims to provide decryption codes. In these types of attacks, hackers target poorly protected networks of healthcare, and corporate businesses to swindle as much money as possible.
5. Social Engineering Attacks
Bad actors exploit the available information to launch powerful social engineering attacks. They manipulate the user creating an emergency situation that provokes them to take immediate action. In this process, users often end up revealing sensitive data to the attackers.
6. Phishing Campaigns
Wardrivers use WiFi network details to send personalized phishing emails attached with malicious links to the targeted users and manipulate them to click the links. As soon as the users click the links it directs them to malicious websites where they catch virus infections.
How to Prevent Wardriving Attacks?
Wardriving poses significant risks for domestic and commercial wireless connections and WiFi networks. Attackers can employ these to launch cyber attacks. They can access the unsecured connections to steal personal information and trace critical online activities of the targeted users. However, with safe network practices and the use of security tools, one can easily prevent wardriving attacks. Here are some effective tips that protect you from wardriving attacks:
Turn Off WiFi When You are not Using It
Switching off your wireless connections when you are not using them is highly recommended. Wardrivers can sniff these idle connections and collect critical data from them. Turning them off will save them from hackers who roam around your vicinity to map the access points.
Use a Firewall
A Firewall offers the best solution to monitor your network for malicious traffic and unsafe data packets. It analyzes and inspects all the requested activities and blocks all unauthorized access to your device. Due to this, no one can access your private wireless connection to do any malicious activity.
Disable SSID Broadcasting
SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of a Wi-Fi network. When disabled it will become hidden from the casual users and wardrivers. It reduces the visibility and is undiscoverable for the bad actors. Those who use basic tools and techniques won’t be able to locate your SSID.
Use Encryption
It is highly essential to secure your connection with advanced encryptions that include Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) or WPA3. An encrypted network denies random people accessing the network. Without a password, no one can access the router.
Reset Your Router Name and Passwords
When you buy a new router the manufacturer gives a default name and password that remain almost the same for other units too. Anyone can easily guess it and access the network. Hence, always change the default username and passwords and create strong and unique credentials to secure your network access.
Use a Two-Factor Authentication
A 2FA doubles down your security for critical access controls. If someone hacks your username and passwords he still won’t be able to access your account. There will always be a second barrier that needs further confirmation to access the main account.
Regularly Monitor and Audit Network Activities
You should constantly check the network activities and check the updates and vulnerabilities. Keep your devices up to date and patch up the security vulnerabilities by downloading new updates as soon as possible. These are small safety practices that go a long way.
Add a Guest Network
Do not give your access credentials to anyone. If needed, create a guest network to allow new devices to connect with the router. It will secure the main access controls from unseen threats.
