Author Topic: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range  (Read 13424 times)

Roland of Gilead

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Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« on: September 04, 2014, 09:30:18 AM »
I don't really know what category this is but it might be badass if it works.

We are going to be traveling around and will want internet access.   I plan to get one of the Verizon 4G cards with data plan (20GB/month I think) but obviously a gig isn't what it used to be.

I have ordered a bit of kit to experiment with long range connection to hotspots (libraries, other public places, not talking about hacking older private WEPs or anything).   I am going to start with a 16dB gain Yagi (skeptical of that figure) antenna and a Alpha AWUS036H WiFi adapter (USB).   I may try a 24dB gain parabolic dish (they sell a grid type for under $50) if the performance of the Yagi is not up to par.

I have read reports of people tapping into hotspots from 3 or 4 miles away line of sight but I am skeptical of that too.  We will see.

ketchup

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2014, 09:50:02 AM »
I experimented somewhat with this right when we moved into our house before we were hooked up.  I borrowed an outrageous ~4ft antenna from my dad (who used it for a similar purpose when he first moved into his apartment last year, stealing open wifi from a nearby church).  I found no fewer than 62 networks including a hotel a few streets over (this was with the antenna indoors on a second story, rotated according to "tune in", as it was very directional).  It can definitely be done.  The best part are the funny wifi hotspot names.  My favorite one was "Bill Wi The Science Fi."  Mine right now is "FBI Surveillance Van #42."

WEP can be cracked quite easily in a matter of minutes, which I found out when I was ...doing that for educational purposes with permission.

gimp

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2014, 10:56:53 AM »
Get a cantenna. A parabolic dish is also pretty good, though (might be better - maybe I should have paid attention in classes.)

Nords

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2014, 12:16:53 PM »
The best part are the funny wifi hotspot names.  My favorite one was "Bill Wi The Science Fi."  Mine right now is "FBI Surveillance Van #42."
I liked "Go buy your own wireless router".  But that FBI name probably attracts more hacker attacks...

arebelspy

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2014, 02:25:16 PM »
I don't really know what category this is but it might be badass if it works.

We are going to be traveling around and will want internet access.   I plan to get one of the Verizon 4G cards with data plan (20GB/month I think) but obviously a gig isn't what it used to be.

I have ordered a bit of kit to experiment with long range connection to hotspots (libraries, other public places, not talking about hacking older private WEPs or anything).   I am going to start with a 16dB gain Yagi (skeptical of that figure) antenna and a Alpha AWUS036H WiFi adapter (USB).   I may try a 24dB gain parabolic dish (they sell a grid type for under $50) if the performance of the Yagi is not up to par.

I have read reports of people tapping into hotspots from 3 or 4 miles away line of sight but I am skeptical of that too.  We will see.

I'd think 20GB/mo is plenty, if you aren't doing much video streaming.

Let us know how your research turns out!
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RetireAbroadAt35

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2014, 05:04:22 PM »
What kind of range are you looking to get? 

I used that alpha adapter myself when travelling abroad.  It significantly improved my wifi reception, sometimes letting me pick up a wifi signal from across a camp-ground (50-100m?).  I used a flat panel omnidirectional antenna with mine.

Keep in mind that a highly directional antenna will have to be aimed, which may not be easy or surreptitious.

guitar_stitch

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2014, 11:28:02 AM »
It's quite possible.  However, if you acquire/build too strong of an antenna, you may be violating FCC regulations on the maximum power allowed without licensing.

In my Associate courses, we built a "cantenna".  It's essentially a 1/4 wavelength antenna secured through the side of a coffee can with a 3' piece of PVC shrouded threaded rod fixed to one end and the other end sealed with foil/foil tape.  This thing was able to pick up WiFi all over the place.  Legal?  Questionable.  Functional?  Quite.

dragoncar

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2014, 11:59:30 AM »
I experimented somewhat with this right when we moved into our house before we were hooked up.  I borrowed an outrageous ~4ft antenna from my dad (who used it for a similar purpose when he first moved into his apartment last year, stealing open wifi from a nearby church).  I found no fewer than 62 networks including a hotel a few streets over (this was with the antenna indoors on a second story, rotated according to "tune in", as it was very directional).  It can definitely be done.  The best part are the funny wifi hotspot names.  My favorite one was "Bill Wi The Science Fi."  Mine right now is "FBI Surveillance Van #42."

WEP can be cracked quite easily in a matter of minutes, which I found out when I was ...doing that for educational purposes with permission.

I didn't have much luck with a cantenna, but I was trying to set up an off-the-shelf repeater so diagnostics were iffy. 

Cracking WEP requires some specialized hardware right?  Meaning a wifi card that is capable of promiscuous mode?

Roland of Gilead

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2014, 12:09:54 PM »
WEP is easy, WPA2 is hard (not impossible but very hard).

I think WEP can be cracked with the alpha and a old laptop in a couple of  minutes.

ketchup

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2014, 12:44:34 PM »
I don't remember the details of the requirements, but the wifi stick I happened to be using at the time was supported.

RetireAbroadAt35

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2014, 02:21:05 PM »
It's quite possible.  However, if you acquire/build too strong of an antenna, you may be violating FCC regulations on the maximum power allowed without licensing.
If you crank up the power on the transmitter you may run afoul of FCC regulations but I'm pretty sure you can use whatever antenna you'd like.


dragoncar

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2014, 02:33:57 PM »
It's quite possible.  However, if you acquire/build too strong of an antenna, you may be violating FCC regulations on the maximum power allowed without licensing.
If you crank up the power on the transmitter you may run afoul of FCC regulations but I'm pretty sure you can use whatever antenna you'd like.

http://www.air802.com/fcc-rules-and-regulations.html

Roland of Gilead

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2014, 04:11:18 PM »
Reasonably sure the 15db gain of the Yagi is fine with this relatively low power Alpha.

It arrived today and I took it out for a quick test.   Immediately from my house I was able to pick up about 20 wifi signals depending on which direction I pointed vs about 2 signals from my laptop built in wifi.  The strength was much greater...a neighbor I couldn't even see with my laptop wifi was showing 85% signal strength with the Yagi.

I drove to the local McDonalds and then proceeded to drive away, testing their free wifi from several distances.  I managed to get 60% from over 4 blocks away but past that I could not find a place to park to test.  I then went and grabbed the local library signal from 5 blocks away, but again I was doing this from inside my truck.  We live in a bit of a redneck town and I did not know how I would be viewed standing outside pointing a long metallic object at a building.  Might get shot.

DarinC

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Re: Tapping into wifi hotspots from long range
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2014, 06:31:25 PM »
The 36H is only ~58mW according to this post on Amazon. An 18dBi (real) antenna should be within the FCC limit. Since the adapter already has a ~5dBi antenna, I imagine something north of 20dBi would be OK.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2CQ3NGZEV72PA/ref=cm_cr_rev_detmd_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B0035APGP6&cdForum=Fx21TTDIRB7YYZG&cdMsgID=Mx3VD3A94HEIRWF&cdMsgNo=3&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx1K9UFHHLTMM4T&store=pc#Mx3VD3A94HEIRWF