#bridged network

Wireless Network Monitor - The Promiscuous Mode.

The Promiscuous mode is a specific receive mode for network-technology devices such as wireless network cards. It is normally used for packet sniffing and bridged network for hardware virtualization. The frames include the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the hardware.

In this mode the device submits all incoming traffic to the wireless network monitor interface and transmits the data for processing to the operating system. Devices that use this mode can be combinations of switches and routers, wireless network monitor tester or even a normal computer with a connection to a network.

For wireless network monitor LANs in promiscuous mode it will only forward the packets of the wireless network monitor (access points) to which the client is currently connected. The Promiscuous Mode is unsuitable to receive packages from a network which you do not own because you need to authenticate yourself with the network.

The opposite of this mode is the non-promiscuous mode. In this mode the unit handles only the packets addressed to it and this happens for example in Ethernet networks, the evaluation of the MAC address plus broadcast packets.

Another method of usage is to detect wireless network monitor connectivity issues. Some programs use this feature to show everything that is transferred by the network and some of them can transfer passwords and data in clear text. So a normal user should stay away of this mode to prevent that someone else could steal this data while the transferring process.

Of course not every wireless card drivers support this mode because of it's not a secure mode. If you need this mode you should watch out for another driver that supports the Promiscuous Mode.

Wireless Network Monitor - The Monitor Mode.

The Monitor mode refers to a particular operating mode of a wireless network monitor adapter, in which all received network frames are forwarded to the operating system and applications. Master, the wireless network monitor adapter is acting as an access point

Managed, this will show you as a station and you are connected as a client

Ad-hoc

Mesh

Repeater, this is to repeat your signal for a higher range

Wireless Network Monitor Mode

This Mode is used to collect data for WEP cracking but it can also be used for legitimate purpose. It can help to plan your wireless network monitor and find other Wi-Fi devices in your range. In wireless network monitor mode all received frames are forwarded and not just the network to which the client is currently connected. This stays in contrast to the promiscuous mode. One advantage is that not a single frame must be sent from your own network card and therefore the frames are not seen in any log files. Furthermore no network authentication is required. If the frame packets are encrypted, for example with WEP, they can be recorded and decrypted later.

Some network card drivers change into wireless network monitor to check the checksum of the cyclic redundancy check of the frame which results in incorrect frames that can be sent. So the integrity of the data is not really save in wireless network monitor mode.

In addition, not all drivers of wireless cards have the option to switch into wireless network monitor mode because it is not save at all. Some of the packets sent may be corrupted because in Monitor Mode the wireless network monitor adapter won't check if the cyclic redundancy check is correct.

Wireless Network Monitor - How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof.

Our computers are no exception to this, as digital thieves are lurking everywhere, and can be almost impossible to detect by the average computer user. Wi-Fi hackers have been known to drive around neighborhoods searching for wireless networks in people's homes, gain access through various unlocked doors in a wireless network monitor router's configuration, and then have a field day with your information. In this article, we will go step by step through the different configurations of your wireless network monitor router that leave your network vulnerable, and what to change to make your wireless network monitor virtually hacker proof.

Step 1: The first thing that we have to do is login to our router's configuration utility. To do so, you must first figure out what your gateway's IP address is. In command prompt, type 'ipconfig' without the quotations, and press enter. If done while connected to your wireless network monitor, this will return several different numbers. The one we need is listed as "Default Gateway". Take the IP address listed as "Default Gateway" and write it down, or copy it. Now, with this IP address copied, open a web browser such as internet explorer or Firefox, and paste or type the IP address exactly as it shows into the address bar and press enter. This will bring up the login page for your router. If you know your login details enter them here, if not, you will have to find the manufacturer's User ID and password for your router. You can find this in the manual that came with the router, or by going to the manufacturer's website and searching for the manual under the router's model number (this can be found on a sticker on the back, side, or bottom of the router.) You can first try common ones like "admin" for the User ID, and "password" for the password, or "admin" for both User ID and password. If these don't work, refer to the manufacturer's manual for the User ID and password. If you set up your own User ID and password and forgot them, or the manufacturer's default User ID and password are not working, if other people in your home have access to the router or it had a previous owner, the default User ID and password may have been changed.

Step 2: Change your User ID and password if they are set to the manufacturer's defaults. If someone gains access to your wireless network monitor, they can easily log into your router's settings and change them to their liking.

Step 3: Change your SSID. Your SSID is the name that you see for your wireless network monitor when you search for open networks using a Wi-Fi enabled device. If the SSID is set to the manufacturer's default, anyone searching for an open network nearby can see yours, and with a little searching on the internet they can figure out the model number of your router which will help them gain access to your router's settings.

Step 4: Disable broadcasting of your SSID. Broadcasting of an SSID is simply how when you search for open networks in an area, the names of open networks will show on your device. If you disable broadcasting of your SSID, when people search for open networks, yours will not even show up, so essentially, they will not know your wireless network monitor even exists. You will still be able to connect to your network by typing your SSID into your Wi-Fi enabled devices manually.

Step 5: If available, enable WPA2 encryption. If WPA2 is not available, enable WPA encryption. If neither is available and only WEP is available, search your router's manual or website for information on updating your router's firmware. An update for your router may include support for WPA or WPA2 encryption. If no update is available to your current router, you may consider buying a new router as yours is likely very outdated.

Step 6: Setup a Pre-Shared Key or PSK or Network Key. Whatever your router calls it, this is the "password" to your wireless network monitor. This is not to be confused with the password that we changed in step 2 for your router. Your Pre-Shared Key that you setup should be impossible to guess, and should include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.