How to Determine Security of Nearby Networks

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trope
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How to Determine Security of Nearby Networks

Post by trope »

I came across some articles on Wifi security today and found out that I am using WEP, which I didn't realize is super easy to crack. I am going to switch to WPA2, but I would like to know how common each of the security protocols are in my area - WEP, WPA, and WPA2. How can I see what security other networks are using? I am using Linux Mint 14 (Nadia). When I go to Network and click on "Network Name," it brings up a big list of networks and whether they are secured or not, but does not tell me WEP vs. WPA, etc. Ideally I would like to get a table with list of networks, signal strength, and type of security being used. Thanks!
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
DrHu

Re: How to Determine Security of Nearby Networks

Post by DrHu »

It should even from the GUI network manager provided by Linux desktops..
--however you can always use iwtools to get a console based result which might be more informative
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-fin ... ength.html
http://wirelessdefence.org/Contents/Lin ... mmands.htm

Code: Select all

iwlist wlan# (whichever is your wireless card, usually wlan0) scan
--will give you the parameters of each detected wireless network, incliding their security setting/protocol..
trope
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Posts: 320
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:10 pm

Re: How to Determine Security of Nearby Networks

Post by trope »

Thanks for the command. For some reason it only gives information about the network my computer is currently connected to. I looked at the 2 links and I'm not sure that this command can be used to see other networks in range?

My GUI has a list of networks who broadcast SSID publicly but it doesn't show the security protocol of each one.
Habitual

Re: How to Determine Security of Nearby Networks

Post by Habitual »

I believe WiFi-Radar will show you the Security.
In a repo near you.
DrHu

Re: How to Determine Security of Nearby Networks

Post by DrHu »

I use iwlist scan all the time, it shows detected networks within range + any data for that connection, including the security protocol being used

WIfi Rdar is like wicd, a network connection manager..
http://community.linuxmint.com/software/view/wifi-radar
http://community.linuxmint.com/software/view/wicd
--whatever it shows is graphical, and have used wicd but not wifi radar, since I don't need to hop around networks when connected to an isp..
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