Warflying
Encyclopedia
Warflying or warstorming is an activity consisting of using an airplane and a Wi-Fi
-equipped computer, such as a laptop
or a PDA
, to detect Wi-Fi
wireless network
s. Warstorming shares similarities to Wardriving
and Warwalking in all aspects except for the method of transport.
It originated in Western Australia
with the WaFreeNet (WAFN) group taking up a Grumman Tiger
four-seater near Perth City in 2002, as documented on the weblog of Jason Jordan
Most warflying is harmless, as most of the people will just scan for the networks, either as an experiment, or just for the pure amusement, or to map out the wireless networks in the area. Due to the nature of flying, it is much more difficult to attempt to access open networks while warflying.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
-equipped computer, such as a laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
or a PDA
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
, to detect Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
wireless network
Wireless network
Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and enterprise installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between various equipment...
s. Warstorming shares similarities to Wardriving
Wardriving
Wardriving is the act of searching for Wi-Fi wireless networks by a person in a moving vehicle, using a portable computer, smartphone or PDA....
and Warwalking in all aspects except for the method of transport.
It originated in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
with the WaFreeNet (WAFN) group taking up a Grumman Tiger
Grumman American AA-5
The US Grumman American AA-5 series is a family of all-metal, 4-seat, light aircraft used for touring and training. The line includes the original American Aviation AA-5 Traveler, the Grumman American AA-5 Traveler, AA-5A Cheetah, and AA-5B Tiger, the Gulfstream American AA-5A Cheetah, and AA-5B...
four-seater near Perth City in 2002, as documented on the weblog of Jason Jordan
Most warflying is harmless, as most of the people will just scan for the networks, either as an experiment, or just for the pure amusement, or to map out the wireless networks in the area. Due to the nature of flying, it is much more difficult to attempt to access open networks while warflying.
External links
- G4TV Warflying for WIFI
- SMH.com.au News Site War driving takes to the air over Perth
- BoingBoing WiFi + planes = warflying