Warflying is the use of an aircraft and a wireless network detector to find wifi networks. It is faster than warwalking and wardriving, but it can be difficult to locate signals accurately. Companies use it to monitor their market share, and individuals may use it for fun or to share hotspot information. It is up to the user to determine the legality of accessing a network.
Warflying is the act of using an aircraft and a wireless network detector to find wifi wireless network locations. The term is closely related to warwalking and wardriving, both of which take place from the ground. While some individuals may warfly to tell others where open networks might be, computer hardware companies can use the practice to determine how they’re doing against the competition. The practice is not illegal, but accessing some networks may be, depending on the situation.
The main advantage of warflying is how quickly nets can be found over a large area. Using an airplane, individuals are able to cover much greater distances in a much shorter period of time. Using an aircraft also eliminates many other barriers that are often present and interfere with wireless signals, such as other buildings, trees and other objects on the ground. Due to the lack of interference, the warfly can be effective at relative altitudes of 2,500 feet or higher.
One major drawback to warflying is that it can be difficult to tell exactly where the wireless Internet signal is coming from. This makes it nearly impossible to identify hotspots with any degree of accuracy, especially if there are many different wifi signals in a single geographic area. Once an area has been scouted from the air, locating signals on the ground can be easier through warwalking or wardriving.
The main purpose some companies may have in warflying is simply to monitor how many of their products are available compared to another company’s products. This could help determine what the market share is, at least for a particular city or region. Such information can help a business determine its marketing strategy for a particular area and lead to more effective and targeted advertising in that area.
Some individuals may warfly for fun, if only as an excuse to fly. Those who engage in the business may be responsible for posting information about online hotspots. In such cases, they can indicate whether the connection is secured or unsecured or intended for public use.
No matter where hotspot information comes from, it is up to the individual user to determine whether access to a network is legal. Using a wireless network to access the Internet may also be illegal if used without authorization. This is true even if the user does not intend to cause harm or steal information from the owner of the network.
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