WAYS TO AVOID ACCIDENTALLY GETTING A DHCP ADDRESS AND ACCESSING A NETWORK



When WarDriving/NetStumbling it is important to remember that if you have your NIC configured to get a DHCP address, if the AP is connected to a DHCP server, you will inadvertently be given a DHCP address and will then have access to that network. This is NOT the point of WarDriving!!

In order to avoid this, this page will chronicle some methods that should be employed:

Windows or *nix:

Use a non-routable IP address--
I used to use this method. By setting your IP address to 10.1.1.x (I liked 10.1.1.69) you will avoid gaining access to most APs (which use 192.168.1.x). Unfortunately, if someone is using 10.1.1.x address space on their network you will still connect.

iPAQ or PocketPC Running Mini-Stumbler
Use a non routable IP address--
Since I have yet to figure out how to completely disable TCP/IP using the iPAQ (if you know how please ) I use the following method:
Click Start-->Settings-->Connections
Choose Network Adapters
Choose your wireless Card (usually COMPAQ WL110 Wireless Client)
Click Properties
Choose the "Use specific IP address" radio button.
In the IP Address field use 0.0.0.1
Set the Subnet mask field to 255.0.0.0
Leave the Default Gateway blank
Click OK and then Click OK in the pop up window.
Remove and replace the Wireless card or expansion pack
Now you are ready to start Mini-Stumbler with little chance of inadvertently connecting to a network.

Disable TCP/IP--
This is the method that Blackwave suggested to me and I now utilize. By disabling the TCP/IP stack, you will not have any IP address assigned to your card. More importantly, if a server is giving out addresses, you won't run the risk of inadvertently having one assigned.
Blackwave was also kind enough to provide this image showing how to do it:


For you Mac users, Todd has provided the following directions:
How to prevent connecting to a network while wardriving running Macintosh OS X using Macstumbler:
select the system-preferences icon
select the network icon
select show->Airport

select TCP/IP tab
Configure->Manually
set IP Address to a non-routable address
OR Configure->Using Bootp
What are the odds that your Mac's MAC address is setup on someone's network and that it is running BOOTP for you to boot off of?

select Airport tab
unselect 'Join network with best signal'
unselect 'Join most recently used avaialble network'
select 'Join a specific network'
fill in Network box with an invalid name
fill in Password box with an invalid password.
unselect 'Allow this computer to create networks'



There are other methods to accomplish this and if you have a method, please send it to and I will add it to this list.