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Kismet on Mac OS X
KrON writes "Kismet, undoubtedly one of the finest wardriving tools around, now has the ability to capture under Mac OS X using the Viha wireless drivers. Not only do we get to play with Kismet's awesome CLI now, but we can also use it in conjunction with GPSDrive"
I suppose it could be useful for an administrator trying to sniff out network vulnerabilities. I know of one large company that's become very paranoid about wireless access points after discovering a few unauthorized installations on the company LAN. There wasn't any plot behind it, just a few employees experimenting, but there were holes that could've been exploited nonetheless.
Other than that, I can think of better uses for my time than trying to spy on my neighbor's network traffic.
Travel a lot?
Say you're in a hotel, and the internet connection sucks / costs too much. Drag your laptop over by a window and log on. Wardrivig just makes it easier to find an open network when you need it. I've pulled over to the side of Ventura Bl to check if a book is in stock. Saves me having to park in the mall, or wait on hold while somebody cheks stuff. Pretty handy, and quick, too. I like knowing that I have internet access away from home, not on a 2.5" screen, but on a 15" G4.
I guess there is some ethical debate about it, but i'm just using bandwidth for a few minutes.
Besides, Laporte says it's OK.
I'm a Mac user. I know all about the CLI and use it frequently. It has its strengths and weaknesses just like the GUI does. Favoring one over the other proves little. Having a snotty, superiority-complex about either (and making the assumption that one's lack of knowledge about either style of interface says something about one's intelligence) is just as meaningless and comes off as very childish and insecure.