Wireless devices are becoming very widespread. For some, a wireless connection network problem can be an expensive and annoying experience. Spotting the presence of a wireless device can be critical for business or personal communication. A WiFi sniffer is a comparatively new tool that can help you detect a signal when you need it the most.

Hotels and airports provide access to networks for business and leisure travelers, and networks are also accessible to people who want to work or study from a park bench, a coffee house, or a shopping center. Mobile WiFi antennas give truck drivers, RV vacationers, and other mobile individuals unending access to the Internet, so they needn't keep their laptops or PDAs at home, and can consistently stay connected to their families or their employers.

Now, WiFi users can now use a sniffer, which is a wireless tool that locates the presence of other wireless devices, calculates the strength of their signals, and sends a report to the owner on the location of the access point.

A WiFi sniffer would be a great tool for campers, backpackers, and other outdoor lovers. Were you to get lost while hiking or traveling in remote areas, by locating the presence of other wireless devices, you may be able to get to another WiFi device, enabling you to get help, or find your location back to your camp or destination.

Likewise, if you were to lose your own wireless device, such as your notebook, bluetooth or PDA, your sniffer may help you to locate it; or if you're having a wireless connection network problem and are in desperate need of a different wireless device, your sniffer would give you a report of other such devices close by.

These are all acceptable uses for a WiFi sniffer, but network accessories such as these can likewise be used for darker purposes. For example, a hacker intent on sabotaging or corrupting the users of any WiFi network could use his or her WiFi sniffer to find the presence of wireless devices, set up a fictitious WiFi network, or hack into the existing network, and take personal information from the users of the other wireless devices.

As well, the owner of a cyber caf?fixed on stealing customers from a competing caf?could utilize their sniffer to spy on the network traffic of their competitor, and then choose to lower the cost of accessing their network to lure customers away from their rival. Or, the managers of a shopping mall could use their device to track the amount of people who connect to their network, and then raise the prices to derive more profit from their clients.

Like most tools, a WiFi sniffer can be used for good or evil, and it is contingent upon the reasons someone uses such a device. But if you are struggling with a wireless connection network problem, being able to access a nearby network can be a great help. If you are interested in purchasing a WiFi sniffer, be sure to do an extensive internet search on the range of products available. Get support on mounting your device, and connect with current owners to find out what other accessories you may need.