The Day Everything Changed
It started with a simple screenshot. I was chatting with Ax0n, a Kansas City hacker from SECKC (Kansas City's Security Community), when I shared a screenshot that happened to show my WiFi network name.
Within minutes, he sent back my exact GPS coordinates.
He had used WiGLE - a database of wireless networks mapped by wardrivers around the world - to search for my SSID. Someone, at some point, had driven past my home with a wardriving rig, captured my network, and uploaded it with GPS coordinates. My WiFi name had betrayed my location.
What is Wardriving?
Wardriving is the act of searching for WiFi wireless networks from a moving vehicle, using a portable computer, smartphone, or purpose-built device. The term originated from "wardialing" - a technique depicted in the 1983 film WarGames where a computer automatically dials phone numbers looking for modems.
Modern wardrivers use GPS-enabled devices to log the location, signal strength, and encryption type of every wireless network they encounter. This data is uploaded to databases like WiGLE, creating a global map of wireless infrastructure.
It's not about hacking into networks - it's about documenting the invisible wireless world that surrounds us.
The Journey
September 2021 - First Discovery
Ax0n introduces me to wardriving and WiGLE. My mind is blown by the OPSEC implications. I immediately start researching everything about wireless network mapping.
First Uploads
Begin contributing to WiGLE using the WiGLE WiFi app on Android. Start mapping networks on daily commutes and weekend drives. The addiction begins.
Hardware Evolution
Progress from phone-only wardriving to dedicated rigs. Build Pwnagotchi units, experiment with Kismet on Kali Linux, and start collecting external WiFi adapters with better range and sensitivity.
Founding #wardriving Team
Create the #wardriving team on WiGLE to unite enthusiasts and build a community. The team grows rapidly as more people discover the hobby.
Present Day
The #wardriving team is now #2 in the world with 143+ members and 23+ million networks discovered collectively. I've personally mapped over 1.38 million WiFi networks and 4.3 million Bluetooth devices.
Current Stats
The Mission
- Reach Top 100 wardrivers globally
- Grow the #wardriving team to #1 in the world
- Expand the wardriving community through education
- Document and share wardriving knowledge for newcomers
- Hunt for WiFi 6E/7 networks on 6GHz spectrum
- Map the invisible wireless infrastructure of our world
Why Wardrive?
Security Awareness: Understanding how much information your wireless devices broadcast helps you make better security decisions. If someone can find your home from a WiFi name, what else might be exposed?
Research & Statistics: WiGLE data provides insights into wireless technology adoption, encryption trends, and network density across different regions.
The Thrill of Discovery: There's something deeply satisfying about mapping the invisible. Every drive reveals networks that no one has documented before.
Community: The wardriving community is welcoming, knowledge-sharing, and genuinely passionate about wireless technology. It's a hobby that connects you with like-minded explorers worldwide.