How to Hack Wi-Fi: Choosing a Wireless Adapter for Hacking « Null Byte :: WonderHowTo

Welcome back, my budding hackers.So many of you are interested in hacking Wi-Fi that I have decided to revisitmy Wi-Fi Hacking serieswith some updated and more in-depth material. I strongly suggest that you look at some of my earlier posts, such as "Getting Started with Terms and Technologies" and "Getting Started with the Aircrack-ng Suite of Wi-Fi Hacking Tools," before continuing here. If you're ready, you can also check out ourupdated 2017 buying guide here.Wireless Hacking RequirementsWhen it comes to Wi-Fi, the question I probably get asked most often is, "Which wireless adapter is best for hacking?" Well, let's find out.#1. Good Wi-Fi Hacking SoftwareBefore we address the hardware necessary to hack wireless networks, let me once again recommendthe Aircrack-ng suite of hacking tools. Nothing else in our open-source world quite compares to the power and versatility of Aircrack-ng.#2. Fast & Powerful CPUA fast multi-core or multi-processor CPU is certainly helpful. When crackingWEP passwords, which is a statistical crack, you need to crunch a lot of numbers, and the faster the CPU the better. TheWPA2 crackbasically involves crunching millions of password hashes, which is also very CPU-intensive. So, the faster the CPU, the faster you can crack wireless passwords.One caveat, though. The difference in speed is not huge. You can only expect a 20 to 50% improvement in hacking speed between the slowest modern CPUs and the fastest. More cores, on the other hand, will improve performance significantly.#3. The Right Wireless AdapterBeyond the two primary tools listed above, the next most important requirement is good wireless adapter. To really be effective at wireless hacking, your wireless adapter should have two primary features.The ability to enter monitor (promiscuous) mode.The ability to inject packets and capture packets simultaneously.A wireless adapter that can't do these two critical features doesn't mean that you won't be able to crack wireless, but it will mean that it will be so slow that it renders it effectively impossible. Wireless hacking in a world of WPA2 encryption can be a relatively slow process with the best equipment.Don't Miss Our Updated Guide:How to Buy the Best Wireless Network Adapter for Wi-Fi Hacking in 2017If you are hamstrung without a proper wireless adapter, you might as well quit before you begin.Image by SADMIN/Null ByteMonitor ModeNetwork adapters, whether wired or wireless, are designed to only capture and process packets that are sent to them. When you want to sniff a wired connection and pick up all packets going over the wire, you put your wired network card in "promiscuous" mode.In the wireless world, the equivalent is monitor mode. This enables us to see and manipulate all wireless traffic passing through the air around us. Without this ability, you are limited to using your wireless adapter to only connect towireless APsthat accept you and authenticate you. That is not what we are willing to settle for.In the Aircrack-ng suite, we need to be able to use Airodump-ng to collect packets.Packet InjectionMost wireless attacks require that you be able to inject packets into the AP while, at the same time, capturing packets going over the air. VERY few wireless cards are capable of doing this.As you can imagine, wireless adapter manufacturers are NOT looking to add features to their standard wireless adapters to suit OUR needs. Most wireless adapters built into your laptop are designed so that mom and dad can connect to AOL and send their email. We need something much more powerful and versatile than that.If we can't inject packets into the AP (in Aircrack-ng, this is the function of Aireplay-ng), then it really limits what we do.For instance, inour WEP attack, we will be forced to passively wait for packets to traverse to air in order to capture the ever valuable and vulnerable IVs. Since we need to capture around 500,000 to crack WEP, we could be waiting for days and weeks on a little used AP. With packet injection capabilities, we can reduce that to a few minutes by injecting the AP with ARPs.Linux vs. Aircrack-Ng CompatibiltyThe first issue we need to address in choosing a wireless adapter is making certain that it has drivers forLinux. In 2017, most wireless adapters now have Linux drivers, but that wasn't always the case.It's important to note, though, that Linux compatibility is far from being an optimal wireless hacking adapter. It is only a minimal requirement.Probably the most important feature we need is compatibility with our software of choice, Aircrack-ng. The developers of Aircrack-ng maintaina compatibility list on their websitethat includes all of the adapters they have tested and their level of compatibility.This is just a snippet from Aircrack-ng's compatibility list.Note that you will need the chipset for your wireless card to find its compatibility on this chart. The first column indicates whether the chipset is supported in Windows for Airodump-ng (packet capture in monitor mode). The next column indicates whether that same capability is available in Linux for that chipset card. Finally, the last column indicates whether that chipset is supported for Aireplay-ng (packet injection) in Linux.Internal vs. USBIf you choose to installKaliorBackTrackin a virtual machine (VMware or VirtualBox), you will need an external wireless adapter. This is because the virtual software hypervisor "pipes" your wireless access to a wired connection in your virtual machine. As a result, Kali does not have a wireless device to work with.Since most built-in wireless adapters in your laptop are probably inadequate to crack wireless, you arebetter off purchasing a USB wireless adapter for wireless hacking. For long-range, our community recommends theAlfa AWUS036NHA Wireless B/G/N USB Adaptor. For a more discreet form factor, thePanda Wireless N USB Adapteris the most popular adapter among our newer hackers.The small but mighty Panda PAU05 is the most-ordered antenna on Null Byte.Image by SADMIN/Null ByteIf you choose to install Kali as adual boot system, you can use your built-in wireless adapter for wireless hacking, if its on the Aircrack-ng compatibility list. Although you can hack with wireless cards not on that list, you had better be very patient as this process make take you days or weeks without the proper adapter.To effectively hack Wi-Fi passwords, you will need a proper wireless adapter. Make certain that you check the Aircrack-ng compatibility list to make certain that your wireless adapter has the necessary features to make your Wi-Fi hacking fast and effective.If you're looking for a low-cost way to jump into Wi-Fi hacking, considergrabbing a $35 Raspberry Piwith your adapter to build a Kali-based hacking computer on a budget. You cancheck out our guide hereon setting it up.The Kali Pi can get you started hacking most networks.Image by SADMIN/Null ByteTo learn more on this subject, stay tuned to myWi-Fi Hacking series.Want to start making money as a white hat hacker?Jump-start your hacking career with our2020 Premium Ethical Hacking Certification Training Bundlefrom the newNull Byte Shopand get over 60 hours of training from cybersecurity professionals.Buy Now (90% off) >Other worthwhile deals to check out:97% off The Ultimate 2021 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle99% off The 2021 All-in-One Data Scientist Mega Bundle98% off The 2021 Premium Learn To Code Certification Bundle62% off MindMaster Mind Mapping Software: Perpetual LicenseCover image viaShutterstockandAircrack-ngRelatedHow To:Buy the Best Wireless Network Adapter for Wi-Fi Hacking in 2019How to Hack Wi-Fi:Selecting a Good Wi-Fi Hacking StrategyHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Getting Started with the Aircrack-Ng Suite of Wi-Fi Hacking ToolsHow To:Extend a (Hacked)Router's Range with a Wireless Adapter.How to Hack Wi-Fi:Cracking WPA2-PSK Passwords Using Aircrack-NgHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Breaking a WPS PIN to Get the Password with BullyHow To:Hack 5 GHz Wi-Fi Networks with an Alfa Wi-Fi AdapterHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Get Anyone's Wi-Fi Password Without Cracking Using WifiphisherHow To:Check if Your Wireless Network Adapter Supports Monitor Mode & Packet InjectionHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Getting Started with Terms & TechnologiesHow To:Hack Wi-Fi Networks with BettercapHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Cracking WEP Passwords with Aircrack-NgHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Cracking WPA2-PSK Passwords with CowpattyHow To:Share Wi-Fi Adapters Across a Network with Airserv-NgHow To:Automate Wi-Fi Hacking with Wifite2How To:Select a Field-Tested Kali Linux Compatible Wireless AdapterHow To:Build a Pumpkin Pi — The Rogue AP & MITM Framework That Fits in Your PocketHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Creating an Invisible Rogue Access Point to Siphon Off Data UndetectedHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Hunting Down & Cracking WEP NetworksHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Disabling Security Cameras on Any Wireless Network with Aireplay-NgBuyer's Guide:Top 20 Hacker Holiday Gifts for Christmas 2017How to Hack Wi-Fi:Cracking WPA2 Passwords Using the New PMKID Hashcat AttackHow To:Spy on Network Relationships with Airgraph-NgHow To:Pick an Antenna for Wi-Fi HackingHow To:Hack Wi-Fi & Networks More Easily with Lazy ScriptHow To:Hunt Down Wi-Fi Devices with a Directional AntennaHow to Hack Wi-Fi:Performing a Denial of Service (DoS) Attack on a Wireless Access PointHow To:Crack Wi-Fi Passwords—For Beginners!How To:Crack WPA & WPA2 Wi-Fi Passwords with PyritHacking Android:How to Create a Lab for Android Penetration TestingHow To:Hack WiFi Using a WPS Pixie Dust AttackHacking Gear:10 Essential Gadgets Every Hacker Should TryHow to Hack Wi-Fi:DoSing a Wireless AP ContinuouslyHow To:Enable Monitor Mode & Packet Injection on the Raspberry PiHow To:Load Kali Linux on the Raspberry Pi 4 for the Ultimate Miniature Hacking StationHow To:Hack WPA & WPA2 Wi-Fi Passwords with a Pixie-Dust Attack Using AirgeddonHow To:Find Saved WiFi Passwords in WindowsAndroid Basics:How to Connect to a Wi-Fi NetworkHow To:Hack Anyone's Facebook, Twitter or YouTube Account with Your Android Device