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The war-driver's favourite program - NetStumbler - reaches V 4.0

For those who never could use it, here's a chance to try the most popular WiFi network detector, without the frustration that previous versions caused. It's a free program for Windows that lets you see what access points are available around you - and it now works with a lot more network cards.

The latest release is version 4.0 and apart from fixing one or two bugs, it considerably extends the range of hardware that it understands. And although it doesn't specifically list Intel Centrino wireless as a supported product, it will in fact work on those systems.

Author Marius Milner lists the new features as follows:

Fixed bug (introduced in 0.3.30) that caused "Reconfigure" to put Orinoco cards into a state where they would report no access points.

Support for Atheros, Atmel, Intersil Prism2 based wireless cards. Improved support for Cisco cards.

Allow use of Serial Earthmate GPS. (USB Earthmate should already work using NMEA and serial driver)

If you scroll all the way to the right of the graph view, it will auto-scroll new data.

Fixed bug (introduced in 0.3.30) in graph view: corrupted display when scrolling.

Fixed bug in graph view: improper scroll bar tracking with large data sets.

If "Reconfigure" is on, the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration service will be stopped when you start scanning. It is restarted when the application exits.

If you connect to a network that supports DHCP, the IP subnet is reported.

If the access point is discovered in the ARP table, its IP address is reported.

While you are scanning, the system will be prevented from going into standby unless power is critically low.

Large files load several times faster than before (though the really large ones still don't load fast enough).

A whole lot of new Scripting features.

The software isn't officially free: Milner describes it as "beggarware" which means you can donate something to his costs if you like it. If you use it commercially, he suggests $50.

Together with the new Stumbler, there's also a new version for hand-held Windows CE PDAs, MiniStumbler release 4.0.

It's worth pointing out that this software isn't for the true beginner. It will probably work better if you disable Windows "zero configuration" software, and even better still if you download specific card drivers for the wireless card in your PC. And that may mean that for the non-technical user, the wireless side of the PC seems to die.

Milner also includes a disclaimer: essentially, pointing out that using the software can be classified as illegal hacking in many parts of the world.

That's not to say that there are no legitimate uses, and he lists them:

Verify that your network is set up the way you intended.

Find locations with poor coverage in your WLAN.

Detect other networks that may be causing interference on your network.

Detect unauthorised "rogue" access points in your workplace.

Help aim directional antennas for long-haul WLAN links.

Use it recreationally for WarDriving.

The full read-me file is worth downloading before proceeding.

The main stumbler program can be downloaded instantly from the main site