AirSnare

Boot leeches off your wireless network with this free download

If you're like me, you love your home wireless connection. I don't know how I'd live without my Linksys 802.11b wireless router.


That said, I don't want unwanted freeloaders on my network. I don't mind the occasional downloader; it's the bandwidth-sucking leech that bothers me. Well, friends, I have a great way to keep an eye on who's using your wireless connection, and it's a free program called AirSnare.

Monitor MAC addresses


AirSnare works by monitoring MAC addresses, which are unique addresses assigned to each device on your network. The program notifies you of any "unfriendly" devices in the area. AirSnare even tells you where the users are surfing and allows you to notify them that you're watching their network activity.


AirSnare is also a great monitor for wired networks. If someone were to sneak into your home or business and access the wired network with their own computer, AirSnare would notify you of the unrecognized MAC address.


I leave AirSnare operating on one of my old junker machines and attach a small pair of PC speakers to it. It notifies me with an audible alert when someone new connects.


AirSnare is completely free to download and use, though the author does have a PayPal donate button to help out the cause. Kick the developer a few bucks if you really like the program.

Download AirSnare now