Wireless devices are becoming more and more commonplace. 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 an interesting new tool that may help you find a signal when you need it the most.

Hotels and airports allow access to networks for business and leisure travelers, and networks are often available to people who may 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 won't have to keep their laptops or PDAs at home, and can consistently stay connected to their families or their employers.

Today, WiFi users can now purchase a sniffer, which is a wireless tool that detects the presence of other wireless devices, calculates the strength of their signals, and gives a report to the owner on the locality of the access point.

A WiFi sniffer would be a valuable tool for campers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. If you were to become lost while hiking or traveling in the wilderness, by finding the location of other wireless devices, you may be able to get to another WiFi device, enabling you to get help, or find your route back to your camp or destination.

Similarly, if you were to misplace your own wireless device, such as your notebook, bluetooth or PDA, your sniffer can help you to locate it; or if you are having a wireless connection network problem and are in critical need of some other wireless device, your sniffer would give you a report of other such devices nearby.

These are all good uses for a WiFi sniffer, but network accessories such as these can likewise be used for more nefarious intentions. For example, a hacker intent on sabotaging or debasing 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 steal personal information from the users of the other wireless devices.

Likewise, the owner of a cyber café intent on stealing guests from a competing café could utilize their sniffer to calculate the network traffic of their competitor, and then decide to lower the cost of accessing their network to lure customers away from their competitor. Or, the managers of a shopping mall might use their device to count the number of people who connect to their network, and then raise the cost to gain more profit from their buyers.

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