how to find the bssid of a wireless network

How to Find the BSSID of a Wireless Network

When it comes to understanding how your device connects to wireless networks, there are several key concepts to grasp. One crucial aspect is the Preferred Network List (PNL), which is essentially a list of networks that your device has connected to previously and has been approved by the device to join again in the future if within broadcast range.

An attacker can leverage this data by cross-referencing SSIDs with PNLs. The SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is included in every packet sent over a wireless network, making it a critical piece of information for an attacker to exploit. Since an SSID can be sniffed in plain text from a packet, a device will not be allowed to join the BSS unless it can supply the unique SSID.

But what exactly is the BSSID? In short, the BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) is the MAC address of an access point (AP), which identifies the specific AP and distinguishes it from other nearby networks. This 48-bit number is a unique identifier that helps differentiate one WLAN from another.

To find the BSSID of a wireless network, you can use various tools and techniques. One effective method is to use OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) tracking, which involves using online resources such as WiGLE (Wireless Geographic Logging Engine) to gather information about nearby wireless networks.

WiGLE is a global database that maps out the geographic location of hundreds of millions of wireless access points, allowing you to track down the BSSID of specific networks. The platform relies on volunteers who download an app to their phones and log all the APs they encounter, along with their GPS coordinates.

In summary, finding the BSSID of a wireless network involves understanding the Preferred Network List (PNL), Service Set Identifier (SSID), and Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID). By leveraging online resources such as WiGLE, you can track down the BSSID of specific networks and gain valuable insights into their location and identity.

How to find the bssid of a wireless network