Introduction

Wi-Fi networks are everywhere—homes, offices, cafes, airports. This ubiquity makes them a goldmine for forensic investigations. Wi-Fi forensics allows investigators to track devices, reconstruct activities, and collect evidence without physical access to the device itself.

🖥️ What Is Wi-Fi Forensics?

Wi-Fi forensics involves analyzing wireless network data to identify devices, users, and their activities. Key sources include:

• Wi-Fi access point logs

• Packet captures (PCAP files)

• Router and hotspot records

Investigators use this data to:

• Trace unauthorized access

• Identify connected devices

• Map user movements

🕵️‍♂️ How Investigators Track Devices

1. MAC Address Tracking:

   • Every Wi-Fi-enabled device has a unique MAC address.

   • By analyzing MAC addresses in logs, investigators can identify individual devices.

2. SSID & Access Point Logs:

   • Logs from routers and access points reveal which networks a device connected to and when.

3. Packet Capture Analysis:

   • Tools like Wireshark can capture packets and reconstruct activity patterns.

4. Geolocation through Wi-Fi:

   • By triangulating signals from multiple access points, investigators can approximate device locations.

🔗 Tools for Wi-Fi Forensics

• Wireshark: Packet capture and analysis.

• Aircrack-ng: Wireless network auditing and monitoring.

• Kismet: Detect and log Wi-Fi devices.

• NetSpot / Ekahau: For signal mapping and location tracking.

✅ Best Practices

1. Always obtain legal authorization before tracking devices.

2. Maintain chain of custody for all data collected.

3. Use encryption and secure storage for captured logs.

4. Correlate Wi-Fi logs with other network and device data to strengthen investigations.