Use of GIS in mapping the spatial distribution and security of WI-FI networks case study: Nairobi central business district
Abstract
This project shows the important role that GIS can play in mapping the spatial distribution of
wireless networks and their security protocols that have been put in place by institutions,
companies and businesses within the Nairobi Central Business District. This project involved the
mapping of the Wi-Fi networks that are within the Central Business District together with the
security protocols that have been put in place to secure them from unauthorised access from
external sources and measuring their Signal strength. The spatial distribution shows areas where
there are many Wi-Fi networks and represents them on a map together with the trends used to
secure the Wi-Fi networks.
This study used the procedure of war driving that was carried out by either driving, cycling or
walking around the Central Business District to collect all available Wi-Fi networks that are in
range with the help of a Wireless Geographic logging Engine WiGLE. And GPS enabled
Android phone was used to get the Wi-Fi networks and their geographic coordinates. The data
was then analysed to remove mobile phone networks that may have been captured on the
wardrive. The data was then cleaned and analysed by specialized GIS Software and fusion tables
and represented on a map showing the location of each individual Wi-Fi network on the map
together with the security mode used to secure it.
Publisher
University of Nairobi