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.