I don't have any personal experience, but I was reading in 2600 (Spring 2004) about a wardialing app for a palm. It's better than using a laptop or desktop computer, because you can just place it in one of the green boxes outside, and let it dial. Then come back a little later for it.
I think wardialing is dying because people are switching to online services instead of services that listen over the modems. I know my dad switched from an old version of pcanywhere that did listen from the modem to a newer version that he uses over the internet.
A war dialer is a computer program used to identify the phone numbers that can successfully make a connection with a computer modem. The program automatically dials a defined range of phone numbers and logs and enters in a database those numbers that successfully connect to the modem. Some programs can also identify the particular operating system running in the computer and may also conduct automated penetration testing. In such cases, the war dialer runs through a predetermined list of common user names and passwords in an attempt to gain access to the system.
A war dialer, usually obtained as freeware, is typically used by a hacker to identify potential targets. If the program does not provide automated penetration testing, the intruder attempts to hack a modem with unprotected log-ins or easily cracked passwords. Commercial war dialers, also known as modem scanners, are also used by system administrators, to identify unauthorized modems on an enterprise network. Such modems can provide easy access to a company's intranet.
War Dialing
Posted - 07/22/2004 : 5:42:29 PM
