Deauth Deep Dive: Unraveling Wi-Fi Mysteries

Introduction

This article recounts a real-world experience of diagnosing and solving mysterious Wi-Fi connectivity issues caused by deauthentication attacks. We'll explore the investigative process, tools used, and lessons learned.

1. The Mystery Begins

  • Initial symptoms: Intermittent Wi-Fi disconnections
  • Affected area: A specific corner of the office
  • Initial troubleshooting steps and their results

2. Building a Wi-Fi Detective Kit

  • Setting up a Raspberry Pi for packet capture
  • Choosing the right Wi-Fi adapter for monitoring
  • Installing and configuring necessary software tools

3. The Investigation Unfolds

  • Deploying the Raspberry Pi in the affected area
  • Analyzing captured packets: Identifying deauth frames
  • Correlating deauth events with connectivity issues

4. Pinpointing the Source

  • Using a directional antenna to locate the signal source
  • The surprising discovery: GitHub's neighboring office
  • Understanding containment mode and its unintended consequences

5. Resolution and Lessons Learned

  • Collaborating with GitHub to resolve the issue
  • Best practices for configuring Wi-Fi security features
  • The importance of communication in shared office spaces

Conclusion

This real-world case study demonstrates the complexity of Wi-Fi issues and the importance of thorough investigation. By using the right tools and methodical approach, even the most mysterious connectivity problems can be solved.