I don't want legal advice, I'm just asking this question academically: Is it illegal to use wireshark/tshark in monitor mode to resolve signal strengths and mac addresses on a network that is yours or otherwise? Section 18 U.S. Code § 2511 says it is illegal to
There are exceptions if it is being used for personal cybersecurity or consent is given. However, I guess my question is more specifically related to whether resolving the mac addresses and signal strengths counts as "interception of electronic communication"? asked 14 May '17, 09:16  qrv3w |
One Answer:
Generally speaking, Wireshark is a tool. A tool can be used legally, and it can be used illegally. There is nothing intrinsically illegal about the tool itself. Specific laws in specific countries will vary, but I can think of cases where it could be used illegally in the US. For example, if you were to break into the wire closet of a building, set up some taps and used Wireshark to intercept an enterprise's VoIP calls, I have to think that would be illegal. Meanwhile if you use Wireshark as a network administrator to troubleshoot your network, that would almost certainly not be. answered 14 May '17, 19:04  Quadratic |
Your asking legal advice...
It is perfectly fine to talk about law without it being legal advice. Here, I am not asking for legal advice because I'm asking for an interpretation of law as a hypothetical example for my own academic purposes. There is no particular factual situation I am asking about. I have no obligations or responsibilities that will change upon receiving any information about this question. I would only like to hear speculation of the community and not professional opinions.