Best Usb Wifi Adapter for Pentesting – Most WiFi attacks require that we are able to inject packets into the AP while, at the same time, capturing packets going over the air. Only a few WiFi adapters are capable of doing this.
WiFi adapter manufacturers are not looking to add extra features to their standard wireless adapters to suit penetration testers needs. Most wireless adapters built into your laptop are designed so that people can connect to WiFi and browse the web and send mails. We need something much more powerful and versatile than that.
If we can’t inject packets into the Access Point (in Aircrack-ng, this is the function of Aireplay-ng), then it really limits what we do.
ROUND UP
1.TP-Link Nano
Features
- USB WiFi Adapter: Exceptional wireless speed up to 150 Mbps brings the best experience for video streaming or internet calls
- Ultimate Range: High gain antennas ensure superior range and stability. Version 2. 0
- Secure: Easy wireless security encryption at a push of the WPS button
- Industry Leading Support: 2-year and free 24/7 technical support
- Compatibility: Windows (XP/7/8/8. 1/10) Mac OS (10. 9 -10. 15) Linux Kernel (2. 6. 184. 4. 3)
- 150 Mbps wireless transmission rate Provides two methods of operation: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc
- 150Mbps wireless transmission rate Provides two methods of operation: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc
- Quick Secure Setup, complies with WPS for worry free wireless security Supports 64/128-bit WEP, complies with 128 bit WPA standard(TKIP/AES), supports MIC, IV Expansion, Shared Key Authentication, IEEE 802.1X
- Standards: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b Interface: USB2.0 Antenna Type: 4dBi Detachable Omni-directional Antenna
- Wireless Speed:11n: Up to 150Mbps 11g: Up to 54Mbps 11b: Up to 11Mbps
- Frequency Range: 2.4-2.4835GHz Wireless Transmit Power: 20dBm(MAX EIRP) Modulation Technology: OFDM/CCK/16-QAM/64-QAM
- Work Mode: Ad-Hoc; Infrastructure Wireless Security: 64/128 bits WEP; WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES)
- Support Operating System: Windows 7(32/64bits), Windows Vista(32/64bits), Windows XP(32/64bits), Windows 2000 Certifications: CE, FCC
This is best for beginners. It is a cheap and compact adaptor that acts as a wifi adaptor towards home desktop PC, an alternate to your in-built chipset inside your laptop, and quite a handy module during traveling. It complies with IEEE 802.11N and gives speed up to 150Mbps.
This plug-and-play adaptor is compatible with many versions of Linux including Kali Linux. It also carries a 3 dbi omnidirectional antenna which shall extend the range of transmission or reception which makes it good for indoor penetration testing. We used this for making mobile hacking stations using Raspberry Pi.
2.Panda Wireless PAU09 N600
Features
- Works with any 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n networks. Max. wireless connection speed: 300Mbps. Supports both infrastructure and ad-hoc modes. Security: WEP 64/128bit, WPA, WPA2, 802.1x and 802.11i, Cisco CCS V1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 compliant.
- Multi-OS support: 32-bit and 64-bit Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, MX LInux, Manjaro, Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Lubuntu, OpenSUSE, RedHat, Fedora, CentOS, Kali Linux, Raspbian. NO Mac support for Panda Wireless PAU09.
- The Panda Wireless PAU09 adapter is designed to run on an Intel/AMD based PC or Raspberry Pi 0/1/2/3/4. It doesn't work with any Digital Media Players, Digial Video Recorders, Netwok-Attached Storage devices, Playstations, Security Cameras, etc. Please consult Panda Wireless if you want to use Panda Wireless PAU09 on any non Intel/AMD-based systems.
- If you want to use Panda Wireless PAU09 with a guest OS like Kali in a Virtual Machine, please contact Panda Wireless for more info. In general, we recommend our customers to use Panda Wireless PAU09 on a computer running a supported operating system in the list above.
- Technical Support and Warranty - Please email or call Panda Wireless Technical Support or your seller if you have any problems or warranty issues about your Panda Wireless PAU09 adapter, we will respond to your email/call within 24 hours.
Panda with 300Mbps wireless 802.11n USB adaptor with high gain antenna upgrades wifi interface on the system with the latest 802.11n standard. The system is able to communicate wirelessly with any 802.11g/n wireless router at home, coffee shops, and many others.
It provides a data rate of up to 300 Mbps with 802.11n standard and is backward compatible with 802.11g 2.4GHz wireless networks. Supported security features are as followed: 64b/128bit WEP, WPA and WPA2 (TKIP+AES).
3.Alfa AWUS036ACS
Features
- CUTTING-EDGE NETWORK PERFORMANCE – Broad-Coverage USB Wi-Fi Adapter Supercharges Your Connection to Prevent Network Lag, Freeze & Dead Zones
- BLAZING FAST SPEED FOR STREAMING – Upgrade to the Latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi Technology So the Entire Family Can Watch, Listen, Surf & Play Without Disruption
- POWERFUL DUAL-BAND 2.4/5GHZ ANTENNA – Optimize Signal Coverage Through Floors, Walls & Ceilings for Watching HD Video, Online Gaming or File Downloads
- CONVENIENT, COMPACT DESIGN – Small Unit Plugs Into Any USB Port
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL OPERATING SYSTEMS – Enjoy Comprehensive Driver Support for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, Apple MacOS 10.4 to 10.12, Linux & Kali Linux
Alfa again. Alfa provides the best WiFi adapters for Kali Linux. This adapter is the older version of Alfa AWUS036NH with Ralink RT3070 chipset. AWUS036NHA is the IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wireless USB adapter with 150 Mbps speed This is also compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g wireless devices at 54 Mbps.
Alfa provides the best USB WiFi Adapters for penetration testing. AWUS036NH is the IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wireless USB adapter with 150 Mbps speed This is also compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g wireless devices at 54 Mbps. You can configure AWUS036NH with ad-hoc mode to connect to other 2.4GHz wireless computers, or with Infrastructure mode to connect to a wireless AP or router for accessing to Internet.
4.TRENDnet AC1900
Features
- UPGRADE YOUR WIFI PERFORMANCE: Upgrade your computer up to 1300 Mbps WiFi AC or 600 Mbps WiFi N to surf, game, and stream 4K HD video.
- PRIOR TO INSTALLATION: Please ensure Windows is up to date, then follow the Quick Installation Guide to install the latest driver.
- INCREASE YOUR WIFI COVERAGE: A high power radio with detachable high gain antennas increase WiFi coverage. 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz: 4 x 5 dBi (max.) dual band external / detachable.
- BEAMFORMING: Beamforming increases real-time performance by directing stronger wireless signals to each device's specific location.
- COMPATIBLE OPERATING SYSTEMS: The AC1900 USB Adapter is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and Mac OS 10.6-10.13
- TRENDnet PROTECTION: 3 Year TRENDnet Manufacturer’s Protection
For the longest time, AC1900 adapters were regulated to the PCIe interface due to the number of components required for a device. With time those parts are now smaller allowing vendors to release USB solutions based on those high-performance chipsets.
Launched in late 2016, this AC1900 USB solution from TRENDnet allows potential customers to upgrade or add to existing wireless infrastructure with higher performance. The TEW-809UB supports 600 Mbps over the 2.4GHz band and 1.3 Gbps over the 5GHz band. Adding to the package, TRENDnet ships this solution with 5dBi high gain antennas for increased range and the entire solution is powered by a USB 3.0 connection.
5.Tenda 300Mbps
Features
- [MINIATURE DESIGN] Mini-sized design for convenient portability, there's no need to worry about blocking adjacent USB interfaces.
- [EXCELLENT SPEED] 300 MBPS wireless 11 speed with wireless speed up to 300Mbps and advanced MIMO technology, the U3 provides you with a fast, reliable wireless connection for lag-free online gaming and video streaming.
- [WIDE COMPATIBILITY] Compatible with Windows XP/7/8/8.1/10, MAC OSs 10.6 - 10.12, Linux OS, and ideal for Raspberry Pi/Pi2 (Raspbian/Ubuntu MATE/OSMC/LIBREELEC/ Windows 10 IOT)
- [FAST INSTALL] The trick to Just make sure you install the software FIRST, then plugging the wireless adapter in. The Wi-Fi dongle works perfectly with any 2.4Ghz wireless b/g/n routers.
- [3-YEAR WARRANTY] Tenda provides an industry-leading 3-year, with FREE lifetime 24/7 dedicated tech-support team.
The latest crop of wireless routers offers high-speed data rates, multiple radio bands, and revolutionary signal-processing technologies, such as Beamforming and Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Out (MU-MIMO) data streaming. But not everyone cares about those technologies, so not everyone will need the latest model. Enter the Tenda F3 N300 Wireless Router .
The F3 is a single-band 802.11n router that is easy to install and configure, with three wired LAN ports and lots of management settings. Its throughput will hardly wow you, but if you maintain a simple one- or two-client home Wi-Fi network, and you don’t stream a lot of online videos, play a lot of online games, or transfer large chunks of data between clients, the Tenda F3 N300 is an amazing bargain—and our new Editors’ Choice for budget wireless routers.
6.Edimax Wi-Fi
Features
- N150 adapter supports Wi-Fi 4 802.11n standard with speedy throughput of up to 150Mbps (2.4Ghz). It is also backwards compatible with wireless 802.11b/g standards.
- NANO-SIZED USB adapter design makes it the smallest N150 Wi-Fi adapter on the market, allows for a sleek device appearance when plugged in. The low profile also reduces the chance of damage when bumped into.
- HIGHLY SECURE Wi-Fi protocols supported, featuring WPA3, WPA2, WPA and, 64/128-bit WEP encryption methods.
- EASY WIRELESS CONNECTION via the software-enabled WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
- **UPDATED VERSION** Featuring new generation of N150 Wi-Fi 4 adapter powered by RTL8188EUS
- Supports 802.11e WMM wireless QoS for optimizing speed and various power saving mechanism to extend the battery life of your device.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY SUPPORT with Windows 10 and 11. Supports Windows 7/8/8.1, MAC OS 10.9~10.15, and Linux 2.6.18~4.14 (Fedora & Ubuntu). Visit EDiMAX website for the latest support information and driver download.
- TRUSTED BRAND: With decades of experience in development, and manufacturing networking products, EDIMAX is committed to providing the latest networking technologies at affordable prices.
This is useful to avoid having to pay through the nose for mega data allowances from your cellular network provider. In addition, we’ve also got tablets and ebook readers tapping in too, and with tablets in particular offering similar video streaming experiences that you’d see on a laptop, ensuring you have decent-enough speeds throughout your house is an issue that many are working to solve.
Thankfully you do have several options. Powerline adaptors are one, although speeds can vary wildly between different models and you’ll be lucky to see more than 10MB/sec (80Mbit/s) even with 500Mbit/s adaptors.
7.Wireless USB WiFi Adapter
Features
- AC1300Mbps High WiFI SPEED 5G/2.4G - USB Wifi Adapter for PC, 802.11AC Wifi USB, Dual Band WiFi Dongle, up to 867Mbps on 5GHz band or 400Mbps on 2.4GHz band.
- Dual High Gain WiFi Antennas - USB Computer Network Adapters with Dual 5dBi High-gain antennas greatly enhances the reception and transmission signal strength.180° rotatable antenna provides a stronger wireless transmission and receives signals from any angle.
- Super USB 3.0 - WiFi adapter for PC, using the USB 3.0 interface.Works more stable and 10 times faster than USB 2.0, Wireless usb adapter brings 10 times faster and more solid wireless network connection.
- Easy to Use - Before plugging the USB Wifi Dongle into the usb port, please FIRST install drivers via MINI CD disc, or download driver from a link to install. Once you've run the software, you can simply insert Wireless Dongle to get connected.
- Warranty Service: Online Technical Support. Please contact us if you have any problems about the USB wireless network adapter we will respond to your issue within 24 hours.24Month Warranty.
The best USB Wi-Fi adapter is about security. The security of knowing you have a networking backup should the worst happen and your gaming PC’s ethernet port or built-in Wi-Fi connection catastrophically falls over. So much of our life is spent online that when it’s suddenly absent it can feel like a limb’s missing, so it’s worth having a backup internet pipe available should the worst happen.
Obviously, in an ideal world, a wired connection will provide better stability and throughput—especially in combination with the best gaming router—but having cables strewn across the floor isn’t always an option. So, we’ve brought together a list of our favorite USB Wi-Fi adapters, to help you decide which one best suits your situation.
WRAP UP
Best Usb Wifi Adapter for Pentesting – The all new Kali Linux 2021.1 was rolling out and we can simply use it as our primary operating system because of the non-root user.
The main benefit of using Kali Linux as primary OS is we got the hardware support. Yes, we can do our all penetration testing jobs with this Kali Linux 2021, but to play with wireless networks or WiFi we need some special USB WiFi adapters in Kali.
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