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The program's UI is divided between a pane that displays real-time information about wireless networks in proximity and another screen that shows handy information, including tips and a user guide. Opening the interface displays the wireless adapter information of the client machine on which inSSIDer is installed. Unlike some other free networking utilities I've used, inSSIDer has given me no problems with memory leaks, nor has it interfered with Windows wireless settings or any other installed software. I tested inSSIDer on a Windows 7 laptop, and it was a quick, lightweight install. Wi-Fi professionals may find the software a bit too light on features and might be more interested in a more robust program such as WiFiBuilder or Wireshark, but, for everyone else, inSSIDer is one of the most-powerful and easy-to-use Wi-Fi optimizers around. inSSIDer offers several new features since we last reviewed the software, including support for 802.11ac.

inSSIDer ($19.99) displays information about the wireless networks in your proximity, including access points' MAC addresses, encryption type, signal strength, and channel. InSSIDer is an excellent Wi-Fi analyzer that can be installed on Windows and Mac machines, and there is a version for Android, as well.

May not be robust enough for wireless networking professionals or larger deployments.

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Wifi network analyzer mac