Passive Scan Engine

WiFi Explorer Pro 3 can use passive scan mode to find networks by listening for beacons, which are frames that access points periodically transmit to advertise Wi-Fi networks and their capabilities.

The Passive Scan Engine (PSE) enables passive scan mode for WiFi Explorer Pro 3 on systems where access to the packet capture device may be unavailable to some processes.

When you choose passive scan mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 automatically connects to the PSE, capturing the Wi-Fi traffic and sending it back to WiFi Explorer Pro 3 for processing and display. If the PSE is not installed or running, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will show an error message instead.

Instructions
  1. Download and install the PSE.
  2. Open WiFi Explorer Pro 3 and choose passive scan mode (All Channels or Single Channel).

If you wish to manage the PSE, open Finder and go to Applications, then open PSE. A status item will appear in the system menu bar as shown below:

Release Notes

Version 1.1 – Jan. 25, 2023:

  • Adds support for Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz).

Version 1.0 – Sept. 24, 2021:

  • Initial release.