Wifi network name changed and no pw requirement (nighthawk pro gaming XR1000)

Question

Last night I reset my modem and router. Both showed fully booted and functional, yet I was not able to connect to network. After 45 mins of troubleshooting and lots of resets, I realized that there was a full strength network named "NETGEAR" that required no pw to connect. My router was "NETGEAR19" with a pw. I turned off the router and the network disappeared. I've been using routers for close to 20 years and have never had this happen. Did I get hacked? How could the pw requirement have been removed? Thanks in advance.

microchip8 · Answer

People don't just get hacked. Someone has to actually spend a lot of time and resources to breach your network for unknown benefit. More likely your router reverted for some reason to its default SSID.

microchip8 · Answer

If you reset a router, it reverts to factory defaults so you get the factory default SSID and password, if any.

HuskerBilly · Answer

Thanks for your reply. I only turned it off and on, not factory reset. Apologies if that wasn't clear. The default network name was NETGEAR19 but it now is just NETGEAR with no pw requirement.

microchip8 · Answer

So what's the problem? Set it up again

HuskerBilly · Answer

I just got freaked out I guess that it somehow got hacked. I've never experienced that happen in the past. From your reply I take it I'm overthinking the situation and should just go ahead and reset it to factory settings. Appreciate the replies

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Wifi network name changed and no pw requirement (nighthawk pro gaming XR1000)

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