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How do I make my network name is invisible?
How do I make my network name invisible? I live in a high-rise and there are already 25 or so names to choose from for my Wi-Fi service, but I would rather keep mine from being displayed to all my n...
Most folks want to hide their ssid so others do not see it thinking this is a security step. Here is article saying not so.
Also, hiding the SSID can cause MS Windows issues as well as general connection issues.
> Model: A7000|Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi USB Adapter - USB 3.0
Presumably, you have some other device, like an R7000 router.
> [...] I have looked in the user manual PDF, but I can't find a topic
> that I think would answer my problem.
Under "Specify Basic WiFi Settings", look for "Enable SSID
Broadcast".
Very interesting. When I tried making the setting changes, I got a warning that I was about to disable all my WPA settings. I decided perhaps it was better to keep those settings then to go invisible.
The other big mystery was I could only access the 2.4 GHz SS ID. I only use that for the printer. But now I’m wondering how I would go about accessing the other band. Perhaps I would have to log on using the 2.4 SS ID in order to make changes.
Thank you very much, antinode, for your help. I didn’t realize what the ramifications of the choice not to broadcast the SS ID were. This is why newbies get them selves into so much trouble.
Most folks want to hide their ssid so others do not see it thinking this is a security step. Here is article saying not so.
Also, hiding the SSID can cause MS Windows issues as well as general connection issues.
Bill, if it’s one thing I don’t want, it’s complications.
Thank you for the article link. That was the very same argument that occurred to me when I saw the warning — why would I want to forgo the security for anonymity. I feel like I did the right thing, and I really appreciate the confirmation.
The issue was solved – thanks to you both.
> When I tried making the setting changes, I got a warning that I was
> about to disable all my WPA settings.As usual, showing the actual error message would be more helpful than
showing your interpretation of the actual error message. Copy+paste is
your friend. This is especially true when you've misread the message,
which, I'd guess looked much like the one which I get on my D7000
(V1.0.1.70_1.0.1):WPS requires SSID broadcasting in order to work. If you make this
change, WPS will become inaccessible. Do you want to continue?"WPS" and "WPA" are spelled differently for a reason.
> [...] I decided perhaps it was better to keep those settings then to
> go invisible.Keeping WPA enabled makes sense. WPS is up to you, but an informed
decision depends on noticing that WPS is not WPA. Keep reading that
User Manual.> [...] I could only access the 2.4 GHz SS ID. I only use that for the
> printer. [...]"access" from what? What is your "the printer"? Are you trying to
say that your (unspecified) "the printer" can use only the 2.4GHz radio?
Such a limitation would be typical for a printer (which typically would
not benefit from faster network access).
> [...] why would I want to forgo the security for anonymity. [...]You probably wouldn't, but that's not the choice here.
> [...] Here is article saying not so. [...]
It's extremely easy to find the ID for a "hidden" network-all you
have to do is use a utility like inSSIDer, NetStumbler, or Kismet
to scan the network [...]Quiz questions: Do you use any of those programs? How many of your
neighbors, would you guess, use any of those programs?Hiding your SSID(s) will not hide your wireless radios from a
determined attacker, but it will hide them from, I'd guess, most if not
all of your neighbors. And it won't cause you to forgo any security.