I spent just this very morning on this topic. Not broadcasting the SSID (ie. "hidden ssid") actually decreases the network security and usability. Obscurity is not security and provides no operational or protective benefit.
- 99% of wifi scanners from the minimalist "what wifi are in range" to the industrial strength scan and crack gear will display SSID. I'm a little shocked that netstumbler hasn't matured to include this function actually as I thought it did this already.
- broadcast SSID was never, ever, meant to be a security mechanism and in-fact, the wifi standard requires SSID broadcast.
- not broadcasting your SSID can cause connectivity issues notably where Win7 disconnects then instead of re-connecting to the network, re-connects to a third party easier network.
- not broadcasting your SSID can also cause further channel congestion as new wifi users blindly assume that a channel is empty just because the Windows "connect to wifi" list doesn't display now many wifi routers are actually trying to use the channel.
- not broadcasting your SSID also causes information leakage since your wifi devices now wonder around town with you calling out to the router by announcing your SSID. From the pentesting or malicious folks in the crowds; thank you.
If you have a wifi router, please get over this myth of you haven't. Broadcast your SSID and instead rely on actual security mechanisms; WPA2 encryption and a strong random string for a password.
If you still choose to not broadcast your SSID; at least realize that your decision provides absolutely no network protection and does not actually hide your network in any way. If you have some other reason for not broadcasting your SSID; all the power too you.
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The reason why many wisps hide their ssid on their backbone links is to avoid competing wisps to target their back bone and bombards it with a stream of data from a stronger station causing it to fall over or weaken the services render through it.
Does that really work? The SSID is included visibly in the traffic frames. Anyone capable of setting up an access point to overpower the signal and hijack client connections is going to also be perfectly capable of popping the SSID out of the frames being sprayed through through the air.
If it's a competing ISP stealing customer connections then your dealing with a legal issue ultimately. It would be no different than someone sitting beside the local coffee shop running a rogue access point to MITM the customers.
If it's a competing ISP stealing customer connections then your dealing with a legal issue ultimately. It would be no different than someone sitting beside the local coffee shop running a rogue access point to MITM the customers.
I have the new AT&T 2Wire wireless DSL box.And in my laptop I have to select linksys or it doesn't work.Even with my AT&T password 2Wire doesn't work.Make certain that all of your network and wireless drivers are installed.If you can't reboot just pop the CD out until your computer starts again.The wireless stuff is on the bottom right by the clock.
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