Broadband Tech > Wireless Networking > Debunking the Myth of SSID Hiding

reply to Sentinel

Re: Debunking the Myth of SSID Hiding

said by Sentinel:

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Thanks bbarrera and DSLrgm.

So my take on it would be that IF you are experiencing no performance problems or issues then it would not hurt to turn SSID off, although it will only help against the mildest of war drivers. However if you are experiencing problems turning off SSID should be the first step. And if you are inclined to turn off SSID don't be concerned about it.

Sound good?

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Right I mean turning off the "disable SSID broadcast" which is turning on the SSID broadcast. (whew, say that 5 times fast)

Yes, I changed my SSID and then entered it in all my clients and then turned it off and everything works fine and it is a random bunch of characters.

About the only problem I have is when my family members come over to visit and they try to use their laptops to get online Oh well...

disabling ssid broadcast does enchanced security, but with netstumbler you can still get mac addresses....hence mac address spoofing, so like some of you have already said , turning this off is only against the inexperience wanna be hacker.

i just read that "Debunking the Myth of SSID Hiding" i dont agree with it 100%, reason being im in Research & Development my self,which we have tested it, and i came to a conclusion and this is common sense if your signaling(beacon) you are saying im right here, just like a lighthouse(AP) for a boat when the captain(PC) cant see, it beacons so the captain(PC) can find it, but no matter if the captain(pc) can find it through a map(Static ip and static SSID) he is fine,if you can get this

the paper said something about performance, which i do find true in some AP, about 25% of them, linksys is the worst for it, netgear passed with flying colors, but different situations can change things like always,

not saying im right or wrong just my findings

I lock my car when I go into the grocery store.

I disable SSID broadcast - when my AP is on - for the same reason

Bad analogy. Turning off the SSID broadcast is more like locking the doors but leaving the windows rolled down.

reply to willyb_jr

said by willyb_jr:

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I lock my car when I go into the grocery store.

I disable SSID broadcast - when my AP is on - for the same reason

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reply to No_Strings
And what - in your analogy - are the windows?

I also take every other step to secure my AP from outside access.

Are you implying that hiding the SSID is fruitless?

Disabling the SSID in the beacon only keeps a tool such as NetStumbler from seeing your AP. Tools like Kismet or AirSnort will see them no matter what and will capture weak keys, flag networks responding to probe requests, list the MAC address of the AP and any associating clients, show the IP range of the network and help to crack the WEP keys. Which would worry you more: a kid with NS and a Pringles can or someone equipped to get all of the available info?

Honestly, they both worry me. They both can do damage - although I don't have anything the 'pro' would want, other than bandwidth...

If I can keep the kid out by hiding my SSID and taking a performance hit - so be it. We all suffer when we have to run AV, Firewalls, IDS, layered protection, etc, etc, etc.

said by willyb_jr:

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If I can keep the kid out by hiding my SSID and taking a performance hit - so be it. We all suffer when we have to run AV, Firewalls, IDS, layered protection, etc, etc, etc.

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Yep - I totally agree.

My analogy was meant as a portion of the "big picture" - in which we take all the necessary steps in securing our property; whether its our office, car, home, network, outside spigot - I think you know what I mean.

A criminal may have a tool to break in, but that doesn't mean I'm going to make it easier for him

said by willyb_jr:

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A criminal may have a tool to break in, but that doesn't mean I'm going to make it easier for him

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Disabling SSID broadcast hurts nothing, so there's no reason to not disable it. At least the pervert riding around with his pants around his ankles won't see you.

Has any of the posters, that say to disable/hide the SSID, read the LINK DLSrgm posted.
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Are You Ready--Stand By BEEP ********

reply to StopandGo
Its a free world so go ahead and believe what you want. You might find this Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale a good read:
»www.deoxy.org/emperors.htm

Good 1 No_Strings

reply to kidem7

said by kidem7:

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i just read that "Debunking the Myth of SSID Hiding" i dont agree with it 100%, reason being im in Research & Development my self,which we have tested it

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