Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada
1 edit | reply to Nerdtalker
Re: Is there a way to not see a vulnerable router
said by Nerdtalker  :said by Gabriel 22 :Is there any way to hide my ssid so nobody see's it ? No, there really isn't. Even if you turn SSID broadcasts off, passive detection tools can still pull the SSID from the air. Doing so doesn't provide any extra security, whatsoever, and obfuscates the process of connecting to your AP in WCZ. Using WPA really is the best solution. Do they have to use special software to see my ssid if I disable broadcasting it, or would it show up on their available router list ?
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Happy Dell PC Owner. |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| IF you disable the SSID "YOU" will have a hard time connecting to your own wireless. Turning off the broadcasting of the SSID does nothing for security. Just name it something like 221B Baker St.
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Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ
clubs:
| reply to Gabriel 22
said by Gabriel 22 :Do they have to use special software to see my ssid if I disable broadcasting it, or would it show up on their available router list ? It isn't that special, really, but yes, they'd need software to "see" your SSID.
The bottom line is that disabling SSID broadcasts provides no additional security, whatsoever. It just doesn't.
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Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada
| I think I'll still use it. The people who don't secure their router aren't likely to use hacker software just so they can see my hidden ssid. I understand the local wardriver would see it though if they were determined.
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Happy Dell PC Owner. |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| Really you are NOT getting the POINT.
Hiding the SSID means absolutely nothing for security and only makes it harder for YOU to connect to your own wireless signal.
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Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ
clubs:
| said by Shootist :Hiding the SSID means absolutely nothing for security and only makes it harder for YOU to connect to your own wireless signal. Exactly.
It's truly worthless, and it provides a false sense of security.
You don't need magical "toolz" to see the AP, a bunch of it doesn't require any special technical knowledge to use.
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"Some people never see the light till it shines thru bullet holes." -Bruce Cockburn
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Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada
| said by Nerdtalker :You don't need magical "toolz" to see the (ssid) I didn't understand this point.
Thank you very much for clarifying that.
Netgear tech support says nobody can see it without special "Toolz" though.
So now I'm a bit confused. 
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Happy Dell PC Owner. |
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Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ
clubs:
| said by Gabriel 22 :Thank you very much for clarifying that. Netgear tech support says nobody can see it without special "Toolz" though. Well, they really aren't that special at all.
In all honesty, it can make associating with your AP considerably more difficult, and I've seen some AP-Wireless NIC combinations that have major issues associating when using WPA when the AP doesn't have SSID broadcasts turned on.
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"Some people never see the light till it shines thru bullet holes." -Bruce Cockburn
I'm testing Gmail's spam filters: Broadbandreports1@gmail.com
Spam: 8800+ messages currently using 268 MB (11%) of my 2442 MB |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| reply to Gabriel 22
Simple fact is if you're running Windows XP you will need to broadcast the SSID to make a connection.
So the real question is IF you can NAME it anything you want, Not Open/Go Away/I'll find you if you try to connect/ WHATEVER, and it adds nothing as far as security and only inhibits you from connecting to your own wireless signal why would you want to hide it???????
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Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada
1 edit | Why would I want to hide it.
I guess so the unsecured Wifi router owner doesn't see us.
I mean. They don't even know how to secure their equipment.
Couldn't I just slip by unnoticed by hiding the ssid ?
It doesn't matter. I use xp, so I'll have to broadcast the ssid.
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Happy Dell PC Owner. |
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jza80
join:2005-10-29
Sacramento, CA
| Hiding the SSID does absolutely nothing security wise. Only real way to turn it off is unplug your wireless router/AP or turn off wireless.
If your worried about someone using your connection, use WEP or WPA. WPA is preferred over WEP.
As for special "toolz", try NetStumbler. It picks up wireless APs, whether SSID broadcast is on or off.
I can pick up 2 other APs besides my own.
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On-OffOK
@comcast.net
| reply to Gabriel 22
It is your system. Try connecting without broadcasting the ssid, if it works without any connection issues, leave it off. It will not provide added protection from someone intent on hacking your system. But, if it makes you feel better that is all that matters. Make your decision from the advice given. |
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UthinkURright
@comcast.net
| This is the most positive reply out of the whole bunch of negative responses. Ie; You are not getting the point, it does not provide any security. The op did not ask if it provides protection, the question was if it removes his ssid from the non-tech, non security conscious average user in his neighborhood. Answer, yes it will, geez was this so difficult to answer?
As this poster has said, try it both ways and determine which you prefer. If it works great with ssid off, great; if not turn it on. Problem solved. I turn mine off because there are way too many wireless users in my area. I do not turn it off for security reasons, only to prevent others system from looking at my system for access. BTW, I do not have any connection problems with my ssid turned off.
Give advice and allow people make a decision. Just because they do not take your advice, shootist does not make them less informed or less secure than you. |
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