SSID Broadcast Setting

I am a new user and I have a question about the SSID Broadcast setting.
A Linksys technician advised me to set the SSID Bradcast setting to "Enable" and I an skeptical about this setting because I was previsously advised to set the setting at "Disable" to prevent strangers who might be driving through my neighborhood from having access through my wireless network.
Could the community weight in??
SSID Broadcast
When wireless clients survey the local area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the Router. To broadcast the Router SSID, keep the default setting, Enable. If you do not want to broadcast the Router SSID, then select Disable.

I used to recommend that "SSID Broadcast" be set to disabled for security reasons. However, with newer cracking methods, this old trick is now practically worthless.
Now I recommend that "SSID Broadcast" should be set to "enabled". This will help your computer find and lock on to your router's signal.
For security you should be using WPA2 encryption, or at least WPA encryption, and a strong password. If you are using this, you will be the only one who can login to your wireless system.

Similar Messages

Disabling SSID broadcast sets NAT to strict for XBOX 360, even if wired to WRT160N

I don't know if this is true with all routers, but with my WRT160N, I found that disabling SSID broadcast causes NAT to go into STRICT mode, and there's no way to get back to OPEN (port forwarding, DMZ, etc, unless you enable it.) Unfortunately I had just upgraded my firmware, which sent me and the Linksys tech down the wrong path. The bummer is that XBOX is wired to my router, so not sure why this would've been affected. Hopefully this helps, since I've seen several **bleep**!?! threads around this. I just happened to stumble across this after my NAT opened up when I reset my router to factory settings. Stepped through the changes I had made from default, and wallah, it was the the stupid disabled SSID broadcasting.
Message Edited by daveyhatton on 01-26-2010 01:42 PM

You are wasting more "cycles" if you disable the broadcast because your wireless devices have to actively search your network instead of simply listening to the list of broadcast SSIDs and connect to the correct one.
If "normal folk" want to crack your network they will quickly give up if they do it manually (assuming you have a strong WPA2 passphrase set on your router). Those few attempts won't cause you problems. Your router and wireless network will far more affected by other wireless networks and interference then some failing connection attempts.
Of course, I assume here that you have changed the SSID from "linksys" to something unique. If you still use "linksys" you will probably see quite a few failing connection attempts, not intentionally but because some people had their computer configured to connect to "linksys" before and still use it or did not remove it from their list of preferred networks. And if it is still "linksys" hiding the SSID won't make a change here, too...
They provide the option because that's what people want to see and buy. It does not matter whether it is really useful or not. Marketing says you can "hide" your router and people believe it. If you take the first computer at hand and look for networks the normal way it won't list it. Great, people believe it's "invisible". Sells good. Just like people need firewalls to "stealth" their computers in the internet which neither hides their computer not makes it any more secure...
As long as marketing does not mention that a simple network sniffer will immediately show the existence of the router and very soon will also reveal the SSID... It wouldn't sell so good anymore...
Of course, the setting should not affect port forwarding and your "NAT" level. Could be a firmware bug in the WRT160N.
Message Edited by gv on 01-27-2010 07:40 PM

SSID Broadcast

Okay, I just have a quick question.
I have my router all set up; it's sa WRT54GS v7. Everything works, but there's one problem. I want to distinguish it from the million other 'linksys' routers, but there's a problem. I go to Wireless on the 192.168.1.1 page. When I change the SSID name, and click save changes, it doesn't give me a "Changes successful" message, and my router stops working, so I have to reset.
Note: I have also tried turning the SSID broadcast off, since that's what directions I saw on the internet read, and it does the same thing.
Thanks.

Are you trying to do this SSID change wirelessly? If so, then you are probably successfully changing your SSID, then, the router is kicking you off because its new SSID does not match the "linksys" SSID that your wireless adapter is setup to use.
When making changes to your router, you should always used a computer that is wired to your router.
To fix this problem, use a computer that is wired to the router. Change the SSID to a unique name. Leave the SSID broadcast set to "enabled". Click on "Save Settings", then wait (3-60 seconds) for the screen to refresh. Then power down your router. Wait one minute, then reboot router. Next, in your computer, display all available networks. Highlight your new network and click on "Connect".
If you are already using a computer that is wired to the router, and you are having this problem, then you probably are having a problem with communications between your router and computer. To fix this, try the following:
The router's "web pages" are built into the router, so you do not need an Internet connection to see them.
Use Internet Explorer, it usually works.
JavaScript must be enabled.
Use a computer that is wired to the router.
In the non-working computer, temporarily turn off your software firewall.
Point your browser to 192.168.1.1 , then login to your router. Your user name should be left blank. Your password is "admin" (with no quotes), unless you changed it.
If you are using Zone Alarm, right click on the ZA icon in the system tray (lower right corner of screen) and then click "Shutdown ZoneAlarm", and see if this fixes your problem. If this does not work, try the following with Zone Alarm: Open the ZAISS control center, go to Privacy, then temporarily turn off Ad Blocking and Cookie Control, and see if that fixes your problem.
Some Zone Alarm users have reported that adding 192.168.1.1 to their list of "trusted" addresses fixed the problem. This trick might also work with other firewalls.
If you are using Noton Internet Security with the Add-on Pack, be sure to turn off the Pop-up Blocker, and the Ad blocker. Some users have reported that they needed to uninstall the entire Norton Add-on Pack.
If you cannot get anything at 192.168.1.1 then perhaps this is not your router's address. Go to "Start" > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
A black DOS box will appear. Type in "ipconfig" (with no quotes), then hit the Enter key. Look at the "Default Gateway". Is it 192.168.1.1 ? Point your browser to the "Default Gateway", then login to your router.
If the above fails, disconnect your modem from the router, and try again. If this corrects your problem, then most likely you have a "modem-router" rather than an ordinary modem. Report back with this problem, and also state the make and exact model number of your modem (not the router).
If all of the above fails, power down your entire system, unplug it from the wall, wait one minute, then power up and try again.
If all of the above tips fail, then reset the router to factory defaults: Power down the router and disconnect all wires from it. Wait one minute. Power up the router, allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes), then press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds, then release the button and allow the router to reset and reboot ( 2-3 minutes). Power down router. Wait one minute. Connect one computer, by wire, to a LAN port on the router. Boot up system. It should work.
If you still have trouble, then you need to download and install (or re-install) the latest firmware for your router. After the firmware upgrade, you must reset the router to factory defaults, then setup the router again from scratch. If you saved a router configuration file, DO NOT use it.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 05-08-2009 04:35 AM

SSID Broadcast question

Ok, so today I thought that I would tighten my security up a little, so I turned off SSID broadcast. So everything was fine, I shut down, when I booted back up, and it would not find or connect to the network. I had to turn broadcasting back on in order to connect, how to I get this to work?
Windows Vista
WRT56GL V1

I used to recommend that "SSID Broadcast" be set to "disabled" for security reasons. However, newer cracking methods have made this old trick practically worthless. Currently, I recommend leaving "SSID Broadcast" set to "enabled". This will help your computer find and lock on to your router's signal.
Your primary wireless protection comes from using a good encryption method such as WPA or preferably WPA2, and from using strong passwords. WPA or WPA2 passwords (keys) should be at least 24 random characters (capital letters, small letters, and digits), and they should not contain any spaces. With this level of encryption, you do not need to worry about broadcasting your SSID.

Hp6700 Printer: can't connect to D-Link DI-514 Wireless Router when Broadcast SSID is set to NO.

HP6700 Printer: can't connect to D-Link DI-514 Wireless Router when Router Broadcast SSID is set to NO. My MAC LapTop and HP LapTop both work with the SSID set to NO. If I change the Wireless Router to Broadcast SSID is YES, then the HP6700 Printer can connect to the Wireless Router. I setup the Printer telling it what the SSID and Password were, the same as both of my LapTops, but it never connects, unless I change the Router to broadcast the SSID. Help!
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Did you try updating the firmware on the DI-514?
You can also try setting a static IP on the printer, then assign the printer to the static DHCP list in the router interface.
To give your printer a static IP address:
- Print a Network Config Page from the front of the printer. Note the printer's IP address.
- Type that IP address into a browser to reveal the printer's internal settings.
- Choose the Networking tab, then Wireless along the left side, then the IPv4 tab.
- On this screen you want to set a Manual IP. You need to set an IP address outside the range that the router automatically sets (called the DHCP range). If you do not know the range, change the last set of numbers (those after the last '.') to 250
- Use 255.255.255.0 for the subnet (unless you know it is different, if so, use that)
- Enter your router's IP (on the Network Config Page) for the gateway.
- Enter 8.8.8.8 for the first DNS and 8.8.4.4 for the second DNS. This is Google DNS. You can choose another external DNS if you wish.
- Click 'Apply'.
Now, shut down the router and printer, start the router, wait, then start the printer.
After this you will have delete and re-add the printer on your Mac.
Show support by clicking the blue Kudos star in the post that resolved your problem. Doing so will help other forum members find their solutions too.

Time Capsule Set Up - SSID Broadcast and MAC Address filtering

How does one set up TC for MAC address filtering, and also to disable SSID broadcast? Apple store salesman assured me I could do both, but had no idea how. I can't find anything in the set up. I am used to looking at Linksys routers, so maybe it is buried somewhere.

Selecting only "Timed Access" doesn't really fully activate MAC Address filtering. Even you have that enabled any wireless client can join the network (provided they know the password, if you have any and the SSID, if disabled). You also need to do this:
In the AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Access screen, the MAC address of the TC (defined as "default") is always listed. Select that and press "Edit" and on the next page, under ".... set the default network time limits" select No Access from the drop down list and then that will prevent computers that aren’t on the access control list from accessing the AirPort network. Is this what you wanted?
This is applicable to the new TC (I didn't have a old one, so can't comment) and it's undocumented. It took me hours to figure out. Hope this helps!!!

IPod Touch - WiFi - SSID Broadcast Works/SSID No Broadcast Doesn't Work

This is maddening in so many different ways:
I have two (2) 2nd Generation iPod Touch 8Gb products. Both are nearly identical in every way -- how they connect, OS, Library, similar Apps (but not the same all the time), etc.
iPod Touch "A" works flawlessly. No issues, no problems, no complaints
iPod Touch "B" started behaving badly by first loosing my WPA security but recognizing my home network. Strong password creation was a hassle but I got cleaver. Over time, it got worse to the point that it would not even recognize the existence of my 802.11g home network.
CAVEATS 1) We live in a rural area and on my property, not another network can be found. 2) Plenty of 2.4 Ghz stuff around including other wireless computers but... 3) This is my profession and I am flummoxed but have ideas....
FINDINGS: 1) iPod "B" works fine in the public space. All wireless networks work just fine and dandy. 2) I turn on my home network SSID BROADCAST and this iPod works fine (after being set up again). 3) Turn off SSID Broadcast and once this iPod sleeps or is turned off/on, no more network but go to any place that has a public broadcast SSID and no security and it's fine again... 4) No matter what I have and what I do, iPOD "A" works flawlessly.
WHAT I HAVE DONE: 1) made sure that I have plenty of DHCP scope -- yup. 2) Checked my leases - when connected I see perfectly valid MACs and leases without incident. 3) Check for overlapping or conflicts in IP Address allocation and MAC addresses (you never know...) - no problems there. 4) Quadruple checked "A" vs. "B" settings -- identical. 5) Dumped the entire flash and OS and started with a clean slate -- same issues with no apps, music, photos, movies -- nada... just a raw iPod like it came out of the box... same problem 6) Asked Apple to replace it as it's under warranty -- done. 7) Started testing again as a clean slate and found that it worked... replacing the iPod did the trick...
So, I "RESTORE" the iPOD to garner all the hard work that was put into it -- contacts, settings, etc. I "SYNCH" the iPOD to recover my angel's precious photos, apps, movies, music.... I return it back to it's originally desired state EXCEPT that one must completely reconfigure things like networking by hand -- OK.
It's back to normal, as desired, in the configuration we want and it WORKS!!!! Albeit... only for a day... and now we are back to where we started -- again...
iPod "A" works flawlessly and the new "B" is back to it's same old tricks --
OK - What does a restore do anyway? Is there some small pile of firmware that writes over the fresh load from OS? In order to preserve my contacts and other things a restore supports, did I uncover the super secret bug that Apple will refuse to acknowledge? Can I still say that I hate iTunes without being flamed a thousand deaths? Is there a diagnostic easter egg I can try?
And before I started this soliloquy -- I watched my functioning iPod "B" go to sleep with a working home network... only to wake her from her slumber... tuned out - with Not Connected living in her Wi-Fi field.... <sigh - simply maddening>
The only thing that sets these two apart are the nuances associated with configs that are part of the user's own personal interface desires and resident app input (contacts, calendar, etc...).
AGE

First off -- thank you all for replying and providing your insight, stories, and findings with your own iPod Touch, MAC, and iPhone WiFi fun...
You are all wonderful contributors.
Just to be clear, as others have mentioned -- this is not a feature and we should not have to tolerate it. This iPod, like the other one and yours too, once worked flawlessly and then continued to degrade to a point of not functioning according the 802.11g ieee standard. Something that has been in development for over 10 years and has been an adopted standard in consumer electronics for more than 7 years -- an eternity in this industry.
To be clear, I performed TWO ultimate resets -- completely wiping the firmware and OS of the original hardware and tested a completely wiped iPod Touch to no avail and the second "reset" was a brand new replacement -- right out of the box -- under warranty. No network resets necessary. The new iPod worked as expected without any original data loaded. Once a backup was "restored," and the iPod was synch'd with the library of choice, then the troubles started again. The networking does not restore -- you have to build a secure network from scratch. And again, the "A" iPod exhibits none of this odd behavior.
It is a testament that Apple has a problem in code when other iPods running similar OS behave the same. The reason that I mention the geeky standard above is because we should not have to broadcast our SSID for this to work -- it's an open standard, not something proprietary. We should not have to conform to "work around" solutions. And, yes, NOT broadcasting SSID is part of the entire package of sound security. I have to strongly disagree with all the nay-sayers. You don't go walking around the streets with money hanging out of your pockets or your wallet sticking out of your shirt pocket for a reason -- but I bet that you have cash on you and I can find it pretty quickly. It's why purse snatching is a crime of violence and rampant in larger cities and pick-pockets use finesse. One is easy pickings for anyone to try and the other requires tools and skills. If you don't flaunt it, the low level threat is removed.
As for strong security, the option for WEP is not an option. I use multiple levels of acceptable stronger encryption, logging, limited DHCP scopes, MAC controls at times, stateful firewall controls, and other radio tricks of the trade. My only failings is having to pander to the lowest common denominator within my home network.
Anyway, I spent a bit more time surfing and find this problem ubiquitous in 2.2.1 and forward. Something is amiss at Apple. All my Window based products work just fine (as does my Wii).
Keep those cards and letters coming folks.
AGE

How to enable SSID broadcast? (E4200 Cloud f/w)

I got E4200 v.2 with the latest cloud firmware. On the previous (non-cloud) firmware there was an option to enable or disable SSID broadcast, and I disable it. Now I want to enable it back, but can not find this option in Cisco Connect Cloud.
So there is a question: how to enable SSID broadcast on the E4200 v.2 with Cisco Connect Cloud firmware?
wbr, bg

In your case, you need to reset the router to factory defaults, at which point the SSID will be set to broadcast and it cannot be disabled. To know more about why there is no option to disable the SSID broadcast anymore on the Cloud firmware, click here.

Survey fail even with SSID broadcast

I fail the initial survey every time I try with the WRE54G. No wireless networks show up - and I get over 20 when I try with other devices. I usually have SSID broadcast disabled, but have enabled it on the WRT54G router when setting up the RE. Any advice?Thanks in advance!

Hi,
Just make sure that the range expander is properly configured and well synchronized with the router , and make sure that the ssid broadcast on the range expander is also enabled.

SSID broadcasts a secure network but no security configured

Hi,
I have a wireless network using Cisco 1231G AP's in autonomous mode. Each AP is configured with a guest VLAN and this points to a BBSM server.
The issue I'm having is the SSID for guest access is configured as open with no security parameters set. However, my client (CB21AG) sees the network being broadcast sometimes as open and other times as secure.
AP configuration:
ssid bbsm
vlan 295
authentication open
guest-mode
IOS Version: 12.2(13)JA4
Output captured from AP scan logs:
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F5:30,-50,Secure,G,1
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F3:B0,-71,Open,G,11
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:A7:B0,-78,Secure,G,2
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:7B:90,-91,Open,G,10
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:58:60,-91,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:66:F0,-92,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,BTOpenzone,00:02:8A:A3:04:A4,-71,Open,B,6
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,hpsetup,02:13:02:00:02:15,-88,Open,G,11
2008-10-01 12:43:36 ,Voyager test,00:16:E3:32:58:A9,-43,Open,G,5
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F5:30,-52,Secure,G,1
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F3:B0,-69,Secure,G,11
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:A7:B0,-77,Secure,G,2
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:7B:90,-89,Secure,G,10
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:58:60,-91,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:66:F0,-92,Secure,G,13
2008-10-01 12:43:56 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:9B:00,-93,Secure,G,5
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F5:30,-52,Open,G,1
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:A7:F3:B0,-67,Open,G,11
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:B6:58:60,-91,Open,G,13
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:A7:B0,-75,Open,G,2
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,bbsm,00:12:DA:AE:7B:90,-94,Open,G,10
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,BTOpenzone,00:02:8A:A3:04:A4,-69,Open,B,6
2008-10-01 13:20:36 ,Voyager test,00:16:E3:32:58:A9,-40,Open,G,5
Any ideas or help on why I sometimes see the ssid broadcast as secure?
Thanks
Simon

It is one of mine. Yes. It connects to it no problem, just doesn't connect to the actual internet. Network diagnostics has all green lights until the ISP and/or Internet point. If I walk through diagnostics, it will get to the point where it says that the network requires a WEP password. I don't know why it does that because my network is not password-protected (husband claims it doesn't work well with his VPN system to get into work network). If I leave it blank, the connection will work. Eventually, after the computer is put to sleep, I will have the same problem upon waking up. I just tried renaming the network and removing all preferred networks and rebooting. Let's see how that works.

Adapter can't detect router if the SSID Broadcast is disabled, why? =(

Why can't my Linksys WUSB300N Adapter detect my Linksys WRT54GX SRX Router unless I broadcast the SSID?
I want my Router to be hidden, but everytime I try to disable the SSID Broadcast of my Router, my Linksys Adapter fails to locate it and I end up losing my connection to the router altogether. I am running Windows Vista and I have the 1.0.0.1 driver for Vista. What could I be doing wrong? Please help.

This is a common problem. Are there several other networks in your neighborhood? Are other users also not broadcasting their SSID?
I used to recommend that SSID broadcast be set to "disabled" for security reasons. But newer cracking methods have made this old trick worthless. It adds little or no security to your system. I now recommend that SSID broadcast be set to "enabled". This will help your computer find, and lock on to your router's signal. And this should give at least some slight boost in network performance.
For wireless security, you should be using WPA2, or at least WPA encryption, and a strong password. By strong password I mean at least 24 random characters including capital letters, small letters, and digits (but no spaces.). If you are using this type of security, you do not need to worry about broadcasting your SSID.

WRT54G-V3 Disabling SSID Broadcast/Laptop connectivity

I set up this wrt54g v3 yesterday
everything went well
but when I attempted to disable the ssid broadcast for the network, I completely loose all connectivity on the wireless laptop
here is what I have
wpa-psk/tkip
wireless mac filtering
and my challenge is this "disable broacast" thing because once I do I loose all connectivity on the laptop.
As of 9:00am EST I have the broadcasting on but the network is secured but I really would like to know what element I'm missing here.
Also when I did this able the broadcast the laptop wireless card was flickering but I never quite stayed on for me to use it.
My goal (if I had one) would be do disable the broadcast and still have my laptop have connectivity to the AP.
Thanks in advance and God bless.

Hmmmm... probably a laptop glitch.... can't connect to the network coz it can't see it.
Try upgrading the routers firmware while your at it. It's the most you could do coz everything actually checks out fine.
Message Edited by sharkbyte on 03-06-200701:41 PM

WCS used to configure SSID broadcast for WLAN issue

Hi,
When I try to disable the broadcast parameter for an SSID on a WLC using WCS (4.0.96.0), I am running in to some issues.
I uncheck the 'Broadcast SSID' check box for a particular SSID and then submit the change. But, after I submit, the check box is still checked. If I verify the setting on the native WLC web interface, the Broadcast SSID parameter is still enabled.
I can change other parameters OK, so I don't have an SNMP issue.
If you perform this operation from the WLC web interface or the command line, you have to disable the WLAN first, before the SSID broadcast can be switched off.
I suspect that WCS doesn't have the intelligence to disable and re-enable the WLAN to perform this operation. But, it very frustrating that it doesn't even generate a warning or failure message to say that the operation has failed.
Anyone seen this or can perhaps tell me if I am mis-operating WCS in some way ?
Thanks.

The WLANs tab allows you to create, configure, and delete WLANs on your controller.
You can access the following pages from the WLANs menu bar selection:
WLANs
WLANs > New
WLANs > Edit
WLANs > Mobility Anchors
AP Groups VLAN

Disabling SSID Broadcast on RE1000

I just set up a brand new LinksysE4200 router at one end of my home, and a Linksys RE1000 range expander at the other end in order to provide full WiFi coverage to my entire house. Everything is working great except for one important detail... There is currently no way to disable SSID broadcast on the RE1000 range expander!! I just flashed it with the latest firmware (v1.0.01 build 2, Jul 22, 2011) , but I'm still unable to disable it, even though it is disabled on the E4200 from which it's receiving the signal it's rebroadcasting. Am I the only one who thinks this is a HUGE PROBLEM??? I am seriously considering returning the RE1000.
Linksys... PLEASE add the ability to disable SSID broadcast on the RE1000 in a (not too distant) future firmware upgrade! As far as I'm concerend, this is a MUST HAVE feature in order for this product to even be considered for use in any sensitive network environment. Thanks!

ellenclary wrote:
It's called Defense in Depth and you need to back up your claim. Yes tools can find non-broadcast SSIDs, but hiding a WPA2 protected SSID is still useful.Dumbest thing to do is hide your SSID. Here's why.http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/28653/debunking-myths-is-hiding-your-wireless-ssid-really-more-secure/ http://www.zdnet.com/blog/ou/the-six-dumbest-ways-to-secure-a-wireless-lan/43 Hiding your SSID will make newer devices not connect.

Disabled SSID Broadcast, but it's still broadcasting

OK, here's a wierd one. I was able to finally disable my SSID broadcast the other day. But I noticed that it is still broadcasting. I rechecked the configurations twice. Any idea why it's still broadcasting even though I set it up to NOT broadcast?

Did you change your SSID?
Or using default SSID (linksys)?
Try...
- Reset Router
- Change SSID > save
- Check wireless connection
- Disable SSID broadcasting > save
- Run 'Site survey' (or 'View available wireless networks' on Win XP)
Is your NEW SSID still detected?

SSID Broadcast Setting

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