To broadcast or not broadcast my SSID

Used to be that one recommended way to secure your wireless network was to not broadcast your SSID. Seems to be that in the discussion of what options to choose, this one is no longer brought up.
Now, these are the top options:
MAC address filtering
WEP vs WPA & WPA2
It seems to me that the arguments for not broadcasting are still the same and the option still exists. Has this option just lost favor or is there more to it?

pbz06 wrote:
there's no reason why you can't stack methods especially if you're a subscriber of the philosophy behind "security through obscurity".
Why wouldn't you want to use WPA2 AES with MAC filtering and disable SSID broadcast? Inconvenience?
Even if encryption is the strongest method, would ya not reduce the likeliness of someone even trying to attack your wireless network or "borrow", eavesdrop or interfere with your bandwidth?
Personal preferences....
According to an article from Microsoft, if you are using WZC for wireless connection it is not advisable to disable the SSID broadcast.
"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

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Getting my F4580 to connect to my network thats not broadcasting it's SSID

I'm an Apple Mac user, I'm trying to connect my Deskjet F4580 to connect to my network wirelessly.
I am using a Belkin Pre N1 Wireless Router, which is set not to broadcast it's SSID.
I've tried entering the SSID manually on the setup for the F4580, but it can't see it. I do want to start broadcasting the SSID due to security issues.
How do I get the two speaking to one another.
Thanks in advance
Arbroathsmokie
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Broadcast your SSID. Not broadcasting it is not a security measure. At all. There is freeware on the internet that can read your SSID whether you are broadcasting or not. Read more here.
Use WPA or WPA2 (not WEP which can also be broken with freeware) encryption with a strong password and enjoy more security and less hassle than you have now.
Say thanks by clicking "Kudos" "thumbs up" in the post that helped you.
I am employed by HP

All SSIDs are not broadcasting...

I have a serious issue with my Cisco 4404 WLC. In from WLC, only some SSIDs are broadcasting the others are not broadcasting.... If I make a new WLAN and select it as broadcasting, but its not broadcasting correctly. I cannot see this in my device. What can be reason? Is there any restriction to the number of broadcasting SSIDs.

That's too many SSID's.... 3-4 is max I would go. What I would do is make sure your not using AP Groups and if you are, then make sure all the WLANS are in the ap group. WLAN ID 1-16 will be the only SSID's that are broadcasted on the AP, and WLAN 17 and up will not be and you will need to use ap groups for that. If this is all fine, then delete the ssid that is the issue and recreate it. You might have too many beacons in the air causing the clients not to see certain ones.
Thanks,
Scott
Help out other by using the rating system and marking answered questions as "Answered"

Does Samsung Galaxy III phones recognized WiFi that does not broadcast SSID?

I recently purchased Samsung Galaxy III phone. At home, I turned on WiFi SSID broadcast on the router to set up phone to connect to router. I then turned off SSID broadcast on router, and phone no longer connects to WiFi. I understand security is better when SSID is not broadcasting, but this phone will not connect now. Apple products connects just fine. Why will the phone not connect to a router that does not broadcast SSID event when the information is programmed into the phone?

what revision Actiontec do you have, can you check the service Tag? it will say REV A, B, C, D etc.....
Also you can verify you are doing the right one by logging in at www.verizon.com/repair and clicking "
Retrieve your Wi-Fi Security Key"

SSID not Broadcasting after reload

Hi all,
I have Build a 5508-HA Cluster (7.4.100.0) , hat to reboot this cluster due to Licens install.
After the reboot atleast one of the SSIDs was not broadcasting anymore, even the checkbox was checked.
What did I do:
Installed the Licenses @ Freiday 12:00
@17:15 reload active WLC, wait till controller is up again (a few minutes pingable)
@17:25 force failover to first controller.
check a few SSIDs but not all, those who where check are ok.
@monday 07:00 clients complaining not seeing the SSID (some where connected)
hat somebody the same problem?
is this a known problem?
How to avoid this problem?
Thanks
Willem

I'm not sure it was only one SSID that hat problems.
The first messages was that one (1) SSID was not broadcasting and atleast one was broadcasting (no statement about the others).
The customer tells me now that e few other SSID where also not broacasting.
Can I check on PI 1.2.1 if a SSID was Broadcasting?

AP not broadcasting SSIDs

Hi All,
This looks like an easy task but I cant get it to work.
We moved an AP from one room to another one and now it is not broadcasting the SSIDs. The AP is an 1131 AG.
The front unit led is solid red(before it was blue), the ethernet led is green blinking, and the radio led is off.
I can see the AP on the WLC and it has a static IP and everything.
The switch sees it as CDP neighbor and the switchport is configured as trunk.
Dont know what else to check.
Thanks
Raga

A 2960.
If you plugged the AP directly to the switch and it works, then chances are your horizontal cabling could be "funny".
The 2960 has a built-in TDR that will help you determine this.
Command combo:
1. test cable tdr interface ;
2. wait for about 5 to 7 seconds for the test to run;
3. sh cable tdr int
I recommend you plug the AP to it's original position and from the patch panel, plug the AP to Gig0/1 or Gig0/2. When you do this, make sure you enter the command "media rj" first before running the test. When you have concluded yoru test, run the command "media auto".

Set the Airport Extreme to not broadcast the SSID

Set the Airport Extreme to not broadcast the SSID

"Hiding" the SSID will do nothing to protect you from hackers.....and anyone else who wants to see your network, since there a numerous free utilities on the Internet that will reveal your network in seconds.
On the other hand, it might keep a few honest neighbors from seeing the name of your wireless network.
iOS devices often have trouble connecting to a "hidden" network, so you may need to display the network if your iPhone, iPad, etc have trouble connecting to the network.
Your call on this.
Assuming that you have Lion, Mountain Lion or Mavericks on your MacBook Pro.....
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the AirPort Extreme icon, then click Edit in the smaller window
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window
Click Wireless Options at the bottom of the window
Enter a check mark in the box next to Create Hidden Network
Click Save, then click Update and allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart

WRT610N SSID for 5mhz not broadcasting.

I have a WRT610n v1.0 router with firmware version 1.00.03 B15 and for some reason when I set the router to N and to auto channel width it does not broadcast the SSID. On my windows xp machine it only shows the b/g SSID for the 2.4 mhz. Even when I shut off the 2.4mhz and only turn on the 5mhz it still does not broadcast the SSID for it.
Wondering if there is something I need to do to overcome this or?
THanks!
Firmware Version: 1.00.03 B15
FirmFirmware Version: 1.00.03 B15
warFirmware Version: 1.00.03 B15
e Version: 1.00.03 B15

mcraul wrote:
its an RAlink wirelress usb 802.11 b/g/n
If that's the exact model then that is the reason why it does not work: the adapter is not 802.11a compatible, i.e. it does not support 5 GHz. Only an adapter which supports 802.11a is able to use the 5 GHz band.
Of course your adapter will pick up the 2.4 GHz band regardless of it's mode.
Thus again: try to set the 5 GHz band to Wireless-A only and check if you can see the SSID now. With an 802.11b/g/n adapter you won't pick it up. Your adapter simply does not support the 5 GHz band...

MiFi 4510L not broadcasting an SSID

So I purchased a 4510 to replace my 2200. I got it all activated last night and it worked flawlessly on my Mac, ipad, iphone, etc. I bring it in to work today. Turn it on and can't find the SSID with either my two laptops(one windows, one mac), my iphone, or my ipad.
I decided to turn it off , turn it back on. Again no SSID. I DID NOT change it to NOT broadcast. I tried manually entering the SSID and password into my mac. Could not find that network.
I then decided to reset the sim card. No change.
I also did 3 hard resets and still SSID or network for me to access? What am I missing here? Am I making a mistake or is something up with the unit?
The antenna has full bars. The light is bright green. The battery is fully charged.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

I'm having the exact issue you describe, with multiple 4510Ls. I use one personally, and have also been setting up two other 4510s for my customers over the past couple of days. In my office, I see several other WiFi networks, but the MiFi 4510s do not show up. Actually, if I reset the 4510 several times, it MIGHT show up as a WiFi network for a brief period of time.
I took two of the 4510s downstairs, to a less WiFi congested part of the building, and started one up. I immediately saw the Verizon SSID show up on my iPad, iPhone, and Blackberry. I ensured that all three devices could join the network and surf the 'net. Then, I shut down that MiFi and started up the other one. Same result: in this location, where there aren't too many WiFi networks showing up, the MiFis work fine.
However, I took them back upstairs, and once again ran into the issue where none of my devices would see the Verizon SSIDs. My client devices are all within 5-10 feet of the MiFi, as they were when I was downstairs and this all worked.
I'm assuming that one of these may be true:
1) The MiFi's signal is so very weak, that it can't compete with the stronger networks in use in and around my office. (Less Likely)
2) When the MiFi boots up, it searches for an empty WiFi channel to broadcast. When it can't find one that it likes, it simply does not broadcast an SSID, rendering the MiFi completely inaccessible. (More likely)
Whatever is going on, I sure hope that Verizon can fix it. Soon. This is a huge problem for what is otherwise a good device. I've gotten 4 customers to upgrade from their MiFi 2200, and am really afraid that recommendation is going to come back to bite me.
I should also mention that I've seen these exact symptoms with the Verizon Samsung 4G Hotspot LC-11 (I might be slightly off on that model number.)

Wrt160nv2 not broadcasting ssid

hello, i have a wrt160n v2 and it is not broadcasting the ssid all of a sudden. even if i try to enter the ssid & password manually it cannot find & connect. It works when hardwired. I have not changed the settings and everything seemd to be correct. Is the router antenna dead?

Connect the computer to the router with the Ethernet cable.
Open the setup page of the router. Click on wireless tab. Set the configuration view to Manual.
Change the wireless channel to 11 and make sure that SSID broadcast is enabled.
Try to connect to the wireless network and see if you can find the SSID.
Is the Wireless LED lit up on your router?
Can you see other wireless network SSID on your computer?
What is the operating system on your computer?
If it is a laptop then make sure that wireless switch is turned ON on your laptop.

IPhone 4G will not connect to router when SSID is not broadcasting

I was able to setup my WiFi connection for the iPhone using WPA2 Security and MAC address filtering. But when I disable SSID Broadcasting on my router, the iPhone does not see the network. If I broadcast the SSID on the router then the iPhone will connect automatically.
I have an iPad that automatically connects to the network when the SSID is not being broadcasted on the router. Why can't the iPhone connect to a saved network that is not being broadcasted? Every other device including the iPad can connect to the router when the SSID Broadcast is disabled.

Oridnarily, any equipment should not see the network when SSID disabled, since the router is not broadcasting its SSID. So you have you to connect to it manually if and only if you know the SSID (part of little added security) and the password.
However, when you connect that SSID becomes visible (if someone is sniffing) since the client (your phone) has broadcasted the SSID. Only a dedicated network sniffer can see the network without SSID (it will look like NULL string) but obviosuly cannot connect without SSID and password.
I have similar setup with LINKSYS WRT160N and there is no need to reboot the router. I noticed that when the Iphone goes to sleep it forgets the network and I have to enter everything all over again. However, this is not the case on my other WM phone. My Nintendo WII will remember it as long as it is not switched off, then I will have to enter the credentials all over again.
The fact that it connected with previous router, suggest to me that the router was still broadcasting where it should not. Thats is the whole idea of disbaling SSID, not to let other others see your network (except sniffers). If they do, it will be with no name.
Message was edited by: jamalaya
Message was edited by: jamalaya

Broadcast to non-broadcast SSID change stops laptop connection

We have started to deploy a CAWLAP migrating autonomous to lightweight. In the configuration, the SSID was broadcast. Windows PC and mobile devices had no problem connecting.
Now when we changed it to non-broadcast, windows PC can not access while the mobile devices still can!
The controller (5508) is running 7.2.110.
Any ideas? Is this bug?

Not a bug... You probably added the SSID to the client when it was broadcasted, so the wireless client is looking for a broadcasted SSID. In windows, you can click connect even if not broadcasted. Or else remove and add the SSID on the clients again. It a client side issue not the wlc.
Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

SSID broadcast vs.non-broadcast

SSID to Broadcast or not to Broadcast.
I know how each option works but which option should be used in a corporate environment. I'm sure there are viable reasons to use both but i guess i'm looking for best/standards practices.
Thanks,
Tim

Hi Tim,
This decision primarily depends on the users that will be connecting to any given WLAN.
If you broadcast the SSID, users will not be required to configure a profile on their wireless supplicant to connect. This is commonly seen with guest networks for ease of use.
If you do not broadcast the SSID, a profile will be required on the devices to connect to the WLAN.
Not broadcasting the SSID does not really provide any real security -- a wireless sniffer can capture the SSID information. However it does hide your wireless network from a majority of wireless devices -- so they won't be attempting to connect automatically.
-Patrick Croak
Wireless TAC

WRT54GS Not broadcasting wireless

Not broadcasting SSID
I am able to get an IP address when wired in but I cannot see my SSID being broadcast. Windows firewall is OFF, I can see my neighbors SSID but I still cannot see mine. I have tried the SES setup, the manual setup etc and I cannot get the wireless to work. I am using comcast as my ISP, I am also using Norton. WindowsXP as well. I have also updated the firmware. I can be this dumb...well maybe so.
Any help would be appreciated.
Wireless-g with speedbooster(WRT54GS)
Message Edited by galasso22 on 12-06-200604:29 PM
Message Edited by galasso22 on 12-06-200604:29 PM

hi....the function of the beacon interval is to synchronize the wireless network periodically.....by default it is 100ms....u have in turn increased it to a 1000ms.....normally we reduce th 75ms or 50ms....since it is working for u right now , do not make any changes.....if at all it stops....then change the beacon to 75 or 50....
the IP address can remain the same at 192.168.2.1 .....it will not make any difference....the lease time has to be defined in minutes...by default it is 24 Hrs , but if u want to specify a lease time , u will have to calculate the minutes and enter that value.

WRT54G2 not broadcasting

Hi, I've made a post before last year about my router not broadcasting eventhough that the settings are set to Wireless Broadcasting being ENABLED. I searched for the post and the problem hasn't been resolved. I cannot figure out why I can't get this to work. The devices that I am trying to connect are the Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and iPhone. Neither devices are able to "see" my router. I've tried everything, I'm starting to think that my router is defective eventhough it's new. Please help.

Hi, yes, Wireless SSID Broadcast is set to Enabled and there is a name in the SSID field. Network mode is set to Mixed and Configuration is set to Manual. The channel is set to 11. I toggled between many channels and still nothing. I have properly saved the settings.
The security mode is set to WEP and a key has been generated. I even used Manual access point search on the DS and input the exact SSID and WEP key in the respective fields and it still cannot find my router.
I don't think I have a v1 model. On the Setup web page it just says WRT54G2. Firmware version is 1.0.04.
I just cannot figure out what the problem is. I even tried calling the customer line and they said that it's out of warrenty and they cannot help me unless I pay them.

To broadcast or not broadcast my SSID

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