Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada
| Is there a way to not see a vulnerable router ?
I see a wireless router that has no security, nothing. It bothers my family to use wireless now because of this.
Is there a way to not see this vulnerable broadcasting wireless router without disabling our wireless internet ?
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Happy Dell PC Owner. |
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cacroll
Eventually, Prozac becomes normal
Premium
join:2002-07-25
Martinez, CA
| Re: Is there a way to not see a vulnerable router
said by Gabriel 22  :I see a wireless router that has no security, nothing. It bothers my family to use wireless now because of this. Is there a way to not see this vulnerable broadcasting wireless router without disabling our wireless internet ?
As stated elsewhere in this forum, not seeing another router / WAP is easily done.
•Make sure that your WAP is set to broadcast the SSID.
•Change the SSID to be unique (but not something that can easily identify you).
•In your wireless client, set that SSID as preferred.
•In your wireless client, set to connect only to preferred access points.
--
Cheers,
Chuck
MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
PChuck's Network |
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Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada
| said by cacroll :said by Gabriel 22 :I see a wireless router that has no security, nothing. It bothers my family to use wireless now because of this. Is there a way to not see this vulnerable broadcasting wireless router without disabling our wireless internet ? As stated elsewhere in this forum, not seeing another router / WAP is easily done. •Make sure that your WAP is set to broadcast the SSID. •Change the SSID to be unique (but not something that can easily identify you). •In your wireless client, set that SSID as preferred. •In your wireless client, set to connect only to preferred access points. That's great. Thanks ! 
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Happy Dell PC Owner. |
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cacroll
Eventually, Prozac becomes normal
Premium
join:2002-07-25
Martinez, CA
| said by Gabriel 22 :said by cacroll :said by Gabriel 22 :I see a wireless router that has no security, nothing. It bothers my family to use wireless now because of this. Is there a way to not see this vulnerable broadcasting wireless router without disabling our wireless internet ? As stated elsewhere in this forum, not seeing another router / WAP is easily done. •Make sure that your WAP is set to broadcast the SSID. •Change the SSID to be unique (but not something that can easily identify you). •In your wireless client, set that SSID as preferred. •In your wireless client, set to connect only to preferred access points. That's great. Thanks !
My pleasure. Stop by any time! 
--
Cheers,
Chuck
MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
PChuck's Network |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA | reply to cacroll
Sorry but that will not STOP the unsecured wireless signals from showing up when you "View Wireless Networks". They will still be there and can be connected to very simply.
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Shooter Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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Gabriel 22
join:2005-11-04
Canada | I can't test it for a few days to see for myself.
Is there any way to hide my ssid so nobody see's it ?
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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 :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.
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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
1 edit | 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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Shooter Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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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.
--
"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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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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Shooter Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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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.
--
"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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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.
--
"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 |
|
SqueeksDad
I Miss Her
Premium
join:2002-09-14
Hyattsville, MD
clubs: 
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Gabriel 22
I like the analogy someone here uses, turning off SSID is like hanging a sign on your front door that says NO DOOR HERE.
The door is still visible to anyone that "MIGHT" be looking, and really only makes you feel like your hidden.
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Ways to Relieve Stress #10. Make up a language and ask people for directions. |
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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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Shooter Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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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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