Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (
More info?)
"Richard Mesagna" <rmesagna@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7y0Bd.1193815$Gx4.1034817@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Peter,
>
> I've disabled broadcast ssid on my network for security reasons, it's one
> of the many recommendations to secure a wireless network. This is one of
> the many steps recommended by experts including the manufacturers of the
> networking hardware themselves.
A couple of years ago, there were lots of articles on the web about
disabling SSID for security. I don't think you'll find many recent articles
pushing this point of view. Technically, it violates the standard, but not
in a way that matters greatly. It's a feature that is tolerated in wifi
certification, but definitely not required or recommended.
>
> I've heard a number of people like yourself say that I am wrong in
> thinking that this will make my network anymore secure. How can you say
> that when broadcasting your ssid allows any novice to see your wireless
> network when in range, inviting an intrusion?
At best, it prevents people from accidentally connecting to your net, since
they have to know your SSID in advance. There are several freeware packages
that allow even novices with inexpensive off-the-shelf wifi cards to monitor
and record every frame transmitted on a wifi network. The SSID is
transmitted unencrypted every time a client associates, so the SSID is still
there for all to see.
WEP or WPA are the only things that will hinder intruders from connecting to
your net. And if you do not broadcast SSID - as someone else here pointed
out - your neighbors are more likely to center their networks on the same
channel, causing unnecessary interference. If they could see your network,
they could avoid your channel.
>
> This is like saying it makes no difference whether you lock your car or
> not. Certainly leaving the doors and windows open all the time will
> clearly increases the probability of trouble.
Actually, I used to own a convertible. The top was cut open - on two
different occasions - to gain access to the glove compartment. I finally
wised up and started leaving the doors open when I parked it in public. I
found the glove compartment open a few times, but I never kept anything
valuable there.
I guess the moral is that the lock need only be as good as the door, and an
unencrypted network is a wide-open door (even if you hide it at the end of
an alley and hope that no-one notices it).
>
> Rich
>
> "Peter Boosten" <niemand@nergens.loc> wrote in message
> news:slrnct89nk.6go.niemand@ramses.egypt.nl...
>> on Thu, 30 Dec 2004 at 15:21 GMT, D wrote:
>>> If I don't, how do I tell my computers how/where to find the internet
>>> connection?
>>> Thanks guys!
>>> D
>>
>> People telling you should hide your SSID because of 'security' reasons
>> are wrong: it's no more secure than broadcasting your SSID.
>>
>> If you do broadcast your SSID however, neighbours will have less problems
>> troubleshooting their wireless LAN.
>>
>> Regards, Peter
>> --
>> The bigger the theory the better.
>>
>> MSN/Mail: pboosten at hotmail dot com
>
>
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