ESSID

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.security,microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

it matters not to security either way.
most system engineers seem to fall toward using it , particularly with XP as
it appears to cause drop-outs if disabled.
just secure your router by allowing only know (listed) MAC's only.

if someone is going to attempt to use your link then they will have the
knowhow to get around blind ssid's anyway.


mike

"D@annyBoy" <dxb@home.cyozm> wrote in message
news:eqUlciLsEHA.2788@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> using a wireless adsl router to connect to the internet at home
>
> should I enable or disable ESSID?
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.775 / Virus Database: 522 - Release Date: 08/10/2004

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.security,microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

The problem is, XP's in-built zero-admin client won't connect to the access
point if it has another one visible with SSID broadcasted:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=811427

Not sure about the SP2 behaviour - but SSID broadcast has nothing to do with
security. Disabling it only hides completely idle access points.

--
Svyatoslav Pidgorny, MVP, MCSE
-= F1 is the key =-

"Pavel A." <pavel_a@geeklife.com> wrote in message
news:9006D056-85F2-4930-8A11-F7FB46BAACBA@microsoft.com...
> If your computers have no problems with disabled ESSID - disable it.
> Some wireless adapters lose connection when ESSID broadcast is disabled.
It
> is because of a bug in the driver.
> --PA
>
> "D@annyBoy" wrote:
> > using a wireless adsl router to connect to the internet at home
> > should I enable or disable ESSID?
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.security,microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

In fact cloaked ESSID/SSID broadcasts can easily be circumvented with tools like Kismet. As noted
use WPA, with a very long random key, if your hardware supports it or at a minimum 128-bit WEP...

Here is a good article concerning the use of WPA written by Barb Bowman, MS-MVP...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] uly28.mspx

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights...

"S. Pidgorny <MVP>" <slavickp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eYpTlCSsEHA.2780@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> No security either way - yes.
> XP problem - yes: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=811427
> MAC filtering - no, please: the tools that pick up the SSID when wireless
> connection is active will provide complimentary list of the client MAC
> addresses.
>
> WEP is robust encryption for home users (talking about the "128"-bit one),
> WPA has no known or design weaknesses.
>
> Here's a good KB article for home users:
> How to Make Your 802.11b Wireless Home Network More Secure
> (http://support.microsoft.com/?id=309369)
>
>
> --
> Svyatoslav Pidgorny, MVP, MCSE
> -= F1 is the key =-
>
> "mike" <mike@nospam.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:MZ_ad.1441$y04.1392@newsfe5-win.ntli.net...
>> it matters not to security either way.
>> most system engineers seem to fall toward using it , particularly with XP
> as
>> it appears to cause drop-outs if disabled.
>> just secure your router by allowing only know (listed) MAC's only.
>>
>> if someone is going to attempt to use your link then they will have the
>> knowhow to get around blind ssid's anyway.
>>
>>
>> mike
>>
>> "D@annyBoy" <dxb@home.cyozm> wrote in message
>> news:eqUlciLsEHA.2788@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> > using a wireless adsl router to connect to the internet at home
>> >
>> > should I enable or disable ESSID?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> ---
>> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>> Version: 6.0.775 / Virus Database: 522 - Release Date: 08/10/2004
>>
>>
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.security,microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Hi
Switching Off SSID does not protect you from anything.
Some Wireless Hardware might not work or become"Quirky" if SSID broadcasting
is not On.
There are better security measures for Wireless.
Wireless - Basic Configuration: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html

Wireless - Basic: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).



"D@annyBoy" <dxb@home.cyozm> wrote in message
news:eqUlciLsEHA.2788@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> using a wireless adsl router to connect to the internet at home
>
> should I enable or disable ESSID?
>
>