What Is SSID on Computers?
Wi-Fi networks use a naming scheme to differentiate between Wi-Fi networks that have overlapping coverage areas. The term for this wireless network name is SSID which stands for Service Set Identifier. Wi-Fi equipped computers will automatically detect and report any SSIDs that are located so as to provide the user with the ability to connect to them, if desired.
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SSID Guidelines
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SSIDs are case sensitive and limited to a maximum of 32 alphanumeric characters, including spaces, even though keeping the SSID below 32 characters number is recommended. Using any form of private information as an SSID is not recommended.
Broadcast SSIDs
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SSIDs are sometimes used as advertising tools, as in the case of a famous upscale coffee store that uses their store's name as their SSID. The SSID can be used to advertise by incorporating the establishment's name and location in the SSID, as might be found in an airport terminal, where an SSID might read "Star Cafe Free Wi-Fi Gate B" as an example. Another variation would be to broadcast the business's name and telephone number as the SSID, which would be seen by the computer users as "Fast Food Takeout 555-555-5555."
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Private SSIDs
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The owner of the wireless network can elect to not broadcast the SSID as a way of keeping their network private. It should be pointed out that there are several programs including Aircrack and Airodump that can detect any SSID even if they are set to not broadcast. To discourage this from happening, employing social engineering is highly recommended. Jeff Liebermann, of learnbydestroying.com, uses "Virus Testing Lab" as an effective way to discourage people from connecting to his SSID.
Default SSIDs
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When setting up an access point, unless there is no possibility of an uninvited user connecting to it casually, it is imperative to change the factory default user name, password and SSID. There is a running joke in the industry that "Linksys is America's ISP -- providing connectivity everywhere you happen to be" due to the fact that many users do not change the SSID or password, leaving it as the default Linksys/Linksys.
Multiple SSIDs
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Some access points allow for the creation of more than one SSID so that a public SSID can be broadcast for open access while a private one can be secured from unauthorized access. This can be useful in a situation where a cafe wishes to share Internet access while also keeping a secured wireless network for their own internal use.
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