How to Make My Wireless Network Invisible

Changing the SSID function can help to make a network invisible

In their default configurations, wireless routers and access points are terribly insecure. This is partly by design, because these insecure configurations help to ease the process of initially setting up a wireless network. However, if the default settings remain, intruders can discover and enter wireless networks with little trouble. One of the most basic, yet effective, methods for securing a wireless network entails changing a setting that makes it virtually invisible.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Wireless router or access point

1. Enter the administration interface for your router or access point. Use your Web browser to connect to this interface by navigating to the address required by your device (for example, http://192.168.1.1).

2. Browse to the wireless setting page in the administration interface. This page typically includes options for changing the wireless network mode, wireless network name, wireless channel, and the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) broadcast.

3. Disable the SSID broadcast and save your settings. The router or access point should reboot to enable the new settings.

4. Enable the SSID only when performing networking maintenance or connecting other computers to the network. However, even without the SSID broadcast, you can connect to your network by simply manually entering the network name, so try to keep the SSID broadcast disabled at all times.

5. Continue to use encryption such as WPA (or WEP, if WPA is not available on your device). Disabling SSID can help thwart casual outsiders, but more experienced intruders can still use sniffing techniques to find and access your network. Encryption can help prevent such intrusions.

Resources

• TechFaq: SSID security issues