Service Set Identifier (SSID) Explained

 

Wi-fi is no longer a technology limited to offices. We have public wi-fi hotspots and wifi connections at home. This brings us to the abbreviation SSID - Service Set Identifier. SSID is the name associated with 802.11 WLAN and is the name for your wi-fi network.

SSID can be up to 32 characters long case-sensitive text string that consists of letters and numbers. When you connect to a wireless network, all the names that appear are the SSIDs for those networks. Every router manufacturer has a different default SSID for their unit, but these SSIDs can be changed. If we talk about home network, an administrator has the right to change it.

How your device uses SSIDs?

When you connect a phone or laptop to the network, it scans the local area for the networks and presents a list of the names. You can initiate the new connection by choosing a name from the network list.

Other than getting the network name, the wi-fi scan will also allow you to determine if every network has the wireless security options checked in. A secured network will have a lock symbol next to the SSID.

Although if a user rejoins the network, the wireless device identifies it along with the connection preferences. The device will ask the user if they want to reconnect automatically to the network in future. This set up can be done manually also without accessing the network.

The best router for controlling Internet access come with option to disable SSID, in order to provide a more secure network. In this scenario, the user will have to enter two passwords - SSID and network password. To connect to a network that has SSID broadcast disabled, the user will have to create a profile manually.

Some things to take care of:

• If you have bought a new router, using a default SSID could increase the chances of duplicacy, in case somebody else in the nearby area is also using the router of the same make. This means, your network might not be protected and you could possibly connect to the wrong network.

• When choosing SSID, try to have names with generic information. Displaying your name or having names such as Impossible to Hack could actually provoke people to hack your network.

At last, even if you have the best parental control device for wi-fi, make sure you change the SSID for improved security.