How do I hide my SSID from everyone else but myself?

[The Backlash Cometh]

I obviously need to see it for my wireless connection for my laptop, but how do I hide it from other routers which automatically search for signals?

[canetoad]

1. You don't!

SSID is only an identifier, a network name. All you need to do is use WPA2 encryption to stop anyone else connecting.

[JBoy]

2. Good naming of your network will also help keep it secure

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Brilliant!

[struggle4progress]

4. +

:rofl:

[struggle4progress]

5. There's often an option for "hidden network" BUT almost everybody says not to use it.

You might think, at first, that "hiding" your network would be a good idea: but in fact, it won't REALLY be hidden. I tried the "hidden network" option with my wireless router -- but one of my linux machines detected the network instantly anyway -- including the supposedly "hidden" SSID

I googled it a bit and found that's a very common experience: "hidden network" doesn't actually mean much. In fact, a number of folk thought "hiding" the SSID was WORSE than NOT "hiding" -- on the grounds that the supposedly "hidden network" actually rebroadcast its SSID more frequently than a non-"hidden" one: by "hiding" your network, you might actually make it a bit EASIER for snoopers to find it

[whistler162]

6. The same way you hide your street address from anyone

driving down the street. You really can't and it isn't neccassary. Just put a strong password on the wireless router.

[ChromeFoundry]

7. Hidden SSID is counter productive for your clients...

Your router will not broadcast the SSID, and will only send acknowledgments asking if it is available. This is where Linux and other listeners (like inSSIDer) will see the SSID.

Your client must be configured to "Connect even if the network is not broadcasting its name (SSID)."

This means that if you take your laptop to the moon, your network stack will constantly be asking if your SSID is available. This causes unnecessary traffic, kills your battery, and doesn't make your network any more secure... unless nobody ever connects to it.

If your router supports 802.11n HT Greenfield mode... SSID broadcast is required.