Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an SSID?

A: SSID (Service Set Identifier), is a 32-character unique identifier attached to the header of packets sent over a WLAN that acts as a password when a wireless device tries to connect to the BSS (Basic Service Set).

The SSID differentiates one WLAN from another, so all access points and all devices attempting to connect to a specific WLAN must use the same SSID. A device will not be permitted to join the BSS unless it can provide the correct SSID.

Because an SSID can be sniffed in plain text from a packet it does not supply any security to the network. However if your Access Point has the ability to disable the SSID Broadcast, do so.