Hidden wireless networks

diggory · 01-15-2008, 11:37 AM

Hey peeps

This isnt so much a problem, more asking peoples opinions.

My home network is currently running wirelessly, on a protected and hidden SSID.

I just wanted to know if people think having a SSID hidden really does add that much more protection to make it worth it or is encryption enough?

The reason i say 'worth it' is because i have a lot of problems running certain programs that require a constant internet connection, such as the game World of Warcraft. I get a lot of disconnect errors and i think its because of my hidden network because when i occasionally hyjack a neighbours network (i have permission before anyone moans :-P ) it runs pefectly fine and theirs is encrypted but not hidden.

Does anyone else have these problems with hidden networks?

**johnwill** · 01-15-2008, 05:02 PM

It adds no significant protection. The only real protection is WPA/WPA2 encryption with a strong key. All the other measures are anemic at best.

A good read: The Six Dumbest Ways to Secure A Wireless LAN

01-15-2008, 11:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
diggory Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 8 OS: XP Home SP2 (OEM)	Hidden wireless networks Hey peeps This isnt so much a problem, more asking peoples opinions. My home network is currently running wirelessly, on a protected and hidden SSID. I just wanted to know if people think having a SSID hidden really does add that much more protection to make it worth it or is encryption enough? The reason i say 'worth it' is because i have a lot of problems running certain programs that require a constant internet connection, such as the game World of Warcraft. I get a lot of disconnect errors and i think its because of my hidden network because when i occasionally hyjack a neighbours network (i have permission before anyone moans :-P ) it runs pefectly fine and theirs is encrypted but not hidden. Does anyone else have these problems with hidden networks?

01-15-2008, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,921 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Hidden wireless networks It adds no significant protection. The only real protection is WPA/WPA2 encryption with a strong key. All the other measures are anemic at best. A good read: The Six Dumbest Ways to Secure A Wireless LAN __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience