Technically speaking, its not that it isnt "broadcasted". It's not "advertised" in the packets. This is a good short summary:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_set_%28802.11_network%29#Security_of_Broadcasting_SSID -- ME2 On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 12:27 PM, Murray Freeman <mfree...@alanet.org>wrote: > So you are telling me that there are tools that can see something that > isn't being broadcast? I'm having trouble with that concept. If I tturn off > the power altogether, can these"tools" see my wifi? If the broadcast is shut > off, how is it broadcasting? Finally, if these tools can see my SSID, can > they also see the unencrypted password? I can tell you that Inssider tells > me a lot about the wifi's it picks up including it's mac address along with > the manufacturer of the wifi, and the channel in use. But my SSID displays > as unknown. Either wifi is completely unsecure or it isn't. Please explain! > > > *Murray * > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Micheal Espinola Jr [mailto:michealespin...@gmail.com] > *Sent:* Friday, May 21, 2010 1:23 PM > > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* Re: script SSID for wireless configs > > Its false security. Mainly because anyone capable of hacking your network > can see your SSID with their toolset (its still out there in the ether). > > Obscurity != Security > > And with that, let the soapboxing begin... > > -- > ME2 > > > On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 10:43 AM, Murray Freeman <mfree...@alanet.org>wrote: > >> I've been "lurking" on this topic, and I have a couple of questions. >> First, I have a wifi at home and I have the radio broadcast turned off. I'm >> using INSSIDER software to look around my neighborhood from time to time. My >> SSID shows up as "unknown". Obviously I have no problem connecting and if >> someone who has never connected previously comes over, I help them by >> telling them the SSID and password to connect. The next time they come over, >> they connect automatically. So, my questions. First, even if you know my >> SSID, you need to know my password or you're not going to connect. I figure >> that without the SSID, it is even more difficult for a stranger to connect. >> Oh, I'm using WPA2 security. I know I could use MAC filtering, but I'm >> comfortable that I'm secure enough. Can you guys explain to me how having >> the radio broadcast turned off makes the security lessened? >> >> >> *Murray * >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* Erik Goldoff [mailto:egold...@gmail.com] >> *Sent:* Friday, May 21, 2010 12:01 PM >> >> *To:* NT System Admin Issues >> *Subject:* RE: script SSID for wireless configs >> >> >> >> No real input as their decisions are already made, but like I said, they >> are depending solely on non-broadcast of the SSID as their ‘security’, they >> do have other proper measures in place. >> >> *Erik Goldoff*** >> >> *IT Consultant* >> >> *Systems, Networks, & Security * >> >> ' Security is an ongoing process, not a one time event ! ' >> >> *From:* Carl Houseman [mailto:c.house...@gmail.com] >> *Sent:* Friday, May 21, 2010 11:55 AM >> *To:* NT System Admin Issues >> *Subject:* RE: script SSID for wireless configs >> >> >> >> The post was offered as a general comment, not a response to your >> question. That happens around here a lot. As IT consultant, do you not >> have any capacity to advise the agency on security matters? Or keep them >> from shooting themselves in the foot? I guess not... >> >> >> >> Carl >> >> >> >> *From:* Erik Goldoff [mailto:egold...@gmail.com] >> *Sent:* Friday, May 21, 2010 11:50 AM >> *To:* NT System Admin Issues >> *Subject:* RE: script SSID for wireless configs >> >> >> >> Thank you but that was not the question. To the agency, this is one layer >> of security, in addition to WPA, etc. The question is whether the wireless >> config could be scripted. >> >> >> >> *Erik Goldoff*** >> >> *IT Consultant* >> >> *Systems, Networks, & Security * >> >> ' Security is an ongoing process, not a one time event ! ' >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > > > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
