Error connecting to a wireless network with disabled SSID

[Pat]

Hi!
Can anyone tell me if there are problem to access a wireless network with
SSID disabled. The opsystem is Windows Vista. In my Windows XP system it
works fine. It doesnt seem to matter if I change the encryption method.
Anyone who knows if this is a bug related to Vista.
When I activate SSID broadcast, Windows Vista connects without a problem.
/Pat

 

[Bob F.]

Hi!
Can anyone tell me if there are problem to access a wireless network with
SSID disabled. The opsystem is Windows Vista. In my Windows XP system it
works fine. It doesnt seem to matter if I change the encryption method.
Anyone who knows if this is a bug related to Vista.
When I activate SSID broadcast, Windows Vista connects without a problem.
/Pat

Once you have configured your laptop to a particular WAP that is
broadcasting SSID you should be able to shut the SSID off and your laptop
should reconnect every time you turn your laptop back on. Should not be a
problem. If this is not happening, you might try to delete the access setup
for that WAP and reconfigure it. If you come across an option to
"re-establish lost connection" make sure it's checked. You might also try
another wireless config package. Sometimes there are two; the native Vista
version, and one that comes with the PC wireless NIC manufacturer. They
both should do the same thing but sometimes one has more features than the
other.

 

[Westeban]

Though I'm considering changing this, I too have my SSID broadcast disabled
with an XP w/Media Centre desktop and a Vista laptop. By no means am I as
proficient as many here, but I think this is your solution: Go to Network and
Sharing Center, then to the left choose "Manage Wireless Networks." Select
your network, then Right Click. Choose "Properites," and make sure that
"Connect even if the network is not broadcasting" is checked. Vista (at least
mine) will not auto-connect to a non-broadcasting network unless it is
specifically instructed do to so. All you need with XP is the SSID and
Passphrase, but Vista is a little more particular.
Keep in mind that this does make your computer vulnerable, as it apparently
can connect to another network under certain conditions, though I've never
experienced this. I always have the Network and Sharing center open anyway,
so verification is no big deal. You can mouse over your nework icon in the
tray to verify instead of having an additional window open. I would advise
having Password Protected sharing enabled as a safeguard. Good Luck!

 

[Barb Bowman]

You DO realize that not broadcasting the SSID is not really much of
a security feature for anyone that really wants to find it with
readily available tools?

Though I'm considering changing this, I too have my SSID broadcast disabled
with an XP w/Media Centre desktop and a Vista laptop. By no means am I as
proficient as many here, but I think this is your solution: Go to Network and
Sharing Center, then to the left choose "Manage Wireless Networks." Select
your network, then Right Click. Choose "Properites," and make sure that
"Connect even if the network is not broadcasting" is checked. Vista (at least
mine) will not auto-connect to a non-broadcasting network unless it is
specifically instructed do to so. All you need with XP is the SSID and
Passphrase, but Vista is a little more particular.
Keep in mind that this does make your computer vulnerable, as it apparently
can connect to another network under certain conditions, though I've never
experienced this. I always have the Network and Sharing center open anyway,
so verification is no big deal. You can mouse over your nework icon in the
tray to verify instead of having an additional window open. I would advise
having Password Protected sharing enabled as a safeguard. Good Luck!

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Westeban]

I absolutely realize that. I've done extensive reading on it in the last
week. I've also seen that it's almost an emotional issue for some the IEEE
diehards. I do it more as a privacy issue than a security issue (I have
WPA2-PSK with a VERY strong password). My community is outside of town, and
about half of the networks within range are not secured, and I just prefer to
not have mine be visible to the untrained naked eye. I now watch for
excessive traffic on my channel, and will change if the need ever arises.

My Dell Inspiron 1420 has a "Wireless Configuration Utility" that when I use
the "Site Monitor" function initially shows my network as (non-broadcasting),
but after it scans my channel a second time in it's cycle of scanning all
channels, shows my SSID. I'm going to delete my wireless profile to see if
that's the case when my computer doesn't auto-connect to my network.

I've seen and understand the rationale of "Not broadcasting your SSID from
the WAP, while every device emits frames that have it," but to the average
user, these things mean nothing. What I don't yet totally understand is that,
IF YOU HAVE PASSWORD PROTECTED FILE SHARING ENABLED AND VERIFY THAT YOU ARE
CONNECTED TO YOUR PRIVATE NETWORK, does non-broadcasting compromise the
security of your computers? From what I've read, it doesn't appear that it
does. I'm not concerned if someone actually sees the network, and then
encounters WPA2 and password protected file sharing.

As I stated, I'm considering changing my SSID broadcast option, but haven't
seen any compelling reason to do so, as long as other prudent security
measures are in place. Vista has connected without fail, whereas there are
occasional minor issues with XP, which is acceptable. It's a matter of
privacy (however limited it may be), not security. I would NEVER use NB SSID
as security, nor would I recommend it to anyone, ever. Thanks, Barb. My
favourite article on the subject was this one:

http://blogs.technet.com/steriley/archive/2007/10/16/myth-vs-reality-wireless-ssids.aspx