What is SSID Stealth and Does it Make Your Device Secure?

What is SSID stealth and how does it work? Is it effective in the current age of wireless networks? We have explained all of that here.

Introduction:

The era of the internet is now slowly being taken over by wireless technologies, especially after the arrival of 5G cellular networks. As we move to be wireless in almost everything labeled as a smart device, these securities also become vulnerable to security hacks and intrusions into our data. This is where SSID stealth mode is attracting the attention of the masses. This article is written to explain this topic and related theory. 

What is SSID?

Short for Service set identifier is a network identification for a typical wireless network system available to be connected to other devices. This SSID or a name of a network is allocated through a wireless network router and is configured so that the intended user can find this network easily. Usually, you get a preset default SSID with a router from OEM and you can change it according to your desire at the time of configuring your own home or office network. 

Once set, the wireless router then broadcasts its network ID or SSID to nearby devices and creates a hotspot. Then, the SSID serves as an access point for neighboring gadgets, such as laptops and cell phones. If you search turn on WLAN through your software or laptop, you will get a list of all accessible Wi-Fi networks while trying to join their device. All of these names are SSIDs of each network. Although you may find the SSID easily to connect with a network you will need a password to enter as most of the wireless networks are protected by a WPA2 or WPA3 protocol.  

What is SSID Stealth?

But sometimes, wireless networks become prone to security hacks and vulnerabilities even with security features. This is where this stealth mode comes in handy. This feature allows you to hide the name of your wireless network from being broadcasted to nearby devices placed in the range of the wireless router. This means that your wireless network is working but is not visible to anyone in that area. Of course, you can share your wireless network with the devices if you wish to but the devices not connected with them won't see your SSID.

Does SSID Stealth Mode Solve Security Issues?

Although this stealth mode is a handy way to hide your wireless network, it still does all security issues related to your Wi-Fi. First, some older devices may have trouble connecting to a network with a hidden SSID meaning that you have to keep updated hardware to take advantage of this feature. 

Secondly, this stealth mode can make troubleshooting of the network a bit difficult. The same applies to configuring new devices. Moreover, some tech gurus suggest that hiding SSID makes the network more prone to vulnerabilities rather than making it more secure. Let alone, your guests and relatives who might visit you from time to time will find it more trouble to connect to your Wi-Fi network as they have to manually enter the network credentials.

Another problem here is that it doesn't add significant security to your wireless network. How? Well, your SSID is not disappeared but is just hidden. When you connect a device with your SSID using the given credentials, it will start broadcasting unsolicited probe requests to APs and routers whenever it connects to the hidden SSID. In simple words, this connected device will start leaking your SSID everywhere. 

Should You Use SSID Stealth?

If you happen to be living in a crowded environment and don't want to share your Wi-Fi networks then the apparent solution to this would be to hide the Wi-Fi network's SSID from the general public using this stealth mode. But keep in mind that the hackers and malware spillers are skilled people and they can still search your hidden Wi-Fi through a variety of software designed to do so. 

Wrapping Up:

SSID stealth mode adds security to your wireless network but only in a superficial way. It may be suitable for some if someone just to hide their Wi-Fi network from some selected people, let's say roommates or friends but if someone happens to be skilled in IT systems can easily sniff out your hidden SSID.