SSID, short for “service set identifier,” is an important identifier for wireless networks. In essence, it is the name assigned to a Wi-Fi network when you set up a router. It can take on different names, depending on its owner’s preference. A clothing shop, for instance, typically uses the brand as SSID. The router uses this SSID to create a hotspot and broadcast the network within the vicinity.

So, what is an SSID? It serves as an access point so nearby devices like laptops and smartphones can locate and connect to it. It’s like a Wi-Fi network’s nickname.

Read More about an SSID

Every router or device used for network connection comes with a default SSID provided by its manufacturer. You usually find it on a sticker at the device’s base. Changing it to something more easily identifiable is common. Take a look at this example.

Service set identifier (SSID)

Image source: https://community.acer.com/en/kb/articles/14352-the-location-of-the-default-network-ssid-on-your-acer-predator-connect-x5

Watch this video to know what is an SSID.

Learn more about SSID in the next sections.

How Do You Check Your Device’s SSID?

Apart from a sticker on a device’s bottom or box, you can also determine your SSID by checking out the device’s Wi-Fi settings. The network it is currently connected to is the SSID of the local Wi-Fi network. Note, though, that this method only works if the device has previously used the Wi-Fi network.

If you are trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network you have not previously used, the easiest way to learn its SSID is to ask the router’s owner. This applies most if you are at someone’s house or in a public space like a café.

To find the SSID of other devices, check out this guide.

  • Windows: Left-click the Wi-Fi icon on the desktop taskbar to find the SSID. From there, you will see a list of local networks labeled by their SSIDs.
  • macOS: Select the Wi-Fi icon on the menu bar to see the available local SSIDs.
  • iOS: Tap Settings and select Wi-Fi to see a list of local networks labeled by their SSIDs.
  • Android: Tap Settings and select Wi-Fi to see a list of the local SSIDs.

What Can You Do If You Cannot Find an SSID?

Sometimes, you may not be able to find the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to because its SSID does not appear in the list of available wireless networks. There are several reasons for this, such as:

  1. The SSID is hidden from public view as set up by its owner.
  2. The device is not within range.
  3. The router is not functioning properly.
  4. The network adapter on the device is not working or Wi-Fi is turned off.

To resolve the problem, you may:

  1. Check that the SSID is not hidden.
  2. Restart the router.
  3. Restore the router to factory settings to reset the SSID to its default name.
  4. Verify the network name.
  5. Move closer to the router or use a wireless extender.
  6. Restart the device and update the drivers.
  7. Ensure no objects or appliances are blocking the SSID hotspot.

Why Should You Change Your SSID?

Many if not all network owners set their own SSIDs to make it easy for users to find the relevant Wi-Fi network to connect to. For businesses, their SSIDs pose an opportunity to capitalize on their brand. Any Starbucks shop, for instance, has “Starbucks” in its SSID name.

How to Change Your SSID

To set a new SSID, you need to access your router’s configuration interface using a Web browser and the router’s IP address. Then, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the IP address of your router.
  2. Use a computer or smartphone to connect to the router’s network.
  3. Open an Internet browser window.
  4. Log into the router’s Web interface page using the administrative credentials. The default values are normally found on a sticker on the router.
  5. Navigate to the settings for the router’s wireless local area network (WLAN) or Wi-Fi.
  6. Look for the SSID field, which shows the default SSID name.
  7. Type in your preferred SSID network name.
  8. Save the changes you made before exiting the settings.
  9. The new SSID or Wi-Fi network name should appear on the device’s list of available networks within a few minutes. Sometimes, you need to refresh the list a few times before it appears. In some cases, both the old and new SSID names may temporarily appear at the same time.
How to Change an SSID

Why SSID Security Is Important

Anything connected to the Internet needs security. The same goes for Wi-Fi networks and SSIDs. This is why network owners change their SSIDs and use the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security configuration to set a key or password.

Network owners who retain their default SSID that includes their routers’ brand may be aiding hackers in easily discovering their make and model and if they are vulnerable to known attacks. If the routers are vulnerable, attackers can compromise them by, for instance, redirecting users to malicious websites to track their online activity and steal personal data through the target networks. Worse? Networks that do not employ WPA2 encryption put their users at risk because all their communications, including personal data, can be intercepted by attackers nearby.

Note, too, that changing SSIDs and setting passwords may not be enough to protect Wi-Fi networks. Hackers can use brute-force or dictionary attacks to access target networks and steal personal information.

But unique SSIDs and passwords offer some sense of security for publicly broadcast networks. Why? Some hackers can set up fake Wi-Fi networks with very similar names to legitimate ones so unsuspecting users are tricked into using the fake ones. This case, however, more often happens in public settings like airports, cafés, and restaurants where people use free Wi-Fi.

The best protection, though, to ensure user privacy and security while online, regardless of SSIDs, is to use a virtual private network (VPN).

Is Your SSID the Same as Your IP Address?

No. Your SSID is not the same as your IP address. While both identify devices on a network, they serve different purposes.

While an SSID identifies a wireless network and devices on a wireless network, an IP address is a unique numerical address assigned to each device on a network. All the devices on the same network must use the same SSID to communicate with one another. They do not, however, need to have the same IP address. Each device has a unique IP address but when connected to the same network uses your router’s IP address as a public identifier.

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Unique SSIDs not only make it easier to identify one network from another but also enhance a network’s security when coupled with a strong password.

Key Takeaways

  • SSID is short for “service set identifier,” which is an important identifier for wireless networks.
  • SSIDs serve as access points so nearby devices like laptops and smartphones can locate and connect to routers.
  • You can typically find a device’s SSID on a sticker on its base or box.
  • You may find it hard to locate SSIDs when they are hidden from public view, your device is not within their range, routers are not functioning properly, or your network adapter is not working or Wi-Fi is turned off.
  • When you cannot find an SSID, ensure it is not hidden, restart the router, restore the router to factory settings, verify the network name, move closer to the router or use a wireless extender, restart your device and update the drivers, and ensure no objects or appliances are blocking the SSID hotspot.
  • Your SSID is not the same as your IP address. While both identify devices on a network, they serve different purposes.

Sources

  • https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-an-ssid
  • https://www.malwarebytes.com/what-is-an-ssid
  • https://www.netgear.com/hub/network/what-is-an-ssid/
  • https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/service-set-identifier-ssid
  • https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/653/~/how-to-locate-a-routers-ssid-and-ssid-broadcast-setting