SSID Meaning: What Is an SSID and Why It Matters?

What Is SSID Meaning?

What is a SSID number or SSID meaning? SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. This is the name that uniquely identifies a Wi-Fi network. So, when a device searches for available wireless networks to connect to, the SSIDs are the names that appear in this list. This identifier allows nearby devices to connect to the desired network. So, if you were wondering what a network SSID is, a common SSID in public spaces might be “WiFi_Airport.”

How to Find the SSID on Wi-Fi

After learning what is the SSID for Wi-Fi, its location is easy to identify. A SSID is easy to find, you just need to search for available wireless Wi-Fi networks on your device. When you do so, you will see a list of available networks, each with its specific SSID. This information appears in any modern operating system's wireless network security settings.

How to Find Your SSID on Different Devices

Windows

Click on the network icon in the bottom right-hand corner (task bar). A list of available Wi-Fi networks will open. Your preferred network will appear with the label “Connected.” In this Network & Internet configuration, you can disconnect your device from any wireless network and connect it to another (although you will generally require a password).

MacOS

Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the top right-hand corner (menu bar). You will see a list of networks; if you see one with a check mark, you are already connected to the network.

iOS

Go to the Settings app and search for Wi-Fi. The name that appears with a checkmark is the SSID of the current network. By clicking on this option, you can also find available wireless networks.

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Android

Open Settings, then look for Connections and select the Wi-Fi option (this may vary depending on the cell phone model). The network at the top, marked as “Connected”, is the SSID.

Can You Change Your SSID

Yes, the SSID can be changed from the router's configuration panel. This process allows you to customize the network name for clarity or security.

How to Change Your SSID Name and Password

1. Open a browser and type in the router's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Log in with the administrator username and password.
3. Look for the “Wireless Settings” or “Wireless” section.
4. Change the SSID and password.
5. Avoid using random numbers and choose a unique SSID name.
6. Save the changes.
7. The router may restart automatically.

Router login credentials: Remember this information by by having your SSID name printed somewhere on the router to avoid using the wrong password.

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Does Changing SSID Affect Wi-Fi Performance

It does not affect the performance, but it will disconnect all connected devices, which will require re-entering the new password (if you have changed it). It can also help avoid interference if multiple networks have similar names.

Should You Change Your SSID

Changing the SSID can be useful for security, privacy or administration reasons. We recommend that you avoid using personal names or names that reveal your location, such as “WiFi_Dept_879”. Opting for generic but unique SSID makes your network safer.

What Happens When Multiple Networks Have the Same SSID

If you find two or more networks with the same SSID, devices could connect to the wrong network if they are not differentiated by channel or password. This can result in security risks and connection errors.

Hiding Your SSID: Does It Improve Security

Hiding the SSID prevents the network from appearing in the list of visible networks but does not prevent it from being detected by specialized tools. Although it may offer greater discretion, this does not improve security.

SSID Security: How to Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Best Practices for SSID Security

• Change the default name for a new SSID.
• Do not use personal information in the SSID.
• Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.
• Regularly update the router firmware.
• For Wi-Fi-protected access, use strong passwords (long, with symbols and letters, and preferably generated using a password generator).

Can Changing My SSID Improve Network Security

Changing your SSID will not directly improve network security. However, it can make the network less visible to opportunistic attacks. The key to security is encryption and the password.

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What If My SSID Is Being Spoofed

An attacker or hacker can create a network with the same SSID (SSID spoofing) and trick devices into connecting to a malicious network. This is very dangerous, as the attacker could intercept or manipulate your network traffic. Therefore, manually verifying the network and avoiding connecting automatically is a point to consider.

Managing SSIDs in Large Homes or Businesses

Should Enterprises Use Multiple SSIDs

Yes. It is advisable to separate networks by use: for example, one for employees, one for guests, and one for IoT devices. This makes them easier to manage and improves security. However, having only one SSID in homes is advisable, as having multiple SSIDs could be detrimental to your WiFi and be less efficient in congested networks.

How to Manage Multiple SSIDs Effectively

• Determine the purpose of each SSID. For example, companies could create multiple WiFi networks for employees, guests, and administration.
• Separate traffic between networks with a virtual VLAN (Virtual LAN), which is a technique that allows a physical network to be divided into multiple networks.
• Use a Wi-Fi controller or a cloud management system (such as Ubiquiti UniFI, Cisco Meraki, Aruba, etc.)
• Keep the SSID regularly monitored.

If you lack technical knowledge, we recommend that you get technical help or a step-by-step guide before making these security improvements.

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What Is Stands AdBlocker

Stands Ad Blocker is an adblocker extension that blocks ads at the browser level. It is an effective tool because it allows you to customize the ads you want to block, and its settings are very simple. Let's find out more about Stands' features below.

Advantages of Using Stands Adblocker

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How Stands Adblocker Enhances Security and Privacy

Yes. An ad blocker like Stands does not interfere with the browser's security features. However, we recommend that you update both the extension, browser, and operating system when necessary to get the latest security patches and contribute to a better, safer, and more private online experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions: SSID Meaning Wi-Fi

What Is a Network SSID

If you were wondering what an SSID is on Wi-Fi, a network SSID identifies a local Wi-Fi network so that devices can recognize it and connect to it easily.

Is SSID the Same as an IP Address

No. The SSID network meaning refers only to the name of the network. On the other hand, the IP address is a unique number that identifies an individual device within that network.

Can a VPN Hide Your SSID

No. A VPN is not enough to protect and encrypt your traffic, but it does not affect the SSID of the network to which you are connected. To hide the SSID of your Wi-Fi network, you must configure the router or access point so that it does not broadcast the network name, which can be done from the device's network settings.

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