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SSID: What Is It and How to Find It?
When you see a list of Wi-Fi networks on your device, most of them have common names related to particular router firmware. However, you may also bump into quite unusual ones, such as Mom Use This One, Martin Router King, No Free Wi-Fi for You, and so on. Either creative or common, these are SSIDs of the available networks.
Finding and changing your personal SSID is fairly easy. You can even hide it from other users’ eyes. But will it impact the security of your home network? Spoiler: not really. Keep reading this article to find out what SSID is, how to find it on your device, and whether changing or hiding it will protect your network.
What is SSID?
Before diving deeper into details, let’s start with the explanation of SSID meaning.
SSID (Service Set Identifier) is your Wi-Fi network’s name. Usually, it consists of your router manufacturer’s name combined with additional letters or numbers. Some common examples of default SSIDs are TP-Link_119, Netgear_39, and so on. As for a custom SSID, the only regulation is its length – up to 32 characters. There are no limitations regarding the minimum size, though.
The main reason for changing SSID is to make it recognizable among many other options. People often change their network names to something standard, like “home,” “default,” or “Alex.” However, as mentioned above, many come up with creative and funny Wi-Fi names. Here are several examples for your inspiration.
Such names are easy to remember and will definitely stand out from the rest of the networks on the list. However, keep in mind that your SSID will be visible to anybody trying to connect to your network, so make sure the joke is neither vulgar nor offensive.
Besides, it’s better not to include any private information in your SSID. Make it easy to identify but not too personal, since anybody nearby can see your network’s name.
Now that you know the SSID definition and its key specifics, let’s get straight to the point and explain how to find the name of your network on your device.
How to find SSID?
On most devices and operating systems, you can find your SSID in the Wi-Fi connection menu. That is the name of the network you’re connected to. And note that even if another nearby network has the same default SSID name, it’s not a problem while you’re connected to your personal Wi-Fi. However, if you somehow get disconnected, similar SSIDs on the list may cause confusion.
Here is how to find your SSID depending on your device and OS type.
How to find SSID on Windows
- Find the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right corner of the screen
- Head to the list of available Wi-Fi networks
- At the very top of this section, you will see the SSID you’re connected to
How to find SSID on macOS
- Click on the Wi-Fi icon on the top right corner of the screen
- You will see the list of the available networks located nearby
- The network name highlighted in blue color is your SSID
How to find SSID on Android
- Open your Settings and go to the Wi-Fi section
- Your SSID will be marked as Connected
How to find SSID on iOS
- Go to your Settings and open the Wi-Fi section
- The network name with a checkmark is your SSID
How to find SSID on router
You can also find your SSID on the bottom side of your router. Normally, it is placed on a sticker next to the barcode and named “SSID” or “Network Name.” You will also find the essential information about your router’s security there, such as your WEP, WPA/WPA2, or WPS PIN. However, looking for your SSID on your router will not help you if you change your network name to something else.
Now it’s time to find out whether it’s possible to hide your network name from the public.
Should you hide your SSID?
A hidden SSID is not displayed on the list of available networks. People sometimes hide their SSIDs to protect themselves from third-party monitoring. However, such a trick won’t be really effective against potential cyber threats. If someone attempts to compromise your network’s security or interfere with your online activities, a hidden name of your Wi-Fi won’t stop them. Third parties will still be able to see your private information, such as your IP, ISP’s name, location, and so on.
If you still want to hide your SSID from prying eyes, you can do it in your router settings. To access them, you will need to enter your IP address in the search bar of your browser. The further steps depend on your router’s firmware.
However, if you want to enhance your Internet privacy and protect your device from potential threats, it’s worth turning to more advanced security measures. Here are some useful tips on protecting your home network.
More tips on how to secure your network
Here are several recommendations on how to enhance the security of your personal Wi-Fi network.
1. Regularly change your network’s password
Although your home network is less vulnerable to cyber attacks than public Wi-Fi hotspots, hackers may still try to compromise it. So make sure to create strong passwords and regularly change them.
2. Update your router’s firmware
Just like any other device, a router needs to be up to date to work properly. Do not sleep on updates to keep your home network stable and secure.
3. Do not connect to unprotected networks
If for some reason, your connection with your personal network was lost, you may accidentally reconnect to another hotspot nearby. Such free Wi-Fi spots aren’t protected with passwords, which makes them a goldmine for cybercriminals. Keep yourself away from such networks and make sure your device doesn’t automatically connect to unverified hotspots.
4. Set up a VPN for your router
A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the most efficient cybersecurity tools to protect your private data from potential hacks and take your online privacy to the next level. It creates an encrypted tunnel that runs your traffic through a remote VPN server leaving no chance for snoopers to compromise your activities. That’s because it hides your IP address and blocks any attempts of third-party monitoring. Besides, a powerful cybersecurity feature, such as VeePN’s NetGuard, will help you avoid malicious links, malware-infected pop-ups, and intrusive ads.
Moreover, it’s possible to protect not just a single device, but your entire home network by using a VPN for your router. As a result, all of your gadgets, from your mobile phone and laptop to Smart TV, will be covered with a VPN solution. For more information, read our detailed guide on how to install a VPN on your router.
Protect your home network with VeePN
Looking for a powerful tool to enhance the security of your home network? Check out VeePN! It’s a reputable VPN service with many helpful features to protect your browsing experience. In particular, VeePN will shield your data with reliable AES-256 encryption, helping you avoid third-party monitoring and stay away from cyber threats. You can safeguard your network by installing VeePN on your router or enhance your Internet privacy by getting a VeePN client app for your device, whether macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android. Download VeePN now and take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee!
FAQs
Is SSID the Wi-Fi name?
Yes, SSID (Service Set IDentifier) is a technical term that stands for a Wi-Fi network name. Every network has its own SSID that can be either default (normally, it’s the name of your router plus a set of random numbers or letters) or a custom name you may create on your own.
Is SSID the same as IP address?
No. SSID is a name that identifies a wireless network. It is set by default and can be changed to a custom one. In contrast, an IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique set of numbers with periods that identifies every device communicating over a network. You cannot customize your IP, but you can change or hide it with the help of a VPN to enhance your Internet privacy and conceal your online identity.
Why should I change my SSID name?
A default SSID is usually the name of your router and a set of additional numbers or letters. Changing it to a custom SSID is not necessary, but you can do it if you want to make your network’s name easy to recognize. For instance, many come up with creative SSIDs, such as jokes and puns. Read more in our article.
Where do I find my SSID?
You can find your SSID in the list of the available wireless networks on your device. Usually, it is highlighted with a check mark or placed on the top of the list. Read this article to learn how to find your SSID on different types of devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
