What is an SSID and How to Find Yours?

Today we take for granted that we can access the internet and that’s because we live in an increasingly connected world. Depending on whether you’re trying to connect to your home Wi-Fi, a public hotspot, or your workplace network, you’ve probably seen the term ‘SSID’. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is an SSID?” or “How do I find it?” you’re not the first. But before an SSID can be used effectively, one must know how it works and what it is. In this article we will explore the meaning of SSID on different devices, where you find it, and why you should secure your SSID.

What is an SSID?

The technical term for a Wi-Fi network’s name is the Service Set Identifier, or SSID, for short. If you open your smartphone, laptop, or other device’s Wi-Fi settings, you’ll see a list of names of the network. Those are each name of SSIDs. It makes it easier for users to select the correct wireless network to join.

Suppose, for instance, you happen to see a few wireless networks around you, such as “HomeNetwork,” “OfficeNetwork” or “CoffeeShopWiFi,” in turn are the SSIDs that represent different wireless networks. If nothing else is a network that you’re attempting to join, call it that: the label for the network that you are seeking to link to.

Why is an SSID Important?

Without it, your devices won’t know what network to look for and will connect to your nearest available one. At a public place like a café, you don’t want to get your device to connect to some dude’s private network by coincidence. The network SSID is public and broadcasting allows them to connect easily to anyone who tries.

Moreover, the security of your Wi-Fi network is equally maintained by the SSID. The problem is most people enable the SSID to its default name (whether that’s “Linksys,” “Netgear,” etc.) and that means it’s much easier for hackers to brute force the type of router they’re using and exploit a vulnerability. Changing the SSID name is a quick, and therefore effective, way to add an extra layer of security to your network.

What is the SSID of a Wi-Fi Network?

So, when it asked “What is the SSID of the network?” it was talking specifically of its unique name as they assigned to a part of the wireless network. An SSID is used to differentiate from other Wi-Fi networks surrounding the area. This causes your router to broadcast the SSID so that nearby devices can see the network name when searching for WIFI connections.

When you setup a new router you can also choose a custom name for your SSID. Some names are funny or personal like “PrettyFlyForAWiFi” while others stick with more professional names like “OfficeNetwork” or “JohnDoe’sWiFi.” What happens is that regardless of all this, whenever someone looks up the networks in the vicinity this name will show up.

How Does an SSID Work?

An SSID is how the network is identified by identifying the forename of the network’s Service Set, or all the devices in that Wi-Fi network. The router broadcasts the network name so that any device that can see it will know about it.

For example, say a device is searching for a Wi-Fi network — a smartphone, for example, or a laptop — and sends a request to the router. It replies with its own SSID, followed by other info (encryption type, signal strength, etc). This information is given by the device, and the user makes a choice of which network to connect to.

After choosing the SSID, the user will enter the Wi-Fi password if it’s set (if the network is secured). Once it has successfully connected, the device will remember the SSID and then be able to connect automatically in the future if the range of the same network.

How to Find Your SSID

Having understood what SSID means and how it works, the next step is on how to find your SSID on different devices. If you’re using an iPhone, Android, or even a Windows PC, finding the SSID is a breeze.

To find the SSID on an iPhone, follow these easy steps:

1. Open up Settings on your iPhone.
2. Also see Tap Wi-Fi to see the list of available networks.
3. Its name will be the SSID with a checkmark next to the network that your iPhone is currently connected to.

For instance, let us take your case if you see “HomeNetwork” and there is a check and that this is the SSID of the Wi-Fi you are connected to. To find the SSID of the other networks browse the list of available Wi-Fi connections.

How to Find SSID on Android

Finding the SSID on Android works the same way as with iOS devices. Here’s how:

1. Within your Android phone open the Settings app.
2. Depending on your device it will be found either on Tap Connections or Network & Internet.
3. It will show you pick Wi-Fi, and you get to see which networks are available. The network’s SSID might be sitting up top, most of the time marked “Connected.”

How to Find SSID on Windows

If you’re using a Windows PC or laptop, follow these steps to find your SSID:

1. Once in the taskbar, click the Wi-Fi icon there (usually its placement at the bottom right).
2. At the top of the list, it will show the SSID of the network you’re connected to.
3. Click the network icon to expand the list of all nearby Wi-Fi networks to see more SSIDs.

How to Find SSID on Mac

Here’s how to find the SSID on a Mac:

1. Up in the menu bar at the top right of your screen, you simply need to click on the Wi-Fi icon.
2. At the top of the drop-down list you’ll see the SSID of the network you’re currently connected to.

What Happens if You Can’t Find Your SSID?

Sometimes your SSID doesn’t show up in the list of available networks. That being the case, if the router is not broadcasting SSID then this is probably what will happen. The upside of this feature is that it makes the network invisible to network devices near you, which should increase security, but the downside is you’ll have to connect to the network manually and provide the SSID and password each time.

To connect to a hidden SSID:

1. Check in your Wi-Fi device settings.
2. Select Add a Network or Join Other Network.
3. Connect manually by entering the hidden name and password of SSID.

Alternatively, you can enable SSID broadcasting in which case your router will show the network.

How to Secure Your SSID

The SSID meaning often has to do with the network name, but it also protects your wireless network with its functionality. Changing the SSID to whatever value, other than defaults, can be risky. Here are a few steps you can take to secure your SSID and network:

Change the Default SSID:

A lot of routers have default SSIDs that make it easy to tell what router brand or model it may be (e.g., ‘Linksys‘ or ‘Netgear‘). Changing the SSID to a custom name reduces the risk of attacks from those targeting known SSIDs.

Use a Strong Wi-Fi Password:

Even with a customized SSID, your network won’t be fully secure unless you use a strong Wi-Fi password. Avoid simple passwords and include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Disable SSID Broadcasting:

Disabling SSID broadcasting can be one piece of an additional layer of security, but it’s not 100% guaranteed. For example, hidden networks can be uncovered by specialized tools, even from the hands of experienced attackers. But for the average user, hiding your SSID might keep casual hackers away from your network.

Using iProVPN to Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

If you are worried about your online privacy and security, iProVPN is a perfect VPN. The SSID, or service set identity (SSID) is your helper to find the proper network, but a VPN (virtual private network) ensures that your telemetry is encrypted and, thus, your online activity is secret.

Here’s how iProVPN can benefit your network security:

1. Data Encryption: Being that data is being sent over and encrypted between your device and the internet, it’s almost impossible for hackers to intercept sensitive information.
2. Anonymity: iProVPN masks your IP address so that whoever you are online cannot trace your physical location or device.
3. Bypass Geolocation Restrictions: With iProVPN you can also overcome any restrictions imposed by your ISP on content, thanks to servers in various locations.
4. Public Wi-Fi Protection: Of course, public Wi-Fi networks, like those found in cafés or airports, are notorious for being hacked. With iProVPN, you can secure your connection on untrusted networks and work without fear of third-party attacks.

Conclusion

If you want to manage your Wi-Fi networks properly, first understand what an SSID is and how to find yours.

Keep in mind that security has nothing to do with just the network name anymore. You can create better safety for your network for anyone who may want to access it, with something like a strong Wi-Fi password and a good VPN like iProVPN. These steps will keep you whether you’re checking your laptop or onboard your iPhone.