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Hidden Wifi

NetStumbler is a free Windows software that can detect hidden wireless networks by scanning for their unique identifiers, even if the network name (SSID) is not broadcasted. While disabling SSID broadcast can prevent casual users from seeing the network, it does not prevent determined hackers from discovering it using tools like NetStumbler. Some better ways to secure a wireless network include changing default passwords and SSIDs, using stronger encryption standards like WPA, limiting transmission range, and using MAC address filters when possible.

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Dilip Yadav
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32 views2 pages

Hidden Wifi

NetStumbler is a free Windows software that can detect hidden wireless networks by scanning for their unique identifiers, even if the network name (SSID) is not broadcasted. While disabling SSID broadcast can prevent casual users from seeing the network, it does not prevent determined hackers from discovering it using tools like NetStumbler. Some better ways to secure a wireless network include changing default passwords and SSIDs, using stronger encryption standards like WPA, limiting transmission range, and using MAC address filters when possible.

Uploaded by

Dilip Yadav
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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4 Nov

Most of the newer models of wireless router

has the ability to disable SSID broadcast. At first I thought that all wireless router
has this feature but I was wrong. ProLink Hurricane 9000W is one of the wireless
router that I’ve configured before and it don’t have the ability to disable SSID
broadcast. There are pros and cons in disabling SSID broadcast. Turning off the
broadcast of the SSID can only hide your wireless network from casual users, but not determined
hackers. Sometimes turning off SSID broadcast can also cause issues in connecting to the
wireless router.

Do you want to know how easy it is to discover hidden wireless network? Anyone can do it as
long as they have a wireless connection and the software.

NetStumbler (also known as Network Stumbler) is probably the most popular Windows tool to
detect Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) using 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g.

The program is commonly used for:


* Wardriving
* Verifying network configurations
* Finding locations with poor coverage in a WLAN
* Detecting causes of wireless interference
* Detecting unauthorized (“rogue”) access points
* Aiming directional antennas for long-haul WLAN links

To use scan for hidden wireless network, just install

NetStumbler on a computer or laptop that supports Wi-Fi. As soon as you start NetStumbler, it
will automatically start scanning for wireless network. I am using the latest Belkin router that
supports 802.11n. I set the router to only use 802.11n wireless mode, NetStumber is also able to
detect my wireless router even though it did not mention that it support WLANs using 802.11n
wireless mode in the official website.

As you can see, it is so easy to discover hidden wireless network using Network Stumbler. Here
are a few better steps that you can implement to secure your wireless network better.

1. Change default password. This is definitely most important. At least 50% of the routers I
configured is still using the default password.
2. Change default SSID name. If you bought a D-Link router, you wouldn’t want people to know
that you’re using a D-Link router. This is to prevent hackers from searching for Dlink router
exploits on security websites and use the exploit on your wireless router.
3. Use WPA if possible, if not, use at least WEP. WPA is a stronger encryption than WEP. WEP
can be cracked in 20 minutes. There is even a video tutorial teaching you how to do that. Problem
with WPA is, older device can’t support it.
4. Control transmission range. If you have a powerful wireless router, it’s not necessary to
configure your router to transmit with full power. You’re only giving more people the chance to
break in your wireless network.
5. Use MAC address filters. If you only have a few computers, then it’s better to use MAC
address filters. MAC address spoofing is possible but people from outside wouldn’t know what
is your MAC address in the first place.

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