Wireless networks with Hidden SSID's

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that have
already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network" listing
under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".

We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with non-broadcast
SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.

Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected to, do
show up fine.

Thanks

No Dice

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

"no dice" wrote:
> Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that have
> already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network" listing
> under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
>
> We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with non-broadcast
> SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
>
> Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected to, do
> show up fine.
>
> Thanks
>
> No Dice

If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box woud
show up.
Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?

--PA

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Yes, both show up under "advanced" but only the active network will show up
under "choose a wireless network".

This isn't a problem for some of the more advanced users but novices might
"get lost".

"Pavel A." wrote:

> "no dice" wrote:
> > Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that have
> > already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network" listing
> > under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
> >
> > We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with non-broadcast
> > SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
> >
> > Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected to, do
> > show up fine.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > No Dice
>
> If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box woud
> show up.
> Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?
>
> --PA
>
>

 

[Jack]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Hi
What would you like to see if there is No Broadcast of SSID.

No SSID No show. (The telephone does not ring if No one is calling.)

"Hiding" the SSID is providing a false sense of security.

SSID is in the beacon and the probe management part of the signal, it is not
encrypted and goes over the air in clear text.

Turning off the broadcast of he SSID does not prevent getting the SSID;
since the SSID is sent in the clear in the probe message when ever a client
associates to an AP, a Sniffer just has to wait until you use your Wireless
and he would see the SSID.

So what all of this mean.

SSID Off will not hide you from your neighbors since the probability is that
within few days there would be occurrences that you are using your Wireless
while they do too.

If you use encryption turning SSID Off is useless since any one who can
break encryption will find your SSID in seconds.

Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

WEP, WPA, and the Future - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

Wireless Segregation: http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html

Jack (MVP-Networking)




"no dice" <nodice@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5F1CE557-97BE-4438-BE13-57441B947BF5@microsoft.com...
> Yes, both show up under "advanced" but only the active network will show
up
> under "choose a wireless network".
>
> This isn't a problem for some of the more advanced users but novices might
> "get lost".
>
> "Pavel A." wrote:
>
> > "no dice" wrote:
> > > Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that
have
> > > already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network"
listing
> > > under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
> > >
> > > We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with
non-broadcast
> > > SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
> > >
> > > Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected
to, do
> > > show up fine.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > No Dice
> >
> > If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box
woud
> > show up.
> > Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?
> >
> > --PA
> >
> >

 

[ronnie]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Yesterday I bought a Linksys WAG54G Wireless-G ADSL Gateway and a Wireless-G
adapter at Comet. I wanted to set up a wireless network for my laptops Soy
Vaio and top range Packard bell. I am on AOL Platinum and my operating
system is XP. I tried the quick set up - conection protocol - PPoA, VPI - 0,
VCI - 38. I even set up new screen name and remembered to use lower case for
name and password and included @aol.com afterscreen name. No joy! I phoned
the Linksys technical helpline and was on for 35 minutes but that didn't work
either and the technical assistant gave up on me. I have tried all day today
but still no joy. Sometimes I can get a network established but can't get
the internet. This is so frustrating. The wireless network (when
established is good but why oh why can't I get AOL or internet explorer?). I
am not an expert but am not completely computer illiterate. Can someone give
me step by step instructions as to how to set up a wireless network and get
AOL and iternet explorer. PLEASE
My e-mail address is Ronniedon1@aol.com
--
Cheers
Ronnie

 

[danr]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Jack wrote:
> Hi
> What would you like to see if there is No Broadcast of SSID.
>
> No SSID No show. (The telephone does not ring if No one is calling.)
>
> "Hiding" the SSID is providing a false sense of security.
>
> SSID is in the beacon and the probe management part of the signal, it is not
> encrypted and goes over the air in clear text.
>
> Turning off the broadcast of he SSID does not prevent getting the SSID;
> since the SSID is sent in the clear in the probe message when ever a client
> associates to an AP, a Sniffer just has to wait until you use your Wireless
> and he would see the SSID.
>
> So what all of this mean.
>
> SSID Off will not hide you from your neighbors since the probability is that
> within few days there would be occurrences that you are using your Wireless
> while they do too.

Jack... are you saying that my "turned off" SSID will show up on a neighbors
list of available wireless networks if the neighbor happens to scan for
available wireless networks at any moment I am active on my wireless network?
Or, are you saying that the neighbor would have to be using a "sniffer" to see
the SSID at this time?

>
> If you use encryption turning SSID Off is useless since any one who can
> break encryption will find your SSID in seconds.
>
> Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
>
> WEP, WPA, and the Future - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html
>
> Wireless Segregation: http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking)
>
>
>
>
> "no dice" <nodice@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5F1CE557-97BE-4438-BE13-57441B947BF5@microsoft.com...
>> Yes, both show up under "advanced" but only the active network will show up
>> under "choose a wireless network".
>>
>> This isn't a problem for some of the more advanced users but novices might
>> "get lost".
>>
>> "Pavel A." wrote:
>>
>>> "no dice" wrote:
>>>> Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that have
>>>> already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network"
>>>> listing under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
>>>>
>>>> We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with non-broadcast
>>>> SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
>>>>
>>>> Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected to, do
>>>> show up fine.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> No Dice
>>>
>>> If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box woud
>>> show up.
>>> Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?
>>>
>>> --PA

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Nevertheless, people often prefer hidden APs, so even Microsoft eventually
recognized their right to exist.
The latest WPA2 compatible driver spec provides a clean, documented
way to specify hidden SSIDs: the netcard driver should make active scan for these.

--PA

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

"no dice" <nodice@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5F1CE557-97BE-4438-BE13-57441B947BF5@microsoft.com...
> Yes, both show up under "advanced" but only the active network will show up
> under "choose a wireless network".
>
> This isn't a problem for some of the more advanced users but novices might
> "get lost".

This is the life... Thanks to the MVPs!

Although your current SSID is hidden, it is always visible to you.
This is an artifact created by your netcard driver and Windows.
Others still don't see it unless they somehow know
the SSID and try to connect to it.
(they can learn it, for example, by sniffing your traffic)
You also don't see other hidden SSIDs until you actively try to connect to them.

--PA

> "Pavel A." wrote:
>
> > "no dice" wrote:
> > > Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that have
> > > already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network" listing
> > > under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
> > >
> > > We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with non-broadcast
> > > SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
> > >
> > > Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected to, do
> > > show up fine.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > No Dice
> >
> > If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box woud
> > show up.
> > Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?
> >
> > --PA
> >
> >

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

What I would like to see is a listing of all of the networks that I have
previously setup on the computer and that are currently available. I'm not
concerned about "hidden" networks that haven't been setup on a computer but
only would like to see those that available without having to go into the
advanced setup.

An example is the building that I am currently working in which has a
corporate wireless network and a secondary network that we use for testing.
Both have hidden SSID's, both are available (ie keys are set, etc etc), but
only the currently active network shows up under "Wireless Network
Connection" window.

Ideally this window should let me pick the wireless network I want to
connect to. Right now the only way I can do this is to go into the advanced
properties for the network connection. Not a problem for me, but this may be
a challenge for some users.

Thanks for all those who responded!

no dice



"Jack" wrote:

> Hi
> What would you like to see if there is No Broadcast of SSID.
>
> No SSID No show. (The telephone does not ring if No one is calling.)
>
> "Hiding" the SSID is providing a false sense of security.
>
> SSID is in the beacon and the probe management part of the signal, it is not
> encrypted and goes over the air in clear text.
>
> Turning off the broadcast of he SSID does not prevent getting the SSID;
> since the SSID is sent in the clear in the probe message when ever a client
> associates to an AP, a Sniffer just has to wait until you use your Wireless
> and he would see the SSID.
>
> So what all of this mean.
>
> SSID Off will not hide you from your neighbors since the probability is that
> within few days there would be occurrences that you are using your Wireless
> while they do too.
>
> If you use encryption turning SSID Off is useless since any one who can
> break encryption will find your SSID in seconds.
>
> Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
>
> WEP, WPA, and the Future - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html
>
> Wireless Segregation: http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking)
>
>
>
>
> "no dice" <nodice@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5F1CE557-97BE-4438-BE13-57441B947BF5@microsoft.com...
> > Yes, both show up under "advanced" but only the active network will show
> up
> > under "choose a wireless network".
> >
> > This isn't a problem for some of the more advanced users but novices might
> > "get lost".
> >
> > "Pavel A." wrote:
> >
> > > "no dice" wrote:
> > > > Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that
> have
> > > > already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network"
> listing
> > > > under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
> > > >
> > > > We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with
> non-broadcast
> > > > SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
> > > >
> > > > Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected
> to, do
> > > > show up fine.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > No Dice
> > >
> > > If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box
> woud
> > > show up.
> > > Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?
> > >
> > > --PA
> > >
> > >
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

"no dice" <nodice@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:71186AAD-4092-4D8B-A93A-F1F932869C7A@microsoft.com...
> What I would like to see is a listing of all of the networks that I have
> previously setup on the computer and that are currently available.

This is possible only with the a wi-fi driver written to the latest spec
(supports active scan list)
or with a custom driver and it's managenent software.
--PA

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

It won't show up unless the SSID is being broadcast. However, if all the
other networks are setup in the "advanced", the PC should try to connect
based on the order in the "Advanced", and it should connect to the first one
that it can access. If there are more than one available, and the SSIDs are
not being broadcast, the PC will connect to them based on the order in the
Advanced section; there is no other option.

"no dice" <nodice@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5F1CE557-97BE-4438-BE13-57441B947BF5@microsoft.com...
> Yes, both show up under "advanced" but only the active network will show
> up
> under "choose a wireless network".
>
> This isn't a problem for some of the more advanced users but novices might
> "get lost".
>
> "Pavel A." wrote:
>
>> "no dice" wrote:
>> > Is there a way to get WinXP SP2 to show all the known networks that
>> > have
>> > already been set up on a computer in the "Choose a Wireless Network"
>> > listing
>> > under the "Wireless Network Connection Window".
>> >
>> > We have several networks that we setup on our notebooks with
>> > non-broadcast
>> > SSID's and it would be nice to be able to select them from this menu.
>> >
>> > Networks with broadcasted ssid's and any network currently connected
>> > to, do
>> > show up fine.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > No Dice
>>
>> If you open the advanced config link, the older (pre-SP2) dialog box woud
>> show up.
>> Do you see there, in the lower pane, all your pre-configured networks?
>>
>> --PA
>>
>>