Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

'Hidden' Network

Dec 1, 2016 2:06PM PST

I have windows 10. When I open my network icon, I see my network ('secured), I see my neighbor's network (also secured), but just today I saw something that's never been there before - a listing for a 'hidden network.' Does anyone have any idea what this is?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
ssid is hidden in router
Dec 1, 2016 3:02PM PST

you can hide your ssid in the router settings making it a hidden network.

- Collapse -
'Hidden Network'
Dec 1, 2016 3:18PM PST

What is SSID? As you can tell, I'm not very computer literate. I didn't (or don't think) I hid anything and it's never been there before, so I was wondering.

- Collapse -
'Hidden Network'
Dec 1, 2016 3:23PM PST

Does this mean that MY network is hidden or I'm just showing a network in the area that is someone else's and it IS hidden?

- Collapse -
It's someone else's router
Dec 1, 2016 4:08PM PST

and they don't want anyone to know the name of their router. The SSID is just the name of a router and you can give it any name. "Hidden" just means the name isn't openly broadcast. While it's a wee bit more security, some devices will ONLY work if the router isn't using a "hidden" SSID, others need it exposed the first time when setting the encryption on device to connect and can then "hide" the SSID again.

- Collapse -
'Hidden' Network
Dec 1, 2016 4:56PM PST

Thank you!! Helped a lot!! Now I understand what it means.

- Collapse -
Answer
I see someone has written about this.
Dec 1, 2016 4:13PM PST

But here's the deal. Hiding the SSID used to add some security. Today? Nope, all it does is create issues. It's a shame this was not removed but hey, why should the makers remove a source of income for my friends that make network trouble calls?

- Collapse -
'Hidden' Network
Dec 1, 2016 4:57PM PST

Thank you for responding. Helped me understand.