How to Connect to Hidden Wireless Networks
By Ciprian Adrian Rusen on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 10:27
I will continue our Windows 7 Networking series with a guide on how to connect to hidden wireless networks. Hidden wireless networks are those networks which do not broadcast their Network ID (SSID). While not that many people use such networks, some have the feeling of a bit more security to have their home wireless network hidden from unwanted guests. In this guide I will share with you the steps for making a successful connection.
Step 1: Get the Details of the Hidden Wireless Network
First and foremost, you need to know all the identification and connection details of the hidden wireless network you want to connect to. Therefore, open your router's configuration page and go to the Wireless configuration menu. Write down the values for the Network ID (SSID) and Security fields. Depending on what type of security your wireless network has, you will need to write down the value of another important field, as following:
- For WEP security - note the value of the WEP Key field.
- For WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK(AES) security - note the value of the Preshare Key field.
NOTE: If your wireless network has no security enabled, then you only need to know the value of the Network ID (SSID) field. 802.1X, WPA and WPA2(AES) security is generally used in enterprise networks and most likely your laptop will be pre-configured to connect to your corporate wireless network. Therefore this guide won't apply to corporate networks.
Once you have all these three details, you can go ahead with step 2.
Step 2: Start the 'Set Up a Connection or Network' Wizard
To do this, you need to open the Network and Sharing Center: go to Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center. In the Network and Sharing Center window you will see lots of shortcuts. Click on the one that says 'Set up a new connection or network'.
The 'Set Up a Connection or Network' wizard will now start. From the list of available options, select 'Manually connect to a wireless network' and click on Next.
Step 3: Complete the Details of the Wireless Network
Now you will have to complete all the fields shown in this window. The first one is called Network name. In it, type the name of the wireless network you want to connect to, which is the equivalent of the Network ID (SSID) field from your router's wireless configuration menus.
The next field that needs to be completed is the Security type used by your wireless network. Depending on the type of security used, make the following selection:
- For WEP security - select WEP.
- For WPA-PSK security - select WPA-Personal.
- For WPA2-PSK(AES) security - select WPA2-Personal.
NOTE: If your wireless network has no security enabled, then select No authentication (Open).
Now it is time to select the appropriate type of encryption. If you are using WPA2-PSK(AES) security, make sure you select AES. Otherwise, leave the default value Windows 7 gives you.
For WEP, WPA2 Personal and WPA Personal you will have to enter the security key as follows:
- For WEP security - the value of the WEP Key field.
- For WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK(AES) security - the value of the Preshare Key field.
If you are in a public environment, then it is a good idea to check the 'Hide characters' box. Also, don't forget to check the other two boxes: 'Start this connection automatically' and 'Connect even if the network is not broadcasting'. These two allow you to connect automatically to the hidden wireless network. Once all data is completed, click on Next.
When done, you will see a message which says that you have successfully added the wireless network to your computer. If you are unsure on any of the settings, you can click on 'Change connection settings' and review them all.
This will open a window where you can change all your settings and looks like the screenshot below. It can be opened at any time by going to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Manage Wireless Networks and double clicking on the wireless network.
When done, Windows 7 will automatically connect to the hidden wireless network. Also, the wireless network icon from the taskbar will change as shown below.
Troubleshooting Problems with a Wireless Network
If you are having troubles connecting to a wireless network, first check if you followed the correct steps highlighted in the section above. Pay attention to ALL the steps and check if you got them right. If you did everything "by the book" and you still cannot connect, then read the following articles:
- Troubleshoot Internet Connection Problems over a Wireless Network - this guide shows how to use the Windows 7 built-in troubleshooting tools to fix problems with connections to wireless networks;
- Troubleshoot Wireless Network Connection Problems by Yourself - this is a step by step chart with questions and answers. Answering a series of questions takes you to the most probable root-cause and its solution;
- Fix Troublesome Wireless Connections by Removing their Profile - if you have problems with a wireless network which worked in the past, it can happen that its profile in Windows 7 got changed or corrupted in the meantime. This tutorial helps you fix problems in such scenarios.
Conclusion
As you can see from this guide, connecting to hidden wireless networks requires a bit more work than connecting to public ones. However, if you pay a bit of attention and don't skip any of these steps, it can be done in just a few minutes. If you have any useful tips on connecting to hidden wireless networks, don't hesitate to leave a comment.
Related articles:
Geek Tips for Managing Connections to Wireless Networks
How to Set Up an Ad Hoc Wireless Computer-to-Computer Network
Installing a USB Wireless Adapter on a Desktop Computer
Recommended reading:
Easily Backup & Import Your Wireless Network Settings in Windows 7
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Comments
Who hides a wireless network?
Who hides a wireless network? That practice does nothing for security. Use VERY strong passwords for the router password and encryption and that is all you need, providing you use nothing less than WPA.
I've seen people who do
I've seen people who do this:
1. they have a hidden wireless network so that most people won't be able to see it on their devices. if they don't know it is there, they will not connect to it.
2. they have also strong encryption so that people trying to hack the network have a harder time at doing that.
If you think about it can make sense to have a hidden wireless.
welll for example you would
welll for example you would hide it from whoever is looking for free internet smart one
Its only smart o hide your
Its only smart o hide your network as it increades security drastically, and can stop most malicious attacks from occuring
I hide my wireless network
I hide my wireless network using this method and also have a strong password for the exact reason listed above. My question is why wouldn't you want hide it?
This method is only required
This method is only required for Windows XP. In Vista and Windows 7, hidden wireless networks show up in the list irrespective of whether the SSID is hidden or not. Just click Connect and then enter the SSID and encryption key and you can connect right away. Once connected, you only go to Properties and modify the settings.
I'm sorry but this is not
I'm sorry but this is not true. The networks do not show up in the list if their SSID is not broadcasted.
I've tried this with two hidden networks: one at work and one at home and they never show up.
Oh I beg to differ, in
Oh I beg to differ, in windows 7 I have 2 different wireless connections that show up as OTHER networks and if I had the ssid and password I could connect to them and could with little effort if I wanted to.
My point is that YES they do show up even if hidden from public!
It'll show once I connect.
It'll show once I connect. However, it doesn't show up if I'm not connected or manually connecting to my network.
NO, you're confused: SSID
NO, you're confused: SSID does not show; what you give is an example of connecting to a hidden network, but the network does not show in the list of available connections. The problem (mine anyway) on Win7 is that I cannot have the manually set wifi profile for the hidden network to show up in that list either.
Hide wireless key
Hide wireless key permanently...
I have a need to setup machines so that the user can't unhide the wireless key after I've entered it. How do I do this? I know it's possible in previous versions of Windows but can't find any info on how to do this in Win7.
Did you look through the
Did you look through the group policy editor? That'd be worth a look if you haven't yet.
Why would you not want to
Why would you not want to hide the SSID? Hiding the network , repeat, does nothing for security and can cause connectivity issues. If you put a strong password on the device and encryption, and I mean nothing less than 14 characters, and use nothing less than WPA, you are 99.999999999% safe.
I think this is a matter of
I think this is a matter of personal choice. If you hide your SSID you will get rid of all the "noobs" who believe themselves to be hackers. If they don't see your network they won't try to hack it.
However, true hackers will find ways to identify your wireless network even if you hide it. If you are a "control-freak" you will hide your SSID and use strong encryption and passwords.
Everyone can choose his/her own approach.
It may actually be LESS
It may actually be LESS secure to hide your SSID. The reason is that when your SSID is hidden, your laptop will actually send out a query to see if that network is available when it is booted up. If you were to take that laptop to a public place, it would send this query out to anyone willing to listen. It would take little for someone to then spoof your SSID and let your laptop connect to theirs. You would then be allowing direct access into your laptop and you might not even notice.
So lets take a paranoid
So lets take a paranoid senario. Lets say someone is sitting in a car outside my house trying to get on my network and I have the SSID hidden. All they have to do is wait until I log on and then they can attempt to get onto my network? And the only real security on networks is having strong passphrases?
Correct, your only defense
Correct, your only defense would be to use encrypted networks, something a-la Blackberry phones ideas. Then you just broadcast BS, as far as the eavesdropper hears, but that BS bends 3x over backwards and re-becames data using SSH keys. But governments work hard to put an end to this crazy ideea that privacy is a human right.
Which brings back my
Which brings back my experience and the implementation FLAWS in the wifi apps on Win7 and the most recent Ubuntu. If (and I am) you are a control freak, you should NOT check "connect automatically". In former ubuntu linux, I could set a wifi profile, with the SSID and strong password, which would be authenticated by my personal SSH keys, on my laptop, and be able to connect/disconnect manually just clicking a button when I selected that profile. THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD BE ! Lately, (ubuntu 11.04, Win7) they dumbed this down for "your convenience".
i have a problem, i can't
i have a problem,
i can't connect to my wireless network even it showed my SSID,
i typed the correct password but it says incorrect....
although my other computer still can connect to it with that password ...
PLS help me
Change the channel that your
Change the channel that your wireless is broadcasting on. - not sure if first reply went through so doing it again.
It used to -- *used to* --
It used to -- *used to* -- seem obvious that hiding the connection SSID would essentially put the router and available SSID into 'stealth' mode, so that only those with the hidden SSID and security code would even know about it, let alone be able to connect to it.
The router manufacturers all pushed this idea as an additional level of security, by making the SSID hidden and secret for the users.
Microsoft all along contested the practice as a very bad idea for security. Why? Because that one hidden SSID, which could be serving hundreds of different users, did nothing for the hundreds of users who themselves are broadcasting their handshake signals TO the router to connect to the hidden SSID. Would you rather protect one known, seen, source like the router SSID? Or would you rather leave unprotected ALL the unseen users sending out "seeking to connect" signals to the seen (and secured) broadcast SSID?
Microsoft felt it was safer to secure one SEEN broadcast SSID than to risk the exposure of all potential users trying to connect to a hidden SSID when the users are sending out "seeking to connect" signals that are as easily trapped and invaded. Even when the router SSID is hidden, the laptops are still sending "seeking to connect" signals everwhere around it, whether hidden or not, when they are seeking networks. The router's SSID may be hidden, but it isn't any more hidden than your laptop's SSID is in seeking out networks.
In addition: If someone were trying to get into a system, would you rather someone try to secretly connect to a secured SSID access point? Or directly to your laptop while it's broadcasting its availability to everyone around you?
Interesting, however you said
Interesting, however you said regardless of the SSID status the laptop is still sending out a trying to connect signal. So I really don't understand why making the SSID seen protects the clients handshake.
"Even when the router SSID is hidden, the laptops are still sending "seeking to connect" signals everwhere around it, whether hidden or not, when they are seeking networks. The router's SSID may be hidden, but it isn't any more hidden than your laptop's SSID is in seeking out networks."
I understand this as my pc is sending out a seeking to connect signal whether SSID is hidden or not.
Also making a router visible and secured still does not convince me that an attacker can't spoof the SSID and trick my pc into connecting to the spoofed router.
I suppose I'm questioning the rationale that Making a Router Visible somehow hides the nodes connecting to it, if as you say the handshake is broadcast regardless. It sounds as though the nodes connecting to it have the same vulnerability, and whats more the target SSID is readily available to the attacker for spoofing.
I do not see the problem here
I do not see the problem here: if I am able to set up my laptop to connect only to my router ('s MAC address) in the wifi profile I use, winblows can braodcast all it wants, as long as the hacker doesn't forge that MAC address and impersonates my router. Bigger problem is MS and other companies limiting options and playing GOD: "we know what's best for you, just stop thinking !"
I have just bought a Acer
I have just bought a Acer 3810TZ (running Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit) which has a peculiar problem when the SSID is hidden it cannot connect to my network but when the SSID is NOT hidden it connects peacefully. I use WPA2 Personal+AES. This has worked well for the last 2.5 yrs with my HP laptop (running Vista Home Basic). I use a Linksys WRT54G router. Acer India is trying to fob off use of WPA & TKIP instead of what I want to use. Any advice?
I also have an ACER AS5820T
I also have an ACER AS5820T TimelineX and it is exhibiting the same issue. If I unhide the SSID it works fine. Hidden it can't find it.
First thing I would check is
First thing I would check is to make sure that Windows is handling the connection and not some third party utility and then check the driver status.
This was very helpful. I had
This was very helpful. I had trouble as my customer has a setup with unlisted wifi connection. I was able to connect in Vista but did not realize this option in Windows 7. Appreciate you giving such detailed information on this subject.
I hide my network too, the
I hide my network too, the only reason is : for the neighbours.
A hidden network is hidden when no clients connected.
A hidden network becomes visible for monitoring as soon a client connects.
Client-AP traffic always makes networks visible to hackers.
These instructions were clear
These instructions were clear and I followed them completely.
There is one instruction that is not here. After much frustration and repeated attempts I still had no connection. After shutting down the computer and restarting it later - everything was fine and working properly. Is this normal? Shouldn't the instructions state that a reboot of the computer is necessary for the changes to be effective?
A reboot is not normally
A reboot is not normally required. I'm glad it helped in your case though.
For all those who are still
For all those who are still using this walkthrough, please keep in mind that much of the information is dated, such as WPA2 being for enterprise only. Many wireless home networks now fully support WPA-2 AES and should use it as it provides stronger encryption.
Having Your SSID hidden is a great tool because, despite what other people on this page have said, the network SSID will not be shown to anyone who has not manually entered your SSID into their system. Your router/modem software should allow you to manually change the name of your SSID so that no one can randomly guess at it using standard default names. Once hidden, your unique SSID will serve as an additional password to the system because, as I said before, without the SSID no one can configure your network on their computer.
No network is guaranteed secure, but hidden SSID with strong WPA2 password is a great way to go. Get familiar with your router/modem software by visiting the address (if your don't know where to go, contact your provider or the manufacturer of your router- they can direct you to your modem/router's web site).
Please dismiss any comments about hidden SSID doing no good- they will show up in the list of Windows 7 users as "Other Network" or look like a blank space, but will still require the user enter the SSID before proceeding.
I am replying in support of
I am replying in support of the following:
"Please dismiss any comments about hidden SSID doing no good- they will show up in the list of Windows 7 users as "Other Network" or look like a blank space, but will still require the user enter the SSID before proceeding."
You're absolutely right. I recently had to laugh at someone on a forum suggesting that the reason you should leave broadcasting on is because Linux networking daemons have a problem with non broadcasting SSIDs. I don't use Linux, so I am not making it easier for anyone to hack me. The people suggesting you broadcast are Linux foamies I think. I have no problems using a hidden SSID wireless network on Widnows 7 myself. It's not hard at all. Windows 7 does a great job fixing the connection whenever that is needed, which is rarely.
Thanks Angie! I do think it
Thanks Angie! I do think it is sad that people argue against hidden ssid due to a stupid setting (auto connect) that can be disabled and prevent unwanted polling for your router when you are not near it. People also need to keep in mind that encryption disguises other credentials needed to actually hack the network so using encryption with hidden ssid cannot actually be worse than showing your ssid with encryption methods displayed plainly to everyone in the neighborhood! It is funny that Microsoft has a problem with it because it is their "convenient" auto connect setting that is killin the whole security idea and keeping those wireless devices doing useless and unsecured work. Nothing against Microsoft, everyone has to make money somehow, right? My money comes from people like the above protestor who are obviously a little behind on the newest rules ;)
Also, Windows 7 interface
Also, Windows 7 interface makes it seamless, meaning once configured, the network SSID will show up so you know what you're connecting to, but it won't show to outsiders ;).
Microsoft says this: "If you
Microsoft says this:
"If you select this option (i.e. Connect even if the network is not broadcasting), your computer's privacy might be at risk. Having no hidden networks configured prevents your computer from broadcasting its location, and this improves your computer's security."
A configured hidden network is a one with the above option checked. If this option is not checked, the hidden network is not configured and you have to enter the SSID and passphrase every time you want to connect.
Anyway, what does microsoft mean by "your computer broadcasts its location"?
I also have this question:
If someone spoofed my SSID, can he spoof the passpharase as well???
Hiding your SSID does nothing
Hiding your SSID does nothing for security because the router is actually broadcasting the name of the network (SSID) the client is looking for in clear text. Not the key, but the name of the network.
Use the strongest encryption available for your router (please no WEP), use an equally strong password for the key, for example:
1qaz@WSX3edc$RFV (look at the keys, it is easy to remember)
and an equally strong password for the router password.
The rest is somewhat useless and inhibits performance. You will stop "casual drive-bys" and the noisy next door with my steps.
CORRECT ! Once the attacker
CORRECT ! Once the attacker spoofs the SSID, it can run a special software that will gladly "accept" your strong password and let your computer connect. After that, as mentioned before in the thread, for performance reasons, most of the data is transmitted in the clear (by most of the people, most of the time anyway- even if some of us know better), and the attack router can copy it at its leisure.
@Anonymous, You prolly have
@Anonymous,
You prolly have had this fixed for some time now, but just for inquiring minds, the "Manually connect" in Windows 7 does not appear until you enter open the "network and sharing center," select " set up a new connection" - then you will get a list of options with his as a choice.
@ John Willis, you are obviously just bent..you need to pick up and honest to goodness text book and stop basing your opinions on internet gab- there is no point in arguing about it. There IS a lot more encryption going on there than you think- (with exception, I do admit, to WEP). Hiding your SSID works in COMBINATION with encryption.. and it helps to hide your SSID from people who have no clue what they are doing and download instructions on the internet on how to break into networks with open SSID- which in my opinion is twice as threatning as someone who does know what they are doing because at least that is logical (compared to a wreckless idiot) . No network is 100% secure, I don't care who it belongs to or what they've done to it.
If your broadcast your signal and your neighbors know it is there just by looking into their devices, then you've lost the battle- they may go in search of something to break your network just because they know it is available- you can prevent this by doing what? Hiding SSID.. that is the point no one said anything abou it being okay to just go bare with no encryption... that's not cool either.
@ John Willis, Connection
@ John Willis,
Connection problems were a very limited equipment problem when standards on many wireless routers used today were still fairly new, that's not so much an issue for people newly trying to set up their networks.
People should know this is not the ONLY security they need to use, virus checkers, firewalls, proxy servers, MAC filters, Malicious software detection, up-to-date encryption protocol, all of that stuff is ona much greater level than a flimsy hidden SSID, but just because you completed the first 10 steps in securing doesn't mean you shouldn't perform the last one also.
Show me something written fresh over the last year by any recognized technical institution that says Hidden SSID's are worse than broadcasts and then we'll talk.
I'd like to know why it takes
I'd like to know why it takes Windows 7 Pro, installed on a MacBook Pro, 4-5 minutes after boot up to connect to my wireless network, even after following all the correct steps for setting up automatic connection to a hidden-SSID network. The network shows up immediately in the list of availables and I can force the connection without issue and without typing in the WPA2 password, so the setup was done correctly. But in order to get the automatic connection, it takes the aforementioned 4-5 minutes of just waiting.
I have my ssid hidden. When
I have my ssid hidden. When I connect and look at the networks I see:
my_network_name 2 3 4 5 6 7 Connected
my_network_name 2 3 4 5 6 Security-enabled network
my_network_name 2 3 4 5 Security-enabled network
my_network_name 2 3 4 Security-enabled network
my_network_name 2 3 Security-enabled network
my_network_name 2 Security-enabled network
my_network_name Security-enabled network
What don't I just see one entry, "my_network_name Connected"? What do the 2 3 4 5 6 7 indicate?
I recently had to wipe and
I recently had to wipe and reset my computer because my profile logged me out and then no longer was able to function i.e. i couldnt log in. i cleared my computer, reset the whole thing but now i cant connect to my router but my dad can. the router name doesnt show on the list and no matter how many times i manually connect to the right network name with correct security and password, it wont connect. what do i do?
For the anon. with multiple
For the anon. with multiple numbered connections... One possibility I can think of for the reason you have so many connections showing in your list is that perhaps u are manually entering your connection every time you connect. Even with a hidden ssid, your computer will remember your credentials an display them in the " connections" window; you need only return to the available connections list and connect again when you are dealing with a computer that is already associated with the access point. Other people cannot see your signal the same way you can though, not without some effort anyhow. Subsequent manual entries of the same network name will enter new numbered connections of the same name. My suggestion is delete all of the entries in the network management area, re- connect once to the access point and then next time younwant to connect simply return to your list of "known" networks to be presented with the option to re-connect.
As for not being able to connect to a hidden ssid, for that last post, you might try taking the network out of hiding long enough to make an initial connection and then put the settigs back however you normally have them. Seems that if that does not work there is something that has nothing to do with the idea that the network is hidden.
Hope that helps someone at least!! :)
thankyoouuuu!!!!!!!!! grEAttt
thankyoouuuu!!!!!!!!! grEAttt info!
This guide simply didn't work
This guide simply didn't work on my Windows 7 premium laptop! Even though the connect if network is hidden box is ticked, no joy. If I enable the broadcast of the SSID in the router config; hey presto connectivity.
>>
I hide the network SSID again & no connectivity AGAIN!!!
Looks like an unresolved 7 bug, I have installed all MS updates but my Windows 7 laptop simply WILL NOT connect to a wireless network with hidden SSID.
A security compromise nice one MS :-/ Windows 7 was NOT my idea!
Djc : Windows 7 does let you
Djc :
Windows 7 does let you connect to hidden SSID. You must set up you network before you hide the SSID, and then use the same profile to access it (ensuring that "connect if hidden" is checked as you said). OR you may go to the network and sharing center and manually add the network in the "manage wireless networks" list. You may not, however, hide your SSID and then expect a previously unconfigured computer to see the access point- that is the point of hiding the SSID.
NOT TRUE! Unless I'm missing
NOT TRUE! Unless I'm missing smth. more obscure: I have set up a wifi network by adding it manually thru "manage wireless networks", and it does not show in the list of available connection options. It shows up in the "manage wireless ntworks", but, BUMMER, no "Connect" button to press and exercise the network here. So I'm stuck with "Other Networks", then enter a pretty long SSID/wpa2 passphrase, as this is the name of the game, right? Way to go Microsoft engineers, wherever you may be. Where do I wish to go today? maybe back in time, to XP SP3 !
Also, The "manual connect" in
Also, The "manual connect" in Windows 7 is listed under "manage Wireless networks" within the Network and Sharing center, once in the management area, press "add" and the questions begin.
Hi Techie Girl, Thanks for
Hi Techie Girl,
Thanks for the reply.
It's been a while since I had to broadcast my SSID to all the neighbours but...
I will re-visit this later today & follow the steps you have provided, but I am fairly sure I have already tried everything you mentioned :/
I went through the MS knowledge base on this a few weeks back
& tried just about everything.
I wonder how many updates have been installed since then???? hmmmmm
I hope the steps are helpful,
I hope the steps are helpful, there are some steps that are very particular when it comes to setting these things up. Check for the simple things first, for example some routers have an option to turn off wireless broadcast period, which can be confused with " hiding the signal" but instead turns the signal completely off. Some routers also require hard wiring in to a new device until the connection is configured. My only other suggestion would be to check manuals and be specific with any error reports or messages that pop up if you are denied connection.
Best of luck!
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