我们都被大量的Wi-Fi 网络(Wi-Fi networks)及其空中信号所包围。但是这些网络安全吗？Wi-Fi 安全一直是网络管理员面临的挑战。此外，无线网络通常广播数据流，因此被认为不太安全。另一方面，有线网络更加安全，并且需要黑客进行物理入侵。在本文中，我们将讨论所谓的 Wi-Fi 安全功能“隐藏的 SSID(Hidden SSID) ”。此功能有时是公司营销活动的主题，但让我们找出它的真正含义。
什么是隐藏 SSID
每当您连接到 Wi-Fi 网络时，您一定注意到有一个与之关联的名称。SSID是与无线网络关联的名称，是它的标识符。连接到该网络的所有客户端都通过其SSID知道该网络。
无线网络(Wireless Networks)不断广播它们的SSID，以便其他客户端可以扫描它们并连接到这些网络。但有些网络不希望每个人都看到他们的存在。因此，不公开广播其名称的网络具有隐藏的SSID。当您扫描Wi-Fi(Wi-Fi)网络时，这些网络也不会正常显示。
您可能会想，这是一项很好的安全功能。但让我告诉你，事实并非如此。有很多工具可以轻松扫描这些隐藏的网络。通过隐藏您的网络，您可能会引起黑客不必要的注意。隐藏(Hidden) 网络(Networks)不会向 Wi-Fi 网络的安全层添加任何内容。考虑更改密码和安全类型以提高安全性。
如何连接到隐藏的WiFi网络？
那么，您有想要连接的隐藏网络的详细信息吗？(Hidden Network)Windows 11/10上连接到隐藏网络相当简单。在继续之前，请确保您拥有有关隐藏网络的以下详细信息：
- SSID（隐藏的 SSID）
- 安全类型
- 安全密钥
- EAP 方法(EAP Method)（如果使用WPA2-Enterprise AES安全类型）
掌握所有这些详细信息后，请按照以下步骤手动添加隐藏的无线网络：
- 打开“设置(Settings)”
- 转到“网络和 Internet(Network and Internet) ”。
- 从左侧菜单中选择“ Wi-Fi ”。
- 点击“管理已知网络(Manage Known Networks)”
- 现在点击“添加新网络(Add a new network)”
- 输入(Enter)SSID ，选择安全类型并输入您的密码。
- 如果您想在可用时连接到此网络，请选择“自动连接”。(Connect Automatically)
还有一个选项是“即使这个网络没有广播也连接”。(Connect)启用此选项确实会使您的隐私面临风险。即使您在不同的地方，Windows也会始终扫描此网络。(Windows)任何黑客或入侵者都可以拦截此搜索并真正知道您要连接到哪个网络。
如何找到隐藏的 WiFi 网络
正如我所提到的，有很多工具可以扫描隐藏的 Wi-Fi 网络。这些工具可以帮助您连接到这些网络或检查您的 Wi-Fi 网络的安全性。我们已经详细介绍了其中一些工具，请点击链接了解更多关于这些工具的信息。
网络测量员(NetSurveyor)
它是一款免费的Wi-Fi网络发现工具，可扫描您周围的可用Wi-Fi信号。然后它将处理此信息并向您呈现由各种诊断值和图表组成的报告。NetSurveyor支持大多数 Wi-Fi 适配器，如果您的设备没有受支持的Wi-Fi适配器，(Wi-Fi)甚至还提供演示(Demo)模式。
网络绊脚石(NetStumbler)
NetStumbler是一个类似的工具，但它相对较旧，非常适合旧系统。它支持网络发现和您在审核无线网络区域时需要的所有其他主要功能。NetStumbler可能无法识别您的 Wi-Fi 适配器，因为该工具最近没有更新。
基斯梅特(Kismet)
Kismet是一个开源网络检测器、嗅探器和入侵检测系统。这是一个相当复杂的工具，用户可能需要在使用它之前对其进行编译。该文档提供了在Windows和Linux系统上编译该工具的说明。
如何隐藏你的无线网络
一些国家不允许无线网络公开广播其SSID 。因此，您可能正在寻找隐藏网络的SSID。我们在这里介绍的步骤主要取决于路由器及其制造商。这些步骤可以有很大的不同，应该只考虑一个大致的想法。
- 打开网络浏览器并导航到路由器的配置页面。通常，它类似于“ http://192.168.0.1 ”。阅读路由器随附的说明手册以了解更多详细信息。
- 输入(Enter)指南中的默认凭据。
- 现在转到无线设置(Wireless Settings)并将“ SSID 广播(SSID Broadcast)”设置为“禁用(Disabled)”。
这应该会阻止您的路由器广播网络SSID。
隐藏的 WiFi 网络是否安全？
这值得么？隐藏SSID不会真正为您的无线网络添加任何额外的安全功能。因为 Wi-Fi 网络是广播类型，隐藏SSID不会有任何区别。相反，它使连接到网络有点困难，因为还有一个额外的步骤。此外，如果您的计算机不断地扫描该区域以查找隐藏网络，那么您将面临该网络的隐私风险。
结论(Conclusion)
以上就是您想了解的有关隐藏SSID(SSIDs)和Wi-Fi网络的全部信息。您可以使用上述工具之一，开始搜索您周围的 Wi-Fi(Wi-Fi)网络。或者，您可以继续隐藏您的Wi-Fi网络，以测试路由器提供的安全功能。这些网络背后的科学及其运作方式很有趣。好奇的读者可以通过在互联网上搜索 802.11 来阅读更多内容。
How to find and connect to Hidden WiFi Networks on Windows 11/10
We are all surrounded by a plethora of Wi-Fi networks and their signals in the air. But are these networks secure? Wi-Fi security has always been a challenge for network administrators. Also, wireless networks usually broadcast the stream of data and hence are considered lesser secure. On the other hand, wired networks are much more secure and require physical intrusion by the hacker. In this article, we are going to talk about a so-called Wi-Fi security feature ‘Hidden SSID’. This feature was sometimes a topic of the marketing campaign by companies but let’s find out what it really is.
What is a Hidden SSID
Whenever you connect to a Wi-Fi network, you must have noticed that there is a name associated with it. An SSID is the name associated with the wireless network and is an identifier for it. All the clients that connect to that network know that network by its SSID.
Wireless Networks constantly broadcast their SSID so that other clients can scan them and connect to these networks. But some networks do not want everyone to see their presence. So, a network not broadcasting its name publicly is having a hidden SSID. These networks also do not show up normally when you scan for Wi-Fi networks.
You might be thinking, this is one good security feature. But let me tell you, it is not. There are a lot of tools available that can scan these hidden networks easily. And by hiding your network you might attract unwanted attention from hackers. Hidden Networks do not add anything to security layer of a Wi-Fi network. Consider changing the password and security type for more security.
How to connect to a hidden WiFi network?
So, you have details for a Hidden Network that you want to connect to? It is fairly simple to connect to a hidden network on Windows 11/10. Before continuing, make sure you have the following details about the hidden network:
- SSID (hidden SSID)
- Security Type
- Security Key
- EAP Method (if using WPA2-Enterprise AES security type)
Once you have all these details handy, follow these steps to manually add a hidden wireless network:
- Open ‘Settings’
- Go to ‘Network and Internet’.
- Select ‘Wi-Fi’ from the left menu.
- Click on ‘Manage Known Networks’
- Now click on ‘Add a new network’
- Enter the SSID, choose the security type and enter your password.
- Select ‘Connect Automatically’ if you want to connect to this network whenever available.
There is one more option that says, ‘Connect even if this network is not broadcasting’. Enabling this option can really put your privacy to risk. Windows will always scan for this network even if you are in a different place. Any hackers or intruders can intercept this search and really know which network you are trying to connect to.
How to find Hidden WiFi Networks
As I mentioned, there are a lot of tools that are meant to scan hidden Wi-Fi networks. These tools can help you while connecting to these networks or inspecting the security of your Wi-Fi network. We have already covered some of these tools in detail, please follow the links to know more about these tools.
NetSurveyor
It is a free Wi-Fi network discovery tool that scans your surroundings for available Wi-Fi signals. It will then process this information and present you the report consisting of various diagnostic values and charts. NetSurveyor supports most of the Wi-Fi adapters and even comes with a Demo mode if your device does not have a supported Wi-Fi adapter.
NetStumbler
NetStumbler is a similar tool but it is relatively old, perfect for older systems. It supports network discovery and all other major features that you will need while auditing the area for wireless networks. There is a possibility that NetStumbler might not recognize your Wi-Fi adapter as the tool has not been updated lately.
Kismet
Kismet is an open-source network detector, sniffer, and intrusion detection system. It is a rather complex tool and a user might need to compile it before using it. The documentation provides instructions for compiling the tool on both Windows and Linux systems.
How to make your wireless network hidden
Some countries do not allow wireless networks that broadcast their SSID publicly. So, you might be looking for hiding the SSID of your network. The steps we’ve covered here depends majorly on the router and its manufacturer. These steps can vary a lot and should be considered only for getting a general idea.
- Open a web browser and navigate to the router’s configuration page. Usually, it is something like ‘http://192.168.0.1’. Read the instruction manual that came along with your router for more details.
- Enter the default credentials from the guide.
- Now go to Wireless Settings and set ‘SSID Broadcast’ to ‘Disabled’.
This should stop your router from broadcasting the network SSID.
Are Hidden WiFi networks secure?
Is it worth it? Hiding the SSID won’t really add any extra security features to your wireless network. Because Wi-Fi networks are the broadcast type, hiding SSID won’t make any difference. Conversely, it makes it a little difficult to connect to the network as there is one additional step. Also, if your computer is constantly scanning the area for a hidden network, you are risking your privacy with that network.
Conclusion
So that was all you want to know about hidden SSIDs and Wi-Fi networks. You can grab one of the tools mentioned and start hunting Wi-Fi networks around you. Or you can go ahead and hide your Wi-Fi network to test the security features offered by your router. The science behind these networks and how they work is interesting. Curious readers can read more by searching the internet for 802.11.
