Seeing "Hidden Network" on my wi fi list.

[tackattack]

It's less likely a black hat and more likely a script puppy changing his SSID to something to bother people. A lot of people with a moderate wireless knowledge will change their SSID to "Secure Network", "Private Network", "Hidden Network", or "FBI". Real ne'r-do-wells, just won't broadcast their SSID. I won't worry about it at all, unless it becomes unsecure, and the signal strength is strong enough for your machine to actually attempt to hook up to it... that'd be problematic on a few levels.

[Jehanne]

Not broadcasting a SSID is an added level of security. Someone still has to know the name of the wireless network to connect, but it isn't being broadcast to the whole world to see. That makes it harder for someone to access the network. they have to know the SSID and the password.

It's worthless security:

Debunking Myths: Is Hiding Your Wireless SSID Really More Secure?

[popeyespappy]

Not broadcasting a SSID is an added level of security. Someone still has to know the name of the wireless network to connect, but it isn't being broadcast to the whole world to see. That makes it harder for someone to access the network. they have to know the SSID and the password.

It's worthless security:

Debunking Myths: Is Hiding Your Wireless SSID Really More Secure?

Not completely worthless. No, it isn't going to keep someone that knows what they doing from identifying your network SSID, but it can help keep random neighbors from "borrowing" your network connection.

[Jehanne]

It's worthless security:

Debunking Myths: Is Hiding Your Wireless SSID Really More Secure?

Not completely worthless. No, it isn't going to keep someone that knows what they doing from identifying your network SSID, but it can help keep random neighbors from "borrowing" your network connection.

In either case, choose a good passphrase, Upper & lower case letters, numbers, special characters, punctuation symbols, etc.; in my opinion, at least 15 symbols.

[arewethereyet]

Looking at my current list of nearby networks, one is named 911, What is your Emergency. Pretty creative since another one is Sam Wi-Fi.

My younger daughter used to use the password 'Get your own'.

[Jehanne]

Looking at my current list of nearby networks, on is named 911, What is your Emergency. Pretty creative since another one is Sam Wi-Fi.

My younger daughter used to use the password 'Get your own'.

Choosing a good password is important, as not doing so can result in Homeland Security busting down your door in the pre-dawn hours.