What is 'Network Name' shown as 'Hidden Network' for?

Hi,
I sometimes see Network Name is shown as 'Hidden Network' in the Network _Settings taskbar.
I have remember that I only saw such a hidden network name' one time when I rested my router to default configuration.

I didn't take a screen shot when I saw that hidden network. So, to only let you see what I mean with 'hidden network' I also saw that time, I have taken a screen shot from the Brink tutorial:


When I tried to connected to that hidden network name, I was asked to enter a name to that network. I don't know who created that hidden network.

It's possible with some routers to hide your SSID. People do this under the mistaken impression it make their WiFi more 'secure' - it doesn't...

....the point is that there’s no extra protection from hiding your SSID. Read on.

If you see a Hidden network that is not yours then it simply means that somebody nearby is transmitting a Hidden network [possibly using the WiFi hotspot feature of their smartphone].

If they wanted you to be able to connect to it then they would have told you what its name [SSID] and security key were.

Since they have not done so they don't want to allow you to connect. That is their right.

Denis

If you see a Hidden network that is not yours then it simply means that somebody nearby is transmitting a Hidden network [possibly using the WiFi hotspot feature of their smartphone].

If they wanted you to be able to connect to it then they would have told you what its name [SSID] and security key were.

Since they have not done so they don't want to allow you to connect. That is their right.

Denis

I only one time saw that hidden network name. However, I don't know if my Router can hide my SSID or not. I have not see any options in the configurations. However, I think I have seen that hidden network, once I rested my router to be in default configurations without any settings. My router is a MikroTik brand(RB2011UiAS-5Hnd)

It's possible with some routers to hide your SSID. People do this under the mistaken impression it make their WiFi more 'secure' - it doesn't...

Interesting I was always thinking of hiding it

But after your Link I wont Bother
Thanks

However, I think I have seen that hidden network, once I rested my router to be in default configurations without any settings. (RB2011UiAS-5Hnd)

So what? It is an event of absolutely no significance. There is no problem to be solved.

Forget the subject and devote your energies to something else.

Denis

Interesting I was always thinking of hiding it

But after your Link I wont Bother
Thanks

Yes, but not all Routers can let you hide the SSID.



Besides, I read that "SSID is a network name, not — I repeat, not — a password. A wireless network has an SSID to distinguish it from other wireless networks in the vicinity. The SSID was never designed to be hidden, and therefore won’t provide your network with any kind of protection if you try to hide it."

However, I think that Ethernet connection/Network has SSID.
See screen shots below:
My Ethernet connection/work has a different SSID than Wireless connection/network

However, when I merged them, then then the SSID became one for both.