WiFi networks have an identifier, a name, which is public if the default configuration of the router is maintained. This identifier is the SSID and is, ultimately, the name that appears -so that we can connect- when, from any device with WiFi-type wireless connectivity, we do a search. However, this SSID can be hidden and, in this way, we would be able to have an invisible WiFi network. You will still be able to connect, but only by knowing your name. How can we do this?
We can have a hidden WiFi network. The only difference with respect to a normal configuration will be that, as we mentioned, the SSID it will not be visible when, from another device, a search for wireless networks is made. Therefore, if someone does not know the name of the WiFi network, since it is not available in the list of nearby networks, they will not be able to connect. However, if we know the SSID, we can do the configuration manually by entering the name of the network and its password and thus we will connect as normal. Only we will know that this network exists, which will give us advantages when it comes to protecting ourselves from intruders. Of course, you must bear in mind that it is not an infallible trick and that it will not always protect us from cybercriminals, but it will prevent your smart neighbor from using a network scanning application and connecting to yours to steal your WiFi.
Hide from router settings
Like any other WiFi network setting, this setting is available through the router. The steps will vary depending on the brand or operator you have contracted but all the devices allow us to access its configuration to find this setting. In other words, the first thing we must do is take any device connected to the network, open the web browser and access the address 192.168.1.1. At least, this will be the IP address to access the router configuration as long as we keep the default settings, although it may have changed and it may be another IP, but it is not usual. From here, we will need the access data, which, in general, will be the user 'admin' and password 1234, although it could vary depending on the router model and the operator you have contracted, but generally we will find it on the sticker.
Once inside the configuration, we must go to the WiFi settings. We should find something like WiFi Wireless or WLAN. This section is where the wireless network settings parameters are available. And what is related to the SSID should be available in the basic configuration section. The option that we want to find can be found in a section such as SSID, SSID settings, SSID Settings or similar.
It is important to look at this configuration that is hidden in both wireless networks, the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz. It will depend on the router in question. It may happen that we are configuring the parameters of only one of them, leaving the name of the other visible. Depending on the router model and the configuration interface designed by the operators, we can find independent menus for each network or a common menu.
How to connect
If we hide our WiFi, we prevent any device from detecting it and showing it among the list of wireless networks within its reach. In this way, we prevent anyone who is close to us from stealing our WiFi, since it will not be visible. Now, surely, if it is the first time that you are considering hiding the wireless network of your home or work, you will be wondering how it is possible to connect to it if it does not appear among the available WiFi networks within our reach.
It's simple, we just have to write the name and password manually when we want to connect to the internet without the need for it to appear in the list of networks.
What to keep in mind
By default, our Internet provider will name our WiFi with a name that is not very descriptive and usually not easy to write correctly. The truth is that, when we see it, we may identify it because most operators follow similar patterns in the structure of the name, but if we had to write it, we would probably doubt a lot. Therefore, to avoid problems after hiding the SSID of our WiFi, it is best that we write down its name and save it in a safe place that is easy to find so that we can connect to it later without problems.
In case of forgetting the name of the WiFi network or if we do not find the saved paper, there is no need to be alarmed, we can always resort to the administration panel through the address indicated by the manufacturer, as we have commented above. Even if we did not have access to the password of the configuration menu and having forgotten the name of the network, all is not lost. Most router models have a small button, sometimes it's like a 1mm diameter hole labeled RESET. Thus we will return the router to the factory settings and we can start everything from the beginning without any problem.
