Should You Change the Default Name (SSID) of a Wireless Router? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking 189 189 people found this article helpful
Should You Change the Default Name (SSID) of a Wireless Router?
Improve the security of your home network by changing the SSID
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 11, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking Routers & Firewalls The Wireless Connection Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless Wireless broadband routers and wireless access points establish a wireless network using a Service Set Identifier (SSID) name. These devices are configured with a predefined default SSID network name by the manufacturer at the factory. Typically, all of a manufacturer's routers are assigned the same SSID. If you are wondering if you should change your router's name, the answer is simple. Yes, you should. Why You Should Change the SSID
Typical default SSIDs are simple words like Wireless, Netgear, Linksys, and Default. There's a good chance that your neighbors have the same type of router you have using the same default SSID. That could be a recipe for a security disaster, particularly if neither of you uses encryption. Check your router's SSID, and if it is one of these defaults, change the network name to something only you know. Tetra Images / Getty Images How to Find the SSID of a Wireless Router
To find your router's current SSID, enter its IP address to access its administrator configuration pages using a computer. Most router manufacturers use a default address such as 192.168.0.1. For example, if you have a Linksys WRT54GS router: Enter http://192.168.1.1 (or another address of the router, if you changed its default) in a browser. Most Linksys routers use the username admin and require no password, so leave the password field blank. Select the Wireless menu option. View the current SSID name in the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field. Other router manufacturers follow a similar path to the SSID. Check the website of your router manufacturer or documentation for specific default login credentials. The IP address may even be written on the bottom of the router, but you still need the username and password if one exists. Deciding Whether to Change Your SSID
You can change an SSID at any time through the router configuration screen. Changing it after a wireless network is established causes all the wireless devices to disconnect, and they must rejoin the network using the new name. Otherwise, the choice of name doesn't affect a Wi-Fi network's operation at all. If two networks with the same name are installed near each other, users and client devices could become confused and try to join the wrong one. If both networks are open (not using WPA or other security), clients can silently leave their correct network and join the other. Even with Wi-Fi security in place, users find the duplicate names annoying. Experts debate whether using a manufacturer's default SSID poses a security risk to the home network. On the one hand, the name has no bearing on an attacker's ability to find and penetrate the network. On the other hand, given multiple networks in a neighborhood to choose from, attackers may target ones with default names on the likelihood that those households have taken less care in setting up their home networks. Choosing Good Wireless Network Names
To improve the security or usability of your home wireless network, consider changing the router's SSID to a different name than the default. An SSID is case sensitive and can contain up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Follow these guidelines based on recommended network security practices: Don't embed your name, address, birth date, or other personal information as part of the SSID.Don't use any of your Windows or internet website passwords.Don't tempt would-be intruders by using tantalizing network names like MakeMyDay or Top-Secret.Do pick an SSID that contains both letters and numbers.Do choose a name as long or nearly as long as the maximum length allowed.Do consider changing your SSID periodically—at least once every few months.Write down the new SSID name somewhere you can find it—maybe on the bottom of the router. Once you've chosen a new network name, making the change is simple. Type it in the field next to Wireless Network Name (SSID) for a Linksys router or in a similar field for a different manufacturer. The change isn't activated until you save or confirm it. You don't have to reboot the router. You can find how-to information at your router manufacturer's website or in an online step-by-step guide to changing the SSID on a Linksys router. How to Change a Wi-Fi Network Name Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect a Router to the Internet Linksys E1000 Default Password How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password How to Set Up a Router Linksys E900 (N300) Default Password How to Hack-Proof Your Wireless Router D-Link DIR-600 Default Password Linksys E4200 default password How to Find the Default IP Address of a Belkin Router How to Connect to Your Home Router as an Administrator Linksys WRT54G2 Default Password Linksys Default Password List (Updated October 2022) How to Change a Wi-Fi Network Name Can Two Routers Be Used on the Same Home Network? What Is a Service Set Identifier (SSID)? How to Kick People off Your Wi-Fi Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies