A WLAN client can only connect to a wireless network if it is informed of the corresponding SSID. The factory settings for many wireless networks allow the use of a blank SSID or the SSID "any", and continuing to use this means that potential intruders do not need to know the wireless LAN's SSID. The closed network function prevents unauthorized WLAN clients from logging into the WLAN. The access point rejects any attempt to log on with a blank SSID or the SSID "any". Any user wanting to logon to the WLAN must know the correct SSID.
Note: Simply suppressing the SSID broadcast does not provide adequate protection: When legitimate WLAN clients associate with the access point, this transmits the SSID in plain text so that it is briefly visible to all clients in the WLAN network.
LANconfig:.
LANconfig:
The option Suppress SSID broadcast provides the following settings:
- No: The access point broadcasts the radio cell's SSID. When a client sends a probe request with a blank or incorrect SSID, the device responds with the SSID of the radio cell (publicly visible WLAN).
- Yes: The access point does not broadcast the radio cell's SSID. When a client sends a probe request with an empty SSID, the device similarly responds with an empty SSID. The client cannot log on to the radio cell.
- Tightened: The access point does not broadcast the radio cell's SSID. When a client sends a probe request with a blank or incorrect SSID, the device does not respond. The client cannot log on to the radio cell. This setting also reduces the network load if there is a large number of WLAN clients in the radio cell.