There are many recommendations to enhance security of wireless networks by having the router NOT broadcast the SSID. But each time the connection is lost, I have to connect by entering the SSID and the network key, and Vista creates a new entry in the wireless networks table, even though the name already exists!!! Do others have this experience? How did you solve it?Why does Windows Vista make it impossible to connect to wireless network purposely NOT broadcasting its SSID?
Encryption is not the only, or even the best way to secure your system.
Encryption is just one layer of security - It needs to be the right encryption as well - WEP is easily broken these days if you have a busy system. Use one of the WPA variants - the newer the better
Implementing MAC ID filtering is another layer - By doing so you hard code which computers that are allowed on the network. Even if they get connected, they are not allowed on
Changing the SSID of the router from default is a must - leaving it at default tells the hacker what router he is dealing with and makes it easier for him
Changing the user name and password is a must - there are simple scripts that test routers for default logins - once in a hacker can do whatever he wants.
Assigning Fixed IP addresses to machines on your network and turning off DHCP in the router makes life harder for the hacker - and that's a good thing.
No system is completely secure, just as no house cannot be broken into. But taking a few precautions can make the hacker look for an easier targetWhy does Windows Vista make it impossible to connect to wireless network purposely NOT broadcasting its SSID?
Hiding the ssid does NOT improve security. I have connected to many of my customers' hidden wireless systems to prove it does nothing. Better to leave it on. It is always possible to read the ssid in the communications between connected machines.The only way to correctly secure is to use encryption. It is all you need.
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