An SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of a Wi-Fi network, up to 32 bytes long, that an access point announces in its beacon frames. It is what you see in the list of available networks on a phone or laptop.
Why it matters
The SSID tells devices which network to join and which saved password to use. Several access points can share one SSID, which lets a device roam between them in a home mesh or an office. A single access point can also broadcast multiple SSIDs, for example one for staff and one for guests, each mapped to a different VLAN with its own security settings.
Because the name is only a label, it provides no security. Two networks may carry the same name, and a malicious "evil twin" access point can copy a trusted SSID to trick devices into joining.
Example
A cafe runs Cafe-Guest (open, with a captive portal) and Cafe-Staff (WPA3-Enterprise). Both SSIDs come from the same access point. The BSSID, the access point radio's MAC address, tells apart individual radios sharing a name.
Common misconceptions
- Hiding the SSID does not make a network secure; the name still appears in client probe requests and can be discovered.
- A strong network name is not a substitute for a strong password.
- The SSID is not the same as the BSSID.
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