SSID stands for Service Set IDentifier, and is the name of a wireless network. Out of the box, wireless routers and access points have a default SSID. This might be its manufacturer’s name, like Linksys or Netgear, or your internet service provider (ISP) if your router came with your broadband package.
There are several reasons it’s a good idea to change your router’s default SSID:
- To give your network a unique name you can remember and avoid confusion with your neighbors’ networks, which may use a similar default name.
- To deter hackers by showing that the home network is actively managed, not left on less secure default settings.
- To create different SSIDs for different purposes, like one for guests (see below).
In this article, we’ll look at:
- How to change your SSID and WiFi password
- When to use multiple SSIDs
- Should you broadcast your SSID?
- Boost your network security
Technically, your SSID doesn’t have to be unique, but it’s important to make it different from others in your area. If your neighbor had the SSID “My_Home_WiFi” and you made yours the same, your devices might try to connect to the wrong network at times, depending on the strength of your home WiFi signal.
How to change your SSID and WiFi password
To change your default SSID and password(nieuw venster), you need to log in to your router as an administrator (admin).
You can usually do this in a web browser through a specific address, like 192.168.1.1 (check your router’s documentation for your address). Or your router may come with a mobile app that allows you to adjust your wireless settings.
How to change SSID
1. Enter your router’s IP address in your browser or open its mobile app.
2. Sign in using the admin username and password. If you’ve never changed these credentials, you can usually find them on a label on the router’s case, together with the SSID.
3. Open the Wireless or WiFi settings menu and a new name in the Network name or SSID name field.
SSIDs can be up to 32 letters, numbers, or special characters (spaces, periods, underscores, etc.). They’re also case-sensitive, so Network-Name-Example is different from network-name-example.
Ensure the name is easy to remember, but don’t include personal details like your name and address.
4. Click Apply or Save when you’re done.
The SSID is just the name of your WiFi network and therefore has little impact on security. However, while you’re on your router’s admin page or app, it’s a good idea to review your WiFi password(nieuw venster) settings to ensure your network is secure.
- Check your password encryption protocol Security. If your router supports the latest WiFi security standard for keeping your WiFi connections secure, choose WPA3 (most secure) or WPA3/WPA2 hybrid mode (much less secure, but will work with most devices). Avoid WEP, which can be easily cracked. If your router only offers WEP, you should upgrade its firmware or consider getting a new one.
Learn more about WPA3 and WiFi security standards
- Change your WiFi password from the default password set by your router’s manufacturer. Use a strong password(nieuw venster) or passphrase.
- Turn off WiFi Protected Setup (WPS). Designed to make it easier to connect new devices, WPS is a security risk(nieuw venster).
- Change your router’s default admin username and password, adding a strong password if it doesn’t have one. Look for Change password or a similar setting in the admin account. Otherwise, anyone who sees these login details on the case of your router could gain administrator access. In addition to this, the default admin passwords for popular routers are widely available on hacker sites.
When to use multiple SSIDs
Using more than one SSID allows you to create separate password-protected networks for different purposes. That way you can protect your primary WiFi password and restrict access to your network.
For example, you might see one SSID for students and another for staff if you’re at school. Or if you’re running a small business, you might want to set up one SSID for your employees and a guest SSID for visitors.
Guest SSIDs
Likewise, at home, you can enable a guest SSID with a separate password with most routers.
For example, My-WiFi-Name could be your main SSID with full local network access, including file sharing and printing, while My-WiFi-Name-Guest for visitors could provide internet access only.
Guest SSIDs are usually switched off by default. Log in to your router as an admin (see how above) and look for a switch to enable the guest access point in the Wireless settings. Like your main SSID, you can change the guest SSID name and password.
Learn more about guest networks
Dual-band and tri-band SSIDs
Another reason to have more than one SSID is to differentiate frequency bands for your wireless network.
Since the introduction of the 802.11n wireless standard in 2009, also known as WiFi 4, many wireless routers have been able to broadcast on two bands simultaneously: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. And with the introduction of WiFi, tri-band routers that also support 6 Ghz connections are also beginning to appear.
MAIN WIFI STANDARDS
| WiFi standard | Year released | Frequency bands | Max speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11b (WiFi 1) | 1999 | 2.4 GHz | 11 Mbps |
| 802.11a (WiFi 2) | 1999 | 5 GHz | 54 Mbps |
| 802.11g (WiFi 3) | 2003 | 2.4 GHz | 54 Mbps |
| 802.11n (WiFi 4) | 2009 | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 600 Mbps |
| 802.11ac (WiFi 5) | 2013 | 5 GHz (optional 2.4 GHz via 802.11n) | 3.4 Gbps |
| 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | 2019 | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 9.6 Gbps |
| 802.11ax (WiFi 6E) | 2021 | 6 GHz | 9.6 Gbps |
| 802.11be (WiFi 7) | (2024) | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 46 Gbps |
While the 5 GHz and 6Ghz bands support faster speeds and are less congested than the 2.4 GHz one, the lower frequency of 2.4 GHz can better penetrate solid objects, offering a better range. So if you have a dual-band router, which should you choose?
By default, most modern routers will choose for you. They broadcast both bands with the same SSID and use band steering(nieuw venster) to push devices to connect to the best network. That means older devices connect to the 2.4 GHz network, while newer, 5 GHz or 6 GHz-enabled ones should automatically join the faster bands if the signal is strong enough.
However, if you want to be able to choose which band to connect to manually, you can split the two (or three) bands into separate SSIDs, for example, named as follows:
- My-WiFi-Name — 2.4 GHz band for older devices and a longer service range.
- My-WiFi-Name-5G — 5 GHz band for newer devices and a shorter service range.
Change your SSIDs in your router’s wireless settings, as outlined above (check your router’s documentation for details).
Should you broadcast your SSID?
You can turn off (disable) the broadcast of your SSID so it’s not publicly visible. Then it won’t appear on lists of available WiFi networks on devices in the area. But contrary to popular opinion, that won’t significantly enhance your network security.
First, even when you disable SSID broadcast, your SSID is still included in each data packet on your network. A hacker can easily “sniff” it out using wireless packet-sniffing software.
Second, turning off SSID broadcast could actually attract local hackers to your network. If you’re lying low, they might think you’ve got something to hide.
In short, there’s little point in trying to hide your SSID. And with SSID broadcast disabled, you’ll just make it more difficult to connect a new device — you’ll have to manually enter your SSID every time.
Boost your network security
Following the advice above on SSIDs, encryption, and passwords will help you secure your wireless network. It’s also important to keep your router’s firmware updated.
If you’re tech-savvy and want to further boost your network security, you can set up a VPN on your router. A VPN on your router will automatically encrypt all your traffic, securing your whole network, even for devices that don’t support a VPN.
At Proton, our mission is to make internet privacy and security available to all. That’s why we offer a free Proton VPN service, which you could try installing on your router. If you’d like to support, please consider upgrading to Proton VPN Plus for more features.
Final thoughts
Changing your SSID is a simple yet effective step in securing and personalizing your home network. Whether you’re doing it for better organization, added privacy, or just a bit of fun, the process usually takes only a few minutes and can make a big difference.
Remember to choose a unique, non-identifiable name and reconnect your devices once the change is complete. By regularly updating your network settings, including your SSID, you’re taking proactive steps to maintain better control over your digital space.
