Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

I need to connect to a wireless network with a hidden SSID. I've followed suggestions floating around this forum.. that is, I've manually added the network to the connectivity settings. I've also selected "any connection" for the pulldown labeled "connect automatically".

When "select connection" is chosen, it scans for (and only shows) visible networks. Perhaps rightly so; but how do you connect to known hidden networks?

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

You have to set the checkbox for "hidden" when setting up the connection in the connection wizard.

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

Tick the box that says "Network is hidden" in the connection settings.

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

If you set up the hidden network correctly, it should show up in the list of networks while you scan. (I have all my networks set to hidden, ad I all find them this way.)

If they don't show up, maybe there's still something wrong with the way you set them up. I don't have my N800 so I can't help you with the details right now.

Oh, BTW:
You don't have access to the router/access point of any of these networks, do you? You could try to make them vidible only for a while, connect to them, save the connection, ... just to make sure that in principle you can connect and there's no other problem we just don't see yet because you can't make your tablet even try to connect.

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

Beaten by mere seconds...

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

Yes, I did tick the "network is hidden" box. So I'm not sure why I can't see it.

Making the access point visible temporarily is not an option, because my employer controls the access point.

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

tell your employer that a hidden SSID wifi access point is utterly ******ed, it doesn't make things more secure, and can really screw up WPA of variou types.

let me guess, it's running WEP, and employer has used mac "authentication", to "improve" security, so it's actually got a pretense of security!

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

speculatrix is right. A hidden SSID adds nothing to security. It gives a false sense of security. Crackers can still see the AP even including the security profile and encryption used. Think of it for a moment: its wireless, you know the protocol is there, you know its using a channel, you just don't know the name.

The fact you hide your SSID might make crackers feel more inclined to check out the security of your WiFi over another. After all, if its worth hiding, it might be worthwhile to check what is hidden. So it might be less secure.

If your employer is using WEP or WPA he should upgrade to WPA2-Personal or WPA2-Enterprise (with AES), or something like SSH + VPN/IPsec.

I suggest you understand the root of this problem, and kindly inform your employer about this.

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

Hmmm, I connected to a hidden WLAN at my cousins house recently. I had to manually type in the "name" of the router, and then it was found. It was rather simple, though my uncle is a IT guy so he knew how to do everything by heart.

And yeah, hidden SSID's are useless. A noob like myself with aircrack can find a hidden SSID with a default command scan...

Edit: Maybe you should show the people in charge of the router how easily you can hack the WiFi, so they will change it. Often, action is better than words with these things..

Re: Connecting to wlans with hidden SSIDs
 

This isn't a mom and pop shop; it's a large aerospace company. Although I generally agree, advice from an employee with respect to how security should be structured is unlikely to be appreciated.

I just found out the wifi part of the LAN is not for personal use - so I have a compelling reason to give up on it. I'm still curious from an academic standpoint though.

The employer gave me a temporary account before I was aware of the AUP. The account was expressed with a username, password, and ssid. I find it odd that a username would acompany the password. It suggests to me that it's an open AP, and perhaps has a web login. Does that sound right? I don't think a username is useful for authentication at the link layer.