Hiding my network name

I was wondering if anybody knew how to hide a network
from being displayed where everybody ccan see it. I
know my old Linksys wireless router you could set up
a network and hide it so youo have to manually type
in the correct network name to join. I'm using an
Apple Airport express for my wirelessnetwork and I
would like to make it invisible. Thanks

Hello you can make your wireless network a closed in your airport admin utility. This is known as not broadcasting your SSID.

But don't be lulled into a false sense of security. It does NOT make your network any more secure or less secure if you choose to broadcast your SSID or not. You are never invisible.

A wireless sniffer can detect your network whether you hide the name or not.

The only security you should consider using is WPA/WPA2 encryption.

In fact you are better broadcasting your network name as this helps your neighbours when they setup a wifi network they can see yours and therefore choose a differenet channel to broadcast on.

If 2 wifi networks in close proximity to each other are using the same channel this will cause interference with each other. So it is best if neighbours cooperate with each other.

Tim:

Perhaps you may have some input into this. I've noticed recently, when I click on the fan shaped symbol at the upper right to turn airport on, there are two addional networks-Netgear and william. I do not recall inputting any of these two. Could it be possible, there has been some connection between the network I use with the two other computers in the house and some other network outside the house but in the area. All three computers here are connected wirelessly to the internet. Could external networks be interacting such that they become possible networks for me if I have their WPA password?

I am going to jump on the tail end of this thread because of Tim's last comment. I think I need help in this area.

I have been using the Linksys WRT54G for close to two years now. My iMac G5 and new iBook connect wirelessly through that.

My network name is set to display, I only have one other neighbor who shows up and they are wep incrypted like mine.

I ask this, because in the last 3 weeks, my Macs are SLOW like dial-up and I am about to go bald pulling my hair! I haven't changed a thing, it just happened, so now I am wondering if this is my issue. If I am anywhere else using wireless, it's lightening fast still, like at the library.

How can I tell what channel they are using? I know mine was the highest number on the linksys screen. If I change it, could I see a difference?

Thanks, Sandy

In fact you are better broadcasting your network name
as this helps your neighbours when they setup a wifi
network they can see yours and therefore choose a
differenet channel to broadcast on.

If 2 wifi networks in close proximity to each other
are using the same channel this will cause
interference with each other. So it is best if
neighbours cooperate with each other.

iMac G5 20 Mac OS X (10.4.4) airport, linksys WRT54G, imac, ibook

the networks that appear when you click the airport icon are the ones your mac detects they are probably your neighbours networks.