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noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:48 pm
by mrt88
Hi all
I've spent the last few days trying to setup my wifi without much luck. so after Allot of reading and searching I'm now sure its because my ssid is hidden. I've read the other thread on here about hidden ssid's but got no where as that broke down into people arguing about the point of hidden ssid's.
so I've just installed a fresh copy of wheezy 10minutes ago. and haven't touched it or edited anything.
can anyone point me in the right step ? I'm sure this will be helpful for others to
thank you everyone
Theo
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 1:18 pm
by DBryant
You can go to your router and configure it such that the ssid is not hidden. This isn't that much of a security risk, hiding just obfuscates and just makes it just less than obvious.
Or leave it as it is and ...
Install the wireless-tools, then run
Code: Select all
sudo iwlist wlan0 scan essid *yourSSID*
hopefully your wireless will be reported.
You can edit your wpa_supplicant.conf file with your details and include the line
Think that's all that's required.
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 1:21 pm
by mrt88
Hi buddy, thank you for that. yep I'd like to keep it hidden, just personal preference.
what wireless tool am i after ? i think I've seen a few different commands for them. not sure what one to call up ?
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:51 pm
by DBryant
Its a package, as in
sudo apt-get install wireless-tools
It gives you iwconfig, iwevent, iwgetid, iwlist, iwpriv and iwspy; each will have its own man-page, or look online.
Most use for me has been iwlist, as in my previous post
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:56 pm
by joan
mrt88 wrote:Hi all
I've spent the last few days trying to setup my wifi without much luck. so after Allot of reading and searching I'm now sure its because my ssid is hidden. I've read the other thread on here about hidden ssid's but got no where as that broke down into people arguing about the point of hidden ssid's.
so I've just installed a fresh copy of wheezy 10minutes ago. and haven't touched it or edited anything.
can anyone point me in the right step ? I'm sure this will be helpful for others to
thank you everyone
Theo
A solution was given in the other thread. Doesn't it work for you?
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:38 pm
by mrt88
Hi Joan
i just looked at the thread again and it's a bit over my head. I've just set it to download any updates then im going to see if i can get it done tonight.
im not sure what i should follow in that thread.
once the updates are done im going to try whats above and see.
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:33 pm
by joan
mrt88 wrote:Hi Joan
i just looked at the thread again and it's a bit over my head. I've just set it to download any updates then im going to see if i can get it done tonight.
im not sure what i should follow in that thread.
once the updates are done im going to try whats above and see.
This post
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewt ... 36#p290836 suggested a solution.
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:41 pm
by mrt88
I spotted that code, I'm just not sure how to go about implementing it. Can anybody give me a hand ? Thank you so far

Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:56 pm
by joan
I'd try
sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
The file will be created if it doesn't exist.
Add or amend a network section with the following entry
Code: Select all
network={
ssid="your ssid"
scan_ssid=1
}
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:22 pm
by andruoid
Hiding your SSID is not going to benefit in any way. In fact, it may cause the reverse results; actually making you a more interesting target. If you are 'hidding' in a group of SSIDs around you the attacker might think you are actually a worthy subject. Almost any WiFi scanner from someone nearby is going to 'see' you as your router is still going to broadcast "I'm here".
Use WPA2 only with AES (not TKIP) and an insane password. The limit is 64 characters. I use a password generator for making my passwords. Then copy it to a txt file and save to a USB stick. I go to each system and copy/paste the password to connect to the wifi router.
For even more security I have a router that supports multiple VLANs. I make one for mobile devices such as phones. A second SSID is made with a shorter complex password and put it on a separate VLAN. This segregates it from the rest of the network.
Re: noob wifi with hidden ssid
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 8:09 am
by privatebeavis
I was able to get the wifi connection working following these instructions exactly:
http://www.bytecreation.com/blog/2014/1 ... idden-ssid