When using wireless networking (sometimes referred to as 802.x networks) you may have seen the term SSID, or Service Set IDentifier. This is sometimes also known as the wireless network address and contains a unique identifier (up to 32 case sensitive characters) for your network – which may be preset if you have bought a home broadband device (although you can often change it). When you click on the View Wireless Networks option to connect to a network all of the SSID values that are in range are listed and you often need to click on one then use Connect to join that network.

It is possible to switch this broadcasting facility off (and thus hide your network address) however it only offers a small level of security as someone with the right software can pick up the SSID value when a connection attempt is made. An additional way of securing your network is to use MAC authorisation which allows devices to connect only if they have an allowed MAC address (which all networking devices have).

This definition has been bought to you by: Jason Slater Weblog.