An SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is the name assigned to a Wi-Fi network that uniquely identifies it among other networks in the same area. It is essentially the network name that routers broadcast to allow devices like smartphones and laptops to find and connect to the correct wireless network
. Key points about SSID:
- It is a sequence of characters, up to 32 characters long, which can include letters, numbers, and some special characters
- Routers come with default SSIDs, usually a combination of the manufacturer’s name and random numbers or letters (e.g., "TP-Link_015040" or "netgear37"), but users can change this to a custom name for easier identification
- The SSID is broadcast by the router in beacon signals so that nearby devices can detect the network
- SSID itself is just a network identifier and does not provide security; a network typically also requires a password (e.g., WPA2 or WPA3) to connect securely
- Devices use the SSID to distinguish between multiple Wi-Fi networks and to reconnect automatically to known networks
In summary, the SSID is the Wi-Fi network name you see when choosing a network to connect to, helping you identify and select the correct wireless network in your vicinity
