Having a Netgear Wi-Fi extender offers some major benefits. It lets you experience seamless internet browsing within a few seconds. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi connectionsuffers from many vulnerabilities, one of them being cyberattacks. Thus it becomes vital that you keep the SSID hidden at all times.
What is SSID?
SSID, short for Service Set Identifier is your wireless network’s name. Whenever you activate the Wi-Fi functionality on your laptop or mobile device, it shows you a list of different Wi-Fi networks. These are basically the SSIDs of different wireless networks.
Your Netgear extender broadcasts the SSID so nearby devices can easily detect it. The network SSID can be of 32 characters but there is no restriction. So, whether you are an individual or a business owner it is vital that you keep the SSID a hidden secret.
Why You Should Hide Network SSID?
The Wi-Fi network SSID is a gateway for data thieves and cyber-criminals to gain access to personal and business data. Put simply, bad guys are more than likely interested in data they can easily access and blackmail you later for it.
Thus, keeping your network SSID hidden safeguards it against unauthorized access. By doing so, your extender’s Netgear_ext won’t appear on the network list of any device. Thus, it not only keeps nosy neighbors off your back, but also prevents the theft of valuable data. In other words, it makes the Wi-Fi network “less available” for those looking for a free lunch.
Do you want to keep the Netgear Wi-Fi extender safe from unauthorized access? It is time you hide the network SSID.
Steps to Hide Netgear Wi-Fi Network SSID
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Given below are the steps for you to keep the SSID name hidden:
- Launch a web browser on your computer.
- Enter the web address in the browser’s address bar.
- Put in the username and password to access the mywifiext setup wizard.
- Click the Menu option.
- Go to Settings, then Wireless.
- Uncheck the Broadcast Network Name (SSID) check box.
- Click the Save button.
Doing this hides the SSID name from unauthorized access.
To make it easier for you to gain access to the Netgear Genie setup wizard, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind.
Tips to Access Netgear Genie Setup Wizard
Given below are 5 tips to keep in mind when you want to access the Netgear Genie setup wizard.
1. Updated Web Browser
Whether it is Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Mozilla Firefox, make sure you use an updated internet browser when trying to change network SSID. The internet browser should not contain any old browsing history, cache, or junk files. These interrupt the process of accessing the Netgear Genie setup wizard to change the Wi-Fi network name.
2. Correct Web Address
Sometimes, in a hurry, many internet users often enter the wrong web address. Make sure there are no typo errors when you enter the web address in the browser URL bar. Keep the Caps Lock key off while doing so. Ensure there is no extra space or unnecessary alphabet when you enter the web address. Never enter the web address in the search bar of the web browser.
3. Correct Login Credentials
Have you recently changed the username and password for the Wi-Fi network? Do not use the old credentials to access the Netgear Genie setup wizard. Keep in mind that username and password are case-sensitive.
4. Proper Connection
Before you try to access the Netgear Genie setup wizard, make sure the Netgear extender is receiving sufficient Wi-Fi signals. Ensure there is a proper connection between the router and extender through a functional Ethernet cable. Using an old Ethernet cable will cause a loss of Wi-Fi signals for the Netgear extender.
5. Switch Off Protection
Sometimes, the protection you install for the computer system becomes a hindrance. There are some features of antivirus software that do not let you access the Netgear Genie setup wizard.
Whether you have performed Netgear EX6120 setup at your home or configured any other extender model, these hacks can be implemented for all.
Conclusion
SSIDs play a crucial role in helping users identify a Wi-Fi network. Therefore, it is vital that you keep them safe from unauthorized access. We hope that after following the guidelines mentioned in this post, you will be able to hide the SSID of your Netgear extender with ease.
