But disabling ssid broadcast is not a layer of security. It really does nothing more than break the spec. Just because the router is not set to broadcast it's ssid does not mean the ssid is hidden from anyone who wants to find it. If you have just one client connected to that router and it is doing zero data transfer the ssid is easily found in the clear because the router and client are always communicating back and forth to keep the connection alive and the ssid part of the communication can NOT be hidden or encrypted regardless of what you do. There are many free very easy to use applications that will let you see any ssid in your area regardless of the ssid broadcast being disabled. For awhile windows had a bug that caused it to not work properly if the ssid was disabled. However many non-pc devices will either not function or be difficult to function if it is disabled.
Sure, if they are TARGETING my system, it does nothing. But, adding that to my existing setup is one layer harder than the 20-30 networks around my house. That was my point. NOT from a technical standpoint...if someone wants in, there is nothing you can do except turn off the router. I'm lucky in that there are at least 20-30 networks around my house, I'd say at least 3-4 are unsecured. I'm just "harder" to get into than the next guy.
I suppose I should have made it more clear, I'm NOT saying it is better, but if someone is trying to get a connection to SOME network in the area, there are 20 other networks that are easier to get into. THAT was my point.
As for "one client", true, but that client is only connected 1-2 hours a week. I am a BIG fan of hardwired. Wireless is just not as reliable, fast, etc. as a wired Gigabit connection. I love getting 105meg/sec.+.
I agree, about the other devices not working well. I'm not a proponent of disabling SSID as a end-all-solution. I only mean that in my situation, I have ONE laptop, that I'm on, maybe 1-2 hours a week, and so for ME, with that being the ONLY device, and being a neighborhood that has 20+ networks, some of which are unsecured...I have 2 layers of protection. Again, I understand if someone were to TARGET me, there's not much I can do about it. I used to use MAC filtering, it was a pain. So, I think if not broadcasting the SSID became that hard, I'd probably disable that as well (let's say instead of using one of the 32 GIGABIT drops in my house, I wanted to use wireless for some POPCORN-like box...well, it might not support hidden SSID).
I used to have 2 routers setup. The DC-DC power supply went in the second one. Apparently it did not like being hard turned ON / OFF with an appliance module. So, that's why I mentioned, when I get the second one up, I'll use some sort of VPN/SSH tunnel from one router to the other. OR, if I can figure out how to make Homeseer talk to the CGI webpages that control my router, instead of powering a second one on / off, I'll just enable / disable the wifi part of the router.
I hope that clears it up.
--Dan