Change the Name of a Wireless Network

Wireless home network has become the primary way we connect to the Internet. When you set up your wireless network, however, the default name (SSID) is often hard to remember and, not to mention, boring. You may also want to change your SSID to make your network harder to hack into. Often, router manufacturers may name the SSID the name of the company that made it, such as "Cisco" or "Belkin". Using this information, a hacker has a better chance of breaking into a network once they know the manufacturer of the router. To set your network apart, you’ll want to change the name and make it uniquely yours. Follow this guide to change the SSID of any router.

Steps

  1. Check your connections. Make sure that the router is powered on, connected to the Internet, and that your computer is connected to one of the Ethernet ports. You can perform this over a wireless connection, but you will lose connection to the router when the name changes.
  2. Open a web browser window. Enter your router's IP address in the address bar. The IP address varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and will be listed in the documentation. If you have misplaced your documentation, and you do not see your router listed here, search the web for your router model and "default IP address" to find the correct information. Here are some common ones:[1]
    • Qwest (AKA CenturyLink), DLink, Netgear, Trendnet, Senao: 192.168.0.1
    • Linksys, 3Com, Asus, Dell, US Robotics: 192.168.1.1
    • Belkin, Microsoft, and SMC: 192.168.2.1
    • Apple: 10.0.1.1
    • Your router’s IP address is often the same as the router’s default gateway. To find this on a PC, open the command prompt and enter “ipconfig”. In the section dedicated to your wireless network, look for the Default Gateway line. Copy and try that number.
    • On a Macintosh, open the Network control panel. You can access this by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Preferences. Open Network and look for “Router:” This is your router's IP address.
  3. Use your router's software. Some routers come with software that will allow you to make configuration changes without using the web interface. You will likely still need to enter a user name and password.
  4. Log in. If prompted, enter your router's user name and password, and log into your router. Not all routers will require this step. If your router defaults to requiring a password, it will be listed with the documentation. If so, the default password is generally “admin,” and you may leave the User name field blank.
    • You can also search the web for default user names and passwords.
  5. Navigate to the Wireless Settings page. When the router’s web-based setup page opens, look for the button or tab named “Wireless,” “Wireless Settings,” “Wireless Setup,” or anything similarly named. This page will contain a variety of different settings.[2]
  6. Look for the SSID field. It may be labeled "Network Name," "Wireless Network Name," "Router Name," or some variant. It may be pre-filled with a default name such as "dlink," "linksys," "myquest23456," or some other equally unexciting name.[3]
  7. Enter a new name for your wireless network. Be creative, give your network a name that you will stand out for you—but don't make it too personal; anybody nearby who's looking for a wireless network will see that name.
  8. Save your new name. Click on "Apply," "Save Settings," "Save," or whatever your configuration screen uses to finalize the process and save your changes.
    • Verify your new network name by using a wireless device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Log in using the new information, and verify everything works.
  9. Close your browser window. If you have devices with your old router information saved, you will need to rescan and connect to the new name. Make sure to reenter your password.

Tips

  • If you have entered the IP address of the router properly, and it is still not responding, try resetting the router. The method to do that will be included in the documentation, or on the manufacturer's website. This should reset the IP address to the default state.
  • Remember that whenever someone comes within range of your wireless network, instead of seeing a default name for the router, they will see your personal router name.
  • When choosing a name more than one word, you must use underlines in between, so for example, "House_1" or "Dont_Look_Here".

Warnings

  • Never set personally-identifiable information or your password as your network name, and always password-protect your network!

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.techspot.com/guides/287-default-router-ip-addresses
  2. ↑ http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10024/products_qanda_item09186a0080a35700.shtml
  3. ↑ http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?rnId=1567
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Change_the_Name_of_a_Wireless_Network&oldid=295747"