Users who want to use a wireless network must configure their computers with the wireless service set identifier (SSID) or network name. Broadcasting the SSID makes connection to a wireless network easier because most wireless client applications present the user with a list of network SSIDs currently being received. This is desirable for a public network.

To obscure the presence of a wireless network, do not broadcast the SSID. This does not prevent attempts at unauthorized access, however, because the network is still detectable with wireless network “sniffer” software.