In today’s Wi-Fi router security tip, I want to show you how to change the name of your wireless network, and why this might be important.

If we look at the wireless networks around us, we may see linksys listed. That is the default wireless network name, also known as the SSID, of the network. In theprevious tip about setting the password, I told you that there are a number of websites out there – like RouterPasswords.com – that contain a listing of the default usernames and passwords of various brand-name wireless access points.

If I happen to be in your neighborhood and I saw linksys listed as a wireless network name, I would certainly try to connect and see if I could use the default admin/admin username and password to get onto your router. Once I’m on your router, I pretty much have control of your entire network.

Let me show you how you can actually go and change the name of your wireless network to make it harder for hackers to figure out your router brand.

The steps may be different for your particular brand of router, but every router that I’ve ever encountered allows you to do this.

Click on your wireless settings. It’s in this area or similar where you can set the name to whatever you like. Don’t forget to save your changes.

Now the change should have taken place. I turn off my wireless network interface, then turn it back on. Wait a few seconds to see if the new name of the network appears. You should see it.

The point here is that you don’t want people to recognize the brand of wireless router you are using. It helps lower your chances of becoming a hacking victim.

Change the password and also change the name of your wireless network. It’s simple stuff.