Reasons to Change the Default SSID
People change a default Wi-Fi name for any of several reasons:
To avoid having their router and network confused with those of neighbors who also use the same default names.To improve the security of their home network. The name choice does not increase protection by itself. Nonetheless, using a custom name can deter a network attacker because it indicates that the router is more conscientiously administered than other routers that use generic defaults. In a typical residential neighborhood with many home networks, attackers are more likely to single out the weakest network.To personalize a home network. The SSID can be seen by anyone nearby who scans for Wi-Fi signals from their phone or another mobile device.
How to Change the SSID Name
Each router’s instruction manual contains slightly different instructions for changing the SSID. However, the process, in general, is fairly common across the major router manufacturers. Exact names of menus and settings may vary depending on the specific router model. Routers use different IP addresses to access the control panel:
AT&T routers use 192.168.1.254.Linksys routers use 192.168.1.1.Netgear routers use http://www.routerlogin.com.Some routers use 192.168.0.1.
Check the documentation or website of other router manufacturers for the local address and default login credentials of their products. An error message appears if the wrong login credentials are supplied.
