Hidden SSIDs

andyl · 02-15-2011, 03:27 AM

Hi,

I just got hold of a Kobo Wifi, after using the Kobo generic for a while. I didn't really need wireless access from the Kobo, but since I got a free upgrade I thought I'd try it out.

It seems the Kobo is not able to connect to a wireless network with a non-broadcast SSID, which is how mine is configured. A trivial security measure, I know. But every little helps.

I posted on the official Kobo support form over at http://kobo.zendesk.com and was informed that this was the case - Kobo Wifi cannot associate to hidden SSIDs.

Anybody else had similar problems? I did a quick search of this forum, but could find nothing concrete.

Cheers!

sabredog · 02-15-2011, 03:48 AM

Can you unhide your SSID, connect with your Kobo and then re-hide the SSID?

Once it has connected and had the security passkey added, the Kobo should be able to "see" the SSID even when hidden.

andyl · 02-16-2011, 04:30 AM

Thanks for the suggestion.

Didn't work, unfortunately. When attempting to re-associate after a power cycle, the Kobo is unable to detect the network and doesn't attempt to re-join it. Dang.

Oh well - maybe they'll fix it in a future firmware release.

zoran · 02-16-2011, 05:42 AM

What type or wireless router you have?
Not related to kobo ssid issue, I have small devices, which
all connect with hidden ssid and wpa2 and all frills. Simply,
cannot believe that kobo cannot make basic search.

SameerH · 02-16-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

Hi,

I just got hold of a Kobo Wifi, after using the Kobo generic for a while. I didn't really need wireless access from the Kobo, but since I got a free upgrade I thought I'd try it out.

It seems the Kobo is not able to connect to a wireless network with a non-broadcast SSID, which is how mine is configured. A trivial security measure, I know. But every little helps.

I posted on the official Kobo support form over at http://kobo.zendesk.com and was informed that this was the case - Kobo Wifi cannot associate to hidden SSIDs.

Anybody else had similar problems? I did a quick search of this forum, but could find nothing concrete.

Cheers!

This is true. We are enabling support for hidden SSID's in the next firmware update.

kptel51 · 02-16-2011, 02:18 PM

I had the same issue.As soon as i hide the SSID , Kobo will not connect.I have to show the SSID and reconfigure the security settings

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

Hi,

I just got hold of a Kobo Wifi, after using the Kobo generic for a while. I didn't really need wireless access from the Kobo, but since I got a free upgrade I thought I'd try it out.

It seems the Kobo is not able to connect to a wireless network with a non-broadcast SSID, which is how mine is configured. A trivial security measure, I know. But every little helps.

I posted on the official Kobo support form over at http://kobo.zendesk.com and was informed that this was the case - Kobo Wifi cannot associate to hidden SSIDs.

Anybody else had similar problems? I did a quick search of this forum, but could find nothing concrete.

Cheers!

3d0g · 02-16-2011, 02:51 PM

Hiding your SSID can actually hurt your security more than help it.

When your Windows computer is set up to connect to a hidden SSID, it will continually send probe requests with the SSID in them, even when the WiFi network isn't in range! So basically, all it takes is a few seconds with a sniffer to find your SSID - even when you're nowhere near your WiFi network.

andyl · 02-22-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameerH

This is true. We are enabling support for hidden SSID's in the next firmware update.

Thanks Sameer - that'll be handy!

andyl · 02-22-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3d0g

Hiding your SSID can actually hurt your security more than help it.

When your Windows computer is set up to connect to a hidden SSID, it will continually send probe requests with the SSID in them, even when the WiFi network isn't in range! So basically, all it takes is a few seconds with a sniffer to find your SSID - even when you're nowhere near your WiFi network.

Point accepted, but I find I get a lot less failed auth attempts if the randoms can't easily see the network. I use it as a first level protection against low skill attackers.

3d0g · 02-22-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

Point accepted, but I find I get a lot less failed auth attempts if the randoms can't easily see the network. I use it as a first level protection against low skill attackers.

A well chosen WPA2 password will readily stop the low-skilled ones and avoid you exposing your SSID to the well-skilled ones.

moffattm · 02-22-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3d0g

A well chosen WPA2 password will readily stop the low-skilled ones and avoid you exposing your SSID to the well-skilled ones.

Yup, couldn't agree more. I use https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm to generate 63 character random passwords. Very handy!

02-15-2011, 03:27 AM	#1
andyl Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo	Hidden SSIDs Hi, I just got hold of a Kobo Wifi, after using the Kobo generic for a while. I didn't really need wireless access from the Kobo, but since I got a free upgrade I thought I'd try it out. It seems the Kobo is not able to connect to a wireless network with a non-broadcast SSID, which is how mine is configured. A trivial security measure, I know. But every little helps. I posted on the official Kobo support form over at http://kobo.zendesk.com and was informed that this was the case - Kobo Wifi cannot associate to hidden SSIDs. Anybody else had similar problems? I did a quick search of this forum, but could find nothing concrete. Cheers!

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02-15-2011, 03:48 AM	#2
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,630 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Can you unhide your SSID, connect with your Kobo and then re-hide the SSID? Once it has connected and had the security passkey added, the Kobo should be able to "see" the SSID even when hidden.

02-16-2011, 04:30 AM	#3
andyl Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo	Thanks for the suggestion. Didn't work, unfortunately. When attempting to re-associate after a power cycle, the Kobo is unable to detect the network and doesn't attempt to re-join it. Dang. Oh well - maybe they'll fix it in a future firmware release.

02-16-2011, 05:42 AM	#4
zoran himself Posts: 577 Karma: 11226 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo	What type or wireless router you have? Not related to kobo ssid issue, I have small devices, which all connect with hidden ssid and wpa2 and all frills. Simply, cannot believe that kobo cannot make basic search.

02-16-2011, 02:51 PM	#7
3d0g I make fjords. Posts: 304 Karma: 11192 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Colorado Device: kobo 1 (retired), kobo 2, iPad, G2, Galaxy Tab 7+	Hiding your SSID can actually hurt your security more than help it. When your Windows computer is set up to connect to a hidden SSID, it will continually send probe requests with the SSID in them, even when the WiFi network isn't in range! So basically, all it takes is a few seconds with a sniffer to find your SSID - even when you're nowhere near your WiFi network.

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