WiFi Issue on Dell Laptop

Hi,

I recently installed an email client on Wife's Dell Windows 7
Home Premium laptop. About 3 years ago, I setup a WiFi connection (first
time) on the same laptop for FireFox browser (NO email client).

The WiFi connection is to a DSL modem/router (Westel 7500) with
SSID broadcasting turned OFF. Back then, if she turns off (powers off)
the laptop, the next day or later, after the laptop powers up, the WiFi
connection is automatically connected.

Since she no longer used FireFox on that laptop, I disabled WiFi.
The laptop has been used many times for other tasks.

This time, I had to activate WiFi and enter the SSID (not broadcasting)
and Key.

FYI: The WiFi signal is always "STRONG"

ISSUE:

When the laptop is powered off, then powered up later, there is NO
automatic connection. I have to enter the SSID and Key again for
a new connection!!!! I never had to do that in the past!!!!!

Any ideas?

Thank You in advance, John

jaugustine wrote:

I disabled WiFi. The laptop has been used many times for other tasks.
I had to activate WiFi and enter the SSID (not broadcasting) and Key.
The WiFi signal is always "STRONG"

ISSUE:
When the laptop is powered off, then powered up later, there is NO
automatic connection. I have to enter the SSID and Key again for a
new connection!!!! I never had to do that in the past!!!!!

Rather than disable and then reenable the connectoid, have you tried
deleting it and creating a new one (where you enter the SSID and hope it
gets remembered this time), restart Windows, and retest?

Why do you need to hide (not broadcast) your SSID? You have a number on
the side of your house or garage to identify your address but that
doesn't itself grant permission for anyone to magically unlock your
doors to get inside your house.

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2865...y-more-secure/

I suspect the OS is going to scan for your wifi AP (access point). You
have the router or whatever is the AP not broadcasting to identify
itself so a scan won't show that device as discoverable. You've decided
to hide the AP by not having it broadcast its name, so you have to go
through the manual steps of unhiding it through manual validation.

There are LOTS of wifi hotspots around but that doesn't mean you get to
connect to them just because you have their name. I remember using an
app on my Android smartphone to tell me where were the hotspots. It
listed which were open (no login) and which were locked (password
required) despite both types were free hotspots. If locked (free or
paid), knowing the SSID didn't let me use the hotspot until I used a
password - and that sounds a lot like what is happening to you (but
because you are hiding the hotspot's name and having to discover it
yourself instead of using the network discovery services to find the
hotspot's and and match up with a previously defined connectoid with the
same SSID but with its password recorded).

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Is network discovery disabled in the OS? Run:

C:\Windows\System32\control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter

and go into "Changed advanced sharing settings". Is network discovery
enabled or disabled?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ring-center-in

Go into services.msc and make sure the mentioned services are set to
Automatic startup and are currently started (running). Although they
list the DNS Client, lots of folks disable the local DNS caching (they
want to always force new DNS lookups even on previously successful or
failed lookup) or are using huge pre-compiled 'hosts' blocklists (e.g.,
MVPs host file).

Do you use only the wizards included in Windows to define your wifi
connectoid(s), or did some software come with the NIC or laptop in which
you create those connectoids (which probably get mirrored in the OS
config)? One user commented that they had to define the connections
using the Edimax software (don't know if that came with a NIC, USB
dongle for networking, or a router - users often miss the details that
they know expecting others to also know). Another user commented that
they needed to use Intel's PROset/Wireless WiFi Manager. Too many
managers getting in the way. I don't know what bundled software came in
your unidentified Dell model.

SNIP
Rather than disable and then reenable the connectoid, have you tried
deleting it and creating a new one (where you enter the SSID and hope it
gets remembered this time), restart Windows, and retest?

Hi Vanguard,

I did delete it (when it was disabled with a red X where the signal
strength bars normally are displayed) and I created a new one, but
I was clicking on the WiFi icon in the System Tray (bottom right of desktop
display). Not seeing my SSID, but a few other (neighbors) WiFi SSIDs, I
clicked on "Other Network". Then I entered my non-broadcasting SSID and
Key. NOTE: I did NOT have to do that again a few years ago after I did it
the first time!

Perhaps I should check via Control Panel for an option to remember and
always connect automatically?

Thanks in advance, John


Why do you need to hide (not broadcast) your SSID? You have a number on

This was recommended by a WiFi tech person to increase WiFi security.

the side of your house or garage to identify your address but that
doesn't itself grant permission for anyone to magically unlock your
doors to get inside your house.

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2865...y-more-secure/

I suspect the OS is going to scan for your wifi AP (access point). You
have the router or whatever is the AP not broadcasting to identify
itself so a scan won't show that device as discoverable. You've decided
to hide the AP by not having it broadcast its name, so you have to go
through the manual steps of unhiding it through manual validation.

There are LOTS of wifi hotspots around but that doesn't mean you get to
connect to them just because you have their name. I remember using an
app on my Android smartphone to tell me where were the hotspots. It
listed which were open (no login) and which were locked (password
required) despite both types were free hotspots. If locked (free or
paid), knowing the SSID didn't let me use the hotspot until I used a
password - and that sounds a lot like what is happening to you (but
because you are hiding the hotspot's name and having to discover it
yourself instead of using the network discovery services to find the
hotspot's and and match up with a previously defined connectoid with the
same SSID but with its password recorded).

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Is network discovery disabled in the OS? Run:

C:\Windows\System32\control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter

and go into "Changed advanced sharing settings". Is network discovery
enabled or disabled?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ring-center-in

Go into services.msc and make sure the mentioned services are set to
Automatic startup and are currently started (running). Although they
list the DNS Client, lots of folks disable the local DNS caching (they
want to always force new DNS lookups even on previously successful or
failed lookup) or are using huge pre-compiled 'hosts' blocklists (e.g.,
MVPs host file).

Do you use only the wizards included in Windows to define your wifi
connectoid(s), or did some software come with the NIC or laptop in which
you create those connectoids (which probably get mirrored in the OS
config)? One user commented that they had to define the connections
using the Edimax software (don't know if that came with a NIC, USB
dongle for networking, or a router - users often miss the details that
they know expecting others to also know). Another user commented that
they needed to use Intel's PROset/Wireless WiFi Manager. Too many
managers getting in the way. I don't know what bundled software came in
your unidentified Dell model.

On 04/09/2018 13:07, wrote:

Why do you need to hide (not broadcast) your SSID? You have a number on

This was recommended by a WiFi tech person to increase WiFi security.

As Vanguard has already pointed out, it's of very dubious help, since
outsiders can still discover your signal using mobile phone apps, etc.

However, what is infinitely worse, is that if your home SSID is hidden
and you take your laptop or your own phone out of range of it, it may
attempt to connect to other hotspots using your home wifi connection
details, thus revealing the SSID and passcode to anybody else who
happens to be snooping around, and now they know not just the SSID, but
also the passcode for it as well, whereas apparently this doesn't happen
if your SSID at home is not hidden.

On 09/03/2018 10:58 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Why assume they (password and SSID hiding) are mutually exclusive?

[snip]

On 09/04/2018 10:44 AM, Java Jive wrote:

[snip]

As Vanguard has already pointed out, it's of very dubious help, since
outsiders can still discover your signal using mobile phone apps, etc.

Yes, although it's more difficult.

However, what is infinitely worse, is that if your home SSID is hidden
and you take your laptop or your own phone out of range of it, it may
attempt to connect to other hotspots using your home wifi connection
details, thus revealing the SSID and passcode to anybody else who
happens to be snooping around, and now they know not just the SSID, but
also the passcode for it as well, whereas apparently this doesn't happen
if your SSID at home is not hidden.

I would have thought a PC wouldn't give out the password unless it's
already connected to that network.

--
112 days until the winter celebration (Tue Dec 25, 2018 12:00:00 AM for
1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Every pulpit is a pillory, in which stands a hired culprit, defending
the justice of his own imprisonment." [Robert G. Ingersoll]

On Tue, 04 Sep 2018 08:07:21 -0400, wrote:

SNIP
Rather than disable and then reenable the connectoid, have you tried
deleting it and creating a new one (where you enter the SSID and hope it
gets remembered this time), restart Windows, and retest?

Hi Vanguard,

I did delete it (when it was disabled with a red X where the signal
strength bars normally are displayed) and I created a new one, but
I was clicking on the WiFi icon in the System Tray (bottom right of desktop
display). Not seeing my SSID, but a few other (neighbors) WiFi SSIDs, I
clicked on "Other Network". Then I entered my non-broadcasting SSID and
Key. NOTE: I did NOT have to do that again a few years ago after I did it
the first time!

Perhaps I should check via Control Panel for an option to remember and
always connect automatically?

UPDATE:

My blunder was the problem. When I clicked on the WiFi icon in the
System Tray, then on "Other Network", I unchecked "Automatically" thinking
that I first have to enter the SSID and Key. Next, I clicked on "Connect"
and entered the SSID and then the Key. I forgot about that "Connect
automatically" I unchecked.

This time, I did NOT uncheck "Connect automatically" before I clicked
on "Connect". By golly. that solved my problem.

Again, Thanks for your replies, John



Why do you need to hide (not broadcast) your SSID? You have a number on

This was recommended by a WiFi tech person to increase WiFi security.

the side of your house or garage to identify your address but that
doesn't itself grant permission for anyone to magically unlock your
doors to get inside your house.

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2865...y-more-secure/

I suspect the OS is going to scan for your wifi AP (access point). You
have the router or whatever is the AP not broadcasting to identify
itself so a scan won't show that device as discoverable. You've decided
to hide the AP by not having it broadcast its name, so you have to go
through the manual steps of unhiding it through manual validation.

There are LOTS of wifi hotspots around but that doesn't mean you get to
connect to them just because you have their name. I remember using an
app on my Android smartphone to tell me where were the hotspots. It
listed which were open (no login) and which were locked (password
required) despite both types were free hotspots. If locked (free or
paid), knowing the SSID didn't let me use the hotspot until I used a
password - and that sounds a lot like what is happening to you (but
because you are hiding the hotspot's name and having to discover it
yourself instead of using the network discovery services to find the
hotspot's and and match up with a previously defined connectoid with the
same SSID but with its password recorded).

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Is network discovery disabled in the OS? Run:

C:\Windows\System32\control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter

and go into "Changed advanced sharing settings". Is network discovery
enabled or disabled?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ring-center-in

Go into services.msc and make sure the mentioned services are set to
Automatic startup and are currently started (running). Although they
list the DNS Client, lots of folks disable the local DNS caching (they
want to always force new DNS lookups even on previously successful or
failed lookup) or are using huge pre-compiled 'hosts' blocklists (e.g.,
MVPs host file).

Do you use only the wizards included in Windows to define your wifi
connectoid(s), or did some software come with the NIC or laptop in which
you create those connectoids (which probably get mirrored in the OS
config)? One user commented that they had to define the connections
using the Edimax software (don't know if that came with a NIC, USB
dongle for networking, or a router - users often miss the details that
they know expecting others to also know). Another user commented that
they needed to use Intel's PROset/Wireless WiFi Manager. Too many
managers getting in the way. I don't know what bundled software came in
your unidentified Dell model.

jaugustine wrote:

UPDATE:

My blunder was the problem. When I clicked on the WiFi icon in the
System Tray, then on "Other Network", I unchecked "Automatically" thinking
that I first have to enter the SSID and Key. Next, I clicked on "Connect"
and entered the SSID and then the Key. I forgot about that "Connect
automatically" I unchecked.

This time, I did NOT uncheck "Connect automatically" before I clicked
on "Connect". By golly. that solved my problem.

Again, Thanks for your replies, John

Got an ice pack for that red spot on your forehead after slapping it?
I could hear the slap from here.

notX wrote:

On 09/03/2018 10:58 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Why assume they (password and SSID hiding) are mutually exclusive?

[snip]

Because SSID hiding is not a secure method of hiding your SSID, doesn't
preclude someone from trying to use it, and does nothing to secure your
wifi network. Explanations (you snipped) were already given. SSID
hiding causes problems for yourself and doesn't protect your hotspot.

So, are you going outside to remove your house number to "hide" your
house, too?

On 09/04/2018 01:23 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
notX wrote:

On 09/03/2018 10:58 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Why assume they (password and SSID hiding) are mutually exclusive?

[snip]

Because SSID hiding is not a secure method of hiding your SSID, doesn't
preclude someone from trying to use it, and does nothing to secure your
wifi network. Explanations (you snipped) were already given. SSID
hiding causes problems for yourself and doesn't protect your hotspot.

What question do you think I'm asking? It's not the one you answered.

You seem to admit to three possibilities:

0. no security
1. SSID hiding
2. password

You say #2 is the best of those (and I agree if you just consider 0-2).
What you left out is #3 (both 1 and 2). SSID hiding is not useless,
since many people don't know how to locate and connect to a network that
isn't visible. Why can't you hide the SSID and still require a password?

So, are you going outside to remove your house number to "hide" your
house, too?

Removing the number wouldn't make the house invisible.

notX wrote:

On 09/04/2018 01:23 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
notX wrote:

On 09/03/2018 10:58 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

You need to use a *STRONG* password (network key) instead of relying on
hiding your hotspot. If you're really paranoid, set a reminder to
change it every month, or with whatever interval you feel comfortable;
however, then you have to update the connectoids in every computer that
wants to later use that hotspot.

Why assume they (password and SSID hiding) are mutually exclusive?

[snip]

Because SSID hiding is not a secure method of hiding your SSID, doesn't
preclude someone from trying to use it, and does nothing to secure your
wifi network. Explanations (you snipped) were already given. SSID
hiding causes problems for yourself and doesn't protect your hotspot.

What question do you think I'm asking? It's not the one you answered.

You seem to admit to three possibilities:

0. no security
1. SSID hiding
2. password

You say #2 is the best of those (and I agree if you just consider 0-2).
What you left out is #3 (both 1 and 2). SSID hiding is not useless,
since many people don't know how to locate and connect to a network that
isn't visible. Why can't you hide the SSID and still require a password?

#1 isn't a viable security measure, that's why it should be omitted as
an option.

"Why assume they (password and SSID hiding) are mutually exclusive?"

Because SSID hiding doesn't actually hide your hotspot's name, it's a
non-issue. They aren't mutually exlusive except SSID doesn't affect
using a [strong] password. It doesn't add anything to using a strong
password.

0 XOR 0 = 0
0 XOR 1 = 1 --.-- These states don't exist since SSID hiding won't
1 XOR 0 = 1 | effect a "true" (1) state to provide actual security
1 XOR 1 = 0 --'

Since password is effective, its use is "true" (or 1) for security.
Since hiding the SSID really doesn't hide it, its use is "false" (or 0).
So, you end up with:

0 XOR 0 = 0
1 XOR 0 = 1

The other combinations (0 XOR 1 and 1 XOR 1) do not exist since SSID
hiding isn't effective for security.

password XOR hideSSID = password XOR 0 = password

Only the password matters to secure your hotspot. SSID hiding doesn't
secure your hotspot.

So, are you going outside to remove your house number to "hide" your
house, too?

Removing the number wouldn't make the house invisible.

Neither does hiding your SSID actually hide it. You didn't want to
believe the first article that I gave. Here's another:

https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/blog/...-without-ssid/
https://itfellover.com/3-uncovering-hidden-ssids/
https://www.algissalys.com/network-s...s-in-wireshark
(there are other tools for monitoring wifi network traffic)

That your wifi AP isn't broadcasting its SSID doesn't preclude your
client/host from broadcasting the SSID to connect to that wifi AP. The
SSID is still getting broadcasted.

Security through obscurity doesn't last when someone decides to monitor
the wifi traffic.

You remove your house number. As someone drives by, they ask "What's
your house number" and you, as part of the agreed handshaking protocol,
will tell them. Someone standing anywhere near enough to hear will also
discover your house number. The bystander could look at your house. If
the house number is there, they know it. If they don't see a house
number, they wait for a client to pass by asking for your house number
and overhear what you tell that client.

I did make one assumption: the OP is using encryption whether or not
they [think they] hide their SSID. So, password isn't the only security
you need but encryption should be a given.

On 04/09/2018 17:40, Mark Lloyd wrote:

On 09/04/2018 10:44 AM, Java Jive wrote:

However, what is infinitely worse, is that if your home SSID is hidden
and you take your laptop or your own phone out of range of it, it may
attempt to connect to other hotspots using your home wifi connection
details, thus revealing the SSID and passcode to anybody else who
happens to be snooping around, and now they know not just the SSID,
but also the passcode for it as well, whereas apparently this doesn't
happen if your SSID at home is not hidden.

I would have thought a PC wouldn't give out the password unless it's
already connected to that network.

Perhaps I originally misunderstood or have since misremembered the
details given in a '5 Live Science' programme of a few years ago (or
possibly that the original contributor to the programme got it wrong,
but that is less likely, and as now I can't find a download for the
programme to check my memory against, I'm happy to take any blame).

https://lifehacker.com/5636856/is-hi...ly-more-secure

https://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...ifiable-inform

So it seems Windows XP and older, and newer with the wrong settings, and
some other OSs such as iOS, will try to connect to a hidden SSID
wherever you take your device, and will thus broadcast the SSID to the
wider world, but not the passcode.

However, taking this one stage further, if such a snooper in such a
public place were to respond by faking any wifi access point being
requested by such a client, presumably it could then catch the passcode
as well, and this may well have been the point the programme was making
- I do seem to recall that fake APs were also mentioned in the discussion.

On 09/05/2018 12:02 AM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

Because SSID hiding doesn't actually hide your hotspot's name, it's a
non-issue. They aren't mutually exlusive except SSID doesn't affect
using a [strong] password. It doesn't add anything to using a strong
password.

Probably not, since the attackers that would be stopped by SSID hiding
would also be stopped by a good password.

BTW, I hear about "monkey" being used a lot for a password, so that is
NOT a good choice,

0 XOR 0 = 0
0 XOR 1 = 1 --.-- These states don't exist since SSID hiding won't
1 XOR 0 = 1 | effect a "true" (1) state to provide actual security
1 XOR 1 = 0 --'

Why XOR? Security effectiveness? Then how does "SSID hiding" sabotage a
good password?

Since password is effective, its use is "true" (or 1) for security.
Since hiding the SSID really doesn't hide it, its use is "false" (or 0).
So, you end up with:

0 XOR 0 = 0
1 XOR 0 = 1

The other combinations (0 XOR 1 and 1 XOR 1) do not exist since SSID
hiding isn't effective for security.

"isn't effective for security" doesn't imply "does not exist".

password XOR hideSSID = password XOR 0 = password

You say password is 1, and 1 XOR 0 = 1 (assuming your XOR is actually
exclusive OR).

Only the password matters to secure your hotspot. SSID hiding doesn't
secure your hotspot.

You don't know how many people haven't connected to it because they
don't know the SSID.

So, are you going outside to remove your house number to "hide" your
house, too?

Removing the number wouldn't make the house invisible.

Neither does hiding your SSID actually hide it. You didn't want to
believe the first article that I gave. Here's another:

https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/blog/...-without-ssid/
https://itfellover.com/3-uncovering-hidden-ssids/
https://www.algissalys.com/network-s...s-in-wireshark
(there are other tools for monitoring wifi network traffic)

That your wifi AP isn't broadcasting its SSID doesn't preclude your
client/host from broadcasting the SSID to connect to that wifi AP. The
SSID is still getting broadcasted.

Right. It still requires software that many people do not have/use.

Security through obscurity doesn't last when someone decides to monitor
the wifi traffic.

It lasts to some extent unless EVERYONE monitors the WiFi traffic. Since
many do not, the value of SSID hiding is NOT 0 (although less than
encryption).

You remove your house number.

Rather than removing the house number, put it some place that most
people never look. That makes it more like WiFi.

[snip]

I did make one assumption: the OP is using encryption whether or not
they [think they] hide their SSID. So, password isn't the only security
you need but encryption should be a given.

Yes, encryption should be a given*. Also, I was not making a
recommendation about SSID hiding. I was ASKING.

*unlike 15 years ago, when I found three networks around here named
"Linksys" and with no encryption. I felt like renaming then to "I want
my WPA!".

--
111 days until the winter celebration (Tue Dec 25, 2018 12:00:00 AM for
1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

One sign of emotional maturity is doing what you want to, even if
everybody is telling you to do it.

Mark Lloyd wrote:

On 09/05/2018 12:02 AM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

Because SSID hiding doesn't actually hide your hotspot's name, it's a
non-issue. They aren't mutually exlusive except SSID doesn't affect
using a [strong] password. It doesn't add anything to using a strong
password.

Probably not, since the attackers that would be stopped by SSID hiding
would also be stopped by a good password.

BTW, I hear about "monkey" being used a lot for a password, so that is
NOT a good choice,

0 XOR 0 = 0
0 XOR 1 = 1 --.-- These states don't exist since SSID hiding won't
1 XOR 0 = 1 | effect a "true" (1) state to provide actual security
1 XOR 1 = 0 --'

Why XOR? Security effectiveness? Then how does "SSID hiding" sabotage a
good password?

Since password is effective, its use is "true" (or 1) for security.
Since hiding the SSID really doesn't hide it, its use is "false" (or 0).
So, you end up with:

0 XOR 0 = 0
1 XOR 0 = 1

The other combinations (0 XOR 1 and 1 XOR 1) do not exist since SSID
hiding isn't effective for security.

"isn't effective for security" doesn't imply "does not exist".

password XOR hideSSID = password XOR 0 = password

You say password is 1, and 1 XOR 0 = 1 (assuming your XOR is actually
exclusive OR).

Only the password matters to secure your hotspot. SSID hiding doesn't
secure your hotspot.

You don't know how many people haven't connected to it because they
don't know the SSID.

So, are you going outside to remove your house number to "hide" your
house, too?

Removing the number wouldn't make the house invisible.

Neither does hiding your SSID actually hide it. You didn't want to
believe the first article that I gave. Here's another:

https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/blog/...-without-ssid/
https://itfellover.com/3-uncovering-hidden-ssids/
https://www.algissalys.com/network-s...s-in-wireshark
(there are other tools for monitoring wifi network traffic)

That your wifi AP isn't broadcasting its SSID doesn't preclude your
client/host from broadcasting the SSID to connect to that wifi AP. The
SSID is still getting broadcasted.

Right. It still requires software that many people do not have/use.

Security through obscurity doesn't last when someone decides to monitor
the wifi traffic.

It lasts to some extent unless EVERYONE monitors the WiFi traffic. Since
many do not, the value of SSID hiding is NOT 0 (although less than
encryption).

You remove your house number.

Rather than removing the house number, put it some place that most
people never look. That makes it more like WiFi.

[snip]

I did make one assumption: the OP is using encryption whether or not
they [think they] hide their SSID. So, password isn't the only security
you need but encryption should be a given.

Yes, encryption should be a given*. Also, I was not making a
recommendation about SSID hiding. I was ASKING.

*unlike 15 years ago, when I found three networks around here named
"Linksys" and with no encryption. I felt like renaming then to "I want
my WPA!".

Those that don't have the monitoring tools (i.e., common users) are also
those you don't care whether or not your SSID is hidden. They're not
getting past your password, anyway.

Hiding from boobs doesn't enhance security. Those aren't the users
against whom you are trying to secure yourself.