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Not sure if this is a question for super user or not, and if it isn't then I'll gladly delete and repost in the correct area...
But I was wondering why wireless networks are defined based upon the networks name and not an id?
To better explain:
I recently set up a family members wireless network to use the same network name as my own network name but with a different password.. What I found was all my devices/laptops/computers that were connected to my network would then try to connect to this new network when in range but would fail as the password wasn't correct for the network.
So why is it not possible to have two wireless networks with the same name?
How would you like to have twin brothers named Joe? Than try to explain to Dad which Joe did it. – Ruskes – 2013-04-26T21:34:42.787
Good question. This can even be an attack vector.
– gronostaj – 2013-04-26T21:58:54.957@gronostaj I didn't quite understand the attack vector... are you saying its a middle ground security point? – Sayse – 2013-04-26T22:05:03.270
@Sayse Specifically, the issue you're running into is a "feature": I can set up multiple APs over a large area all with the same name and password, and users will be able to transparently shift from one AP to another without dropping connections as they move out of range of one AP and into range of another. This is frequently used at large corporate campuses, universities, and schools. This allows me to pick up a Skype call on my tablet, and then walk all the way across campus without dropping the call. – Darth Android – 2013-04-26T22:12:29.847
@Sayse I mean you can launch a Man In The Middle attack just by creating a network with the same name. Devices that were previously connected to a network with that name will happily connect again, but this time it's your network and you can capture everything that goes through it. – gronostaj – 2013-04-26T22:13:20.610
both very good points @DarthAndroid /gronostaj, I can see advantages to both arguments now, thank you for your inputs! – Sayse – 2013-04-27T00:43:42.087