Is an SSID required to connect to a wireless network?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only on guest networks
• D. Depends on device

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that the name of the wireless network (the SSID) is used for discovery, but you don’t always have to see it being broadcast to connect. A device can connect to a wireless AP even if the SSID is hidden, as long as you know the exact SSID value and provide the right credentials. In other words, visibility isn’t strictly required; you can manually configure the connection with the correct SSID to join the network. This is why the statement isn’t requiring the SSID to be broadcast to establish a connection.