Every wireless communication device (Routers, Access Points, Wifi Gateways, Bridges, and Wireless Adapter Card, etc.) comes preconfigured with a default SSID (Service Set IDentifier) that is known to every hacker.

Considering that there are only a handful of wireless equipment manufacturers out there, intruders have to be on a lookout for only a few well-known SSIDs when they are scanning for vulnerable wireless networks.

Preset/default SSIDs not only announce to the world information on the type of wireless gear (make and model#) installed on your network, they also make a statement abut you. They announce to everyone that you have not been careful enough to tighten up security on your wireless LAN. It is common knowledge that a significantly large number of WLAN users who do not change SSID on their wifi gear also fail to change the default password that those devices come preconfigured with.

Even though the exact steps involved in changing SSID may vary depending upon the type (make and model) of wireless gear installed on your WLAN, it is usually a straightforward process.

Here is how your would change SSID on a few popular wifi devices:

Changing SSID on Linksys WAP54G Access Point: Follow the steps outlined bellow to change SSID on your Linksys (Cisco) WAP54G:

1. Connect to your WAP54G Access Point: You should ALWAYS use a computer that is wired to your LAN to configure the AP. Allowing your AP to be configured over air is usually a disaster (security breach) waiting to happen. WAP54G comes with a Quick Installation Guide and a Configuration Wizard.
   
2. Go to Setup Screen: Launch your web browser, type in the IP address your router is configured with.
   
3. Login: You may have to use the default username and password if you are doing this for the very first time, or your current admin username and password if you have already changed your password.
   
4. Change SSID Value: Use an SSID that may not be too obvious. Avoid using your name, address, your street address (house/apartment number, etc), or your pet's name, etc. Why not make up a word using a random sequence of alphanumeric combination? Write down your new SSID so that it would be handy when it comes to setting SSID on your wireless clients.
   
5. Apply the Changes: Your Linksys AP will reboot everytime you apply any changes.
   
6. Verify your SSID: Login again, and verify that it is now using your new SSID.

Remember to change SSID on your client wifi devices accordingly, or they will not be able to establish a link to your Linksys/Cisco WAP54G AP.

Changing SSID on D-Link Routers: SSID on most D-Link routers (including D-Link DI-514, DI-524, DI-614+, DI-624, DI-624S, DI-774, and DI-784 routers) can be configured as follows:

1. Login to Your D-Link Router: Launch your Internet web browser, and type in the IP address of your D-Link router in the address bar. Usually, it is 192.168.0.1. If you have changed it, use whatever IP address you may have set it to. Enter your admin username (default user ID is: admin) and your password (default password is blank).
   
2. Go to the Home tab at the top of your D-Link router configuration page
   
3. Click on the Wireless button on the left
   
4. Type in your new SSID (no more than 32 characters long) in edit box next to a label titled "SSID." D-Link allows you to use dashes, spaces and alphanumeric characters. Be creative, and come up with a made-up word for your SSID that would be rather hard to guess. Do not forget to write it down because you are going to need it for configuring your wireless clients.
   
5. SSID is cAsEsENsitIVe: When you go onto configuring your client devices, you would need to type it in exactly as you had entered on your D-Link router.
   
6. Apply your Changes and Reboot: Your changes will take effect after you have rebooted your wireless router.

Do not forget to use the same SSID on your wireless client machines.

You should make it a practice to change SSID on all your wifi gear periodically. Doing so not only takes just a few minutes, it greatly improves your security. Practice safe Wi-Fi -change your SSID periodically.