Analysis

I recently discussed with a co-worker about hidden SSIDs.

Now we all know - as it is pretty much common knowledge and covered in even the basic wireless-, networking-, and security training - that hiding the SSID provides no security gain at all. Not only that; it has adverse effects, with certain clients not joining and roaming problems.

But the question that arose: Does a hidden SSID generate a probe response to a wildcard probe (“null”) request?

As it turns out, the answer is not that easy to find.