Hidden Network appears randomly Windows 10

Ikarus3 · 10 May 2019

Hello,

In my list of available networks to connect to a network called Hidden Network shows up. It is secured and the signal strength is excellent so it makes me think it is coming from my house.

None of my other devices see this network. It seems to be a Windows 10 thing. I have Googled this but can not find an answer that makes sense. Hopefully someone can explain what might be happening here.

Notice the signal strength. My guest network is turned off. I have a Mesh router(Google WiFi)

Hidden Network appears randomly Windows 10-hiddennetwork.jpg

thomaseg1 · 10 May 2019

Have you checked with your neighbors, they could be running a more powerful router/modem,
or have installed a Wifi extender to increase the output.

thomaseg1 · 10 May 2019

I regularly pick up networks of neighbors, I recently went over to one of these and and helped her secure it,
and switch the channel on the modem because (mine and hers) were interfering with the other.

Ikarus3 · 10 May 2019

The thing it is only picked up by my Windows 10 laptop. My Android phone does not see it, my MacBook doesn't see it either. The signal strength is like it is coming from our house.

thomaseg1 · 10 May 2019

After rereading your post,it seems like your worried. Basically what you are seeing is the broadcast name
of the network (there several ways to hide that). this network is not connected to yours and you are not connected to it. As to why you see it on one computer and not on others could be due to hardware
and/or software.

Ikarus3 · 10 May 2019

Appreciate your reply. I realize you can control rather or not to broadcast your SSID. The thing is the signal strength is similar to my home router. So it makes me think something else is in the house here. I realize it isn't connected to my network as well. I can see all the devices connected currently. I will turn off my Mesh router and see if the Hidden Network is still available to connect to.

thomaseg1 · 10 May 2019

all modems and routers require a power source, just walk around your house an check the plugs (inside and outside if you have outdoor plugs.
You can check to see if your modem and/or router is doing it by going to there setup on these (most you
access through your browser) and going through the settings .

Try3 · 10 May 2019

Perhaps the unknown network is 5GHz and only your Windows 10 computer can use that band i.e. perhaps your other devices can only use the 2.4GHz band, in which case they would see nothing.

By the way, the unknown network is not necessarily called "Hidden network". Its SSID might be hidden which gives it that label unless you connect to it [not that you are going to].

The signal strength might merely reflect a very powerful router. Your own router might, like mine, only be broadcasting at a fraction of its power because it is closer to you & that is all it needs. Hence the appearance of both as being at the same power level.

Some ISPs supply routers to customers with a Hidden network set up on it already to allow any customer in the vicinity to connect. In the UK, BT do this - if I was a BT customer I could automatically connect to a Public network access point on my neighbour's router and hence get internet access [all this being completely separate from my neighbour's home network]. I do not know which US ISPs do this.

Denis

Samuria · 10 May 2019

Any mobile phones in the house or even DSLR camera as they can have wireless broadcasts

Ikarus3 · 10 May 2019

Well my laptop supports 5 Ghz band. The Macbook which is relatively new I am sure does as well. DSLR Camera is off and has been for months(doesn't support Wifi anyway. Phones are mostly new. I have a pixel 3 and it does not see the Hidden Network. Not sure what to do! I will turn off router once I am through with some downloads and see if that Hidden Network is available to connect to.