Should the SSID broadcast option should be turned off at the access point?

Answer 1

It should be, it makes your router a little bit harder to find for people who should not use your router anyway.

Answer 2

Yes, it's highly recommended, and it's a first step in setting up your wireless network security.

Answer 3

Once the network is properly setup, Yes it should. This would prevent computers not configured to use your network from seeing it. Typically a really determined hacker or power user could access it, but this prevents the casual user from being able to connect to it. This should be considered a line of defense in a network setup.

Other ways to increase security is to change your routers password. If its still the "admin" password, chances are people are going to mess with your hardware.

Some other options to consider would be adding an "Encryption Key" most routers support a basic type of encryption called WEP. WEP comes in 2 flavors 64-bit and 128-bit. However these systems require you to enter a complex long hexadecimal "Key" to access it. This may be a problem if you use new or foreign (to the network) devices frequently.

Another type is caled WPA or WiFi Protected Access. This is MUCH stronger than WEP but older hardware does not support it. It requires you to only remember a simple passphrase, and it then does all the work for you, constantly changing encryption keys as you use the network, making it difficult for hackers to access.

One of the BEST ways to deny unauthorized access, is to use MAC Address Filtering your access point will only allow the computers you authorize using their physical address (MAC address) if the computer connecting does match any listed on the MAC table, it denies the computer access to the network.

Answer 4

Yes, it's highly recommended, and it's a first step in setting up your wireless network security.