Forum Discussion

hammic's avatar
hammic
Up to speed
2 years ago

SuperHub 3.0 - unable to disable SSID broadcast

Today, when connecting a new device, I needed to broadcast my Wi-Fi's SSID for the new (garbage) device that I was trying to connect.  So I logged in to 192.168.0.1 and navigated to Advanced settings > Wireless > Security, only to find that WiFi Network Name (SSID) broadcast was greyed out for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

I have never seen this option greyed out before, as I was able to to disable SSID broadcasting during my setting up of the SuperHub 3.0.  During my setup, I always changed the SSID to my own, change the password to something longer and more complex and hide the SSID.  Overkill perhaps, but that's how I've had my Wi-Fi setup for about 10 years now and it's always worked for the majority of the time.

I've pinhole reset the SuperHub, contacted support (who were able to turn SSID on and off as per my requests) and tried Edge browser (I use Firefox as my main browser).

I'm at a loss now and I think that some firmware update or software change on the SH3 has caused this issue.

If anybody has any pointers, suggestions or even a solution, I'm all ears!

Spoiler
Firmware Issues
long time without resolution
  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    On our Hub 3 the situation is identical.

    The radio buttons for "WiFi Network Name (SSID) broadcast" are greyed out for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghx band & SSID is enabled for both bands.

    Disabling SSID adds more inconvenience then security to the WiFi service.

    • hammic's avatar
      hammic
      Up to speed
      2 years ago

      Almost all devices I have connected to my Wi-Fi have had no issues connecting to my hidden Wi-Fi and using a long password with mixed characters and symbols.  When I do encounter an issue, I just enable SSID while I connect the device, then disable SSID broadcasting and everything works fine.

      But this option is now greyed out, seemingly with neither a solution or workaround.

      • Client62's avatar
        Client62
        Alessandro Volta
        2 years ago

        I just noticed that the Hub3's Admin >>> Remote Access the entire page is also totally greyed out.

        Do you also see that ?

      • Joseph_B's avatar
        Joseph_B
        Forum Team (Retired)
        2 years ago

        Hey abc-xyz,

        Sorry to see you are still having this problem, would you be able to confirm via screenshot what the settings page is currently showing for you, is it still the same as above? 

        Joe

  • legacy1's avatar
    legacy1
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    Place your bets will VM give you the hide SSID or remove the option like it was never there..

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    I would be quite surprised if there was a functionality firmware update for the Hub 3.

  • hammic's avatar
    hammic
    Up to speed
    2 years ago

    I've had issues with the phone icon flashing red on my SuperHub 3, so they advised I factory reset the hub.  Luckily I backed up my settings before doing the factory reset, which resolved the flashing phone icon issue.

    But I am getting deja vu as I struggle to disable SSID broadcasting again as the options are greyed out.  Virgin Media's call centre agents are absolutely clueless and are adamant they are unable to disable SSID broadcasting at their end.

    If I restore my previous settings, I'm worried that my phone line will stop working again.  But this is the only way I can disable SSID broadcasting.

    Please would somebody at Virgin Media explain to us all why the option to toggle SSID broadcasting has been disabled.  Would they also let us know if they plan to enable the option again and, if so, when?

    • legacy1's avatar
      legacy1
      Alessandro Volta
      2 years ago
      hammic wrote:

      Would they also let us know if they plan to enable the option again and, if so, when?

      never! VM don't want to support this for when you do enable it and then you want to add a new device and forget you had it enabled it should never of been in the UI

      • hammic's avatar
        hammic
        Up to speed
        12 months ago

        I've never seen a router without the option to disable SSID, but I can understand why you might not want the average customer to enable it, as it can cause confusion.

        One part of me is tempted just to put the SH3 into modem mode and buy myself a router.  But if Virgin Media are professing to give you suitable equipment, then should it not be fit for purpose as well as customisable by customers alike, regardless of their I.T. knowledge?

  • asim18's avatar
    asim18
    Rising star
    10 months ago

    I think a bigger security issue is the fact that the VM Hub 3 responds to any and all ping requests with no way of turning it off hahaha. Back on the SuperHub1 they had option to disable ICMP responses, then they "upgraded" me to a Hub3 which was about 60% worse than the old hub, and 450% worse than the old dedicated modems.

    Every router I've ever owned since 2005 has had the option to disable ICMP response, except the VM Hub3 hahahaha.

    The Hub3 is a joke product, makes me laugh more than some comedians. I think I will put a paper bag over my Hub3. Everytime I catch a glimpse of my Hub3 under the desk I cant help thinking "Will I ever experience a router that's worse than the Hub3?"

    VM is going downhill, rapidly. They seriously need to employ some qualified IT and networking personnel.

    • legacy1's avatar
      legacy1
      Alessandro Volta
      10 months ago
      asim18 wrote:

      I think a bigger security issue is the fact that the VM Hub 3 responds to any and all ping requests with no way of turning it off hahaha.

      Is it still true that disable the firewall on hub blocks ping requests?

  • legacy1's avatar
    legacy1
    Alessandro Volta
    10 months ago

    VM is doing what it set out to do without this option simple internet access for more  advanced stuff use modem mode and own router 

    pods likely don't work with this option but VM choose not to remove it but gray it out   

    • Mac01's avatar
      Mac01
      Tuning in
      9 months ago

      Hi legacy1,

      I understand this position, however the matter at hand is a basic feature which enhances security and privacy, not advanced.

      The workaround to set the Hub to modem mode and use another router introduces misconfiguration risks and is also at the expense of the end user, and comes with a requirement of basic networking knowledge. This would be a more advanced option for the typical residential user.

      VM did not choose to grey it out - per what VM's own Forum Team members have stated. Beth_G's comment on 23-02-2023 10:22 and Ashleigh_C's comment on 20-09-2023 09:35 points toward it being a known bug within the current firmware version, and that they are working to resolve it. VM acknowledge the issue as a feature bug with security and privacy implications. 

      • legacy1's avatar
        legacy1
        Alessandro Volta
        9 months ago

        Sooooo....how many people you know would use this option basic people don't know about and don't case VM don't care because its not a security problem don't you get it by now? Nothing is going to be done about this by all means post here https://www.cvedetails.com/