What does the Wi-Fi term SSID identify?

The Wi-Fi term SSID identifies a wireless network name. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier, the label devices use to distinguish one wireless network from another.

When a phone or laptop displays nearby Wi-Fi networks, the names shown are usually broadcast SSIDs. A wireless access point can also hide its SSID, although hiding the name is not a strong security measure because network traffic can still reveal it.

An SSID is not the same as a password, IP address, or MAC address. The password authenticates a user, the IP address identifies a network connection, and the MAC address identifies a network interface. Multiple access points can share one SSID to support roaming across a larger area.