When I launched my Mac this morning, the list of wifi servers was empty except for one named -uckoff (I obviously edited the name). I had some trouble getting logged on to the net, but eventually I succeeded. Is this a known problem that I should further address?
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.6
Try power cycling the router. There are some router hacks that are only temporary & disappear once the router has been power cycled. Make sure to wait at least five minutes for the router to finish booting. During that time see if the "----off" SSID disappears. If it does, then it was likely your router.
If the "----off" SSID disappears during the router reboot & reappears once the router is ready, then you should probably perform a hardware reset of the router to factory defaults. How you do this can vary by routers, but many times there is a hidden recessed button you must hold down. Check your router's documentation. Resetting to factory defaults should change the WiFi SSD to the factory default (no idea what that would be...password is likely on the bottom or back of the router as is the router's admin password).
You also want to make sure your router's firmware is up to date.
You will need to check your router's documentation on how to access the router's admin portal. Most router's admin portals are accessed using one of the following URL's in a browser (if it is a really old device, then you may need to remove the "s" from "https" & make it "http" instead, hopefully your router is current):
https://192.168.1.1
https://192.168.100.1
https://10.0.0.1
Try power cycling the router. There are some router hacks that are only temporary & disappear once the router has been power cycled. Make sure to wait at least five minutes for the router to finish booting. During that time see if the "----off" SSID disappears. If it does, then it was likely your router.
If the "----off" SSID disappears during the router reboot & reappears once the router is ready, then you should probably perform a hardware reset of the router to factory defaults. How you do this can vary by routers, but many times there is a hidden recessed button you must hold down. Check your router's documentation. Resetting to factory defaults should change the WiFi SSD to the factory default (no idea what that would be...password is likely on the bottom or back of the router as is the router's admin password).
You also want to make sure your router's firmware is up to date.
You will need to check your router's documentation on how to access the router's admin portal. Most router's admin portals are accessed using one of the following URL's in a browser (if it is a really old device, then you may need to remove the "s" from "https" & make it "http" instead, hopefully your router is current):
https://192.168.1.1
https://192.168.100.1
https://10.0.0.1
Wi-Fi network names (SSIDs) can be whatever the person managing the Wi-Fi network wants.
The list of nearby networks is what it is.
I would not suggest connecting to Wi-Fi networks without permission.
If this was your Wi-Fi network and you didn’t configure this network name, then your Wi-Fi router security warrants a review.
cacarlson wrote:
It was the only wifi listed on the dropdown from my main menu bar . My own network was not listed. How does one review the security of my wifi router (an iPhone)?
Assuming that network name is not from your router reconfigured, your router has malfunctioned.
Unplugging and re-plugging might get the router back, or the router might have failed.
It sounds like you have a neighbour with a warped sense of humour.
Since upgrading to fibre and a new router I only see a couple of others but previously there could be half a dozen or more.
Your Mac only lists the networks it "sees" (detects) when you start your Mac and WiFi is on, or when you search for available networks. If "----off" was the only network listed, it's the only one your Mac detected at that time. And if it's not your own WiFi network you should not be using it. Don't hijack onto a neighbor's WiFi network, you could get into unexpected trouble doing that.
cacarlson wrote:
My iPhone hot spot is my "router"
No quoting needed there. Your iPhone is your Wi-Fi router.
To check for operation, you will want to check for the presence of your Wi-Fi router name (SSID) from another nearby Wi-Fi client, then.
Not from the Wi-Fi router (iPhone) itself.
There can be other independent Wi-Fi routers operating locally and with visible names (preferred) or without (hidden, bad idea) names. The people administering those nearby Wi-Fi routers can use whatever names they want.
cacarlson wrote:
It was the only wifi listed on the dropdown from my main menu bar . My own network was not listed. How does one review the security of my wifi router (an iPhone)?
Maybe you don't see your own WiFi SSID in the list because you have your SSID configured to be hidden.
cacarlson wrote:
It was the only wifi listed on the dropdown from my main menu bar . My own network was not listed. How does one review the security of my wifi router (an iPhone)?
Are you asking if you can use your iPhone to check your router ... or that your iPhone *IS* your router? (An iPhone can provide a WiFi hotspot, which acts as a sort of limited router, but it's not the same as an actual router.)
What is the make/model of your router? You would use your Mac or any other computer to log into your router to check its security settings & other settings. If you don't know how to do this, @HWTech gave you basic instructions earlier.
I wouldn't worry, sounds lile bew powerful WIFI server in you hood. jist because thete is Wifi Servers advertising their presence doesn't mean you are conected to them.
It was the only wifi listed on the dropdown from my main menu bar . My own network was not listed. How does one review the security of my wifi router (an iPhone)?
I see more than a dozen. A few names are cute…
My neighbours haven't much imagination . . . nor have I.
Some that I see:
Masa
NoPornoHere
Meshy
plus more than a dozen more ...
I just checked and here is what I see:
My iPhone hot spot is my "router"
Is there a current macOS hack involving a wifi server called -uckoff
