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BSSID

Definition

Basic Service Set Identifier. The MAC address of a specific access point radio. Used in association logs and packet captures to uniquely identify which physical access point a device connected to, distinct from the SSID (network name) which may be shared by multiple access points.

Related terms

MAC address randomisation
A privacy mechanism in modern operating systems that substitutes a randomly generated MAC address for the device's globally unique burned-in address during...
Monitor mode
An 802.11 radio mode that captures every wireless frame in range, including management and control frames, without associating to an access point....
Preferred Network List (PNL)
The list of previously joined Wi-Fi networks stored on a client device. The device automatically probes for networks on the PNL when...
Probe request
An 802.11 management frame broadcast by a client device when actively scanning for Wi-Fi networks. Contains the device MAC address and, in...
RSSI
Received Signal Strength Indicator. A value, typically expressed in dBm, recorded in access-point logs and packet captures that indicates how strongly a...

Explained in

  • Wi-Fi ForensicsBasic Service Set Identifier. The MAC address of a specific access point radio. Used in association logs and packet captures to uniquely identify which physica...

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