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.
- Full name
- Basic Service Set Identifier
- Format
- MAC address of the AP radio
- Distinguished from
- SSID, the network name
- Found in
- Association logs, packet captures
- Field
- Wi-Fi forensics
Common questions
Why is the BSSID more forensically reliable than the SSID for identifying a connection?+
The SSID is just a chosen network name any access point can duplicate, while the BSSID is tied to the specific radio hardware that handled the connection, making it a more precise identifier in logs.
Can a single access point broadcast more than one BSSID?+
Yes, an access point supporting multiple virtual networks or dual-band radios assigns a distinct BSSID to each SSID and band it broadcasts, so one physical device can appear as several BSSIDs.
Related terms
- MAC Address Randomisation
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- 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...