Hiding Host Name from Router

[berilac]

Hi,

I've noticed that when connecting to a router the host name of my computer is published, along with the mac address.

I am not getting in to mac spoofing here; that is not my intention.
I simply generally do not like displaying more information than I must.

When dealing with public access routers (often that have no security and also default admin passwords) I would rather not display such information.

Using ubuntu, it was simple enough to not publish my host name (the mac address is of course still logged).

However, how can I do this in windows???

 

[zzz2496]

Hmm, if what you want is to make that your computer doesn't show up in "Network" pane in explorer, disable SSDP and Network awareness. But to be honest, there's no need to hide hostname, since it's tied to your IP address, doing a simple scan throughout the network will reveal many hosts, some may have hostname, some will show as IP address... I mean, hostname is just a "humane replacement" for IP address, nothing more.

zzz2496

 

[berilac]

I am already hidden with regard to Network computers. However, when logging on to the router, it displays a table of 'Connected Clients' where the host names are listed.

True though that it represents the ip. However, my ip will change when connecting to different wireless networks; whereas the host name will stay the same, given that windows uses the computer name as the host name.

I would rather not publish such information.
Please don't get me wrong. It's not like I have anything to hide. Granted, if I did, I would have to do a lot more than hide a host name. I simply have a thing where I dislike giving out any more info than I truly have to; particularly involving the internet...

 

[zzz2496]

What about you delete the computer name? Maybe that's what you want... Other than that, I don't see how Windows can hide it's hostname...

zzz2496

 

[berilac]

Seems that may be the only way. I realise this may seem a strange request...hope am not wasting your time.

Interesting though that this is something that I found quite easy to do in ubuntu, but not windows (good ol' Linux).

Thanks for the help though Much appreciated.

 

[zzz2496]

You're welcome...

zzz2496

 

[berilac]

For reference, windows won't let you have a blank computer name...

Will have to think of other solution to sustain some level of anonymity

 

[chev65]

From what I have read about this you need to enable the "block wan request" option in your routers set up page. This blocks all requests sent to the router. It will not respond to a ping or an ICMP request. Your IP address will appear to not even exist.

Not all firmware's have this option but some do.

 

[berilac]

Thank you.
However, I am actually wanting my laptop host name to be invisible to any router that I connect to (for instance in coffee houses, etc) - as a lot of these, even if they use a passkey (given when you buy drink for example), only use default router password, thus anyone can get in and play with settings, see who else is online, etc...

Not that this could lead to anything, but still, this is why I prefer to hide my details.

 

[tonebone]

You can hide your computer from the DHCP list in the router by just changing your IP to static.

 

[logicearth]

You could try unchecking "Register this connection’s addresses in DNS"
Chapter 9 - Windows Support for DNS

However, I doubt that will work because what you want is completely pointless. If you are so concerned about what someone might learn from a unidentifiable computer name then stuff it full of random junk. But a computer name is just that, a computer name. If it provides personal information well that is your own fault.

Also, tin foil hats are on sale at K-Mart right now. Better hurry before they run out!

 

[berilac]

information much apprecited guys...

as for wanting to hide private info, believe me, if i wanted that, I would have a different machine and not use g#mail!
I was at the least, interested in the process of controlling windows more than it tends to allow.

And as for my tin foil hat...I am thankfully nowhere near a k-mart - and regardless, I have a much higher reflectivity mylar cap laying around here somewhere (though thinking on it, maybe the scrunched up foil helps add a stealth effect...hmm)

thanks again

 

[psykow]

in win7:
Control Panel -> System and Security -> System
lots of interesting stuff there for you ^_^

 

[RochaMalhada]

I found this today, looking for the same solution:

How to hide or unhide computer name on network « NETWORKING!

You'll have to run the command prompt as administrator.

From that article:

How to hide or unhide computer name on network

To Verify and See if your Computer Name is Hidden or Unhidden

• Open Command Prompt
• In the command prompt, type Net Config Server and press Enter. (See screenshots below)
• If it is hidden, then you will see Yes to the right of Server hidden.
• If it is unhidden, then you will see No to the right of Server hidden.

To Hide your Computer Name from Displaying in Network

• In the command prompt, type in bold below and press Enter.
• Net config server /hidden:yes
• You will get a The command completed successfully message afterwards.

To Unhide your Computer Name to Display in Network

• In the elevated command prompt, type in bold below and press Enter.
• Net config server /hidden:no
• You will get a The command completed successfully message afterwards.
• Exit Command Prompt then Restart the computer to apply.

 

[berilac]

RochaMalhada: many thanks for the info. Am trying it out. Shall see if it's successful after restart. All the best

 

[AceMan]

berilac !

Go to Computer name/Domain changes and in Computer name field hold the alt key and type 255, the Computer name field will appear to be blank but you can click ok, click ok and restart computer.
Then router your connected to or any other device or software will see no Device name for your computer, only your Local IP and MAC Address will be visible, which you can also change.
Worked in Windows 7