15 Messages
Mysterious ESP_######## SSID
My understanding is that the base station includes an espressif wifi chip whose purpose is to connect to a network specified by the user in order to get updates. But our base station has created its own SSID with the name like ESP_A123A5(01:3b:59:f2:34:8e) . (The italicized characters have been changed). It isn't always available, it has appeared and disappeared multiple times. It is definitely is coming from the base station and it is an open network. I was able to join the network using a smartphone and no password.
Has anyone else seen this or have an explanation?
captain11
Captain
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6K Messages
3 years ago
The short answer to this specific question is a solid "no" but I can tell you whenever I have discovered some odd things, a phone call support got me an answer. Note, this always did not happen on the first call. On several occasions I was sold they initially didn't know the answer but always did get back to me. Given that SS has many new agents in their expanded support organization, a good thing, the experience level varies from novice to pro so you may have to get a call back.
If you do call and get a response, please post your outcome here so we can all benefit. Thank you.
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davey_d
Community Admin
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5.6K Messages
3 years ago
Hi QuarkENess,
If you're up to date on Base Station firmware, you should now be seeing your SimpliSafe devices labeled as "SimpliSafe". Are you sure that the device is your SimpliSafe Base Station? What happens if you block it?
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QuarkENess
15 Messages
3 years ago
Our base station is at 2.5.2 with the wifi module at 2.11.6.
We actually aren't connecting our base station to our wifi right now because we have experienced some irregularities on our router that suggest a security breach. The SSID is definitely coming from our base station. We used a wifi network analyzer app to pinpoint the source and it peaked when the phone was place on top of the base station.
So our question is: does the base station ever broadcast an open SSID starting with ESP_ or is this a sign that something is wrong with our base station?
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davey_d
Community Admin
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5.6K Messages
3 years ago
@QuarkENess ,
Heard back from our devs. So as I mentioned, your Base Station should be showing up as "SimpliSafe" on your router's list, but that might not happen for all routers. The "ESP_" label does indeed refer to the espressif WiFi chip that the Base Station uses.
But if you're concerned, you can double-check that the correct MAC address matches what's listed on your router. On the Keypad Menu, navigate to System Settings > Diagnostics > WiFi, and you'll see the Base Station's MAC there.
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krstrick
136 Messages
3 years ago
But wait, did I misunderstand the OP - His base station is TRANSMITTING on a WiFi SSID by this name and said Wireless network can be joined?
As in his base station is acting as a router or WiFi extender?
The only thing the base should be transmitting on besides the cell modem is the network for the sensors correct and this should not be seen on a normal WiFi band and should be encrypted (secured) assuming G3 basestation...
I can also confirm that my base station does not create a wireless network.
It does show up as SimpliSafe_Basestation in the category IOT (Internet Of Things).
My router does remember a prior base station as Expressif under a category of Security Device.
Maybe I totally misunderstood...
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QuarkENess
15 Messages
2 years ago
Update: I wrote both an email and a certified letter to Simplisafe CTO Don Nelson asking for some communication to either explain or follow up with my question. The letter was delivered last Friday (Feb 11).
As of today, I still have not gotten a response from anyone at Simplisafe HQ.
It is unconscionable that a security company would be so lackadaisical in their response to a legitimate security concern that has been escalated through the appropriate channels --- including a recommendation from their own technical support team that a customer contact their headquarters.
The reasonable interpretation here is that Simplisafe does not see itself as a security provider. Sure, they manufacture devices that can be used for security, and yes, they manage an monitoring service. But so far, they have not acted responsively enough to ensure the security of their customers.
(edited)
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GeorgeThomas
4 Messages
2 years ago
I had a similar experience after installing a new router that came with a great app that would show every device connected to my network. After mapping and identifying every device I new of, there were several that remained unidentified that displayed IDs identical to the example you gave. Some displayed as online, others as offline, and then at times, their status would change.
After about an hour of wracking my brain, I realized these device IDs were not coming from the Simplisafe base station or peripheral devices, but from the many Globe Electric wifi lightbulbs I have throughout my home. As the power source to these bulbs were turned on and off from the wall switch, they would correspondingly cycle online and offline. To my understanding, all wifi bulbs use espressif chips. The device IDs, like the example you listed, contain the MAC address (an abbreviated version on my router app) of each bulb. I was able to identify these by matching the MAC address from the SSID to the MAC address returned for each bulb by the Globe Electric app that controls their functions.
Hope this helps.
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QuarkENess
15 Messages
2 years ago
We got a new base station and saw that this ESP_ wifi shows up during pairing of the Keypad and Base station. (That would have been useful information, Simplisafe). Still not clear why my keypad thought it needed to repair with our Base station, though.
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lordhacky
7 Messages
2 years ago
Me too. Last couple of weeks it showed up. Just like you said, it appears as an open unsecured network and then goes away whenever. The sad reality about that is anyone else with some tech savvy can get on the simply safe network and change it as well as any other network that you have linked it to.
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lordhacky
7 Messages
2 years ago
Funny thing is, for the longest time it just appeared as "hidden network" then after last update when it asked to re pair with base station it became ESP. also, now the base station won't connect to the WiFi. That's fine because like you mentioned, we found the security flaws and decided against it.
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lordhacky
7 Messages
2 years ago
Bad thing is I wasted 120$ on the camera and without a Wi-Fi connection and a paid subscription, you can't get video/audio protection.
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lordhacky
7 Messages
2 years ago
Also, no live monitoring without wifi
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worthing
702 Messages
2 years ago
@lordhacky
The requirements for the cameras clearly state that WiFi is required and do not state that a wired connection is available. It should not have been a surprise that you needed WiFi or that you needed a paid plan to save recordings. Or did I misunderstand what you were trying to convey?
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smoof
1 Message
1 year ago
Any resolution on this? I have this issue too and don't want an open wifi SSID at 40mHz wide being a security and performance problem. Makes me think it's time to leave Simplisafe.
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effendi
2 Messages
1 year ago
I'm seeing this SSID (different last 6 characters, corresponding to the MAC of the SSID) pop up in my Wifi system's security scans, too. The signal strength and the fact that it has a MAC address that is one off from the Base Station's client MAC that is on my network (e.g. SSID AP MAC is xx:xx:xx:12:34:56 and Base Station client MAC is xx:xx:xx:12:34:55, all x's are the same and correspond to the EspressIf Vendor OUI), I'm 99% sure this is coming from the SimpliSafe Base Station. What is this thing, and how do we stop it? This makes me concerned about trusting SimpliSafe to protect my family and property.
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