Probe Request Frame New! Jun 2026

The Probe Response frame allows the STA to determine the AP's capabilities and decide whether to associate with it.

: If SSID is set to empty (or " broadcast), the device is probing for all nearby APs. If SSID is a specific name, it’s looking for a particular network. probe request frame

In IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) networks, the serves as a primary mechanism for active scanning. Sent by client devices (stations) to discover Access Points (APs), these frames facilitate network connectivity and roaming. While essential for network operation, probe requests also present significant privacy and security challenges, as they are typically sent unencrypted and contain identifying information about the transmitting device. The Probe Response frame allows the STA to

The standard probe request workflow operates as follows: In IEEE 802

So, Probe Requests = .

Because probe requests contain the source MAC address and often the SSIDs of saved networks, they are widely used for: