I was having wifi trouble recently since a power interruption. My wifi was iffy at best. I contacted AT&T by phone and was instructed by the rep after a series of tests/diagnosis that I need to select another SSID from my router as the new default. The rep also gave me a password for it and I and my wife changed our wifi devices over to the newer SSID and used the password that was given by the AT&T rep. As of late reading about all the security and fraud threads has me thinking about the password I was given to use from the rep. All is well and stable using the new SSID and that password but should I change the password? I found on Youtube videos using my Mac how to change the password but is it necessary? I'm leaning towards doing it as I'm not all too confident in a rep giving me the password to get up and running. Or am I just being overly paranoid?

I thought it's routine to always reset password, after one was given to you from some company/organization/website?

You're right Q. I really didn't think about it having a lot on my mind and the rep didn't suggest it as a security reminder. I had to swap all my wifi devices over to the new SSID and password and just content to get the new TV and computers/devices up and working again, since a day or so had passed, I really didn't stop to give it any thought Thanks.

Lately as Z06's moniker states "I've been busier than a cat trying to cover it's crap on a marble floor!"

It sounds as though you're using the router provided by AT&T and not your own. If you want to heighten your security and provide far more control over your WiFi network, give AT&T back their router and buy your own. I personally would never use a carrier supplied router. And over time its usually less expensive to own your own rather than rent theirs.

I'd change that password in a New York minute.

And I'm like bigdeal, I buy my own routers.

Don't know about AT&T but with Cox most modems have a router built into them. Fortunately the one I have (not too old) does not have a router since I have a phone with Cox. I'll do my best not to have a modem with a built in router. If I do end up with one my router will be first in line from theirs.

I have to believe that among the first things a hacker would try on seeing a new SSID is to try all the various router companies' default passwords.

It would be best to change it, and pronto. That would also go for the admin password, as well as the password to access the WiFi. Both of those have defaults, which printed in the user manuals, and both are most likely accumulated and used by the hackers.

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Or am I just being overly paranoid?

No, but putting in your own router in between the ISP and your network should ease your concern.
You would need to turn off the services of theirs and apply to yours.
That would be DHCP, their firewall, and wi-fi if it has it.
Then configure on your router,
Then you are in control not that the ISP is a terrible risk but it is still a risk.

You could also just turn off the wi-fi on the ISP device and install your own if just wi-fi control/security is the main concern.

I'd change the password. It's easy enough to do.

If you're talking about Uverse, I'm pretty sure you can't just replace the suppled router as it has their proprietary modem built in, but you can make it a passthrough (Bridge mode) to your own router where you would then control things and get your wifi signal from. I did this for awhile when AT&T's router wifi was weak. They've since upgraded their routers and the current supplied version is much better and completely adequate for my home set up. Speed is higher then published and the signal is strong in every room in my single story house.

Also AT&T does not charge extra for the modem/router. Set top boxes yes.

Any free basic sniffer app will give away your SSID in seconds.
Also, anyone with access to AT&T help desk database also has it AND the password.

The first step in the right direction, IMO, would be buying your own router.

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Conventional advise, iirc, is to avoid dual function devises (aka router plus modem in one device), instead always buy separate devices (one modem and separate wifi router). Buy a modem that's compatible with your ISP, and if they tell you the only modem that's compatible with them is their own router that they want you to rent from them, they're lying through their teeth, just go to your local big box electronic store and ask them for a modem that's compatible with the carrier you're using in that area, and they will give you the straight scoop. Then call the ISP and tell them to sync your new modem to their service. After that reset the password on your wireless router (the aforementioned separate device), and in theory you will be gtg. Also don't buy off-brand routers or modems, go with major brand stuff, like Motorola modems, and Linksys and Netgear routers, etc. THEN you will have maximum simplicity, maximum control, and maximum security you can configure any way you like, including some custom advanced secutity architectures you can cobble together yourself if so inclined.

My hunch is if you do all that above, you will be miles ahead than if you keep trying to get out from under your ISPs thumb using their dual-function rent-to-never-own equipment, all the while getting ripped off via their stupid rental of cheap chinese shit equipment and resulting security issues. Trust me, been there done that.

Thanks much for all the good advice. At least I'm on my way. I purchased a Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 dual band smart wifi router and paid for the install through Walmart. I believe that I have a router and separate modem. I'm not entirely sure about this but I know that in the back of my entertainment center there is a grey device that has vented ribs and what I thought was the router is a black tower like device that the last AT&T rep put under my stereo components that has all the green blinking lights. The rep had me push a button on the front of it to reset it during the course of troubleshooting. She called it the router anyways. I think that if in fact it's a dual purpose modem/router at this point I'd probably make it a passthrough (bridge mode) connection as NavyGuy suggested. I'll discuss this with the rep when he comes to install. Most reviews suggest that this Netgear router is a decent one for my size smaller home for our devices, 2 laptops, Smart TV, Tablo OTA DVR, Apple TV 4k, Ring video doorbell and of course phones when we use them in the home. Additionally at least so far by dropping AT&T's Direct TV and going to streaming TV I saved almost $100mo, so the $85 that I pay for the internet isn't so bad along with the $12.99 mo for Amazon Prime video.

Thanks again!