Home Network Help

[Jedi5]

A few week ago I was having issues with my internet.
Reset both my Extreme and Express (both PW locked), have my network name and locked it with password.
Something I've done 100x if not more.
All good I think.

Thing is when I click on the wifi icon, I'll see my network and I also keep seeing a network that is not password protected. Sometimes this network will show up, sometimes it doesn't.
The name is the default service provider, xfinitywifi.
Thats my provider. How do I know if that is my network where maybe I did something wrong when setup my network or if this network belongs to someone else who did not password protect it?
When I try to join, it says I'm unable to join and wants to run a diagnostic test.

Help?

 

[satcomer]

Now are using an ISP modem/router combo?

 

[Jedi5]

No I am not, my cable modem is the Motorola SurfBoard SB6121.

Edit: Meant to say modem

 

[hallux]

Are there other homes within WiFi range? It's possible it's coming from one of them.

 

[jasnw]

I agree with hallux. This sounds like one of your neighbors is using a stock Xfinity/COMCAST modem/router which X/C has "helpfully" set up with an open unprotected access as part of their hotspots-for-everyone efforts. One way to find out would be to disconnect power from your router and see if the xfinitywifi network goes away.

 

[Jedi5]

I agree with hallux. This sounds like one of your neighbors is using a stock Xfinity/COMCAST modem/router which X/C has "helpfully" set up with an open unprotected access as part of their hotspots-for-everyone efforts. One way to find out would be to disconnect power from your router and see if the xfinitywifi network goes away.

That's what I keep thinking as well but you know how that goes.
Then you're mind starts to play games with you and its in your head that a step was missed and I'm giving
away free internet!

So you're saying I disconnect the power to my router (Apple Extreme) and leave the modem (Surfboard) plugged in.
If the xfinitywifi network goes away, then it's not mine.
If it is still there, well then I have a problem.

 

[hallux]

If the xfinitywifi network goes away, then it's not mine.
If it is still there, well then I have a problem.

Switch that, if you unplug your router and the network goes away it IS yours, if it doesn't go away it ISN'T yours.

 

[jburson250]

You may be seeing one or more of Xfinity's hot spots. I do.

http://wifi.xfinity.com/?CMP=KNC-IQ...inity +hotspot-pmt-b-slid--tid-17589yuy33248-

It appears often on my wireless dropdown. Just checked - it's there right now. The same thing you're describing.
On rare occasions, my mac has actually connected to it instead of my own secure home network.
So when I start one of the computers or iOS devices, I usually check.

Hope this helps!

 

[Jedi5]

Switch that, if you unplug your router and the network goes away it IS yours, if it doesn't go away it ISN'T yours.

Poop, just unplugged my router and both my secure network as well as the open xfinitywifi network went away.
Now what do I do?
Do I reset my router and express again?
What step did I miss if any?

You may be seeing one or more of Xfinity's hot spots. I do.

http://wifi.xfinity.com/?CMP=KNC-IQ_ID_sgwQ5rMTS-VQ2-g-VQ6-107412914009-VQ16-c-pkw-+xfinity +hotspot-pmt-b-slid--tid-17589yuy33248-

It appears often on my wireless dropdown. Just checked - it's there right now. The same thing you're describing.
On rare occasions, my mac has actually connected to it instead of my own secure home network.
So when I start one of the computers or iOS devices, I usually check.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the link!
None of my devices have ever tried to connect to the xfinitywifi network.
I do see hotspot by my house but I don't know what the range is for me to pick it up.
The hotspot is about .2 miles away

 

[jasnw]

That's seriously odd that the xfinitywifi network went away when you pulled the power on your non-Xfinity router, although it may have shut down at near the same time coincidentally. What hardware do you have on your side of the ISP's cable modem (the Motorola Surfboard unit)? It sounds like you have more than one router ("router and express").