Here you are, in your favorite comfortable space to relax, work creatively or just spend your free time. The atmosphere is just right, a tasty drink at your fingertips and you can write, then … Out of nowhere your browser opens to the Xfinity website asking for your username and password.
You dismiss it as a one-time annoyance and close your browser. But just like a child begging for attention, he comes back, looks at you, and knocks on your shoulder, asking you to ride the internet, not once or twice, but EVERY closing the browser.
You can finally put this wild child away in time and go back to your happy place.
The problem lies in two areas: the public part of the router in the home or business you are connecting to and the network list on your Mac.
Public access
In keeping with Comcast’s infinite wisdom, they re-provisioned their routers to allow subscribers to log into their Comcast account and connect to the Internet wherever the service is available over a network called “xfinity wifi”. Those who want this wide availability without a Comcast account are out of luck.
This allows subscribers to do two things:
Firstconnects subscribers to multiple routers across Comcast’s territory, creating a mesh network of public Wi-Fi hotspots with just login credentials at no extra cost to your own account.
Secondit separates the connection between home or business owners from subscribers who temporarily connect to the router and are not counted as traffic generated by the router owners.
Now let’s move on to removing this problem.
Mac network list
The big problem with a little “Xfinity Wifi” appearing in your face is somewhere you are in control of – in the network list.
A few notes about Mac’s network preferences:
Since Xfinity Wifi is an open network, it doesn’t require a username and password until you log into the network.
Open networks are given preferred status and are tried first when the wireless adapter looks for a network to join.
You can customize your Mac’s default behavior by changing the list order in the Network pane of System Preferences.
Customize your list of preferred networks
1. In System Preferences, click Network.
2. The first network option listed should be Wi-Fi, make sure it is highlighted.
3. Then find and click the Advanced button in the lower right corner.
4. Preferred networks can be moved higher in the list according to the frequency to the top of this screen. Find the “Xfinity wifi” network in the list, click on it and then click the “-” button to get rid of this beast.
5. If your iCloud Keychain is active, click Delete (all devices connected to iCloud will also delete the “Xfinity wifi” network).
6. Click OK.
7. Click Apply.
Now you don’t have to worry about your Mac constantly opening your web browser every time you want to connect to your wireless network.
