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GeneP2
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9 Messages

Friday, March 11th, 2022

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What is the Generic brand Linux device connecting to my network?

A Generic brand Linux device shows up on my private network?  It showed up 3 days ago.  Unknown device to me.  I didn't connect the device.

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3 years ago

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CCElizabeth

Problem Solver

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908 Messages

3 years ago

Hello @

GenePenn and thank you for your post! You can view, pause, and forget devices connected to your network through the Xfinity xFi app, located within you Xfinity My Account app. Please see this support article for a walkthrough on how to control your home WiFi with xFi.
If you suspect your WiFi password has been compromised, you can change it. Here is a walkthrough on how to do so. 
For additional security concerns, please

contact our amazing Customer Security Assurance (CSA) Team. Our CSA Team is comprised of security experts who make sure you have a safe online experience. These security professionals handle issues like unexplained data usage, phishing, spam, infected computers (often called bots), online fraud and other security issues. Customer Security Assurance can be reached at 1-888-565-4329 and their hours of operation are 6:00 AM - 2:00 AM ET/Seven days a week.

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GeneP2

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@XfinityElizabethA​ 

I also noted a couple of other activities that may be related to the unwanted device connecting to my home network.

1.  On 3/8/22 I received an e-mail message from Xfinity titled "New features added to xFi Complete".

2.  On 3/8/22 a new option appeared on my Xfinity App titled "Share your WiFi".

3.  On 3/9/22 I received an e-mail message from Xfinity titled "A new device joined your home network."

I find it very suspicious that I received these 3 notices/messages one after the other.

Gene [Edited: "Personal Information"]

(edited)

3 years ago

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Hemingray42

Contributor

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76 Messages

3 years ago

It can be anything, from a phone presenting an invalid/fake MAC address (Private/Randomized MAC), to an IoT/Smart Device (Such as a camera, smart plug, smart door lock, etc). Does it display a name and MAC address? You can plug the MAC address into https://www.macvendorlookup.com/ and it'll (do it's best) to tell you who manufactured the device. Devices with randomized MACs won't come up with anything. Most IoT devices will show up as Espressif branded devices as they are largely based on the ESP-32/ESP8266 IoT chip. 

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GeneP2

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9 Messages

3 years ago

I contacted the Customer Security Assurance as suggested.  After answering several questions, her only suggestion to remove the device was to change the password on my network.  After several minutes of discussion trying to understand how changing my network password would remove the device, I agreed and the call was closed.  I changed the password on my network and as I suspected I had to update the password on every one of my 20+ devices connected to it!  AND the bottom line is that the unwanted device is STILL THERE!

I followed one other persons suggestion and was able to determine the "owner" of the unwanted device.  It shows up as:  

Company
[Edited: "Personal Information"]
Address
[Edited: "Personal Information"]
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
Range
[Edited: "Personal Information"] - [Edited: "Personal Information"]
Type
IEEE MA-L

This information is very unsettling to say the least!

Unwanted device still shows as connected to my network.  I have paused it using my Xfinity App but that's not the solution I am looking for!  I want to REMOVE the device.

(edited)

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Hemingray42

Contributor

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76 Messages

@GeneP2​ What stinks here is someone edited out the identifying information that would allow me to help pinpoint what this could be. Do you have any smart home devices? (Cameras, Locks, Plugs, etc)

The fact that it's from Taiwan tells me it's likely a cheap smart home device, probably a wifi camera or plug. 

(edited)

3 years ago

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EG

Expert

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112.3K Messages

@Hemingray42​ Why not ask the poster to send it to you via a private forum message ?

I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick

3 years ago

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Hemingray42

Contributor

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76 Messages

@EG​ Just seen it in my email.

@GeneP2 From what I seen in my email just now, the device is a Ralink. Ralink makes wifi chipsets for PCs, and is a well known name in the industry. Best thing I can suggest here, is leave it paused, and check all of your PCs until you find one that is connected to the network but unable to access the internet.

3 years ago

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Kel-654

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1 Message

3 years ago

I also have this device connected to my private network. It happened today. I don’t know what it is either. 

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CCElizabeth

Problem Solver

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908 Messages

Hello @Kel-654 Thank you for your comment. Have you by chance tried to identify the device in your home by using the process of elimination? You can do this by pausing each device on your network, one by one, then checking each one to see if it's connected to your in-home network. If you are unable to identify the device using this method, it is recommended that you change your WiFi password. 

 

I no longer work for Comcast.

3 years ago

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