topic Re: Private Network suddenly appeared and computer connects automatically in Broadband

Private Network suddenly appeared and computer connects automatically

balletdude — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:16:35 GMT

I recently upgraded to part fiber, and received a new white router. The upright one not the cylinder one. Since then my iMac keeps displaying and connecting to my router/network name, and also hidden network. It seems it prioritises the hidden network. If I delete or forget this network it forgets my router/network.
it seems the speeds on this are abysmal I'm wondering if it's picking something up from my sky q boxes?

I never had this issue before upgrading. And it seems to be only on this computer. A sky engineer came out on Monday as all my devices were getting disconnected and download speeds were slow. I asked him and he had no idea nor anyone he spoke to. He replaced my router and that seems to have stopped the drop outs. But not the hidden network thing

any help would be appreciated as no one I've spoken to at sky has any idea.
neighbours haven't got a network printer or anything just their own internet, but again never happened before switching to sky part fiber from sky ADSL

Re: Private Network suddenly appeared and computer connects automatically

Me134 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:30:10 GMT

@balletdude wrote:
I recently upgraded to part fiber, and received a new white router. The upright one not the cylinder one. Since then my iMac keeps displaying and connecting to my router/network name, and also hidden network. It seems it prioritises the hidden network. If I delete or forget this network it forgets my router/network.
it seems the speeds on this are abysmal I'm wondering if it's picking something up from my sky q boxes?
I never had this issue before upgrading. And it seems to be only on this computer. A sky engineer came out on Monday as all my devices were getting disconnected and download speeds were slow. I asked him and he had no idea nor anyone he spoke to. He replaced my router and that seems to have stopped the drop outs. But not the hidden network thing
any help would be appreciated as no one I've spoken to at sky has any idea.
neighbours haven't got a network printer or anything just their own internet, but again never happened before switching to sky part fiber from sky ADSL

Sky Q does have a hidden network on the 5Ghz band that it uses to communicate with the mini boxes, although I've not heard of it being picked up before. Do you have multi-room, if not and you can connect the Q box to the router you could disable the wifi on the Q box.

Re: Private Network suddenly appeared and computer connects automatically

balletdude — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:34:57 GMT

Yes I have multiroom. I have my main sky Qbox downstairs and one upstairs
This has never happened before, and I can't disconnect from it or forget it on it's own
As I said the speed seems slower on it, and I have a hard drive connected to my router, so when it connects to this hidden network that disconnects.

I'm really confused now, as I'm slightly worried my networks been compromised

I know it hasnt but still keep worrying

Re: Private Network suddenly appeared and computer connects automatically

balletdude — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:40:38 GMT

may i post a photo showing what it says? do I need to hide my network name in it?