Xfinity Launches Shield, Giving Internet Customers New Tools to Protect Their Home, Devices and Family
WiFi Shield is included with eligible Xfinity Internet service; Shield Select adds cameras, sensors and urgent-response access for $15 a month.
Xfinity Internet customers can now use their home WiFi network as a first line of defense against online threats, unexpected activity at home and unwanted screen time.
Comcast has launched Xfinity Shield, a new protection platform managed through the Xfinity app. The first tier, WiFi Shield, is available at no additional cost to eligible Xfinity Internet customers with a compatible Xfinity Gateway. Customers who want added home-monitoring features can upgrade to Shield Select for $15 per month.
The launch comes as homes rely on more connected technology than ever. Comcast says the average Xfinity customer has 36 devices connected to WiFi, from phones and laptops to televisions, gaming systems and smart-home devices.
What WiFi Shield Includes at No Extra Cost
WiFi Shield offers several tools built into eligible Xfinity Gateways:
Cybersecurity protection: Xfinity CyberSecure works through the home network to help block malware, hackers, phishing attempts and other threats before they reach connected devices. Comcast says it identifies, filters and blocks an average of 30 million threats each day.
Optional motion alerts: WiFi Motion can notify customers through the Xfinity app when it detects unexpected movement inside the home. The opt-in feature uses signals between the Gateway and connected WiFi devices, so it does not require cameras or traditional motion detectors. It does not record video, capture images or identify people.
Family controls: Family Settings lets households create profiles, assign devices to family members, pause WiFi, schedule internet access, set screen-time limits and block unwanted websites.
Not every older Gateway supports every WiFi Shield feature. Xfinity advises customers to check their eligibility and available features in the Xfinity app or on its WiFi Shield information page.
Shield Select Adds Cameras, Sensors and Urgent Response
For $15 a month, Shield Select includes the WiFi Shield features along with an indoor camera, door/window sensor, seven days of secure cloud video storage and 24/7 urgent-response access.
The indoor camera can send AI-powered alerts that help distinguish among people, pets, vehicles and package deliveries, according to Comcast. Shield Select is a self-monitoring service; it does not include traditional professionally monitored home security with automatic emergency dispatch.
“Our goal was simple: make protection easier, smarter and more accessible,” said Fraser Stirling, Comcast’s global chief product officer. “We believe the future of protection should be integrated into the technology people already use every day, not added as another product they have to manage.”
How to Get Started
Eligible Xfinity Internet customers can open the Xfinity app to see whether their Gateway qualifies and activate available WiFi Shield features. The app also provides guided setup and controls for notifications, schedules and family settings.
Customers interested in the paid option can learn more about equipment, pricing and availability for Shield Select. Restrictions apply, and feature availability may vary by Gateway model and location.
