Mac OS X: Some Services Cause Modem to Connect

Some services may make the modem to connect to the Internet.
This occurs when you have set up your computer to connect automatically when a TCP/IP application needs to access the Internet. Certain applications or services, such as Web Sharing (Apache), Windows Sharing, and the Directory Access SMB Plug-in, may look for a TCP/IP connection, causing your modem to dial. To avoid this, use Network preferences to change your PPP or PPPoE Options:

For a PPP connection

  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Click Network.
  3. From the Show menu ("Configure" menu prior to Mac OS X 10.1), choose Internal Modem.
  4. Click the PPP tab, then PPP Options.
  5. Deselect the checkbox for "Connect automatically when needed" (or in earlier Mac OS X versions, "Connect automatically when starting TCP/IP applications").
  6. Click OK, then click Apply Now.

For a PPPoE connection

  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Click Network.
  3. From the Show menu ("Configure" menu prior to Mac OS X 10.1), choose Built-in Ethernet or AirPort.
  4. Click the PPPoE tab, then PPPoE Options.
  5. Deselect the checkbox for "Connect automatically when needed" (or in earlier Mac OS X versions, "Connect automatically when starting TCP/IP applications").
  6. Click OK, then click Apply Now.
Published Date: Oct 7, 2016