Is Comcast Scanning Internet Subscribers?

By Kevin Parrish, published on October 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: , , , , | Themes: The Internet, Software
Syndication: Add to your Google homepage Add to My Yahoo!

Comcast kicked off a program and sends "service notices" about possible infections via web browsers.

Is Comcast now externally scanning subscriber PCs for viruses? That doesn't seem to be the case with the company's new security initiative, however there does seem to be some indication that Comcast could monitor Internet activity with the help of Internet research groups like Spamhaus and TrendMicro.

Launched today in Denver, Colorado, Comcast's "Constant Guard" program will send end-users a "service notice" within their browser, warning customers that a bot and/or virus has been detected. Customers are then shuffled to Comcast's online anti-virus center for proper disinfection.

“The new Comcast safeguards are in line with industry best practices to help ISPs assist customers whose machines have been infected with malware," said Jerry Upton, executive director of MAAWG (Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group). "By deploying the technology to detect bots on their subscribers’ computers, Comcast is providing a service to their customers and contributing to safer messaging."

Comcast said that the Constant Guard Security Program consists of three main components: a dedicated customer support team, software including McAfee Internet Security Suite and the Comcast Toolbar, and a "security channel" for real-time alerts, tools, and more.

Comments | Print | Send to a friend

Sponsored links

Comments

Sythix 10/09/2009 1:54 AM
Hide
-15+

seems like privacy invasion to me.

LATTEH 10/09/2009 1:58 AM
Hide
-18+

if my download speed goes down because of this im switching to fios

duckmanx88 10/09/2009 2:01 AM
Hide
-5+

LATTEH :
if my download speed goes down because of this im switching to fios



verizon needs to start expanding more. im stuck with ATT. I might just move just to have a better ISP.

ghazgull 10/09/2009 2:11 AM
Hide
-2+

I dont think ISP's scanning their customers habits its anything new

CoryInJapan 10/09/2009 2:29 AM
Show
Kingssman 10/09/2009 2:45 AM
Hide
-9+

LOL when it comes to takeover of the internet, Obama's "emergency stop button" is nothing compared to the power of the ISPs

nitto555rchallenger 10/09/2009 2:51 AM
Hide
-11+

Sounds like one could spoof Comcast customers into DLing malware like say a fake anti-virus software.

mindless728 10/09/2009 2:55 AM
Hide
-0+

wait, doesn't comcast have caps on the download, does this count against it (not that it matters for me, i don't have it)

nitto555rchallenger 10/09/2009 2:55 AM
Hide
--2+

CoryInJapan :
I never install and internet installation software they try to get you to use.Ive always been a little paranoid about comcast doing sneaky stuff behind by back.


Its true, they have the ability to access your computer through a backdoor. I found out about it through an tech employee, since I was having problems with their router and Xbox wireless adapter, they don't work together because comcast can't monitor its proper usage.

cjl 10/09/2009 3:09 AM
Hide
-2+

CoryInJapan :
Wow sounds like they are causing a problem for people that they have the only solution for so then they customers are forced into buying they're crap software because most Comcast users and tech savy and wont know how to get rid of the problem themselves.I have comcast but I never install and internet installation software they try to get you to use.Ive always been a little paranoid about comcast doing sneaky stuff behind by back.


Buying? All comcast customers get the full mcaffee package for free.

leafblower29 10/09/2009 3:37 AM
Hide
-0+

They actually log every torrent and file you download. I know this because someone I know who has Comcast got an email from Comcast saying so when he downloaded a crack.

Plus their service sucks.

nurgletheunclean 10/09/2009 3:57 AM
Hide
--2+

Just because your friend supposedly got one email doesn't mean Comcast is logging every torrent file that anyone downloads. Comcast's service doesn't suck. Their policies may suck but their service is fast and compared to the typical alternatives better most of the time.

Blessedman 10/09/2009 4:03 AM
Hide
-0+

Yes I have been notified that my IP was tracked downloading copyright material then gave me the name of it. I was a little upset and a little frightened. What else have they been snooping on? My private emails? I thought torrents files used some sort of encryption while being sent. Either way I am sick and tired of Comcast as they are now throttling (which I thought they ended the practice of) torrent files. I don't trust them at all (comcast that is).

Blessedman 10/09/2009 4:05 AM
Hide
-1+

Oh and my service used to be upwards of 24Mb/s DL and 2Mb/s UL from the east coast to the mid west. Now it's under 10Mb/s DL and under 1Mb/s UL. This all happened in the last week.

fflam 10/09/2009 4:34 AM
Hide
-9+

i am an installer for comcast. and in my area they do not throttle torrent files. they may throttle the default port but not the files them selves, chant the port you use (in your torrent program) i ruteenly get 2megabytes/sec down on my torrents. also the only way comcast will scan your computer is if you download the comcast desktop doctor, and or tool bar. i haven't herd anything about comcast scanning your computer here but agen im just a installer.

as for buying comcast crap software, comcast does not sell software as was stated previously all comcast internet subscribers get a full version of mcaffee for free.

Quote :Its true, they have the ability to access your computer through a backdoor. I found out about it through an tech employee, since I was having problems with their router and Xbox wireless adapter, they don't work together because comcast can't monitor its proper usage.


well comcast can "access" your computer because you have the remote help feature turned on in windows. and the wifi routers we use are standard netgear routers (model depends on the service you have) we used to use those crappy gateways but those still were just modems and routers in one device, and they work just fince with the xbox wifi adapter (i install probably 5 xbox's a month). and on top of that comcast tracks the total traffic though the modem (well technically though the server the modem connects to but what ever)not per device.

and just because i work for them, doesent mean i agree with them. i HATE the comcast software (toolbar and desktop doctor) and i have gotten several calls for going over my 250GB/month cap.

gekko668 10/09/2009 4:35 AM
Hide
-3+

Comcast huh? more like Comcrap.

soldier37 10/09/2009 4:43 AM
Hide
-0+

22 mps dowload 3 mps up had comcast for many years now. No issues plus I dl torrents alot never had notices or problems because I know what I'm doing. I pay $160 a month for net and hd so I pay for it eventually but it's worth it to me.

nurgletheunclean 10/09/2009 6:33 AM
Hide
-4+

So many posts about torrents. It seems if you are concerned about privacy you really should learn more about how the bit torrent protocol works. Your ISP looking at your traffic should be the least of your privacy concerns using in-the-clear-torrents. Since ISPs typically are not in the copyrighted material business they have little incentive in turning in their customers. What companies spend time and money on activities that don't generate income or reduce expenses for them.

Look at your BT Client! see all those IPs? Those are people seeding/leaching that torrent, you don't need to be an ISP to see that data.

Clients like OneSwarm are capable of hiding your IP, and provide more anonymity, but sadly most torrents are in the clear and it won't make any difference for those.

Bottom line if you are doing illegal shit on the internet, use caution. Use proxies, encryption, public hotspots, etc, when possible. Learn what logging, tracking policies are in place by the ISP and their policies in giving up that data to 3rd parties.

Don't expect your privacy rights to be around forever, The U.S. Plutocracy, will disassemble that mechanism in time, if it will lead to larger profits. Act now and learn to protect yourself.

iammalkav 10/09/2009 6:43 AM
Hide
-5+

If they give you Mcaffee that might be the problem with your downloads and uploads. I was running a version that so interfered with my gaming that it was unplayable. I removed the software and poof everything was working fine. Ditch Mcaffee and try some other anti-virus software.

spectrewind 10/09/2009 6:51 AM
Hide
-4+

nitto555rchallenger :
Its true, they have the ability to access your computer through a backdoor. I found out about it through an tech employee, since I was having problems with their router and Xbox wireless adapter, they don't work together because comcast can't monitor its proper usage.



No it isn't. Just put your machine behind a firewall and make sure no hosting devices are running to allow remote access.

spectrewind 10/09/2009 6:54 AM
Hide
-1+

Sythix :
seems like privacy invasion to me.



Gaining unlawful computer or network access? Illegal, methinks.

spectrewind 10/09/2009 6:58 AM
Hide
-0+

Blessedman :
Yes I have been notified that my IP was tracked downloading copyright material then gave me the name of it. I was a little upset and a little frightened. What else have they been snooping on? My private emails? I thought torrents files used some sort of encryption while being sent. Either way I am sick and tired of Comcast as they are now throttling (which I thought they ended the practice of) torrent files. I don't trust them at all (comcast that is).



Your emails are only private if you are using some kind of certificate-based encryption. Most people stick with the usual POP3/SMTP. Note that this is NOT POPS protocol. Your emails are being broadcast in clear-text (excluding encrypted attachments).

megamanx00 10/09/2009 7:21 AM
Hide
-3+

Big brother is watching.

nitto555rchallenger 10/09/2009 7:54 AM
Hide
--1+

spectrewind :
No it isn't. Just put your machine behind a firewall and make sure no hosting devices are running to allow remote access.


This was when they upgraded their router years ago since then I've stopped used Comcast.

r3t4rd 10/09/2009 9:26 AM
Hide
-0+

"Is Comcast SCAMMING Internet Subscribers?"

There fixed it for you guys. Just about "Crappy" for everything, but regardless, I have to use them because I have no other alternatives.

anamaniac 10/09/2009 10:30 AM
Hide
-0+

Hell, I'd take Comcast over my current ISP...
Though my ISP doesn't bitch to me about my 100 gigs of month of torrenting for years now, it's $40 a month (that's in a package deal) for a 925KB/s (reported but usually 600KB/s) download and 50KB/s upload...

Wish FIOS was in my city, if not only to reguate the price of my net..

climber 10/09/2009 10:59 AM
Hide
-0+

If you want information security, keep the info in your head... it's safe at least for now.

Gin Fushicho 10/09/2009 11:11 AM
Hide
-0+

This explains why my 1 meg download speeds dropped to 200KN download speeds..... I dont fucking want they're "security" I can do it myself.

mofogo 10/09/2009 3:08 PM
Hide
-1+

I wouldn't trust a popup window letting me know I have a virus from Comcast anymore than I would trust any other pop up window in my browser. Shouldn't take long for someone to replicate it and screw a lot of people over. I'll watch for viruses on my own thank you very much.

techguy911 10/09/2009 3:10 PM
Hide
-0+

Blessedman :
Yes I have been notified that my IP was tracked downloading copyright material then gave me the name of it. I was a little upset and a little frightened. What else have they been snooping on? My private emails? I thought torrents files used some sort of encryption while being sent. Either way I am sick and tired of Comcast as they are now throttling (which I thought they ended the practice of) torrent files. I don't trust them at all (comcast that is).



Anyone using any p2p can have there ip tracked by people on the seed, if your on a torrent seed that i am on i can track your ip what happens in this case is anti-p2p sits in on shares and logs ip's only way to bypass this is multiple proxy.

Eccentric909 10/09/2009 3:18 PM
Hide
-0+

Blessedman :
Yes I have been notified that my IP was tracked downloading copyright material then gave me the name of it. I was a little upset and a little frightened. What else have they been snooping on? My private emails? I thought torrents files used some sort of encryption while being sent. Either way I am sick and tired of Comcast as they are now throttling (which I thought they ended the practice of) torrent files. I don't trust them at all (comcast that is).



Are your torrents legal? If not, then why do you get mad at Comcast for finding out which ones you're downloading? I'm pretty sure in their ToS, they have stipulations allowing them to monitor your network activity and track e-mails which are sent to and from the "comcast.net" domain.

Right or wrong, you shouldn't be surprised that they know you're downloading illegal content. All of the major ISPs track that type of activity nowadays, thanks mostly to the RIAA and MPAA. So unless you're protecting yourself and/or masking your internet activities, expect to get little notes when you download something "illegal" which is flagged.

While I personally don't believe in downloading copyrighted material, mostly because now that I'm older I can afford to buy the "legal" versions, it does concern me that they take a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach. They assume everyone is doing something illegal, therefore they log a lot of your activities, whether you're doing something wrong or not.

I don't personally use Comcast, we have Charter in this area, but I doubt they are much better or worse than Comcast when it comes to tracking.


Sponsored links