MUMBAI: US cable company Comcast has put the finishing touches on its security programme designed to help protect its high-speed Internet customers from bots, viruses and other online threats.

Called Constant Guard, the programme is the culmination of a multi-year effort to assemble a dedicated team of security professionals, implement best-in-class security software and create a Security Web portal (www.comcast.net/security) of consumer resources to protect customers from increasingly sophisticated online security threats.

Comcast senior VP, GM online services Mitch Bowling says, “The Constant Guard Security Program is the result of many years of working to assemble the right people, technologies and resources to help ensure our customers are protected from hackers and bots in real-time.”

As part of this effort, starting today in Denver, Comcast will begin to trial an in-browser notification Service Notice, which will alert customers whose computers appear to be infected with a bot (or virus) and request that they go to the Anti-Virus Center and follow a set of instructions to assist with removing the bot from their computer and thereby prevent it from spreading to other users. This feature and the other components of the Constant Guard Security program are provided for no additional charge to Comcast High-Speed Internet customers.

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

The Constant Guard Security Program comprises three core components:

* A dedicated Customer Security Assurance (CSA) team of highly skilled security professionals that proactively contact customers to respond to issues relating to bots, malware and infected PCs, as well as other related security issues.

* Technology and software including:
McAfee Internet Security Suite provides customers with a set of security tools designed to protect against a variety of online threats, including viruses.

Comcast Toolbar includes spyware detection and removal, a pop-up ad blocker and anti-phishing software.

Technology deployed within the Comcast network and designed to help fight spam, phishing attacks and viruses. Partners include Bizanga, Cloudmark, Goodmail CertifiedEmail, and Return Path, as well as the use of blocklists from Spamhaus and TrendMicro™.
* Security Channel www.comcast.net/security is a Web portal that includes real-time security alerts, tips, tools and other resources, like Internet safety games, that help educate and protect consumers.