Comcast Unveils Comprehensive "Constant Guard" Internet Security Program

Announces Dedicated Customer Security Assurance Team

Launches Proactive Service Notice for High-Speed Internet Customers Whose PCs May Be Infected by Bots

• Press Release
• Source: Comcast Corporation
• On 2:00 pm EDT, Thursday October 8, 2009

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:CMCSA - News, CMCSK - News), one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services, announced today it has put the finishing touches on its comprehensive security program designed to help protect its high-speed Internet customers from bots, viruses and other online threats. Called “Constant Guard,” the program 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.

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“As the nation’s largest residential Internet Service Provider, our goal is to provide a safe and secure Internet experience for our customers,” said Mitch Bowling, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Online Services at Comcast. “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, CO, 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 Jerry Upton, executive director of MAAWG (Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group), “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 (a $120 value, available at no additional charge to Comcast High-Speed Internet customers in a single download from www.comcast.net/security) provides customers with a comprehensive set of security tools designed to protect against a variety of online threats, including viruses.
  • Comcast Toolbar (free download from www.comcast.net/security) includes spyware detection and removal, a pop-up ad blocker and anti-phishing software.
  • Best in class 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.

For more information about the Constant Guard Security Program, please visit http://security.comcast.net/constantguard.

According to Javelin Strategy and Research, there were more than 10 million victims of identity theft in the U.S. last year and many of those thefts were made possible through the use of bots (or viruses). The annual global business cost of identity theft has been estimated to be $221 billion (Aberdeen Group).

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA - News, CMCSK - News) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.9 million cable customers, 15.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.0 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

Comcast Corporation
Charlie Douglas, 215-286-3353
charlie_douglas@comcast.com
or
Jamila Patton, 215-286-4933
jamila_patton@comcast.com