Resources

What is Comcast doing about spam?

With more than 10 million high-speed Internet customers, Comcast takes its responsibility to combat spam very seriously. Comcast is aware that a careful balance is required to effectively reduce spam while also protecting Internet users' online experiences.

In the last year, Comcast has taken an industry-leading position in spam protection. The company has reduced inbound/outbound spam by more than 70 percent by utilizing a variety of techniques to block spam before it ever reaches our customers' email box. These include:

Reputation Services

  • Confirm that the email originates from a reputable source.
  • Determine if sender is a known spammer, and block accordingly.
Automated Spam Filtering

  • Comcast uses several best-in-class vendors to filter outbound and inbound spam using the latest tools and software.
  • In the last year, Comcast has significantly increased its number of honeypots, going well beyond typical best-practice measures. (Note: honeypots are email addresses created for the sole purpose of catching spammers).
Port 25 Blocking

  • Port 25 is conduit on a computer that spammers can take control of and use to send their spam - often without the user ever knowing his/her computer has been "hijacked". Comcast works with our customers to block access to Port 25 and protect their PC.
  • Comcast recommends that our customers establish a more secure email configuration on their PC - Port 587 - We have made it easy by creating a one-click fix that automatically configures your computers to this safer PC configuration.
Spam Blocking (Blacklisting)

  • Spammers are constantly looking for new ways to target our customers, often hiding behind legitimate mail hosting and mail forwarding companies without their knowledge.
  • In these situations, Comcast applies a precise, scientific approach to identify key indicators and patterns of spam and then blocks those senders classified as sending excessive amounts of spam.
  • Comcast has a flexible process in place to work with and educate these companies individually to help them filter their mail, which protects our customers and prevents these organizations from becoming spam targets.
Comcast.net Security Channel - Tips, Tools, Resources

For customers, Comcast offers a comprehensive Security Channel on its consumer portal, Comcast.net (www.comcast.net/security). The Comcast Security Channel serves as an online resource to help customers protect themselves from spam and other online threats. Comcast customers visit the Security Channel to:

Download free online security tools:

  • Comcast's Norton Security Comcast Edition includes Norton VirusScan, Norton Personal Firewall Plus, and Norton Privacy Service (with Parental Controls).
  • The Comcast Toolbar, which includes free spyware detection and removal, pop-up blocker, and anti-phishing software.
Stay up-to-date on Internet safety - via Security Tips that cover everything from keeping your kids safe online to identity protection (see examples below), critical information about and links to national security resources, and security forums and discussion boards. Get real-time alerts about viruses and other Internet threats with links to the tools needed to stay protected. Tips to consider when creating an online account:

  • Add numbers to your username.
  • Choose a password that cannot be quickly identified, avoiding pets' names, mother's maiden names or birth dates that contain both numbers and letters.
  • Change passwords every few months.
Tips to consider when using an online account:

  • Be careful when sharing name and email address on Web sites, newsgroups, or chat rooms.
  • Immediately delete spam messages, as opposed to replying to the message or entering a Web site to have an email account "removed" from a mailing list.
  • If you think you've received a fraudulent email, contact your provider immediately. Comcast customers can forward a copy of the email with the full header intact to abuse@comcast.net with the subject line of "phishing email" and it will be investigated immediately.
Industry Associations

  • Messaging Anti-Abuse Work Group (MAAWG)
  • Anti-Phishing Work Group (APWG)
  • Internet Association of Internet Professionals
  • Global Infrastructure Alliance for Internet Safety (GIAIS)