With millions of 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 the sender is a known spammer, and block accordingly
Automated Spam Filtering
- Comcast uses Cloudmark, a best-in-class vendor, 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 computer.
- Comcast recommends that our customers establish a more secure email configuration on their computer - Port 587 - We have made it easy by creating a one-click fix that automatically configures your computers to this safer computer 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 McAfee Internet Security Suite includes McAfee VirusScan, McAfee Personal Firewall Plus, and McAfee 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 user name
- 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
- Be leery of any Web site requesting too much personal data, such as passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers and income level
- 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 have 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
Comcast participates in several industry associations that work to reduce spam across the Internet and improve the end user-experience. These include, but are not limited to:
- MAAWG (Messaging Anti-Abuse Workgroup)
- ESPC (Email Sender and Provider Coalition)
- IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)