VR-Zone

Philadelphia-based Comcast, the largest cable operator and residential internet provider in the US, has launched a trial of a new automated service that will warn its broadband customers of potential virus and malware infections. These warnings will be relayed to the customers via browser pop-ups, notifying the customers that their computers have been infected with a virus or malware.

Denver Comcast users are set to begin the trial, receiving these pop-up notifications via Comcast’s new free service called “Comcast Constant Guard”. The "Service Notice" will include a link to a Comcast security webpage where there will be directions to guide users trying to remove the malware from their computers. Comcast Toolbar, which includes spyware detection and removal, a pop-up ad blocker, antiphishing software, and antispam protection for e-mail, is also available for download from Comcast for its customers.

According to Cnet, Comcast is apparently the 1st major ISP that proactively warns customers about security issues on their PCs via this (initially)free service. It will be interesting to see if Singnet or Starhub will undertake to provide a similar service but we understand it will be difficult as most ISPs are unwilling to shoulder these additional responsibilities. Going forward, we really hope to see local ISPs adopting this approach and provide this (free) value-added service as an option to customers.

"I would hope that the government would do things to encourage this, if you alleviate some of the potential concerns that others may have about giving that kind of notification," said Jerry Upton, executive director of the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group. "I think it's the beginning of many ISPs and network providers realizing that customers need a little better knowledge of what the problems are out there."

News via [Cnet]