Security and Anti-Virus

[bogden]

Like a sucker I followed the email from Comcast recommending installation of this program. Immediately afterwards my keyboard started substituting letters. I went one setp further to try install the backup software and then it started substituting numbers for alpha characters (I never got it installed because I couldn't type in my email address - it was all gibberish). I also got a message that comcast.net wasn't safe so it wouldn't let me go to that site! (?)

So I uninstalled asap and everything is fine. But I'm wondering if anything is left that requires a regedit - I don't have time for such a sketchy program, especially since Comcast advised they don't support it directly.

[LoPhatPhuud]

The module that caused the keyboard problems is GuardedID. Check Add/Remove Programs to make sure it's gone. No regedit should be necessary.

[zeppelinx12]

Are they going to remove GuardedID from the download? I don't have much confidence in the downloads at this point considering.

[LoPhatPhuud]

As far as I know there is no plan to allow selection of the modules to be installed.

You can download just the Comcast/Norton Security Suite from here:

http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/norton/

[QuantaCat]

I uninstalled GuardID - several times. Somehow it keeps getting installed after some time. Maybe Constant Guard updates itself and reinstalls it.  FRUSTRATING!!!  I may just remove CG and be done with it.

[Bartleby]

"I may just remove CG and be done with it." -- QuantaCat

That would be my suggestion.  To make sure you get it all, you might want to consider using a tool like Revo Uninstaller.  (30 day free trial is available.)

[SecurityJim]

Just a reminder, that you do not need to install all of constant guard protection suite to get around the keyboard issue.    If you remove all of constant guard - you will loose the online protection you get through secure view  and the convenience of one click access to your financial accounts.    This FAQ describes how you can remove just the Guarded ID component:  http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/FAQViewer.aspx?Guid=9f60256f-7616-4445-b324-511011ff2c8a

We are working on a systematic solution to this problem - i will have an update in the next several days.

[USAF_E-8_RET]

A systematic solution?  To what?  There is an immediate solution you can provide all customers - pull the CGSS download and all the advertising associated with it.  If it doesn't work 100% (which includes Guided ID) then it is not worth what it is being billed as!

The way I see it with proper Beta testing prior to release to the general public and all the money spent on advertising of what appears to be an inadequately tested program/add-on is unacceptable. 

[LoPhatPhuud]

What I find inexcusable is that the keyboard issues were known and published by Strikeforce. This is not a new developement. Did Comcast just ignore them?

Also why is there no mechanism to allow customers to install portions of CGPS. Right now it's an 'all-or-nothing' approach. Yes, you can find the indifivual modules if you know where to look, but most members do not take the time.

It is extremely cavalier on Comcast's part to assume that users may not have better protection already on their computer that they want to keep.

[QuantaCat]

Add to all this that every time Constant Guard updates itself, GuardID is reinstalled. Why don't they remove GuardID from future installations? Tech support has no explanation but that they are working on the problem. Not worth it to me!

[rcutie]

I was having the same problem. When I would go to type in a internet address it would be just all numbers all over the keyboard, but I found that when I would do search options I could type. That's when I said it must have something to do with that program. I immediately went to uninstall it and my computer is working just fine. I did find it rather odd that when I took that survey that one of the reasons listed for me uninstalling the program was that it was typing numbers. So they already knew that was a main problem, but I guess if it works for some that's all they care about. Not cool at all. 

[charlesbrown3rd]

I have had to un-install the constant guard software after my keyboard started behaving like I had left the numlock on after installing a PC keyboard and then removing it.  But then I noticed it would type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 each time I typed a key and if I retyped a key it incremented the number.

Comcast should have a warning on their web site, since it is really difficult to remove since you cannot type any letters.  It took me several hours.

I believe that this is a very serious breech of operational security on comcast's part since this mimics a virus or malware.

[bogden]

It's been over 2 weeks since I first posted and I find it irresponsible of Comcast that they still have not alerted customers to this problem. I rarely install anything w/o first doing more research but the email I got from Comcast made it sound like this was a necessary security upgrade, much as getting new virus updates. Shame on you for not being more proactive for your customers. I corrected the problem for myself before anyone answered, yet I still see more people experiencing the same problem.

I am paying over $70 for just internet connectivity and I realliy expect more than this for my money.

[ExtraPilot]

I also experienced the keyboard corruption problem, which I resolved by uninstalling the GuardID program. I had been getting error messages when logging into websites and while using applications that rely on DirectX and web-based apps that require Adobe AIRr. I used the MSKey utility to check input from the keboard, and it showed seemingly random characters (mostly numbers) being input when I typed letters.

Using the Windows Control Panel to uninstall GuardID has cleared up the problem for now--but I'm concerned that it will reappear when Constant Guard is updated.

[LoPhatPhuud]

Please post back and let me know if GuardedID reinstalls on an update to Norton or the other modules.

[QuantaCat]

The problem is, Jim, that it gets reinstalled when CG gets updated. We don't know that update has taken place until the keys start acting quirky again. No thanks!

[ffwfire]

A tool that does the same thing as Constant Guard and is free http://www.qfxsoftware.com/ and works well without any problems.  The free version only protects a few browsers, but is enough for me.

[ffwfire]

I shouldn't have opened my big mouth.  I started having problems with Keyscambler (wasn't loading with ie).  I took it off.

[bogden]

I got an email telling me to read this because it had been responded to - well responded isn't the same as resolved imho. Also I was cracking up when I got another ad today touting this great $360 package for free - clearly nothing has been done at corporate level to correct the packaging and presentation.

[bogden]

Not trying to be snarky but isn't that a support/QE role so Comcast can test in controlled environment instead of asking  customers?

[LoPhatPhuud]

While you won't catch everything with decent testing, it's apparent that GuardedID received little, if any, quality assurance testing.

IMHO GuardedID is more marketing than sustenance. It can be easily defeated at the kernel level. Testing run on an earlier version showed that the major anitivirus suites performed better than GuardedID at detecting and removing keyloggers. I have no reason to believe that this is any different with the current version.

[JustinPayne]

I just want to put my two cents in that this is rediculous application. I understand the need for a keyguard but this was not properly tested, and I should know since I've been doing QA for going on 13 years.
I spent hours troubleshooting this issue. They keyboard worked fine in Windows 7 but as soon as I tried to play a game in Steam, I couldn't control my character. When I tried remapping, I noticed that numbers were in place of characters. Thinking it an issue with Steam, since all of my Steam games had issues, I uninstalled/reinstalled it. Keep in mind that when you do this, you need to reinstall (over the Internet) all of your games. When I found that it wasn't Steam, I started to uninstall or disable anything that might interfere with the keyboard. I even tried another keyboard. Hey, I was at my wits end.
Thinking back to what I installed recently, Constant Guard Proctor (AKA: The bane of my existance) came to mind. I uninstalled and "Bam!", my games worked again. Of course, it required one more reboot because now the issue was happening in Windows.
What the heck?!?! I would in no way sign off, EVER, on something that performed so poorly. This is a nightmare for a user.
I just want to give props to "LoPhatPhuud" and any others that mentioned this didn't receive proper QA. 

[mamashan]

Thank you for this solution. I have had problems with keyboard shortcuts wigging out ever since my installation of Constant Guard on several computers. I did remove the GuardedID from the Programs in the Control Panel, and it fixed the problem. YAY

[QuantaCat]

mamashan: It's going to get reinstalled when CG updates itself. Just be aware.

QuantaCat

[mamashan]

C r a p...I'll let you know!

[LoPhatPhuud]

If it does, then uninstall the entire suite via AddRemove Programs.

You can then install Comcast/Norton Security Suite from this link:

http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/norton/



If you want any of the additional modules, other than GuardedID:

You can find Secure Backup and Share here:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/backup/?cid=NET_33_624?


You can find Indentity Guard here:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/IdentityGuard/?

Note: Please do post back and let me know if GuardedID does reinstall on a program update.

[thepeachy1]

USAF !!!!!! my bro-in-law just commissioned Colonelwe r so PROUD OF HIM. 20+ years and many worldwide travels and commands!!  I take your advice wholeheartly!!!! As well as all 'security experts & ALL of our military personnal!!!  just got infinity, and was just gonna install the security! THANKS TO ALL for comments. WILL NOT install. definetly a breach of comcast to it's claim of security fame!!! i'm really angry 4 choosing comcast, yesterday install, and finding this as a problem.

thanks to all for comments. and a late HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY TO ALL, especially the one's that gave the ultimate sacrifice! GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS & THE U.S.A.

YOU ALL SAVED ME MANY HOURS OF REPAIR & ANGER. SHAME SHAME ON COMCAST!!!

[USAF_E-8_RET]

@ thepeachy1,

Thanks for your comments, and as many vets will tell you - it is our honor to serve.

BTW, if you have any more questions, you know where to find us.

Being new you may gain some knowledge and insight by looking over the FAQ's @ the top of this board, especially the ones about installing Norton Secuirty Suite.

[thepeachy1]

thx 4 ur reply, appreciate it. also seems 'LoPhatPhuud' is very knowledgeable as well. I've been computerless 4 'bout 4yrs...technology has accelerated like a jet propelled rocket!! i have much to learn.  If i do have questions, thx...i will refer 2 u..my dad, naval man, reinforces me...ALWAYS military people...for any info, reinforcement or reference material. so by the way i do have a ?, lol. is the norton safe to install from the pop up?, i didn't get a disc.....or better to use 'LoPhat's' insertion line??? thx again...and also going over faq's as u suggested...GO BEARS.....i'm chicago'an, well very close suburb..... good luck 2 ur team....if ur a football fan...

[bogden]

It's a shame that it's almost 8 months to the day I first posted and people are still having the same problems. If not fixable I'd hope that at the very least, a popup or warning would show so they could avoid the problem. I pay almost as much for internet only as newbies pay for triple play (how loyal customers are rewarded,penalized is another story) but the declining quality at premium pricing is getting tiresome. I'm going to unsubscribe from the post since it doesn't appear this is high priority for a fix, and other programs are working better.

[LoPhatPhuud]

The keyboard issue with scramblimg characters was fixed with a patch issued in late July issues. There have been a few random issues with other portions since then, but the keyboard issue has not reappeared.

[USAF_E-8_RET]

---

thepeachy1 wrote:

thx 4 ur reply, appreciate it. also seems 'LoPhatPhuud' is very knowledgeable as well. I've been computerless 4 'bout 4yrs...technology has accelerated like a jet propelled rocket!! i have much to learn.  If i do have questions, thx...i will refer 2 u..my dad, naval man, reinforces me...ALWAYS military people...for any info, reinforcement or reference material. so by the way i do have a ?, lol. is the norton safe to install from the pop up?, i didn't get a disc.....or better to use 'LoPhat's' insertion line??? thx again...and also going over faq's as u suggested...GO BEARS.....i'm chicago'an, well very close suburb..... good luck 2 ur team....if ur a football fan...

---

LPP is the man when it comes to security ( we work very closely together in what info we provide for the betterment of all customers).  That said, if your talking about the Constant Guard Protective Suite popup located on the NSS download   page - just click on the No Thanks and that will reveal the Get it Now link to download just NSS.  This is the link to use for just the NSS download:  http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/norton/