Comcast service to monitor cyberthreats to networked home devices

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Comcast  announced the national launch of Xfinity xFi Advanced Security, a new artificial-intelligence-powered service that monitors, blocks and informs customers of online threats to connected devices.

By 2022, Cisco estimates that there will be more than 13 connected devices per person in North America, and many consumers don’t have access to the expertise or the tools to keep those devices secure, especially when many of these technologies don’t have keyboards or screens. 

Symantec reported  that the number of attacks against Internet-of-things devices is growing exponentially, increasing 600 percent between 2016 and 2017, alone, creating new concerns for connected home users. 

The system uses  AI and machine learning technology to monitor and analyze WiFi traffic in the home, and will automatically block identified suspicious activity in real time.  Using a simple, intuitive user interface, the technology informs customers of blocked threats and, when necessary, provides instructions on how to further secure affected devices. 

“As the digital world gets more complex, we wanted to make it simple and easy for our customers to protect their home networks. That’s why we developed xFi Advanced Security,” said Fraser Stirling, senior vice president of Digital Home, Devices and AI, Comcast Cable.  “We want to give customers digital peace of mind for the devices they already own and the confidence to expand and evolve their connected homes knowing that every new camera, voice-assisted speaker or smart thermostat they add will be protected.”

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The xFi Advanced Security service protects all of the devices in a customer’s home that are connected to the Xfinity Advanced Gateway  with no set-up required, other than turning the device on. 

 Xfinity xFi Advanced Security is available to Comcast customers who rent an xFi Gateway. The service is available for $5.99 per month, and is also available as part of a package in some markets. Customers can add it directly from the xFi app.

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