Update 1/31/2015 - OMG - Comcast is finally getting rid of Constant Guard. Thanks for all the headaches Infinity!
http://constantguard.comcast.net/cgps-alert "Beginning in January 2015, the Constant Guard Protection Suite® and Mobile app password management services will no longer be supported and managed by Comcast."
7/4 - If you haven't installed Constant Guard Protection, don't (if you have, see further below to uninstall). You can still use Xfinity's Norton Security Suite (which is simply Norton-Antivirus protection offered free with your Xfinity broadband connection). My system automatically reverted to that once I uninstalled Constant Guard. Just for safekeeping, here's the link to download Norton-Antivirus protection (without Constant Guard): http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/norton/ and here are FAQs for that: http://us.norton.com/support/comcast.jsp?pvid=nsce_1&layout=Comcast
6/25 - Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection seems to compete with McAfee and Norton Security so if you have other security protection installed you will have problems. I've uninstalled Constant Guard Protection and the programs that Constant Guard Protection destroyed (e.g. the fingerprint scanner) until I either re-image my machine or find a fix. I am still using Xfinity's Norton Security Suite (which is simply Norton-Antivirus protection offered free with your Xfinity broadband connection).
6/21 - I may need to re-image my machine to get back all functionality. Not sure why I couldn't perform a system rollback after installing Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection Software. Very strange. Be careful with this program.
6/19 - NOTE: Installing Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection Software also caused my fingerprint scanner to stop working (they both control passwords) and I am having a tough time finding a fix. I am not very happy with Xfinity right now. Actually I'm livid.
6/11 - After installation, I was not able to access some sites (like logging into work via a secure id) and on some sites the alphakeys turned numeric. A search to find the uninstall process (below) shows other's with problems as well. Below is from Comcast's support site but posting here anyway for safekeeping (it's simply the standard Add/Remove Software utility in Control Panel. System roll-back did not work for me):
How do I uninstall Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection Suite software?
http://constantguard.comcast.net/cgps-alert "Beginning in January 2015, the Constant Guard Protection Suite® and Mobile app password management services will no longer be supported and managed by Comcast."
7/4 - If you haven't installed Constant Guard Protection, don't (if you have, see further below to uninstall). You can still use Xfinity's Norton Security Suite (which is simply Norton-Antivirus protection offered free with your Xfinity broadband connection). My system automatically reverted to that once I uninstalled Constant Guard. Just for safekeeping, here's the link to download Norton-Antivirus protection (without Constant Guard): http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/norton/ and here are FAQs for that: http://us.norton.com/support/comcast.jsp?pvid=nsce_1&layout=Comcast
6/25 - Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection seems to compete with McAfee and Norton Security so if you have other security protection installed you will have problems. I've uninstalled Constant Guard Protection and the programs that Constant Guard Protection destroyed (e.g. the fingerprint scanner) until I either re-image my machine or find a fix. I am still using Xfinity's Norton Security Suite (which is simply Norton-Antivirus protection offered free with your Xfinity broadband connection).
6/21 - I may need to re-image my machine to get back all functionality. Not sure why I couldn't perform a system rollback after installing Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection Software. Very strange. Be careful with this program.
6/19 - NOTE: Installing Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection Software also caused my fingerprint scanner to stop working (they both control passwords) and I am having a tough time finding a fix. I am not very happy with Xfinity right now. Actually I'm livid.
6/11 - After installation, I was not able to access some sites (like logging into work via a secure id) and on some sites the alphakeys turned numeric. A search to find the uninstall process (below) shows other's with problems as well. Below is from Comcast's support site but posting here anyway for safekeeping (it's simply the standard Add/Remove Software utility in Control Panel. System roll-back did not work for me):
How do I uninstall Xfinity's Constant Guard Protection Suite software?
To uninstall Constant Guard™ Protection Suite software follow these steps:
1. Click on Start (Windows XP) or the Windows flag (Windows Vista/7) in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Click on Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Software (XP), or Programs and Features (Vista/Windows 7).
4. In the Programs list, find the Constant Guard Protection Suite software, highlight it and click to Uninstall.
5. If you plan to re-install your Constant Guard Protection Suite, select Yes when you see the screen that says "Save secure password file?" If you don't plan to re-install your Constant Guard Protection Suite, click No.
6. An optional Uninstall Survey will open.
7. Restart your computer - shutting down and restarting the computer finishes the removal process.
I'll also stay away from Xfinity's newest, EasySolve.
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I haven't installed it because I was worried about it, but it keeps popping up asking me to install saying it's already downloaded. The only options are to start or remind me later. Any ideas of how to make is stop asking me this? I really don't want to install it.
ReplyDeleteIf it hasn't been installed yet, you can remove it from your Downloaded Files folder. Go to My Computer / C: Drive / and look for the Download Files folder. Click it open and then search for the file. I have no idea what it might be called. I haven't downloaded it yet. Wanted to see if others were having problems with it first.
DeleteHi, Can you go into the Control Panel (via instructions above) and see if you have "Constant Guard Protection Suite" listed there?
ReplyDeleteCan you please help me out with an issue regarding Constant Guard? I now have a pop up that keeps popping up on my laptop saying constant guard has been downloaded to my laptop and it ready for install and if I don't click - remind me later, it will automatically install it! I've written to comcast several times regarding their insidious tactics trying to sneak constant guard onto my computer and they informed me that i have a choice in the matter - however, they seem to be circumventing my choice by downloading this behind my back - so to speak. I've looked in my downloads (i have windows 7) and do NOT see it there, or I would remove it.
ReplyDeleteHow do I get this pop up to go away and get constant guard off of the download "list" when I can't see it there??
Thanks!
Addition - I forgot to mention - I did go into my computer - only Norton Security Suite is listed. Nothing in regard to Constant Guard. I'm ready to get rid of Norton altogether at this point! As a consumer we should not be pushed into downloading a product we don't want.
ReplyDeleteNot sure but I'd try this. Go to the Start button and in the search box type: msconfig. Under the startup tab scroll down and see if you can identify this program in there. If yes, you can uncheck that box and it shouldn't ask again.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this isn't the best solution, but you could always just go ahead and install it and then uninstall it per the above instructions.
Another option would be to do a System Restore and rollback to the point when this wasn't happening. That would be the best option.
Hope something here helps.
After installing Constant Guard from Xfinity every website I visited was automatically added to the "Allowed Sites" list in IE8's Pop-Up Blocker settings. I thought it was some kind of malware but no scan would detect/fix it. After uninstalling Constant Guard the problem has disappeared.
ReplyDeleteto restore your fingerprint software you will need to install it last if you want it to work since more than one program is interacting with the MSGINA. if you are still using windows xp it is possible you may be able to fix it by changing one registry key. in registry browse to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon -- you'll see GinaDLL - look up what your fingerprint software's ginadll is and put the full path there. it probably currently has a reference to the constant guard ginadll currently. in the past when i've had multiple programs interacting with the gina you just have to find the right order to install them in. it might be totally different for vista/7 i have not had any problems with that setup. i know that registry key is not in that location any longer though. good luck!
ReplyDeleteWould definitely try this fix, but with so many problems I replaced the laptop that had the fingerprint scanner. But this will be valuable to the readers here I'm sure. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteever since installing constant guard i've had nothing but problems such as programs freezing that never did before, internet explorer not working, and overall running very slow. has anyone else experienced these same problems
ReplyDeleteI actually just installed Constant Guard about a week ago because my Norton had expired and Comcast said I could get Norton free after installing Constant Guard.I have had nothing but problems ever since. My internet explorer freezes constantly and I have to keep restarting my computer. Besides that it just runs very slow . I have now uninstalled the Constant Guard but kept the Norton so I will see if this fixes the problem.
Deleteyep, my keyboard would not work properly and would miss letters about 10% of the time. I just uninstalled constant guard. and now keyboard is working again.
DeleteI just spent 300 getting all the Malware eliminated from my computer due to constant guard. This is in my opinion just another MALWARE.
DeleteMessed my XP UP and had to do recovery and back up. Am now downloading Norton wo CG. THANKS for for the info and web site.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do a system rollback, had to do complete format and backup am now downloading Norton from the site you listed above. Thanks a bunch.
ReplyDeleteI could not do a rollback either. Slows down my computer and even my typing;I've never had so many letters missing-never.
DeleteGlad the info here helped. I hate to lay blame, but my VAIO Z was just fine until I downloaded the CG. Everything started breaking down at that point and including not being able to rollback to an earlier restore. Hard not to lay blame however... the Z was just over 2 years old. RIP Z.
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for the link to get Comcast's Norton Security Suite without the constant guard headache. I've been trying to get constant guard to install for several days without success. After reading your post & the link to get straight to the suite I won't have to bother with CG at all. THANKS!!
ReplyDeleteWish I found this before I downloaded it. Absolutely crippled my computer - frozen each time I opened explorer or firefox. If the 13 comments before me didn't convince you, then bang your head against the screen "HERE"
ReplyDeleteI used the website you suggested for downloading norton w/o constant guard but I notice that when I open norton now it still is showing a norton screen and constant guard mentioned at the bottom of the box, as if you've still got it. Do I or don't I? I did click the box at the beginning when I opened the norton download page that said No Thanks to downloading Constant Guard.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have that very same question addressed! Anyone out there in Comcastland? This Constant Guard thing had me in a fix with TONS of script errors, freezes, etc. I finally had to contact Norton to resolve the problem and they removed a "pest control" that conflicted with their service and lo and behold the CG icon is no longer at the top of my screen. Will check in programs also but it is still listed at the bottom box.
Deletethansk !
ReplyDeleteI uninstalled constant guard today using add/remove programs and it caused my computer to crash on restart. I'm pretty sure that removing cg screwed up my registry, even a few hours working in safe mode trying to resolve the problem did no good, my computer would just freeze up on start up and that has never happened prior to this. I ended up having to reinstall XP (in repair mode) and download SP2 and SP3 and all the old updates that came with them. It took quite a long time and was extremely aggravating, but I'm lucky that I didn't lose anything. BEWARE of CONSTANT GUARD!
ReplyDeleteThanks man for writing this blog.I have not installed it but my friend installed it on his laptop and was looking for the steps to uninstall Constant Guard Protection Suite software.Your blog helped him.
ReplyDeleteConstant Guard caused keyboard entry to type sequentially higher numbers instead of alpha characters. Difficult to find solution that ultimately came down to deleting CG software.
ReplyDeleteGuys, DO NOT USE NORTON!!!! It is utter crap! Ask any IT guy with a brain and without a commission payment from Symantec and they will tell you that it is the most bloated and vulnerable security software on the market! IT WILL SLOW DOWN YOUR COMPUTER! Use Kaspersky or Node32 instead. They both offer great protection and wont slow down your computer nearly as much as Norton!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Vipre? I have Vipre Security Suite. Is that a good program to have?
DeleteComcast's Constant Guard crap is illegal and unethical. There is no "choice." They install popups and spyware on your computer. I am thinking of going to LP Broadband (SkyBeam) over this hooie.
ReplyDeleteCan't stand this crap constant guard. My computer has become so slow and now my internet has slowed down to dial up speeds. Went into remove programs
ReplyDeleteto remove this, and it's not in there, anywhere.
Really pisses me off!!
I installed and then uninstalled cg and I can no longer open my comcast infinity email. I contacted comcast and they sent to a cg tech over the phone. I follow tech instructions and deleted all files related to cg. Tried to open email but it still will not open on my computer. Can open email on anyother computer. Help
ReplyDeleteSo I got a message from Comcast saying they detected that my IP address was listed as having communicated with a BOT. First thing I think is...wow that is weird...my ISP calling be up about something like that when there is all this adware, malware flyign around that regular AV takes care of...so I called. I spoke to a gentleman who didn't sound like a professional but kept referring to himself as a "security professional". When I kept asking for more information he became condescending and compared giving more information to me(he meant a layman, eventhough he never asked if I was in IT, which I am not) about this was like giving his kids 10,000 candy bars because they ask for it. I told him he offended me. He made it sound really serious...is this really their ploy? Has anyone else got a call like this?
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to find the root problem of my PC suddenly shutting down and restarting, working with HP on it, they suspect software problem. I noticed in my add/remove uninstall programs, that around 10/19/2011, there was an update made for Constant Guard. That was about the same time that the problem started. So, I uninstalled it and the problem didn't reappear for a week. Is it possible I still have remnants left of Constant Guard? Also, has anyone experienced the same problem - PC for no reason shuts down and restarts again? There was one day that I finally had to hold down the power button to shut it off completely.
ReplyDeleteMy only other recourse with HP is to do a system restore back to the day I got it (06/2011) and then re-install everything but Constant Guard. I have a laptop with the same programs (but not Constant Guard) and more, and am not having the problem. Any advise/comments?
That's exactly what started happening to my laptop, "PC for no reason shuts down and restarts again... There was one day that I finally had to hold down the power button to shut it off completely."
ReplyDeleteI hate to say this but my laptop never recovered. I wound up having to get a new laptop. Yours is so new however. My guess is you'll need to go ahead and roll back as you suggested to 6/2011. Good luck (and do it in Safe Mode if it doesn't work the first time). System restore never worked for me after I started having problems with Constant Guard. :(
Thanks for your input Becky. Guess I don't have many options, even if HP tries to repair or even replace it, I'll still have to re-install everything, except Constant Guard. Talked to HP yesterday and I have everything unplugged, except monitor, keyboard and mouse and it's still happening.
ReplyDeleteSorry your laptop never recovered, luckily, I'm still under warranty. I'll let you know how it went after I get this all done, it will take days :(
- Hilda
I installed the suite and could not access the internet - computer slowed to a crawl - it apparently blocked system restore - upon uninstall all is well - however, it took me an hour messing around with my computer to get it functional again - I recommend not installing this program
ReplyDeleteinstalled on my dktop and all ----has broken loose. trouble loading windows, finally get it up and 5-10 mins wait to execute ANY mouse click is insane. trouble shutting down - had to manually power off. System ignoring safemode option. Did notice that it installs with a whole bunch of settings configured to run at startup(like deleting temp files, optimizing). These are nice when configged by the user. Not when their settings are forced on you. Trying to uninstall now and just had to manually power off. Now the darn keyboard doesnt word. Used Norton previously and with expired subscription, went this route. ALL my important/critical apps are run on here. I use my laptop for web surfing, etc. Have data backups, but tracking CD's or purchase receipts for re-download.....this is going to be a nightmare I see. Comcast should be held accountable for people's loss of time, productivity, data, and whatever else.
DeleteThank you for your help!! I downloaded Constant Guard Protection only to have it stop midway, so I uninstalled it. Now I have an annoying pop-up box stating something about an invalid address, if I don't click 'ok' then my computer will not properly shut down when I turn it off. I don't know how to get rid of it. I went back on Comcast's site and saw several complaints at the bottom of their page! So when I typed in Constant Guard Protection - that's when I saw your website. I used your link to download just the Norton anti-virus installation. I had AVG before and really liked it - but since I lost my job, I am looking for ways to save money. Again, thank you!
ReplyDeleteNow I have to eat my words. I downloaded the Norton anti-virus installation and it made my computer operate so much slower. Then I couldn't get my email to connect. So I uninstalled it. Now everything works fine. I guess I will go ahead and order another year of AVG anti-virus protection. I wish AT&T offered internet service in our area. I would drop Comcast in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteOr you can always go on cnet.com and check out the antivirus programs on there and which is the best then download it for free
DeleteThank you so much!! I KNEW it was CG that was strangling my laptop, and even though it has only been 5 minutes since I uninstalled CG my laptop is acting like it should have always been. And my Norton is still working fine. So glad I found and bookmarked you and then uninstalled it!! Going to tell everyone I know with Comcast about this.
ReplyDeleteSince I installed CG it's been a nightmare with my computer. It does not open some webpages and it is really slow. I spent the whole day looking for solutions and nothing yet. Going crazy! I'm a realtor and my computer can not open www.floridarealtors.org and other pages. Any help, please!!
ReplyDeleteHow do I remove from Firefox Mac?
ReplyDeleteI had 100 gigs of memory just disappear when i installed constant guard and after uninstalling constant guard it still hasnt shown back up
ReplyDeleteMy computer kept running slower and slower. I ran system restore, but it wouldn't restore to an earlier date after numerous tries. I then tried to go on the internet, but was unable to. I called Comcast, and after talking with the Constant Guard tech and then the Norton tech, found out that my internet address had been erased. I will need to reinstall my original drivers(which I don't have)to find my internet address. I will have to call in Geek Squad and pay to reinstall everything, after I locate or buy the drivers which were never sent to me from Dell when I originally bought the computer 6 years ago. I decided to buy a new laptop. My old desktop is sitting idle, collecting dust. I think Comcast owes my a new computer.....
ReplyDeleteI was able to successful uninstall CG including the toolbar on my IE. However my IE still freezes 4-5 times a day. I've disabled all of the add-ons and reset the setting but the problem persists. The next time an IP offeers a "freebie" (ie: free Norton), I'll knw better.
ReplyDeleteI don't even own a Comcast account and I keep getting this liar of a pop-up telling me I have Malware that my Malwarebytes Anti-Malware doesn't say I have. I keep getting the annoying X-finiti popup because I'm using my landlord's Wireless. I don't think Comcast has the right to invade a non-Comcast-affiliated system and tell me that I have malware that I do not have. But when I called, the condescending worker only told me that my landlord was now under obligation to call. When I explained that I wasn't so concerned about my personal inconvenience as the fact that this is completely unethical, he kept insisting I have my landlord call Comcast. I said I'd do so, but it wasn't the point. He either didn't get it or didn't want to, and when I asked if I could speak to a supervisor, he did the thing of saying there was no supervisor on hand but that the "supervisor would call me back." I was like, yeah right. So I came here to find out if there is anyone else not having a Comcast account who is being treated like this by people who should be minding their own business. It really sucks.
ReplyDeleteI installed CG last night (which includes the latest Norton AV of course) last night after Microsoft Security Essentials failed to detect a Trojan in real time. The CG install went fine to a point, and then it stalled. Nothing happened for over 10 minutes. No other recourse than using "ALT-CTRL-DELETE" to get out of it. Re-booted my WinXP Pro machine, and IE8 couldn't even find the Internet. Firefox 13.0 also wouldn't load. After reading all of the posts, it appears this software is not ready for prime time. As a Comcast subscriber, this is a severe disappointment. I've returned to my trusty Avira Free AV, and all works fine now - and, fast.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this info, I did not know I could still get my Norton Suite without installing CG. I've been getting frustrated with the CG plug-in for Chrome because it constantly crashes and freezes my browser. Even when I disable or delete the plug-in from my browser it auto re-installs it every time the browser is reopened. It's been driving me crazy! Any way, THANK YOU for the info!
ReplyDeletedo not remove constant guard with the install and remove files program it does not remove all the files. comcast/constant guard has a constant guard cleaner program;go to http://downloads.idvault.com/comcast/cleaner/constantguardcleaninstall.exe
ReplyDeleteyou have to install that then it will remove everything regarding CG. you will have to restart your computer after this is done.
I tried re installing it and had nothing but new problems it wouldn't even allow me on the internet. I finally got it off the computer and called constant guard again. 1-866-341-5069.. only to be told that "yes we have an issue with that and our engineers are working on it" They emailed me a program to diagnose the issue. I haven't bothered.
Comcrap can eat a D*** for all I care. S***TY internet, S***TY customer support, and now they try to shove S***TY software down your throat?! THAT'S their REAL 'Triple Play'! 3 SH*TS bundled together and sent to your home through a digital sewer pipe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terribly invasive program. My computer has been freezing up and it took a while to figure out that I believe it is that stupid program. It also was automatically adding itself to chrome. Everyvtime I restarted it would be there again. I am going to re image my disk later today to see if that stops the freezing. I am also getting an error message even though I uninstalled it. Xfinity should be ashamed of themselves. How terrible to do that to you customers. I am lucky that I know how to fix it, they are ruining people's machines.
ReplyDeleteUninstalled CG via control panel. IE, Chrome, and Firefox cannot access the internet. One by one they quit working. Access to pages dwindled. Keyboard activity was sluggish. I'm at a loss. Toshiba Satellite 2007. An awesome workhorse until CG.
ReplyDeletei installed constant guard and norton today, and immediately started to have problems with my browser and response time, and also was not able to maintain an erection! I removed the software, and everything was working fine again, but my wife made me re-install it.
ReplyDeletei didnt install it but it pops up please help
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to install Norton Security Suite without ConstantGuard!!!! I found your blog after attempting four CG installs (because Xfinity's site led me to believe it was mandatory) with the same result: BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!! Had to perform a system restore each time.
ReplyDeleteYour post was very helpful. Thank you!!!
Hey I am seeing this on a customers computer with the pop ups and no way to uninstall. I read on internet that there is a pshishing email tht asks you to download and install Constant Guard and it is spyware probably a bot. so if you are having all these problems you may have downloaded the fake Constant guard. beware of what you download I tried to tool to uninstall it and the pop ups still appear on Exporer so i will be running some scans. maywarebytes did not find anything, Superantispyware did nto find anythng. it is extrememly similar to the real program from Comcast. If I find a solution i will post back
ReplyDeleteConstant guard is a virus collecting your private information
DeleteDownloaded directly from Comcast not from an email and its a big problem.
DeleteI just want to say, Constant Guard is crap.
ReplyDeleteI've had many problems with CG. It is a completely frustrating and cumbersome program. Very time consuming process installing it numerous times, tweaking the computer various ways, and finally uninstalling it for good.
ReplyDeleteDamon LaBarbera
someone please help!!
ReplyDeletei have been trying to uninstall constant guard but the system wont let me . keeps saying there is a problem with accessng the list of trusted network secure financial institutions.this is being updated for you . please try again in a few mins..
io can get on the internet but get kicked off when this pops up and i hit the ok button or try to get it off my screen.
i have tried putting comp bacl to earlier date but wont let me do that eiother.
only thing i can hink of at this point is to toss the comp put into traffic!!
There is a removal tool for CG, as well:
ReplyDeletedownloads.idvault.com/comcast/cleaner/constantguardcleaninstall.exe
I always recommend against installing CG and frequently end up disabling it or removing it entirely, depending on client request.
I recently installed the new Fast Connect program from Comcast, it's suppose to take the place of Constant Guard.
ReplyDeleteAfter installing Fast Connect and going online, whatever site I was visiting, the internet would go off and on. I talk to Comcast tech., and he would play dumb with me by saying that it was my computer. When I mention that had the same problem with my second laptop the tech. had the audacity to tell me that that one too had a defect. This tech. is really conceded and you will know if it is him if the first letter of his name starts with an 'E". Nonetheless, when I removed the Fast Connect program my internet started to act normal again.