Saturday, June 11, 2011

I Advise against installing Comcast's Constant Guard Protection Software

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.


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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. This post has been scraped in violation of that license if you are reading this post on other than http://www.digital-qa.blogspot.com/.


41 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. Hi, Can you go into the Control Panel (via instructions above) and see if you have "Constant Guard Protection Suite" listed there?

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  3. Can 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.
    How 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!

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  4. 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.

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  5. Not 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.

    I'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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. to 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!

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  8. Would 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.

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  9. ever 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

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    1. I 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.

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  10. Messed 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.

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  11. I 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.

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  12. Glad 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.

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  13. Hey 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!!

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  14. Wish 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"

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  15. I 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.

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    1. I'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.

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  16. I 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!

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  17. Thanks 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.

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  18. Constant 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.

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  19. Guys, 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!

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  20. Comcast'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.

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  21. Can'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
    to remove this, and it's not in there, anywhere.
    Really pisses me off!!

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  22. 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

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  23. So 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?

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  24. I'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.

    My 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?

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  25. 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."

    I 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. :(

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  26. 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.

    Sorry 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

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  27. 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

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    1. installed 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.

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  28. Thank 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!

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  29. Now 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.

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    Replies
    1. Or 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

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  30. Thank 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.

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  31. Since 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!!

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  32. How do I remove from Firefox Mac?

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  33. I had 100 gigs of memory just disappear when i installed constant guard and after uninstalling constant guard it still hasnt shown back up

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  34. My 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.....

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  35. I 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.

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  36. I 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.

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