Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue
From: "Calvin Maready" <cc.cal () verizon net>
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:28:12 -0700
My brother just got cable here from charter communications, and the guy downloaded a free virus scan that will work for 30 days, then it expires, and told him to uninstall the firewall i installed for him. He said now that since has the virus scan its ok to uninstall the firewall, it will just be a hassle 'n cause problems. I know the routers Charter issues does not have a built in firewall. Makes me wonder, do any of the cable technicians that hook up the cable have any knowledge of computers? Do they have to know anything about computers or networking to become a cable hooker-upper? My opinion is they should just be a cable person and leave the computer security to people who know what they're doing. ----- Original Message ----- From: "dave kleiman" <dave () isecureu com> To: <security-basics () securityfocus com> Cc: "'Gandalf The White'" <gandalf () digital net> Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 12:25 AM Subject: RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue
Ken, You actually have to install software to utilize Comcast's cable network? So in your scenario, where you removed the Router installed and
reconnected,
if you add/switch computers behind the router do you have to install/reinstall? You have no option to use your own cable modem? Vote Adelphia, and no I do not work them. ______________________________________ Dave Kleiman, CISSP, CISM, CIFI, MCSE www.SecurityBreachResponse.com -----Original Message----- From: Gandalf The White [mailto:gandalf () digital net] Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 22:14 To: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Greetings and Salutations: I am beginning to get a feel for why Comcast is at the top of the list for zombie spam boxes. I just set up an account for a friend who had a connection on the Comcast cable network. The instructions on the included CD-ROM (as soon as the CD started up) was to turn off all Anti-Virus and Firewall software on the computer. I
called
up Comcast tech support and told them that I was I was nervous about doing this, but I was assured that my computer would *only* be talking to the Comcast activation server. Lets just ignore that the computer would be talking to all the other machines on my local cable segment also. I had a router with firewall in between the computer and the Comcast
network
so I went ahead and deactivated the anti-virus and firewall software on
the
computer. I got half way through the activation and all of the sudden the process dies. Claimed I could not reach the HTTPS server or that I had not activated within the time allowed. I tried everything to start up the process again with no success. Called Comcast tech support. The tech (he was very efficient and nice)
told
me to DISCONNECT THE COMPUTER FROM THE ROUTER AND PLUG THE COMPUTER
DIRECTLY
INTO THE CABLE MODEM. This made me EXTREMELY nervous. I now have a computer (that was patched and up to date of course) ... BUT ... The antivirus and personal firewall software was PURPOSEFULLY turned off. By Comcast instructions. He walked me through connecting to the Comcast website and finishing up the activation steps. I tried (in the middle of his instructions) to ask if I could hook back into my router for a modicum of protection and was told no, I had to finish the setup. When I finished the setup (again, he was very nice and pleasant) I
rebooted,
hooked the computer back to the router/firewall, verified my antivirus and firewall were working and indeed everything worked fine. Being a computer / security professional I was (of course) thinking about all the very bad things that could happen to this computer while following Comcast's instructions. I know (and I think it is almost criminal) that many cable companied hook PC's up to a cable modem *all the time* without antivirus / firewall / updates / any kind of protection. But you would think that an
installation
would not require you to take away any kind of protection that a computer has. I can see some overzealous PC owner deleting the anti-virus and firewall software just to get their cable modem working. Ken --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Current thread:
- Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Gandalf The White (Jul 19)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue dave kleiman (Jul 20)
- Re: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue James Kelly (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue BUGTRAQ (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue dave kleiman (Jul 21)
- Re: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Gandalf The White (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Burton M. Strauss III (Jul 21)
- Re: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Calvin Maready (Jul 21)
- Re: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Gandalf The White (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Michael Cecil (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue dave kleiman (Jul 20)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Steve Hillier (Jul 20)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue mike (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Burton M. Strauss III (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Seth Hall (Jul 21)
- Re: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Gandalf The White (Jul 21)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue SMiller (Jul 22)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue Andrew Aris (Jul 23)
- RE: Comcast Cable Setup Security Issue roger . smith (Jul 22)