Dear Comcast High-Speed Internet Subscriber:

Action Taken: In an effort to help prevent spam and ensure the security of our network and customers, Comcast has modified your modem’s settings to prevent the sending of email on port 25. That is the default port email programs such as Outlook Express use to send email. We’ve taken this action because we may have detected virus-like activity from your modem or received reports from other email providers that mail from your modem generated complaints from their users. Please read this message to understand how this action may impact your ability to send email and what you should do next.

Comcast Webmail Users
If you use a web browser to access your Comcast.net email, this action will not affect your ability to send or receive e-mail. This action also does not affect any non-Comcast webmail services.

Email Program Users (Outlook Express, Outlook, MacMail, etc.)
If you use an email program, this action will disable your program’s ability to send email until you change your email program settings to send email on port 587. Port 587 uses authentication and is an industry-recommended alternative to port 25. If you use Outlook Express and Comcast.net email, Comcast has provided a simple one click fix for you to use with Internet Explorer. If you use another email program such as MacMail, Eudora, or Thunderbird, please visit our client page for information on how to change the settings for sending email in your email program.

If you are not using Comcast.net email and use another email provider, please contact your provider for its recommended port settings. Most email providers offer an alternative to port 25 for sending email.

All Users

To help protect your security and privacy, it is important to regularly check for and remove any possible viruses from your computer. You can do this using the McAfee Antivirus and Firewall software available from Comcast to subscribers at no additional charge or by using other popular antivirus solutions that are widely available. In addition, Comcast recommends that you secure any wireless network in the home and that the operating systems on your computers be updated regularly with the latest security enhancements. Please visit the Comcast.net security channel for more information and tips on how to enjoy a safe and secure online experience.

If you have additional questions please visit (www.comcast.net/help).

Thank you for choosing Comcast!

Sincerely,
Comcast Customer Security Assurance

Should I take this to mean that I have a compromised machine, or are they just doing their thing.

Comcast has done this on a large percentage (perhaps all) of their customers' equipment as a preventative measure. It's not because of anything you've done.

Being one of if not the largest ISP in the country, they get a lot of spammers using their service.

This is a good thing, IMO. Comcast will likely have to spend millions on support calls from confused customers, but I think they're doing the right thing. I don't agree with many of their practices, but I think this one's good.

I agree that it is a good thing overall, but if Comcast mass-mailed a letter that said:

"We’ve taken this action because we may have detected virus-like activity from your modem or received reports from other email providers that mail from your modem generated complaints from their users.

and that really wasn't the case at all (that it is just a mass mailing) then I think that is really awful. Deceitful. They should have just yelled "Achtung! No more unauth'd SMTP! Switch ports! Now!"

I say awful because that wording could reasonably send lots of people into a panic. I hope this wasn't the case...that it was actually based on specifics. Comcast sucks.

Basically, give me a "real" Tivo with DirecTV service, and I'll be happy to leave Comcast.

In Texas, Verizon is strictly a cellular phone vendor.

Basically, give me a "real" Tivo with DirecTV service, and I'll be happy to leave Comcast.

Yup, San Antonio is a big FIOS area, I believe, where they get a lot of the speed increases first. It also appears to be big in Dallas, of course, but also pops up in a few other locations like Houston and Austin.

Thats the first I've heard of FIOS in Austin, and of course the linking page is down, along with most discussions about it.