Is Comcast Constant Guard a con cast by Comcast?

I was already irritated with Comcast because my rates keep creeping up.  And now I’ve started getting these emails (3 in total so far):

I can’t even discern if these are legit.  First of all, the language is so soft and weasely.  ”One or more! of my computers may? be infected.”  Seriously?  How do they know?  How about some definitive or at least specific evidence?  Did this go out to all Comcast customers, or do I really have an issue?

It reads just like a phishing email.  Secondly, I can’t tell if this is a free service or if Comcast is charging for it.  I’m afraid to try it because I once downloaded an anti-malware software that turned out to be as bad as a virus itself in its effect on my machine performance.  Also, I already have virus software and malware protection software, so I don’t want to pay for more.

Searching the internet I’m not the only one confused.  It’s impossible to tell if this is simply botched marketing campaign, or if they are really trying to rip me off.  So I go and follow the “self-help” section on the Constant Guard website.  I followed one of their recommendations and downloaded the Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Thanks to Microsoft, I learn that no issues were detected.  I spent the next several hours downloading and running this nice little piece of software on all of my computers in the house, with the same result.

It was a complete waste of time, except that I did learn that Microsoft also offers another free bit of software, called Security Essentials.   In Microsoft’s words, it “offers comprehensive malware protection.”  Free – good.  Simple – Good.  Comprehensive protection – GOOD!

With Microsoft® Security Essentials, it’s easy to help protect your home or small business PC from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software for FREE* with the same award-winning technology used by millions of consumer and enterprise PCs around the world.

-Microsoft

Why would anyone pay for Comcast’s Constant Guard options when there are good free methods out there?

I’m left feeling there is only possible conclusion, that Xfinity was just phishing for customers for their premium Constant Guard Packages.  Even after the whole “cleansing” operation on all my machines, I still received another of these emails.

Even though I should know better, know that a company I’m supposed to trust could be trying to rip me off, I still have a hint of doubt that they could be right.  And that’s how fear motivates.

Comcast, if you are out there, please learn from this and if you really do think there is a problem, take a different approach.