New Comcast Report Finds Consumers Vastly Underestimate How Often Home Networks Are Targeted by Cyber Threats
November 29 2020 - 6:00PM
Business Wire
Comcast Releases First Ever Xfinity Cyber
Health Report, Outlining Key Observations on the State of
Cybersecurity in Americans’ Connected Homes
Comcast has Protected Customers from Nearly 6
Billion Cybersecurity Threats Using xFi Advanced Security
Internet users in the United States vastly underestimate how
often their home networks are targeted by cyber threats. That’s one
of the key findings of the first ever Xfinity Cyber Health Report,
which combines data from a new consumer survey with actual threat
data collected by the xFi Advanced Security platform. As part of
the report’s findings, Comcast announced that since January, xFi
Advanced Security has blocked nearly six billion cybersecurity
threats – representing an average of about 104 cybersecurity
threats per home per month – protecting Xfinity Internet consumers
from malicious threats targeting their home networks and the
devices connected to them.
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the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201129005027/en/
2020 Xfinity Cyber Health Report (Photo:
Business Wire)
“The cyber threats facing even the most lightly connected homes
have grown so numerous and so complex, that ordinary people can
barely keep track, much less protect themselves,” said Noopur
Davis, Chief Product and Information Security Officer, Comcast.
“That’s why it’s essential that we provide people with smart,
powerful tools, like xFi Advanced Security, that can spot and stop
threats before they ever make it inside the home.”
Xfinity xFi users have on average 12 devices per home and added
two devices over the past year, while high-end users have as many
as 33 devices and added five since last year. And, 61 percent of
consumers plan to buy at least one connected device during the
upcoming holiday shopping season. With the number of connected
devices in the home increasing, cybersecurity protection has never
been more important.
The Xfinity Cyber Health Report summarizes the threats xFi
Advanced Security has blocked for Xfinity Internet customers and
the devices in their connected homes, providing an industry view
into threats experienced by consumers. Key report findings
include:
- Consumers Underestimate Attack Volume: 95 percent of
survey respondents underestimated the volume of attacks they face
each month. The average volume indicated by respondents was 12
attacks per month. In reality, xFi Advanced Security blocks nine
times that amount or an average of 104 security threats per month
per household.
- Mix of Devices Most Targeted: According to xFi Advanced
Security data, the top five most vulnerable devices in connected
homes are: 1) Computers & Laptops, 2) Smart Phones, 3)
Networked Cameras, 4) Networked Storage Devices, 5) Streaming Video
Devices.
- Consumer Disconnect on Cybersafe Behavior: 96 percent of
consumers surveyed were not familiar with how to answer six basic
true/false cyberthreat questions. Further, a large majority (85
percent) of respondents indicated they are taking all the necessary
security precautions needed to protect their home networks, and yet
a clear majority (64 percent) admitted to behaviors like sharing
passwords with friends and family that open themselves up to
attack.
- No Screen Means More Risk: What many people don’t
realize is that connected devices can pose a security risk. Cyber
criminals target them because many have little or no security
protection and devices without screens can be more easily hacked
without the consumer even knowing it. More than 4 in 5 consumers
(83 percent) would not be 100 percent confident they’d know if one
of their non-screen devices – such as a wireless printer or
security camera – had been hacked.
In addition, the report includes a technology primer authored by
the Chief Technology Officer at Comcast cybersecurity technology
partner CUJO AI, about the rise of AI-based cyber threats; insight
from Larry Maccherone, distinguished engineer and leader of
DevSecOps at Comcast, on building security into products from the
beginning, rather than “bolting on” after they launch; and five
actionable tips from Patti Loyack, Vice President, xFi, Comcast, on
how consumers can protect themselves.
Comcast’s xFi Advanced Security service was made free for all 20
million xFi customers across all of Comcast’s service areas in
January. This product was developed based on customer feedback
requesting a way to protect IoT devices in this connected home era.
It uses AI and machine learning technology to monitor and analyze
WiFi traffic in the home, and automatically blocks identified
suspicious activity in real time. To activate this service, Xfinity
xFi customers can log onto the Xfinity app and enable xFi Advanced
Security.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000
nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18 and older in
September 2020, using an email invitation and an online survey.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The
magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the
number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing
the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study,
the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus
or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that
would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons
in the universe represented by the sample.
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and
technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable,
NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’
largest high-speed internet, video, and phone providers to
residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides
these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and
security and automation services to residential customers under the
Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news,
entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo
broadcast networks, television production operations, television
station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and
Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment
companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content
through its pay television services. It also provides
communications services, including residential high-speed internet,
phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast
network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original
content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit
www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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Joel Shadle Joel_Shadle@comcast.com 215-286-4675
Rachel Zabinski Rachel_Zabinski@comcast.com 215-286-1516
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