Comcast, a TV, Internet and smart home service provider, has announced a new internet security service for all connected devices at home named xFi Advanced Security.
The service is said to use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and analyze Wi-Fi traffic at home and automatically block suspicious activities in real time. The AI technology is developed by AI security company Cujo AI.
With a single device such as PC, it’s easy to build security protection by installing a security software. With a house that has several connected devices at once, however, it isn’t easy to have all devices like security cameras, washing machines and smart door locks, be protected.
The xFi Advanced Security lets users see which devices are connected to the network, sends notifications about security activities, and allows users to set up parental control and pause internet access on certain devices. In addition to preventing hacking on individual devices, it aims to guard against events like botnet attacks using smart home devices.
The service is part of Comcast’s
Xfinity xFi platform. All notifications will be sent through the existing Xfinity xFi app.
It’s based on a subscription model and will cost US$5.99 per month. Users would need to be a Comcast Xfinity customer and use Comcast’s xFi Gateway device to have their home Wi-Fi protected by Comcast’s new service.
Other router providers have similar offerings as well. Mesh networking system Eero has provided the Eero Plus subscription since 2017 for US$9.99 per month. The plan includes protection against malware, ransomware and phishing attacks, subscriptions to Malwarebytes and 1Password, and advanced parental controls.
Comcast’s xFi Advanced Security will be available in the first quarter of 2019.