Val,
Straight from the source, and it's still somewhat vague. It doesn't really
explain why they're doing it this way, but I suspect from this response, there
might be two different subscriber programs (residential and possibly
commercial). It might be worth checking to see if there are account upgrades
available from the "online residential service" platform, that will allow you
to function using VPN in the way that you choose. Personally, I would not
blame you for seeking another service provider that cherishes your business,
and respects your privacy. Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Bob
----
Subject: Re: question regarding subscriber's agreement
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 13:03:54 -0400
From: Comcast Online Communications Comments <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Dear Bob,
It is not the intent of this text to prohibit customers from establishing a
connection for residential purposes. Activities such as
online banking, online trading and making purchases online are not considered
in violation of the Subscriber Agreement.
The Comcast Online residential service is not intended for those that attempt
to host a VPN connection or for those persons attempting to establish a VPN
connection with their workplace. If you log on to an external network, contact
the Network Administrator to see if you are using a VPN or IP tunneling
protocol.
If there is anything else we can help you with, please contact us. Thank you
for choosing Comcast@Home.
Frank
Comcast@Home
Email Response Specialist
Original Message Follows:
-------------------------
To whom it may concern,
There is discussion in one of the email groups I am involved with regarding a
section in your recently modified subscriber's agreement. Instead of inventing
possible reasons as to why you restrict the use of VPN on your cable services,
I decided it would be best to ask you directly what your reasoning behind this
may be (please see reference to clause in question below).
Be advised, the reason it has created such concern is because some of your
users rely on VPN to establish secured private channels between their home
computers and their office networks. I would think a service provider welcomes
and encourages the integrity of privacy and security. Perhaps there is some
purpose to this clause that I am not aware of. Upon your first opportunity,
please enlighten me. Thank you. I will share your answer with the group to
set the record straight.
Bob
---
Reference to the clause in question.
http://www.comcastonline.com/subscriber-v3-red.asp
Section 6
paragraph b.
subsection viii
....OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VPN (VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK) OR A VPN TUNNELING
PROTOCOL
Valerie Leveille wrote:
> I've seen alot of talk about cable modem security (or lack of) and I've got
> an interesting twist to the story. I'm curious if anyone else has run
> across this.
>
> I have cable modem service at home. I have a firewall set up and
> occasionally I connect through a VPN tunnel to a local office or to the
> corporate office to transfer files or to download email. Well....my cable
> modem provider just changed the subscriber agreement. Basically it says
> that if I use a VPN or a VPN tunneling protocol on their network my service
> will be terminated! I can't believe that I'm going to have to change
> providers because I'm protecting my data!
>
> Has anyone else run into this?
>
> Val
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