The fix still applies to Vista, just go to Tools/Accounts, select the account, and then Properties, then Advanced, and then you can change the port as required.

Of course, do be sure to scan all of your computers for virii first, as you might actually have a spam bot installed!

–J

What Can I do???

***********************
November 21,2009
Customer Security Assurance Notice

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

However, subsequent to that I found that the email on our laptop has the same type problem with Outlook Express, but the fix I posted doesn’t work on the laptop (XP with two Users). The Comcast tech support lady (Maurice wasn’t there) did not know how to fix the problem. She opened a Ticket with the issue.

I’m not expecting anything good to come from the Ticket, but maybe I’ll be lucky.

My workaround for the laptop is to go to the Comcast website and do email from there, not Outlook Express.

Good ISPs block unencrypted traffic over port 587, and require SSL. But, many don’t allow any SMTP traffic over port 587.

Comcast has many workarounds, and they do work a lot of the time, or they wouldn’t be doing it. But, at the same time, they’re telling a lot of customers that they’re SOL. They need to offer a workaround (like AT&T does) for those customers.

I spoke with Maurice in Tech Support. He knew how to resolve the problem and did so in two minutes. Excellent support!

Basically the procedure was to go to Tools > Accounts >Properties > Advanced

then change the Outgoing Mail (SMTP): to 587

and also

UNcheck the box for “This server requires a secure connection.”

If that does NOT resolve the issue, go to the Tools >Accounts > Properties and click on other tabs up top to find a checkmark for a “server requires a secure connection or authentication” message and UNcheck it.

That should do it.

Thank you, Maurice.

Their email displayed a link to a one-click fix for Outlook Express.

I clicked on the link. The software ran. The fix failed to fix anything.

Thanks a lot Comcast.