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Re: [LUG] File sharing: article by Which

 

Julian Hall wrote:
Rob Beard wrote:
Julian Hall wrote:

Having said *that*, a salutary tale. I'm on a cablemodem connection and some time ago I had a letter from ntl (as it was) claiming I had been identified as the source of spam being sent out. As I knew conclusively they were wrong I rang them to query this, ending up chatting to a Senior Tech. He checked into the accounts and found *three* IP addresses logged against the MAC address for my cablemodem. Someone had spoofed my MAC address[1] - something I suspect is harder than spoofing an IP address. Given this incident I'm curious how the complainant (or the ISP for that matter) could conclusively prove that the customer - the accused - was the only person capable of using that IP address.

You'd be surprised.  I gather cable modem hacking is common place.

[1] In the end ntl supplied me with a new modem, despite the fact I had bought the old one - they paid me the cost price.
You bought your own modem?
As I was working for them when the service launched (actually the first tech ever to deal with a cablemodem customer) I've been on a CM since before ntl: supplied modems as well as the service. So originally I bought the modem, then when it had ot be replaced - thanks to the hacking - ntl arranged with the same company for a replacement and paid for it as it wasn't my fault. Motorola Surfboard SB4100 - still got it somewhere but can't use it because that MAC address is blocked on the network - and Motorola were singularly unhelpful when I asked if the MAC could be reprogrammed by them, even when I offered to pay!
Hmmm, I got one with the service when I was with NTL.
So do I now :)
Got an old Telewest one in the loft which they never collected from last time (they picked the TV box up but not the modem) although now I have a new one for my current Virgin service. I presume if I cancel or upgrade either the TV service or modem they'll swap them out anyway (I'm looking at getting the new Virgin V HD box in April at 50 quid one off fee and free self-install).
As a REALLY old customer I'm getting stung badly by the cost of the service. I'm on a 20Mb connection and considering increasing to 50Mb so I can get a *reduction* in price. Apparently the offers they send out *with the bills* are for 'New customers only'. I have a V+ box thanks to my querying that amazing lapse in logic.
Yeah I've heard stories about how they don't seem to offer reductions. I've been with them now for a year (well at the end of the month) and I'm mulling over my options, I might give them a call and see what they can offer to stop me going to Sky or maybe canceling and signing up again. :-)

Rob


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