Virgin Media to battle cloned modems.

Fatec · 19-03-2009, 12:28

Quote:

More than a thousand hackers are using reconfigured cable modems to fraudulently access free high speed Virgin Media broadband, sources have revealed.

The hack has been made possible by the recent launch of Virgin Media's 50Mbit/s "XXL" package. It relies on new equipment running the upgraded DOCSIS 3.0 data transmission standard.

The launch has allowed hackers to apply the new configuration from Virgin Media's official up to 50Mbit/s home modem to legacy DOCSIS 1.0 hardware, to access the DOCSIS 1.0 platform at higher speeds. Our source said over a thousand lines have been seen obtaining about 30Mbit/s downstream.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03...cloned_modems/

chuzzlemonkey · 19-03-2009, 13:19

Good. I hope they all go to jail

fedupstill · 19-03-2009, 13:24

Quote:

More than a thousand hackers are using reconfigured cable modems to fraudulently access free high speed Virgin Media broadband, sources have revealed.

More than a thousand hackers are using reconfigured cable modems to fraudulently access free Virgin Media broadband, sources have revealed.

fixed

joglynne · 19-03-2009, 13:25

Quote:

Many hackers, who trade details of their hacks in web fora, believe the modified modems are untraceable, but according to Virgin Media its new systems mean "that's absolutely not the case".

I would really like to believe Virgin Media's statement but until I see something actually happening to the hackers I am afraid I remain skeptical.

chuzzlemonkey · 19-03-2009, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by joglynne

I would really like to believe Virgin Media's statement but until I see something actually happening to the hackers I am afraid I remain skeptical.

Agreed. They need to make an example of some people. If i were VM i'd sue all 1000 of them. Easy money

19-03-2009, 13:31

gotta find em first

I seriously doubt they can track them to the house but we will see if they could do what they say on the press release why have they not done anything? hot air and false warning

Welshchris · 19-03-2009, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuzzlemonkey

Agreed. They need to make an example of some people. If i were VM i'd sue all 1000 of them. Easy money

chances are a lot of the people who are doing it are skint therefore Virgin would be wasting time and effort as they wouldnt get anything in return.

**Chris** · 19-03-2009, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuzzlemonkey

Agreed. They need to make an example of some people. If i were VM i'd sue all 1000 of them. Easy money

Obtaining services by deception is now a criminal offence ...

19-03-2009, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Obtaining services by deception is now a criminal offence ...

and has been since 2006

horrorwood · 19-03-2009, 13:58

1000?

I would of thought the real number is more like 10'000...

Anyway I heard people are getting 39mbit on docsis 1 using the 50mbit config. I don't know if they still get STM'd or not, but I bet they don't.

So if they are downloading a lot of stuff at 39mbit on docsis 1, surely that ****s up everyone elses service in the area?

Stabhappy · 19-03-2009, 14:06

Yes, I believe the docsis 1 downstream channels are capable of about 38mbit, which would mean an entire channel for one modem.

Zhadnost · 19-03-2009, 14:11

It is, which means in my head something doesn't add up, here there are 2 DS channels, if they both support only 38Mbit, you'd have thought contention would be a lot more noticable. (considering how many people are on 20Mbit).

General Maximus · 19-03-2009, 14:17

sweeeeeet, so the honest paying 20mbit users get their asses stm'd but the fake 38mbit users get away with it, sounds about right.

horrorwood · 19-03-2009, 14:18

Hmm I just read a bit more and one person said he has done his mates as well.. so they are on the same UBR.

He said when he is downloading he can get 35 to 39mbit, and as soon as his friend starts they both get 18-20mbit.

So that is great, people are now really ****ing up the service I pay for.

Raistlin · 19-03-2009, 14:20

The swear filter is there to catch the occasional use of bad language, not to mitigate the language of people that don't filter their thoughts before they post them to the forum.

Please try to moderate your own language, this is a family forum - debate isn't made any easier by the inclusion of multiple *s.

Thank you.