| Modem security This week I changed cable internet providers to a third party provider. They sent me a new modem, I connected four days ago. The other day I went into the modem's diagnosis page and it said I have three devices attached. I only have the router attached. I reset the modem, it then saw only one device. It stayed that way overnight and till a few hours ago, now its seeing three devices again.
I'm wondering if there's a security issue here? A cloned modem mac address? Don't know what, but it seems odd and worthy of investigation. Any ideas what's going on? |
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 StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2
 ·CenturyLink
| If you only have your (own hopefully) router physically attached to your ISP's modem I wouldn't worry too much. They might be "virtual" devices.
The modem doesn't have wi-fi capability does it? If it does, and it's enabled, it might be seeing wireless devices somewhere.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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| reply to hagbard72
Nope, it doesn't have wireless capabilities. I have heard of modem mac addresses being cloned and getting user info that way. Which is also rather odd is that I was getting email from my provider in my inbox now its directed to spam, I didn't do this. |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 Reviews:
·CenturyLink
1 edit | said by hagbard72:I have heard of modem mac addresses being cloned and getting user info that way. Well even if your modem was getting your routers WAN side MAC address that wouldn't reveal much. Since MAC addresses are assigned in blocks to vendors one could determine the manufacturer of your router. That may enable hackers to target any known router vulnerabilities if they can determine the MAC.
BTW is your modem operating in bridge or router mode (with NAT & firewall)?
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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| reply to hagbard72
Router mode. Tried searching my the modem's mac address, came up empty. |
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 CudniLa Merma - VigiladoPremium,MVM
join:2003-12-20
Someshire
kudos:13 | reply to hagbard72
Does it list what those devices are (maybe post a screenshot)? Also what model modem
Cudni |
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| reply to hagbard72
It doesn't list them. Its the DCM476. |
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 John GaltForward, MarchPremium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
kudos:5 | reply to hagbard72
Refresh the list.
Sometimes the connected client list is left over from configuration and testing.
Also, make sure you change the default password. |
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 Sindows 7
join:2006-09-13
Chilliwack, BC
kudos:2
·TekSavvy DSL
 ·Shaw
·TELUS
| reply to hagbard72
said by hagbard72:Router mode. Tried searching my the modem's mac address, came up empty.
modem in router mode no personal router? |
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 aefstoggaflmOpen Source FanPremium
join:2002-03-04
Bethlehem, PA
kudos:2
·Verizon Online DSL
| said by Sindows 7:said by hagbard72:Router mode. Tried searching my the modem's mac address, came up empty.
modem in router mode no personal router? #1 By looking going through all of their topics/posts up to 180 days back » /postlist/2121···tart&p=1» /postlist/2121···thin&p=1that they have their own RJ-45 router. #2 However I don't know if their own RJ-45 router is connected to their modem combo OR not. Only they can answer that... --
Please use the "yellow (IM) envelope" to contact me and please leave the URL intact. |
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| reply to John Galt
?? There's a password on a modem? |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 Reviews:
·CenturyLink
| Of course. It has built-in website for configuration right? In there somewhere should be a password. I never ever leave passwords at the default.
That said if it came from your ISP they probably have a backdoor into it anyway. That's why one should always have their own, 3rd party and secured, router behind whatever the ISP provides.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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| reply to hagbard72
Never heard of a password on a modem, a router, yes, but not a modem. I don't see anything for setting up such a password. |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 | Didn't you say you have your modem in router mode? If so it has a router in it.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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| reply to hagbard72
Ahhh....I see. Thought you were asking me if my router was in router mode (ie: access point vs bridge, etc). This modem has no router. Wonder if you can put a second router in front of the modem to firewall it? |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 Reviews:
·CenturyLink
2 edits | I see. Most "modems" from ISP's these days have a built-in router and wi-fi. Since the ISP can get into it from the WAN side regardless of what you do (change passwords etc), and hackers may be able to do the same, many don't rely on them for security--hence the second router.
I assume your modem only has one RJ-45 (ethernet) connector on it and that's going to your router. If that's the case (and you say it doesn't have a router function), I doubt it has any security features at all. Your router is your only line of defense in that case.
(My "modem" is in router mode and has NAT and the firewall enabled. My router is behind it so I have double NAT/firewalls. That doesn't necessarily provide more protection but I had trouble with putting the "modem" in bridge mode).
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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| reply to hagbard72
That's correct. BTW, I reset the modem again yesterday and its been staying at one device since. It totally blows the tech's theory than anything passing through the router will add another number to the list. Maybe they investigated further, found something at their end, and fixed it...that's my hope at least. |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 | I wouldn't worry about it. Just secure your router etc and be happy 
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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Mele20Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
kudos:4 | reply to StuartMW
said by StuartMW:I see. Most "modems" from ISP's these days have a built-in router and wi-fi.
Why do you say that? My ISP tried to get me to use a junk Motorola surfboard modem with router, wifi, and parental stuff, etc on it when I upgraded and needed a DOCSIS 3 modem. It is a junk modem and has bad ratings. I got them to give me an outstanding DOCSIS 3 modem instead...the Surfboard 6141. It is a modem with no junk in it. I have two routers and routers, wi-fi that I would never use for security reasons... should never be built into modems IMO as it craps up the modem. TWC mostly gives out the Surfboard 6141 not the one other modem they have certified for DOCSIS 3 which is the combo one they tried to give me so I don't think most ISP's are giving out combo modems except when they temporarily run out of plain modems.
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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 MarkAWBarry WhitePremium
join:2001-08-27
Canada
kudos:16 | said by Mele20:said by StuartMW:I see. Most "modems" from ISP's these days have a built-in router and wi-fi.
Why do you say that? My ISP tried to get me to use a junk Motorola surfboard modem with router, wifi, and parental stuff, etc on it when I upgraded and needed a DOCSIS 3 modem. It is a junk modem and has bad ratings. I got them to give me an outstanding DOCSIS 3 modem instead...the Surfboard 6141. It is a modem with no junk in it. I have two routers and routers, wi-fi that I would never use for security reasons... should never be built into modems IMO as it craps up the modem. TWC mostly gives out the Surfboard 6141 not the one other modem they have certified for DOCSIS 3 which is the combo one they tried to give me so I don't think most ISP's are giving out combo modems except when they temporarily run out of plain modems. You did notice he said most ISP's and what does all your gibberish have to do with what he or the op had to say? 
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