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Hacking the Surfboard
Motorola firmware hacks evolve

While yesterday we mentioned how many are getting more from their router by upgrading to third-party modified firmware, the popular Surfboard modem is also seeing some less legitimate modifications. To the chagrin of ISP's, many groups are developing a new generation of cable modem hacking tools that do much more than simply uncap service.

Unfortunately uncapping your cable modem can result in service termination - or in some rare cases - much worse as one Ohio businessman we interviewed last year will tell you; so doing so is obviously not advised. Since more newbie friendly uncapping tools showed up in 2001 and 2002, there's been a flurry of less technical users (unaware of how quickly their experiment can land them in hot-water) showing up in our forums begging for forgiveness and a solution after they've found their service terminated.

This interesting Security Focus article takes a look at Sigma, a new program released last month that's already been downloaded hundreds of times. Sigma is flashed into the non-volatile memory of certain Motorola modems allowing complete control over the hardware. Hacking the Surfboard with an inexpensive chip and a soldering iron, users rlogin to the device and tinker with the modem's VxWorks operating system and web interface.

From there the user can not only uncap the modem, they can often "unregister" the modem to try and obtain free service, as well as snoop through the network's raw data stream (often unencrypted, unless the ISP turns the DOCSIS encryption option on - which most don't). A CableLabs spokesman in the article claims the hack only works on DOCSIS 1.0 modems, and will be more difficult with DOCSIS 1.1 and 2.0 where modems only accept firmware digitally signed by the cable company. The designers of the hack argue that as long as the customer has the hardware in their hands, there's always a way.
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Lumberjack
Premium Member
join:2003-01-18
Newport News, VA

Lumberjack

Premium Member

Lock box on the modems?

I don't think it would hurt my feelings if we didn't have to pay for modems if the cable co puts it out side and just gives me ethernet. That would be kinda cool. But then again, it removes something that I could potentially replace if there is a problem.

In any case, it serves those thief's right if they get the boot. They will make it worse for everybody else that plays fair.
53059959 (banned)
Temp banned from BBR more then anyone
join:2002-10-02
PwnZone

53059959 (banned)

Member

Re: Lock box on the modems?

i've had experience with uncapping surfboard cable modems. back when I did it I used whatever programs I could find, and had to emulate tftp server have the cable modem download the hacked file from me. sb2100 worked the best. sounds like this new program makes it easier to ppl to do it. I was able to uncap my upload pretty high, to 5mbps, and my download past 10mbps. cox's speeds have greatly increased since then, so I have no need to risk getting caught for extra speed boost. the main reason I wanted to uncap was because our speeds sucked, back in the 192/1.5 days you could hardly get 50/300. I found that uncapping didn't really solve any problems, since top speed would fluctuate just like normal speeds would. it was still nice to be able to go on at 3am, and blow websites away. the longest I was uncapped was for 30 days, then the cable modem would reset.
lesopp
join:2001-06-27
Land O Lakes, FL

lesopp to Lumberjack

Member

to Lumberjack
Decent desktop computer $875.00
Broadband Cable Modem from Best Buy $79.99
High speed cable internet service $42.95

Having your services canceled for uncapping - priceless!

wasg
@bay.mi.ch

wasg

Anon

Re: Lock box on the modems?

It's a good thing there are more than one choice of internet service in many areas...

you_r_loser
@64.69.x.x

you_r_loser to Lumberjack

Anon

to Lumberjack
well, you don't uncap modem, going over their *UNSPECIFIC* number of DL/UL, you'll get cancelled. What they want is for you to pay and not use the service. That will make them happy ;):(:D

orionplus
@comcast.net

orionplus to Lumberjack

Anon

to Lumberjack
I hacked my SB5100 and my frinds remotly. not uncaped. just to 5mb/s bidirectional. learn to read hex packets.
killer666
join:2003-03-13
70000

killer666

Member

Re: Lock box on the modems?

I have a Sb 5100, can you tell me how to make it to take better speeds? I
have my Ip with 10...... and an unlimited config file but I can't get the
modem to take it.

Stewy85
Premium Member
join:2003-01-16
Wisconsin

Stewy85

Premium Member

Well.....

Would it be illegal to increase the speed to what we should be getting?

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

If it's my hardware........

If it's my hardware, I'll do whatever the hell I want to it. It's asinine to have the bandwidth cap programed into the customers hardware. That's like a bank keeping the key to the vault in everyone's safety deposit box. The cable modem is a bridge, and with the exception of encryption, it should only function as a bridge. It would not be so hard to limit bandwidth per IP address at the node. This whole situation is just stupid.

Qumahlin
Never Enough Time
MVM
join:2001-10-05
united state

Qumahlin

MVM

Re: If it's my hardware........

said by Rexter:
If it's my hardware, I'll do whatever the hell I want to it. It's asinine to have the bandwidth cap programed into the customers hardware. That's like a bank keeping the key to the vault in everyone's safety deposit box. The cable modem is a bridge, and with the exception of encryption, it should only function as a bridge. It would not be so hard to limit bandwidth per IP address at the node. This whole situation is just stupid.

No, Limiting bandwidth at the CMTS using QoS or other traffic flow methods wastes processor cycles/CMTS CPU power. The modems were meant to be this way it is part of the docsis specs.

In 1.1 and 2.0 systems the CMTS's are more "efficient" at handling pure QoS traffic control but it is still better off to limit the bandwidth at the modem.

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

I understand that it's in the specs. The point that I am making is that the specs are flawed. No other HSI service, that I know of, works this way. It is the responsibility of th ISP to maintain their network on their end, not on the customers end, not on the customers equipment.

Qumahlin
Never Enough Time
MVM
join:2001-10-05
united state

Qumahlin

MVM

Re: If it's my hardware........

said by Rexter:
I understand that it's in the specs. The point that I am making is that the specs are flawed. No other HSI service, that I know of, works this way. It is the responsibility of th ISP to maintain their network on their end, not on the customers end, not on the customers equipment.

There were plenty fo DSL providers who used to set caps at the customers DSL/router instead of the DSLAM. The ISP is maintaining their network just because part of the control is placed in an area the customer is not supposed to be accessing anyway doesn't exactly make it flawed. Just different.

What is flawed is manufacturers not bothering to test that their modems were up to spec. Manufacturers with "leaks" giving out shelled firmware so that firmware coders know exactly what they have to work with, etc, etc.

The bottom line is that as is this really does not effect much. It is easy to catch the users who decide to uncap if the ISP wants too and the "etherboot" method of install Sigma is far to challenging to the average user who has no cable making/soldering knowledge

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

said by Qumahlin:
There were plenty fo DSL providers who used to set caps at the customers DSL/router instead of the DSLAM.
First off I'm not so sure that this is true. But even so the key word would be "used to."

pit_viper
1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide
join:2002-07-24

pit_viper to Qumahlin

Member

to Qumahlin
said by Qumahlin:

It is easy to catch the users who decide to uncap
Exactly.....People will enjoy the speeds for a day or too while the ISP is gathering the evidence for possible legal action

JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA

JakCrow

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

There are no grounds for legal action over cable modem hacking.

xpkranger
Premium Member
join:2000-10-27
Tucker, GA

xpkranger

Premium Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

said by JakCrow:
There are no grounds for legal action over cable modem hacking.

Isn't there something in the EULA or service agreement that a would say different?

JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA

JakCrow

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

An EULA is only a "contract" between parties. Worse they could do is terminate someone's service and -maybe- bill them something extra. Some cable companies have tried to get people charged with "theft of service" crimes, but since cable internet isn't regulated, theft of service laws don't apply.

xpkranger
Premium Member
join:2000-10-27
Tucker, GA

xpkranger

Premium Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

Perhaps you're right, but I wouldn't want to be the one to test it out, at least not against the lawyers I work for. Besides, I've got 3000K already. (wish I had better upstream though - too bad I can't give back .5 for upstream) Even if it doesn't violate the letter of the agreement, I think that it does violate the spirit. Either way, I'm definitely not going to be the first one to cast a stone. (Graveyards in my closets and all...) Good luck!
medici
join:2001-02-22
Shohola, PA

medici to JakCrow

Member

to JakCrow
IANAL, and I don't think you are, either. A contract is a legally binding document. Once you've agreed to the terms of service and accepted the contract, you are liable for any breaches of those terms. Straightforward contract law. If the cable company wants to make an example of you, they can sue for theft of service, disruption of business, their costs to investigate and mitigate your unauthorized use, legal fees and punitive damages.

Also, AFAIK, there is no requirement of specific legislative protection in order to prosecute theft of service.

What I find is interesting is that ISP's seem to have plenty of money to spend on capping customer's bandwidth, detecting modem hackers, tracking bandwidth utilization and penalizing so-called bandwidth hogs. But when it comes to stuff like firewall protection, junk email filtering, virus protection, traffic shaping, and just good old customer education and support, that's too expensive (even though there are plenty of free or low-cost tools to address most of these categories).

xpkranger
Premium Member
join:2000-10-27
Tucker, GA

xpkranger

Premium Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

Where is the the line though between civil and criminal? If I go and take the filters off the line that at eye level on the side of my house and allow HBO, Cinemax, et al in to my house they're sure going to try have me prosecuted for criminal theft of services. And if there's a lawyer in the bunch out there, where does the DMCA fall into all of this? I thought it might have something to say about it. Also, does the law vary from state to state or is it Federal because of the ICC?

JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA

JakCrow to medici

Member

to medici
said by medici:
IANAL, and I don't think you are, either. A contract is a legally binding document. Once you've agreed to the terms of service and accepted the contract, you are liable for any breaches of those terms. Straightforward contract law.

Signing up with an ISP is not a contract agreement in the way two corporations sign a contract to do business with each other. I have yet to see the TOS of a cable ISP state that they will sue you or you could be arrested if you hack your modem. No, the worse they can do is cancel your service and maybe charge you some kind of cancellation fee, -if- it's in their TOS.
said by medici:

If the cable company wants to make an example of you, they can sue for theft of service, disruption of business, their costs to investigate and mitigate your unauthorized use, legal fees and punitive damages.

In a case like that, the TOS would most likely work against the ISP. The "theft of service" charge would be hard for the ISP to make stick, since the courts have previously said that it's difficult to quantify just how much "service" was stolen.
said by medici:

Also, AFAIK, there is no requirement of specific legislative protection in order to prosecute theft of service.

I do believe there is, especially with cable. Modem hacking is a simple TOS violation, nothing more.
said by medici:

What I find is interesting is that ISP's seem to have plenty of money to spend on capping customer's bandwidth, detecting modem hackers, tracking bandwidth utilization and penalizing so-called bandwidth hogs. But when it comes to stuff like firewall protection, junk email filtering, virus protection, traffic shaping, and just good old customer education and support, that's too expensive (even though there are plenty of free or low-cost tools to address most of these categories).

They certainly aren't spending that money on upgrading their networks if they feel the need to crack down on "bandwidth hogs".

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter to medici

Member

to medici
said by medici:
But when it comes to stuff like firewall protection, junk email filtering, virus protection, traffic shaping, and just good old customer education and support, that's too expensive (even though there are plenty of free or low-cost tools to address most of these categories).

I really don't want my ISP to do this stuff. This is something that I want full control of. You have to keep in mind that security comes at the expense of functionality. It would be nice to have it maybe as an option, but based on past events, they are more likely to just force it on everyone.

pit_viper
1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide
join:2002-07-24

pit_viper to JakCrow

Member

to JakCrow
said by JakCrow:
There are no grounds for legal action over cable modem hacking.

No but a company can take civil action....

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

I agree, but they would have to prove damages.

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH to JakCrow

Premium Member

to JakCrow
Perhaps not in California, but in PA, one could argue that Pa. C.S. sec 910 Manufacture, distribution, use or possession of devices for theft of telecommunications systems might. The statute states that:

"Any person commits an offense if... for commission of theft of a telecommunications service or to disrupt,transmit, decrypt, yadda yadday yadda.... or acquisition of any telecommunications service without the consent of the telecommunications service provider."

The statute does specifically mention the modification of devices connected to a telecommunications network, and does not differentiate based on the ownership of the device. The statute also specifically states that the definition of a Telecommunications service is " any service provided by any radio,telephone,cable television, satellite,microwave, or wireless distribution system, including, but not limited to, any and all electronic, data,video, audio, Internet access, telephonic, microwave and radio communications, transmissions, signals and services.

First offense is a misdemeanor first degree, second offense is a felony.

How long do you think it is before Comcast goes after people for uncapping their modems. All they have to do is give the evidence to the local PD and shazamm, your name too, can be on the top of a criminal complaint.

Since I have no desire to be the test case, I will NOT be uncapping my modem. I don't have a legal plan that robust.

Besides, the "It's my hardware" argument is an illogical one, considering your cell phone is your hardware, you're not allowed to tinker with it, your cable box could be your hardware, you can't tinker with it to get free spice channel. Your CAR is your own hardware, but drive it on the road with no plates and no insurance, and expect to get a ticket....

Once again, just my 2 cents

DadeMurphy
Premium Member
join:2002-07-25
Danvers, MA

DadeMurphy

Premium Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

Cable HSI is not considered telecommunications.
medici
join:2001-02-22
Shohola, PA

medici

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

It is in PA. And it might be subject to interpretation elsewhere if you use VoIP.

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH to DadeMurphy

Premium Member

to DadeMurphy
By PA law it is. The statute specifically states "Internet access" in the definition of telecommunications, as noted in the text of my previous post.

If the statute specifically states "internet access" , how then, is Comcast High speed INTERNET not telecommunications?

Just askin''

FreeBSDNut
@dsl.pltn13.pacbell.n

FreeBSDNut

Anon

Re: If it's my hardware........

Because the FCC recently declared that cable modem service is *NOT* a telecommunications service, so telecom laws do not apply. DSL was declared a telecommunications service even though it does the same thing, and is subject to regulation, and telecom law.
sharksfan3
Premium Member
join:2004-02-16
North Hollywood, CA

sharksfan3

Premium Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

At the fed level you might be ok... but not the state.

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536 to Qumahlin

Premium Member

to Qumahlin
said by Qumahlin:
The bottom line is that as is this really does not effect much. It is easy to catch the users who decide to uncap if the ISP wants too and the "etherboot" method of install Sigma is far to challenging to the average user who has no cable making/soldering knowledge

Oh i'm sure soon there'll be a flood of sites offering 'pre-modded surfboards' once this gets out.

Ronin4740
join:2000-05-03
Saint Charles, MO

Ronin4740 to Rexter

Member

to Rexter
Gawd... Okay, it's your TV - Does that make it legal to hack the cable connection so you get HBO, Showtime, etc... for free?

Yep, the modem is your hardware and yep you can use it to connect to the cable modem network but read the AUP for practically any cable internet service and you items which prohibit uncapping modems and/or modifying firmware.

Inlcuded for reference: Charter's AUP and Customer Agreement Links

»www.charter.com/site/rul ··· .asp#aup

»www.charter.com/site/cus ··· ment.asp

Mod your firmware and/or uncap at your own risk. A simple query of the modem from the cable company's NOC will reveal your actions and may subject you to termination of service.

•••••••••••••••••

Wall9
Tell Me, Did You See It Too?
Premium Member
join:2002-06-25
Dupo, IL

Wall9 to Rexter

Premium Member

to Rexter
Mod it sure. It's yours. Having uncapped HSI is not yours. What's stupid about it?

You sound as if you're placing the blame on ISP's.

••••••

Healbot
Premium Member
join:2003-07-16
Vancouver, WA

Healbot to Rexter

Premium Member

to Rexter
Yeah but its there bandwidth, how else can they cap you? Image 10 people using all of the node(?) bandwidth and then the people getting 50/50 come to DSLreports and bitch about how cable is so slow

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

Just about any router has the ability to restrict bandwidth based on MAC or IP address. Yes it does consume resources on the router, but if you are going to be an ISP, you've gotta do what you gotta do.

pit_viper
1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide
join:2002-07-24

pit_viper to Rexter

Member

to Rexter
said by Rexter:
If it's my hardware, I'll do whatever the hell I want to it. It's asinine to have the bandwidth cap programed into the customers hardware. That's like a bank keeping the key to the vault in everyone's safety deposit box. The cable modem is a bridge, and with the exception of encryption, it should only function as a bridge. It would not be so hard to limit bandwidth per IP address at the node. This whole situation is just stupid.

To use the service you agree to those terms, if you don't like it get off

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

Sound advice. I'll go with someone that know how to properly administer their network. Thank you.

JoeBillyBob
@68.87.x.x

JoeBillyBob to Rexter

Anon

to Rexter
You're looking at it all wrong.

It doesn't matter if it's your modem. Your modem is on their network. As long as you are using bandwidth on their network, then you are subject to their speed restrictions. How about if you had a 100Mb pipe and I put my own router into my house and plugged into your network. I then used as much of the 100Mb pipe as I could even though you are paying for the pipe. You wouldn't like that would you? You bought the modem, which means you are responsible for the hardware, not for how much bandwidth you use on someone else's network.

ARSE!

rchandra
Stargate Universe fan
Premium Member
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105
ARRIS ONT1000GJ4
EnGenius EAP1250

rchandra to Rexter

Premium Member

to Rexter
Look: it boils down to this. You are free to do whatever you want with your hardware, and the cableco is free to do whatever they want with their hardware. On the cableco's part, this would include denying you service and possible pressing criminal charges akin to vandalism for damaging, if not the physical network, the operation of their network. I would find it really surprising if you're connected to a provider that doesn't have a clause in their AUP/ToS that states this sort of thing. Most of them also ask you to ACK that the AUP/ToS is a legally binding contract between the provider and you, and that if you don't agree to them, you must disconnect and not use those services.

I don't know where people like you come up with all this stuff about "I can do whatever I want" without consequences.

Rexter
Libertas, Aequitas, Veritas
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9

Rexter

Member

Re: If it's my hardware........

said by rchandra:
...all this stuff about "I can do whatever I want" without consequences.

eh
yea, thats what I said.

Rhobite
Premium Member
join:2002-02-24
Waltham, MA

1 edit

1 recommendation

Rhobite

Premium Member

Saw it coming

Cable is shared. It's always been shared, and many people don't even know that all the data on the node goes into everyone's house. All that's between you and your neighbor's browsing habits is a previously locked-down cable modem.

I mentioned this on the Comcast forum a while ago, and my warning was quickly dismissed. I forget who said this (maybe qumahlin), but I was told "Technically it's possible to sniff the traffic, but it would take thousands of dollars of equipment and I've never heard of anyone doing this." Yeah, right. It was just a matter of time.

This shouldn't even be a problem. I don't know the specifics on the DOCSIS encryption algorithm, but it is technically possible to have secure communications on a shared line. All you need is encryption from the headend to the CM with big keys, similar to SSL. If this isn't already being done by the cable providers, some people's jobs better be in jeopardy.

Requiring signed firmware is not a solution. You CANNOT trust any equipment the customer has access to, period. Even if you make this half-assed effort to lock it down. People would just solder in a new chip with their own certificate, so they could sign firmware themselves. The only solution is to trust nobody, and encrypt all traffic on the node.

••••••••
kd6cae
P2p Shouldn't Be A Crime
join:2001-08-27
Bakersfield, CA

kd6cae

Member

why should uncapping your own modem be wrong?

I personally don't have cable, but I do have DSL and I pay $105 for 768KBPS both upstream and downstream, and although I'd love more downstream, I got this package because I wanted decent upstream. As far as I'm concerned why should it matter what speed your modem is connected at? Most cable ISPs do not have any kind of tiered packages so you usually get decent downstream say 3MBPs but upstream is awful at just 256KBPS! If a customer wants say 512K up or for that matter 1.5MBPs up, then why not either let them achieve those speeds by allowing them to modify their own modem, or offer packages that would give the power internet user a decent connection in both directions! If one modifies their equipment to achieve decent upstream speeds, then just have them pay more per GB of total outbound data used or something. Personally I think the internet and it's various technologies such as cable and dSL are facinating and we shouldn't be considered criminals for wanting to experiment with our equipment! Again just my 2 cents on the matter.

••••••••••••

GrandFunkRR7
Got Funk??
Premium Member
join:2003-02-12
Lebanon, PA

GrandFunkRR7

Premium Member

Let 'em hack 'em......

Let 'em hack 'em......because it'll be funny as hell to watch them cry when they have no service and possible criminal action against them.

These folks are just plain greedy.They always want more than the next guy.

Go on,hack em.
raye
Premium Member
join:2000-08-14
Orange, CA

raye

Premium Member

This is an old argument.

You have an automobile which can go faster than the speed limit posted on the road. Can you go faster? Yes, but it is likely that you will get a ticket.

The analogy holds for your internet connection, with the ISP in place of the highway patrol. You can uncap your modem and speed as fast as you like. Should you get caught, be prepared for the consequnces, whatever they may be.

If you want Autobahn speeds, be prepared to pay for them. You will eventually, either up front with an agreement or when you get caught. Paying up front avoids a lot of heartache.
IGGY9
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium Member
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL

IGGY9

Premium Member

Thought this was a no no topic

The software has been out for a bit now. Didn't realize till just now that it had become such a big deal. I'll have to read the other replies and the article in detail to find out if it's become widely used. I hadn't read anything in regards to it's use becoming as popular as previous forms of uncapping software released from this same group. This new software doesn't seem to have a working version in relation to the SB5100. Am I to assume that Motorola made design changes in the product? So that this type of hack is no longer possible?

•••

exocet_cm
Writing
Premium Member
join:2003-03-23
Brooklyn, NY

exocet_cm

Premium Member

Hell...

...I'd be happy if the guy on the other end of this winmx mp3 download would increase his upload speed

uh

--
He that feeds a disease, feeds an enemy. Some diseases are starved. Starve your sins by fasting and humiliation. Either kill your sin, or your sin will kill you. - Thomas Watson Harmless as doves 131
rx7mike
join:2004-01-23
West Bend, WI

rx7mike

Member

5100 is not changed that much

The 5100 was mainly redesigned on the outside. The internal workings were changed very little. The new 5100 uses the DOCSIS 2.0 and has a new chip set in it. Depending on the date it was made it might have the head pin removed for ehternet boot or it might not. Either way you can make your 5100 into a 4100 or 4200 using similar methods of old. Uncapping is not a crime but is going to get you booted from your ISP. I speak from experience with charter. I got booted about 2 months ago hence why i have dsl now. Charter after 2 months offered me my service back. They have even now offered me the upload speeds I was using when I changed my modem. I didnt uncap my modem just changed my upload to 512k. I was running 2 modems not one. Yes I did pay for both modems through charter. They do have faster upload packages available but they are buisness type accounts and do cost a litttle more then your basic home packages. People who pay 20-40 dollars a month for HSI shouldnt complain. Just think 2-4 years ago you were paying that for dial up. So you get killer downloads and ok uploads for the price of dial up. People are greedy, you give them a little they want more. I was like this. Since then I have come to realize if I want a faster upload I'm going to have to pay for it. Fine I'm willing to pay for it, but you have to offer it to me first. Thats exactly what I told charter when they killed my service 2 months ago. If they would have made those packages available to me when I signed up I would have bought them. I dont mind paying for what I want. If a 2mb/768 line from charter is going to cost me 99.00 a month fine I'll pay it. As long as you offer it to me. According to charter they dont offer service like that to residential customers because 98% of them would not be willing to pay that much. Well what about us 2% that are? At least offer it to me. It never hurts to ask someone. I cant dig on charter because after all I did break the rules and I got caught. So all in all it was fun I learned a lot about my cable modems and charter is willing to wotk with you if yer not a dumb arse.

nizbit
Learn to Swim
Premium Member
join:2003-09-20
Grainy

nizbit

Premium Member

yes

sweet

FLECOM
Bay Networks Freak
Premium Member
join:2003-03-03
Miami, FL

FLECOM

Premium Member

hrmm... free high speed cable??? wtf?

ok so if
quote:
they can often "unregister" the modem to try and obtain free service
is true... couldent you just get an old cable modem, hack it... and then NOT uncapp it (so you dont get flagged as uncapped) and get free cable service?

i am not saying i would do this, as i dont even have cable... and wouldent even use it if it were free...

but this seems like neglect on the part of the cableco against their own network

kdshapiro
join:2000-03-29
Eatontown, NJ
ARRIS TM1602
Netgear R8000

kdshapiro

Member

Go to jail...go directly to jail...

Actually uncapping is a crime and can get the FBI at your doorstep. It's called theft of service and if you are caught the criminal penalities can very severe, on top of civil penalties. There was a well publicized case about this, I'm sure one could search google. There is no grey area here, very cut and dry. You get caught, can go to jail and have a record.

•••••

Iowan5
Premium Member
join:2002-11-27
Des Moines, IA

Iowan5

Premium Member

lol

LOL that guy Wirtz or something was actually working on some anti piracy projects...

He deserved this...
disNdat
join:2002-01-14
Fremont, CA

disNdat

Member

Re: 5100 is not changed that much

"People who pay 20-40 dollars a month for HSI shouldnt complain. Just think 2-4 years ago you were paying that for dial up."

rx7mike your post is the only truly worthwhile use of space in this thread. Sadly I doubt that anyone in peril of running into the same or worse situation that you did will take your advise and will end up learning the hard way that stealing is stealing no matter how you justify it.

On the whole I tend to agree that $20-$40 a month is a bargain for HSI and I have little sympathy for the cable subscribers that whine and complain about what they are owed by the cable company. (IMHO they do not have a clue what it means...) Personally 3-5 years ago I was paying $20-$30 a month for 768k/+5Mbps HSI and it was awesome...but there was a price even then. The technology was brand new and guess who was testing it? That's right I paid to beta test a product that was unreliable and somewhat sporadic at first, and I would do it again without having to think twice! Well except for one thing, I could not be bribed in any way so long as there was [insert cable co. here] running the show.

Now before anyone goes getting the idea I'm being hypocritical about knocking the cable company I can honestly say that I have not paid for or directly used any service (cable tv, ISP, phone, long distance service, etc)from any cable company in several years, and possibly never will again. One of the reasons was the systematic price increase of my cable services while at the same time having decreases in many aspects of them under the guise that I was being ensured an optimal experience. Bu11$h17

This last part is important so listen up all you sheep and aspiring malcontents. As a consumer you are entitled to get exactly what you pay for, nothing more, nothing less. However this is not always the way things work out and theres 2 groups in particular that make it easy for big businesses to shaft consumers without fear of reprisal.
SHEEP: you will go along with anything because its easier the standing up for what you are entitled to receive. You for some reason that is beyond me will go so far as to justify the actions of those that prod you down the path of their choosing.
clueless thieves: you are not smart enough to hack your way out of your bedroom in mommy and daddies house that your getting free internet from in the first place! You morons go and get caught and used as a scapegoat by the very entity that you hate so that they may further fleece the sheep of their hard earned cash. That's right you give their claims of "network abuse" legitimacy and are the sole substantiating pieces in the statistics used against you.

The very small number of users who both pay for their service and are smart enough to be able to cheat the system without being caught are almost nonexistent. The system is maturing into a much more secure technology that will only get tougher to bypass, and besides if your that smart your likely not paying for the service in the first place.

So wtf is my point? It's precisely the same as rx7mikes was. If you want something then pay for it if it is worth it. If it's not worth the price then don't be sheep and do it anyways, and don't be a moron and try to steal it! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND PURCHASE IT OR STFU AND STOP COMPLAINING!

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768k/1.5M ADSL from cyberonic rocks and theres no long term contract required!
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Microsoft 98
join:2003-01-22
Micmac, NS

Microsoft 98

Member

What if hacker uncap your modem

What if hacker uncap your modem for you then what?
I have motorola surfboard model SB5100. Am I at risk?
I am also behind DLINK 604 NOT right I'm propected ok with my modem?

••••

museheart
Premium Member
join:2002-08-11
Hazel Green, AL

museheart

Premium Member

I have no interest in uncapping

I stopped here because I just got a newer modem from my cable company today and it is a Surfboard.

The question is, with this software, and without me altering my modem, can it be hacked?
rx7mike
join:2004-01-23
West Bend, WI

rx7mike

Member

Re: I have no interest in uncapping

NO ONE wants to hack your modem. Hacking into your modem is both pointless and useless. I gain nothing from hacking your modem. I can do snmp queries remotely if im on the same node as you. I can get information from your modem. With spoofing my ip address i could probably reboot your modem remotely with a snmp command. There are a lot of things to need to be right to do any of that.
1. I have to use the same network as you.
2. I need your ip address.
3. I must have the same HFC gateway.
4. I must be on the same node.
5. I have to get your HFC gateway address 1st.
6. I would have to know what the snmp OID is.
7. I would need to know what your TFTP server address is.
So someone from another netowrk not on your node or the same gateway would not be able to do any of this anyway. Especially if snmp control is turned off on the modem. Which it is on the 5100. Ethernet boot has also been removed. Unless you make some physical changes (chips) ect.. Why do all that when I can be doing something else. Like grabbin a movie or 2 or making use of my time reading great articles like this at DSLR.

museheart
Premium Member
join:2002-08-11
Hazel Green, AL

museheart

Premium Member

Re: I have no interest in uncapping

Thanks. It is a Surfboard Model 4200.

I had to ask.
roverol
join:2004-03-18
Schenectady, NY

roverol

Member

How Modify MAC of SB5100

Hello i'm from spain and I would like to know if someone say me How modify MAC of cablemodem

Thank you

rOV

•••
becikka
join:2004-09-05
80-123

becikka

Member

motorola sb4200

How to unlock blocked 137-138 ports in cable modem motorola sb4200. My provider told me that is impossible, I don't trust him. Can I find any software or trick to resolve this problem, because I can't share my files in internet.
becikka@interia.pl
Bismarck84
join:2004-09-30

Bismarck84

Member

I dont want to uncup my modem!

I just want to share my internet in my lan and i do not want to buy a router. I just notice that the SB4200 has a dhcp server that does that but my ISP block it because if i'm not misstaken it must work when i plug it into my hub. so i want to know how can i do that so i can share my internet connection
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