Comcast Gunning for NAT Users

phillymjs writes: "A co-worker of mine resigned today. His new job at Comcast: Hunting down 'abusers' of the service. More specifically, anyone using NAT to connect more than one computer to their cable modem to get Internet access- whether or not you're running servers or violating any other Acceptable Use Policies. Comcast has an entire department dedicated to eradicating NAT users from their network. We knew this was coming since this Slashdot article from two months ago, but did anyone think they'd already be harassing people that are using nothing more than the bandwidth for which they are paying? It makes me very happy that my DSL kit arrived yesterday, and I'll be cancelling my Comcast cable modem early next week." Earthlink and Comcast have both been advertising lately their single-household, multi-computer services (and additional fees) -- probably amusing to many thousands of broadband-router owners, at least until the cable companies really crack down.

Comments

Re:Crack down?

[Anonymous Coward]

They can see if requests eminating from your network have different MAC addresses attached to the IP they provide to you. If they do, then that's a pretty clear sign of a NAT layer being there.

Modern-day alchemy

[Zen Mastuh]

With writ of pen, you are deemed a thief.

We should be getting used to this, considering the series of precedents we have accepted:

• You may intoxicate yourself with Ethylene, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, and pharmaceuticals prescribed to you by your doctor. If you choose any other means, you are an [FNORD] evil drug user and we will throw you in jail, take away your kids, and steal your home
• You may have a sexual or emotional relationship with one member of the opposite sex at a time, provided that person is over 18 years of age. If you choose any other combination you are a [FNORD] pervert and you will be jailed or you will lose retirement benefits, health benefits, etc...
• You may participate in certain religions groups. Otherwise you belong to an [FNORD] evil cult and we will firebomb your church and shoot you.

Why is it that I can sign for service from a provider, that provider can change the rules of the game by sending me a letter saying "these are our new rules...by continuing to use...you agree...", and then call me a thief when I continue to use the service in the manner which was acceptable to them when I first subscribed? A typical /bot will retort "if you don't like it, switch providers", but all the other providers are doing the same thing. It reeks of bait-and-switch coupled with universal collusion. As usual, we have no choice but to comply and allow greater control of our lives by faceless third parties.