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Security Focus on Cable Modem Uncapping

Posted by chrisd on from the a-new-way-to-go-to-court dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "Cable modem uncapping allows broadband customers to boost their bandwidth to 6 or 7 times what they're paying for, by spoofing their modem's TFTP client into downloading a hacked DOCSIS configuration file. Kevin Poulsen at SecurityFocus reports that a new underground program called OneStep makes the process easy and fun for the whole family. Broadband companies are cutting off the uncappers that they catch, but things could get out of control soon."

10 of 484 comments (clear)

  1. lovely by zAmb0ni · · Score: 5, Funny

    and they will be totally suprised when their cable company cuts them off at their knees:

    http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,3155491~r oo t=attbi~mode=flat

    --

    -zAmboni
    Team Ars Technica Lamb Chop

  2. Cable Modem Uncapping... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    is like uncapping a coke bottle. You get access to the beverage, but you also release some bubbles. If you don't understand the comparison, well neither do I.

  3. A new virus... by ImaLamer · · Score: 3, Funny
    Now virii will be spread by:
    REAL!!!_cable_modem_uncapper.exe
    and not:
    cable_modem_uncapper.exe
    --
    Get your Unix fortune now!
    1. Re:A new virus... by Lord+Bitman · · Score: 3, Funny

      Why bother with a virus? I think it would be funnier to see a real cable modem uncapper be spread. Thousands of users download and install them innocently, alongside their crappy BOOST software and everything that opens multiple connections. The combination will push their bandwidth to its limit, and then.. heh, well it would be better than a virus. Virii can be gotten rid of by loading a backup. AT&T is much more bitchy than that.

      --
      -- 'The' Lord and Master Bitman On High, Master Of All
  4. Cool hack guys by ez76 · · Score: 3, Funny

    It just goes to show what's possible when a generation of clever minds is continually frustrated by their inability to develop a digital descrambler for the Playboy channel.

  5. Like it matters... by zAmb0ni · · Score: 5, Funny

    Give me something that I can actually use like...

    A program that will cap my CS ping at 10ms.
    A program that gets rid of my horrible packet loss.
    A program that gives me reliable service without downtime every other day.
    A program that will uncap my 1GB/mo limit on usenet download
    A program that gives me customer service who knows what they are talking about.
    A program that gets rid of my horrible Comcast service and gets my old (more reliable, lower priced, higher bandwidth, more featured) Mediaone service.

    --

    -zAmboni
    Team Ars Technica Lamb Chop

  6. Re:Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well I haven't tried cable modem uncapping, so I wouldn't know.

  7. What we really need by ZoneGray · · Score: 5, Funny

    See, they're going about this all wrong. What they really should do is develop a way to uncap your neighbors' cable modems. Then, they'll get tossed off the network and you can have it all to yourself.

  8. But I paid for unlimited access by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just because they didn't realize I was going to steal from them shouldn't allow them to stop letting me steal from them.

    When I signed up for service, I knew this hack was available. That means when I signed up for service, I had every reason to believe that I would get unlimited bandwidth forever.

    When will these companies get it. They are going to piss so many thieves off that sooner or later they are only going to have paying customers that follow the rules, or aren't heavy enough users to worry about. And then what will they do, besides make money. I mean what good is a network that isn't crawling on its knees from all the MP3 and warez sites. Some people just don't get it.

    Someone buy these guys a ticket, so they can hop on the clue train.

  9. Re:Property vs Service by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    I have a Citroen, you may have a Ford, or a Vauxhall, or whatever you like. They're all *capable* of going faster than 70mph
    When you say that your Citroen is *capable* of going 70mph... are you talking about free-fall or jet-assist?