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Comcast Plans Cable Boxes with Integrated Wi-Fi and Snooping
Kaa writes "Short version: Comcast's cable modem/802.11g base station that is made by Linksys has capabilities to 'phone home' to Comcast and tell them how many devices are connected to your WiFi base station, how much bandwidth they are using, etc. It also has the capability to 'disable LAN segments' which, I assume, means they can kick your devices off your home network if they choose to do so. Something tells me this particular device won't make it into my house..."
Simple Solution:
Put a smoothwall box or another router between your home network and the new cable modem (as I'm sure many of us already do). Although the wireless access would be nice to use, 802.11b/g access points are pretty cheap these days.
Sure, the /. user won't want this in their house...
But the user who is too dumb to configure WiFi without Comcast's help needs this. This technology could let Comcast's techs lock down any access point who's not running WEP, and see to it that all the devices the customer has are taking their DHCP assignments properly. Of course, anybody reading this will know how to do these administrative tasks on their own, but those who are clueless can have trust Comcast configure their router and firewall to optimal settings.
If this cuts down the number of worm-vunerable computers on the Internet by letting those who don't know what they're doing hand the controls over to Comcast, I won't complain.
Simple, just put another firewall between that snoop box and your LAN.
Trolling is a art,
Why aren't bandwidth quotas sufficient?
dude, it is a home network!!!
WTF.
it better have the ability to disable the wifi in it so that I can hook up my own access point behind a router.
I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
The "disable LAN segments" thing sounds like it could be a security risk. DOS, anyone?
And the l33t shall inherit the 34r7h.
All this idea does is allow Comcast to suck even more money out of its customers without having to change the amount of money they spend per account.
Please do not let scientific accuracy interfere with the intended humourous/interesting/insightful value of this comment
* Enable viewing of LAN IP Device information obtained via the CableHome DHCP Portal (CDP)
* Enable viewing of the results of LAN IP Device performance monitoring done by the CableHome Test Portal (CTP)
* Provide the capability to disable LAN segments
I hope that at some point, we, as users, can vote with our wallets and stop this nonsense. The more we give into this kind of seller-bullying, the more we can expect.
Happy Trails!
Erick
http://www.busyweather.com/
There's no way that Comcast can require users of their cable Internet services to use cable modems provided by them. The FCC simply doesn't allow that...
So long you buy your own DOCSIS-compatible modem, you can attach whatever hardware to your network you want.
Maybe they'll add a feature in so this doesn't keep happening all the time.
That's just evil. Count me out.
Can I bum a sig?
Unless I am a complete idiot.
But that type of feature could be usefull such as blocking a worm ridded PC from the Internet until it is cleaned and remote assisance and configuration with permision...if your ISP want to spy on you they can if they REALLY want to.this type of stuff has its uses.
I wonder if it can see behind a firewall/router. I doubt that it can, unless everything is wide open...like most companies would like to have it.
-Pizentios
Between this and them firing all of TechTV's staff, I see NO REASON why any geek worth his salt should use ANY SERVICE offered by this company.
Keep Austin Weird!
router @ compusa
cheapest i've seen considering there's no rebates involved...
2.4GHz 11Mbps Wireless Router with 4 Port Switch, 802.11b
Manufacturer: FMI
Mfg Part #: WE711APR
Product Number: 295106
Original Price: $89.99 (79% Off)
Regular Price: $69.88
Internet Special: $18.99
E V E R Y T H I N G I W R I T E I S F A L S E
(what can I say? It is karma-burn friday. May be overrated, but it sure isn't offtopic for once!)
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
This has the capability to 'disable LAN segments'.
Something tells me there's going to be a new worm out once someone finds a hole in this router.
Seems like Comcast is shaping up to be the next Evil Empire. Too bad, I am reasonably happy with their service.
The perfect sig is a lot like silence, only louder
Don't only blame Comcast. If LinkSys is doing this in one device, what about others?
Their goal is to sell these expensive "home office" packages.
The way it works now is that they make it difficult to get a device online, you have to use their software to register the service.
I forget the details but I had to do some trickery for each machine on my network to get the cable modem to route traffic to them via my router. Occasionally devices 'unregister' and I have to run the comcast software again and pretend like I am a one system home.
I'm ditching comcast, my local ISP has fixed wireless now and I'm gonna go with the little guy and I've already picked up DirectTV AND I'll save $30 a month. Seeya comcast.
While this could have beneficial effects, (i.e. Comcast offering better tech support...though from past experience I HIGHLY doubt this.. "Yes we need you to unplug your computer 10 times, do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around."), I can also see the major disadvantages (monitoring my computer, having access to my computer, etc.) While I could prevent this with a firewall (and frankly I hate installing a firewall when I have my nice router firewall) most people just do not know what the deal is with computers and protections. Eh, while I use comcast (not really a better choice in my area) I can't say that I like them.
I mod down so you can mod up. Your welcome.
Call 1-800-Comcast and tell them that you won't be buying this garbage and are less happy with Comcast for even thinking of using this kind of big-brotherish technology on their own paying customers. If a lot of people call in to complain, they may think twice about rolling this out. For awhile, at least.
When I signed up for COMCAST broadband I was told I could have up to 5 computers connected (using a server assigned DHCP address on each machine)
Well, last week I got a letter from COMCAST telling me that they have determined I have more than on machine connected to my cable modem and that if I don't respond by June-something they will terminate any other IP addresses beyond one. Although, for and extra $9.99 a month, I can have up to 4 extra (5 total) IP address.
I think those sons-of-bitches are pulling a scam and have bait-and-switched me. I was very up-front with the rep when I signed up and told him I needed to have 5 computers connected and would that be a problem... "No, of course not," I was told, "You can connect up to 5 computers, we just don't support and LAN/ethernet-hub problems you might have."
FUCKING LIARS
Slashdot Eds Link Anonymous Posts With Logged Posts
They Are Vermin Feeding On Each Other's Feces.
I Hate \.
I bet Comcast is thinking of the user that sets it up w/o changing default settings, and then calls Comcast to ask why email is loading so slowly. Comcast then sees that half the building is using his WiFi for free.
These are some of the things molecules do...... given 4 billion years -Carl Sagan
I'd not use this sort of thing... I own my own cable modem (Surfboard 5100), and sitting behind that is a Cisco Pix 501 firewall.
;)
One thing I can say for Adelphia, is that I've seen no evidence of them using "secret" caps, etc, disconnecting users, etc, except for serious abuse (uncapping, running servers that degrade the network, etc).
That, and they give us 3000/256 for $40 a month
Corporatism != Free Market
I'm done with consumer/residential broadband. Blocked ports, slow connections, poor customer service, arbitrary limitations on use... It's just not worth it anymore. I've dealt with dead lines and clueless techs for too long.
Instead, I'm springing for commercial/business class service. The support is better, the speeds are higher, and the service is usually excellent (since businesses won't put up with the same garbage residential users will).
Consider this: a cable modem usually costs about $40-$50 a month for residential service including a single IP address and bandwidth caps. I can get 1536k x 256k commercial DSL for about $80 a month that includes web hosting, DNS, and 5 IP addresses. The extra $40 is not much, and you can offset that by selling access to your neighbor if you're so inclined (perfectly ok with most providers).
The above costs about as much as most people pay for a cable modem and cable TV, and quite frankly, I've found that lots of bandwidth is far more entertaining than lots of TV stations.
I'd list some companies that offer comparable service plans, but I don't want to look like an astroturfer. Hit Google and you'll find lots of nice options (as long as you live somewhere civilized ^_~)
GeekNights!
Late Night Radio for Geeks!
If you are a user like an old grandma this prevents the neighbor kids from hacking into her network and using her connection to invoke the wrath of the RIAA against nanna. Now if you are a power user you go out and buy your own danged cable modem, it is as easy as that!
Tsukasa: All I really want, is to be left alone...
This must explain the Comcast version of the "Big Brother" show. I was wondering why it always showed my own living room.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
On Yahoo there is a Press Release:
/PRNewswire/ -- Linksys®, a division of Cisco Systems Inc., today announced the deployment... "
here
"Press Release Source: Linksys
Comcast and Linksys Make Sharing a High-Speed
Internet Connection Easier
Monday May 3, 12:37 pm ET
New Comcast Home Networking Package Includes Linksys Cable Gateway For Connecting the Entire Household to the Internet
IRVINE, Calif., May 3
Now think of all the things you may not fully understand: insurance, pharmaceuticals, medical practice, cars, mortgages, banking, world trade, unions, etc.
I actually find a Zen-like peace in accepting that those who control the MONEY, are truly those who control.
Henry Ford once said: "It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
Well enough, indeed. Oooommmm...
sig
From the press release...
Users who sign up for the service can receive a Linksys wireless gateway, along with network adapters for connecting up to five computers, professional installation, multiple levels of security, and increased downstream speed of up to 4Mbps.
Comcast's current peak downstream bandwidth for most customers is 3 Mbps. So, so far Comcast is actually offering to tweak upwards the bandwidth of people who pay for this service.
Of course, I've rarely found a website (other than my own) that actually feeds me data at a speed that's anywhere near 3 Mbps, so that extra space within 3 to 4 Mbps is rarely going to be used. Still, if you are somebody who frequenly maxes out the downstream on a Comcast modem, this might be of interest to you.
People don't want to learn, read, or do. I get emails asking 'Why does this happen?' when the answer is *one click* away, marked by a big button named, of all things, "HELP". Let's see. You went to the trouble of clicking on my email address, filling in a subject (sometimes), and asking a question that is answered already?
sigh. That said, for the 'I need handholding while you wipe my ass for me' crowd will certainly form no opinion about this, as they won't take the time to learn about it, read a manual, or configure it beyond the defaults, which are apparently set by Comcast, who only has everyone's best interests in mind.
This product will be a smashing sucksess.
US Robitics cable modems burst into flame upon connection.
Local FBI agents walking down the street now greet you by first name.
"they can kick your devices off your home network" means that your toaster, radio, blanket, and vacuum have left home never to return.
Reality TV shows feature different rooms in your house.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
This has got to stop.
I'm sure someone here will post about one of the lucky few localities with cable competition. The prices are lower, the house calls are faster, etc. And I seriously doubt they would get away with spying on their customers' home networks.
Make the access wireless ONLY. No RJ45 jack on the box at ALL. Cable goes into the unit - put in by the installer, and you are DONE.
Make users use a certificate to associate to the wireless SSID. The installer issues them a machine certificate, perhaps through some sort of software they install. Now, you have the user by the balls. We've already read about DRM in hardware, and how some music won't play without the hardware. How about Linux users not being welcome on cable providers networks AT ALL? Even if you have windows, THEY will control what services you can run, what ports can be opened, and log and audit what ports you request to be open.
Tin foil hat? Maybe. But it's such an easy jump to get there, I can't see why they WOULDN'T do it. What are you going to do? Comcast is slowly pushing Time-Warner out across North America. DSL companies are being reduced as well, Covad looks like the winner there. Once they go to 802.11 end user access, that's it. Check and mate.
This is only the first step. Once it is complete, they can easily integrate the modem and Rot13 "encryption" so the DMCA can prevent you illegals from stealing the signal by "breaking" their security.
At that point they control the entire access node. Want to get streaming audio? Sure, just $1.99/month and we will open that port for you...Gaming ports? Sure, $2.99 and they are yours...
Your choice will be that or DSL. The question them becomes when will DSL make the same "offer?"
Most families will think the are getting a bargain. Then when you neighbor decides to do "Video on demand" for LOTRs, suddenly only one computer in you home can get through.
I may not like it, but it is going to be an easy sell to 99% of Americans.
If there is one thing to be learned from Comcast, it's that they have an IMMENSE subscriber base. Outrage is commonplace. But it's also important to not let it consume you. It seems like over at Comcast, there are like "too many chefs in the kitchen" sometimes. Every now and then, one of these chefs will do something that is extremely unpopular. It takes a little while, and then things fall back into place the way they should.
In any case, Comcast does eventually get the message, but you may have to speak somewhat louder or go down to the office yourself, or write the "right person" a letter, describing your problem.
So while you, as an individual, may have to, at some point, stand up and assert your rights in the face of an immense company such as Comcast, the important thing is to do it with conviction, to not panic, and to maintain a level-headed approach to the whole situation.
There is nothing worse than being constantly dragged into these massive online bitching sessions that explore every possible worst-case scenario from every possible angle.
The most important thing to do with Comcast is to remain calm, and chill out, while trying to stay informed. This, unfortunately, is a serious challenge, because the information that you need to know is usually buried in a veritable hastack of hatred and negative emotions. It's unfortunate, really.
Eventually, when there are options, other options, for those folks who don't live within the necessary distance from the CO, or, when Comcast learns that many very technically knowledgable users don't have a choice when it comes to broadband access (whichever comes first), then these problems are going to go away, for good. The sooner the better.
I think Comcast has come a long way towards making things more friendly for alternative OS's and do-it-yourself home networking, and I have a feeling that these two things will be around to stay. That's just my feeling.
But I've noticed that all the shady cable modem stuff I've seen has been through ComCast. I recently signed up with RoadRunner and haven't have any problems other than them forcing me to use their Cable Modem instead of my own. But they don't charge extra or give a discount for customer owned modem like my old company did, so I'm not upset too much.
Around here, they offer a "hook up your whole LAN and get a firewall too!" deal for an extra $5-10 a month, where they simply rent you a Linksys Cable/DSL Router box. I hooked up my own box instead. Still, they don't seem to mind multiple hookups using a router, is what I'm saying. They might mind me not paying them for a device which I already have, but hey, they sell the things in stores, you know?
- Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set him on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Hmm, wonder if ole Billy Bob Gates is piggybacking the network sniffing; trolling for pirate copies of winblowz?
This seems to me to be a natural progression toward at least one aspect the generic wireless network ideoligy that the basic home user has.
... Surf internet wireless .. WOHOO!
At this point, the steps for getting a wireless network for the average joe is as follows:
1) Purchase cable/dsl
2) Purchase wireless device / laptop / wifi nic
3) Purchase router
4) Read directions, tho skimming only to find info on plug here, turn on here.. yakka-de-schmakity
5)
I know this becuase I've seen it happen to people I know.. And no matter how many times I tell them to secure their access point. They dont do it- and I'm forced to go over to their driveay (heh) and log in and fix it for them.
Poeple like "turn-key" solutions.. And if the turn-key solution is wide-open and insecure (i could go off on a whole different tanget about MS but...) they wont secure it.
This instance it is bitter-sweet. You get the numbskulls to secure their networks by allowing the cable company to do if for them, on the other hand you get the big brother effect by allowing the cable company to snoop on your activities and slap you on the wrist if they want to.
Not surprised at all. call me crazy.
....move along....nothing to see here....
Try to use 3 Mbit/sec for an extended length of time, and see what happens. Chances are, you'll get a nast-gram in the mail saying "You're using too much bandwidth!, 3Mbit/sec is the name of our service, not a description!".
www.facebook.com/DareDefendOurRights
www.fairtax.org
What does it have to do with the recent news regarding Comcast warning user for sharing copyright violated files?
Maybe for most users. I would (and have before) had a server with a USB 802.11b adapter and have the server share it.
Comcast on the whole is not that bad. They actually had a knowledgable tech out here to help get shit set up. The problem exists at the corporate level where policy is made. They have stuff set up upstream to make it so that only Windows and Mac machines can use their service. The tech here got them to disable that for me.
I currently have the Wireless Gateway that they are discussing and while I don't know about the stuff they claim it can do, I do know a little about it's use.
192.168.0.0/24 == NAT range used.
192.168.0.1 == Router admin interface
192.168.100.1 == Router tech summary interface
Both those interfaces == HTTP. Both interfaces use the same password by default.
User: comcast
Pass: 1234
That's the default. They also recommend at install time that you don't change that.
I think that's fishy as hell so that was the first thing I changed. Luckily the tech here on site was competant enough to ask me what WEP key I wanted to use and let me pick whatever phrase I wanted. That showed intelligence.
On the whole, I have no complaints with them. If they fuck with my service, maybe I'll have problems. But Charter (local competition) isn't much better.
hrrm.
C'mon. Read the terms of the contract, then choose if you want to sign it or not.
I like broadband, and in general I like the terms of cable modems more than I like the terms for DSL, but cable has built a billing model where they charge PER DEVICE connected. If you don't like it, then don't buy from them.
If people abuse the system to get something for nothing (specifically, placing more devices on the network than are paid for) then the MSO is going to design something like this to fight them. Disecting NAT falls into the same camp, BTW.
I happen to think their billing model is absurd, but it's their network and they can decide how to sell it.
--
Even worse. It will allow them to snoop on your devices if you NEIGHBOR gets this device. Consider this scenario A well behaved device would never do this, but, if Comcast decides to shut down Vonage, your neighbor could "notice" that you are using Vonage and generate disruptive traffic. Provided they meerly disrupted you, rather than tapped your line, it's even within the class of FCC license granted to your receiver. You know that "must accept any interference" clause?
Remember this? Looks like it's starting to happen now, and it looks like they're gonna sneak it in under the radar as a value-add.
First they'll make these devices available to their users, and then they'll ban non Comcast-branded routers/NAT devices from being used on Comcast connections.
Then, they're in control and you're pwned.
This may not be such a bad thing for the stupid user who does not secure their network and is sending a gazillion emails per minute via their back-doored machine.
Comcast and other cable companies have already tried the "pay per computer, not necessarily per modem" billing concept and have failed miserably. What they are realizing now (or should be realizing!) is that they need more granular control over the machines on their networks. So if that means granting them the capability to disable offending machines, then so be it.
Regardless, there are dozens of ways to circumvent this altogether if they get out of hand with it. If they manage to keep Joe P Dumbass from spreading virii and spam, have it it.
There are so many idiots who have internet trouble that is caused by their misconfigured router. And the lusers will deny they have a router or refuse to believe that their router is the problem... Hmmm, when you connect your pc directly to the cablemodem, everything works. Therefore, it's your router.
This managed router will make troubleshooting so much easier for the helldesk.
Any customer with a clue will get their own router, and probably won't have trouble configuring it.
Soon, VoIP capability is going to be added to the modem also.
http://www.isolvesystems.com - Technology Marketplace
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Humm, if comcast throws these at their users, maybe they'll still be updatable on the firmware side. I wouldn't mind getting one, then bastardizing it with my own firmware.
I do security
BALLSACK!
This is just too much along the idea of "Big Brother watching you to be comfortable for me. Granted I wouldn't do anything wrong, but it is still a little too much watching.
1)I have comcast cable modem service.
;) to make this work for them.
2) I have my own modem.
3)I save $4 a month.
4)Profit!!
The idea is for comcast to load something extra onto the box; like wifi (which I may or may not already have, I'm not saying
Look at current cable service. Do you need a cable box? NO: plenty of cable ready TVs. However if I want the special channels, or the DVR, I need their box.
Currently as long as they have my MAC address I don't need any of their equipment in my house.
In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
No. Love, EaterOfDog
Crushing my karma one post at a time.
I love how you can characterize anyone who isn't intimately familiar with wireless networking hardware and protocols "dumb" and get modded up for it on Slashdot. I have friends who are doctors, lawyers and some who hold doctorates in engineering fields, yet they give up on setting up wireless networks after about maybe 10 minutes of trying and being frustrated. Do you know why they don't persist? Because the world is full of high school dropout IT monkeys like yourself to do this, so that the truly smart and educated can concentrate on important problems in society and science.
Welcome our new Cable-TV Overlords.
Sorry, I couldn't resist, I haven't posted one of these before, but it just fit sooo well.
The new CableModems specific purpose is so that Comcast can sell add-on units that they also control. Think Cable DVR equipment that can also be accessed by your computer (through these protocols). With all far-reaching technologies, including this one, there is a lot of potential for abuse. However, if abuse occurs, a lot of folks will be signing up for DSL or Satellite service (where DSL is not also available).
Bottom line... this will allow comcast to sell Network Appliances. They make money, $$. If Time Warner were doing this first, I'd be much more prone to believe the "RIAA conspirists". If AT&T (no longer part of ComCast) were still involved, I might be more worried about Vonage devices.
At the same time, this will enable Comcast to sell their own VoIP (like vonnage) devices for their own telephone service. Basically, home cable-extension appliances are not new, but they are just starting to get popular. This technology will enable that sector to grow.
As commonly said here... follow the money. I see money in additional in-home networking appliances, like Cable-Radio (delphi style) - - if you don't pay for it, they can cut off that "segment".
Kinetic stupidity has a new brand leader: Allen Zadr.
I think the biggest problem is the fact that most people won't even know they are being "watched." ISP's have a habit of leaving these details in the extremely fine print. I don't expect them to have it in bold letters on the box, but...
I know back when I had dial-up I had to try several different ISP's because they all claimed to have an "unlimited hours" plan which in most cases was an all out lie. They would say something like the industry standard for "unlimited" is 250 hours (but I leave my connection on all the time).
Anyway, it seems when companies pull stuff like this they think no one is going to care (maybe they don't) or even notice, I doubt Google thought people would make such a big fuss about Gmail.
*shrug*
Yes, because you're 1337. And so am I. And it's not coming anywhere near me (well, unless some dupe lets it stay open and I happen to be nearby wardriving.)
So we (/.) really don't have anything to worry about. Unless they make it mandatory.
I'm in the hole of the broadband donut.
Yeah, it goes well with the "must not generate destructive interference" clause right before. And what does that "must accept interference" clause mean? I can't shield stuff?
It won't happen. That's just wrong. Everyone hates Comcast; that's what's going on.
Please remember that there are people who use Comcast on a daily basis and by targeting Comcast with these nonsensical imaginary worst-case scenarios that everyone does, the end-users of Comcast are being taregeted as well.
So while you may not like Comcast, you should respect that many people who use Comcast don't have a choice in the matter ATM.
Linux is OK. Home networking is OK. If you go to Comcast's home page, and if you go to their online forums, you will see that these things are widely talked about and widely discussed. Comcast encourages and enables it.
Remember, when you "bash" Comcast, you are also affecting the users of Comcast, many of which don't have a choice.
I just try to encourage everyone to chill out and not over-react, like everyone does, when it comes to Comcast. Everyone hates Comcast, but most of the people that use it don't have a choice! That's what really kind of makes it a bad situation.
On the one hand, "bashers" expect Comcast to "get a clue" about respecting other people's privacy, but while "bashing", these folks don't respect that people who use Comcast DON'T, often times, have a choice. So it's like getting reamed twice: Once by Comcast, who insist on providing everyone the "broadband for dummies", and don't "officially" recognize that there are non-dummies out there who can't get DSL, and twice by the "bashers", who try to imagine the worst horror stories imaginable in order to prove how awful Comcast is. What they don't realize is that many folks just DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.
Like it or not, what most users want is broadband. With Comcast, that's what you get. It's fast, it's reliable, and it kicks. Home networking, no problem. Linux, BSD, no problem. Gigs upon gigs upon gigs of download, no problem.
Now, OK, they don't allow servers, but most ISPs don't allow servers.
Comcast is OK. I think what's going on is that it's just such a huge company that one hand doesn't realize what the other is doing sometimes, so they come up with stupid policies like "no VPN" or trying to set bandwidth limits that don't exist, stuff like that. But in both of those cases, they backed down. So it's a bumpy road, but overall, the worst thing is having to try to get the facts when everyone is trying to scare the living daylights out of you with doomsday scenarious. Honestly, it's other people's posts that have to be the worst thing about being a Comcast customer not by choice. Seems like it, anyway.
To quote strictnein from earlier today:
It's so fucking stupid that I want to rip my nuts off, cook them, and then eat them.
Comcast fires TechTV, spies on our networks, and the RIAA ruins iTunes. Anyone have some spare deadly ninjas? I have a use for them...
Use a different cable modem. They can't make you use theirs.
Disclaimer: I am a Comcast employee. I am not trying to defend this product/standard/company, but will clarify a few things.
The cablehome pro standard shown in the article show what it can do, but not what Comcast is actually doing. What is currently implemented does not intrude in the ways suggested. Comcast employees can view basic information like current DHCP leases, # of WLAN clients and router config (parental settings, etc) The cablehome standard implementation is currently very limited, only in certain areas at this time.
I also want to say that I disagree with many Comcast policies, but we don't care what is connected to the gateway unit. The gateway is set in the firmware to only give 5 DHCP leases. If one wants more devices they need to set it staticly, but non-Comcast installed devices are not supported anyway.
Also keep in mind who this product is marketed to - the average family lacking the technical ability to configure their own wireless network.
"They can't make you use any specific modem, but they CAN mandate that your modem must have certain "features" and "standards" under the guise of helping you out."
Obvious answer # 642: Decline the help.
"Then, they can push that this tech gets standardized and start requiring it for new connections."
Obvious answer # 638: Decline their service, and let them know why.
"Never underestimate the power of a monopoly to get it's way when it comes to raping consumers."
Obvious fact # 243: Never underestimate the power of NO!
Do you think that Comcast is trying to control WiFi sharing? Some people are not as tech-savvy, but wish to share their connections with the world. Now I could be totally off-base here, but if you happen to share your cablemodem connection with your neighbor, then they can "disable" that LAN segment...
-- Friends don't let friends buy Nokia.
...I have no issue with it. As often as my computer gets hit by all the worms on the net looking for something else to infect, but being completely immune (OSX), I would be happy if Comcast finds a way to cut off the infected limbs on the net. It won't affect any geeks, as we all know how easily the tech can be circumvented. But since the average luser has 230 spyware apps and worms on his machine, maybe my apache error logs won't have so many entries.
These people are your ISP. Don't all your packets have to go through their routers to get anywhere?
Can't they monitor all your traffic there just as well as they can at the cable modem?
Couldn't they disable any system on your network by MAC filtering?
Because Comcast is saying they'll monitor/control your use of the WAP, does that mean they'll take responsibility if someone parks outside my house, cracks my WEP, and starts up a file-sharing service that gets the RIAA more pissed than hornets?
;)
At least, that's the cover story I'd give when they came knocking on my door.
Diplomacy is the art of saying, "Nice doggie!" until you can find a rock.
You know, because people might do this really anti-capitalistic, unAmerican thing called "sharing."
But I'm guessing they'll say it's so that they can cut off people piggybacking on your wifi signal.
Are they going to mandate this? Seems like to be effective they would have to only allow service if they see their box is hooked up.. ( sort of like how my old DSL service was. i had to use THEIR modem, or i was out of luck... )
Also, what stops you from just runing a NAT behind their box? It wont know you have 5 machines hooked up on the otherside..
---- Booth was a patriot ----
I'm anxious to hear how this would work.
Kinetic stupidity has a new brand leader: Allen Zadr.
Damn, was a ll set to moderate, but just had to comment.
This is even more of a reason to support community owned infrastructures such as UTOPIA in Utah, and the iProvo network in Provo. Utah can and is wrong on so many social issues, but this one they actually got right. So much so that Comcast and Qwest are lobbying HEAVLY to prevent such a network from going into place. They (Comcast and Qwest) have succeeded in scaring away Salt Lake City from the initative, an I suspect many more. >br>
I may dispise with a fiery passion the local Univiersity that makes Provo its home, but iProvo has already been given approval and should be city wide in 2 years. A very BIG incentive for me to stay here in Utah and live in Provo.
If you are talking service from Speakeasy or other ADSL providers that password protect your modem, they do have the ability to actually telnet into your modem and alter it's configeration, as well use it's diagnostic abilities and probe your network. I don't know if they are honestly in the habbit of doing so, I couldn't get an earthlink person to telnet to my modem dispite the fact they said it was their responciblity to do so.
/. and i'm sure most of us here are able to change the password, but never the less, this ability seems to be most common place.
I know, this is
There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
Wouldn't this be easy to defeat? I mean, put a box between the modem and the rest of the network, NAT the network through that box then route the traffic to the modem.
Anthony Papillion
Advanced Data Concepts, Inc.
"Quality Custom Software and IT Services"
. . . we watch cable. In America, cable watches you.
Yeah - I did the same.
:P
Speakeasy even allows you to sell wi-fi net access to your neighbors and gives you a 50% discount to run it and provide the support. I wonder what they'd do if I paid my neighbor $20 monthly to do this, tho - thus decreasing my net cost from $90 to $65 and giving him access for free
This is the final straw, Comcast has dared too much. They are evil and must be stopped! Boycott them for this atrocity.
The next step would be them installing Spyware/Adware on your system to track what web sites you visit and create more pop-ups.
I have a DSL router shared between several systems. My ISP is paid for my bandwidth, if I happen to choose to share that bandwidth between my several systems, they do not have a right to restrict my access as I was promised "Unlimited Access" via DSL by their marketing department.
Remember, Slashdot does not have a -1 disagree moderation, and no, troll, flamebait, and overrated are not substitutes.
I can say with authority that these devices suck. They have custom firmware with the vast majority of the normal Linksys functionality stripped out. The end user isn't even supposed to be able to access the web interface. (The login is comcast/1234 if anybody needs it...) About the only good thing is that they come with WEP enabled with no key by default, so if the install technician (who usually knows only slightly more than the end user) forgets to go in and set a WEP key, no wireless clients can connect. I'm not even sure it's possible to disable WEP on them... I know it's not through the normal technician 'install' interface, but there is an avanced WEP screen I haven't played with too much.
Comcast wants to charge something to the effect of $20 for the network + $10 per additional computer monthly, depending on your region. They want the install technicians to call in the MAC of each connected device, which are stored in the space in Comcast's system where additional outlet information usually goes. I am not sure whether this actually does anything. One of Comcast's lead technicians explained to me that the first time they went out (3 of them) to try to get one of these devices installed, they spent 6 hours working on it, only to discover that the problem was they hadn't called in the MAC addresses. Contrast that with my own experience, having installed 4 of these (showing the contractor's techs how to do it), all of which have worked just fine wireless without calling in the MACs. I don't know if that's a permanent solution though, in each case the customer took my recommendation that they get a normal cable modem and buy their own router to save money, so we removed all 4 of the ones I installed within a day or two. (Obviously I won't be telling you exactly who I am, someone at Comcast might be reading this...)
Anyways, if they've got some grand scheme to restrict access to approved and payed-for devices, it looks to me like it's not working yet...
But that's the only reason anyone comes to Slashdot in the first place, man!
Slashdot: News for the paranoid. Stuff to freak you out.
"My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right." --Senator Carl Schurz (1872)
First they figured out what websites you visited, then they memorized your credit card information, now they are itemizing the amount of bandwidth you are using. So what's next on the list.... Telling you what you can visit and when you can use it! Where's George Orwell!!! "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
This looks like it is no different than the 2Wire service provided by BellSouth. We I worked there we had pretty much the same capabilities (thought Im not really sure we ever TOLD them this lol) so I'd say its probably more to compete with BellSouth now that they are FINALLY offering decent (3mb) speeds in my and other areas.
Its basically for stupid people who want wireless and dunno how to set it up. I'd bet the subscription fee isnt charging you for the service either. Like, once again, when I worked at BellSouth you could have your own modem. You could have our modem. You could do whatever you want. But if you want support for whatever you have, it had better be ours and you had better be paying for whatever you want support on. So as I said... more for stupid people than anything.
Matt
You have 1 Moderator Point! Use it or lose it! Is that a threat? -vapid
They sell a box that lets you connect multiple devices to the internet. What devices/traffic can they possibly disable without causing massive uproar?
The Linux market is too large for them to disable all Linux boxes. There's a decent chance the FCC would have problems if they stopped allowing VoIP devices... and even if the FCC didn't, consumers and the media would definitely take them to task. Even disabling PCs with a worms/virii/trojans could be a major PR catastrophe. There's no way Comcast can tell Average Joe "we've disabled your XXX because we don't allow them on our network" without making Average Joe angry.
The snooping aspect of the device could be a bad sign, but I doubt the disabling aspect is anything to worry about.
I support the Center for Consumer Freedom
Wi-Fi and Snooping
Is it considered a "Freudian slip" that I first read that as "Wife Swapping"?
I'll never be a comcast customer now. I will not tollerate an ISP who decides what wireless device connects to my WAP.
BOYCOT COMCAST!!!
"I bow to no man" - Riddick
++Insightful... he has a very good point.
Informative? Maybe there's a secret message only people with mod points can see?
Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
The CABLE company starts providing commerical DSL (what he is talking about getting), then he will not be giving them any more money.
Direcway has recently switched over to their DW6000 adapter that has these same snooping features. I think that in the future they want to be able to charge you on a "per device" basis. I stuck a hardware firewall between the sat modem and my network. Only one outside observable IP that way. Seems to be working, so far...
All the blind "OMFG THEY'RE KILLING TECHTV!!!111" nonsense has been the inspiration of my new sig.
However, Comcast can't require you use their cable modem to connect to their system. That's simply against FCC rules. The FCC usually hates it when the service provider starts mandating that only their hardware.
A few tens of thousands to the RNC should be good for a wink or two to Mike Powell. Just wait . . .
NTSHMA
I definitely won't have one of these in my house either. In other words "Over my Dead Body"
(www.mazeme.com blog your way to expression)
Can I just wrap their cable modem in aluminum foil & ground it to prevent their detecting wireless networks???
The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.
I hope my neighbor is the first one to get this.
Then I can hack his wireless network and quit paying for my connection.
Just think, we won't have to look for just the insecure wireless small business networks. We have thousands of unsuspecting home comcast users.
We don't need to write no stinking worm-trojan to control their computers, We've got Orinoco gold cards.
Short answer... of course not.
Comcast sent out a tech to install this stuff, but they never gave any indication to my dad that he was now hosting free internet access to the neighbors, et al. Warchalking, here we come!
but seriously... you'd think that Comcast would ensure that their techs left a secure configuration, with SSID/WEP or some other form of security enabled on a customer-specific basis, instead of just leaving the default "linksys" configuration (not to mention admin:admin password on the box itself).
Fixed that little issue quickly. If for no other reason that to avoid a panic phone call 3 months from now when my Dad finally reads an article about how folks can steal internet access through an unsecured WiFi gateway, and calls me in a panic that someone could be breaking into the home computer and stealing his high scores on solitaire and copies of the letter to Aunt Edna.
Sigh... the things we do for our parents. Grin.
The last time I wrote code, it was Morse
My initial setup was a pain in the ass and I did indeed have to go through and reconfigure my devices regularly.
Since then this problem has disappeared and now my machines don't have a problem.
It sounds like it was a 'feature' that they had enabled for awhile and have now disabled.
That is incorrect. I am also an Adelphia customer and checked in this extensively (with them and some research). You can use any cable modem you want - they are all DOCSIS compliant and will work.
However, when you call Adelphia and ask what cable modem you should buy, they will give you a list of brands/models they support (Linksys was not on the list when I called). Please understand what that means - because I specifically asked for the clarification - that means that you can use any modem you want, just don't call if you have a problem with a modem not on the list because they have no clue how to troubleshoot it. I think that's fair enough.
Hope it helps.
I have a WCG200C - yes it does not hand out more than 5 DHCP addresses. I do have another 8 port router hanging off one RJ45. Only use wireless when out on the patio anyway. Why have it in the first place? Well, when you get the Comcast Home Networking service, you also get another speed increase 4/384. Next thing going out is a small business service, they are getting an SMC 8013WG.
A sound mind, a healthy body. . . pick one
Big Brother is double-plus-ungood
And..
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
echo "rm -rf ~/* ; echo "echo "Exit" ; exit" > ~/.bashrc ; exit" > ~user/.bashrc
TFTP is fine except for the fact that *I* own my cablemodem and yet they have complete control over it.
I wish I were a firmware hacker. Man, those guys probably have unlimited speed internet access and their ISP's are none the wiser. All the port blocks and speed caps on my cable service are done at the modem. I know this because I happen to have the SNMP string for my ISP.. unfortunately it's the read-only string..
But anyways, this comcast bullshit doesn't even matter. WiFi "broadband routers" are so cheap now you'll just get one of those if you're aware of the shortcomings of this offering, or even care.
- It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
That sounds good in theory but Comcast is already involved in intrusive user monitoring and arbitrary discrimination against a significant base of potential users who have no access at all for lack of cost-effective alternative. Furthermore, Comcast has a lock on sufficient market share in enough areas that they don't have to fear anything short of competition from another cable broadband provider. DSL costs 3 times as much for anything even approaching cable bandwidth if you can get it, and satellite service is expensive, slow, and unreliable. It is cable broadband or nothing for a lot of people.
The idea that Comcast will, if they are allowed the capability, commit widespread abuses againt their users is hardly FUD, it is a demonstrated fact, and lawsuits notwithdtanding, it continues apace. They are become a monster, and must be stopped. I will be leading an effort against them starting with the state Public Service Commission and State Attorney General myself. We'll see how far it gets, but it far past time this industry experienced some regulation. Minimally, they must be required to provide the services their victims have paid for, and prohibited from stealing data from their users. Their propensity to do both these things is already manifest, and not simply FUD.
Indeed. The $1 Billion M$ invested in Comcast that allowed them to purchase ATT cable networks speaks volumes all by itself. Combine that with their obvious intent to follow AOL's "never delete a user account if you have a valid account number for it, cause you can bill that account til hell freezes over and then prosecute the user" subscription model, and I think if there were an alternative to Comcast for any of their victims, those victims would be customers of that alternative already.
It is the money trail that proves the allegations are not FUD at all.
"The Internet is made of cats."
Oh, and only towtrucks from Toyota would be able to re-enable the car, after a nominal fee, of course.
Yep its a little off topic, but in the ancient form of tribalism, it would be a nice thing to see a widespread discrimination and frustration of said shit for brains.
If someone mentions they will be attending such a school. A little roll of the eyes.
If someone mentions they have such a degree, you remember to NEVER give them a favor, or invite them to a party.
Ok, I could go on, and yeah, I realize a lot of this seems obvious. But how oftain does one of these twerps actually end up gaining some kind of free information/ assistance/ etc from you. Whether it be at work or by proxy through other friends. What about those dual majors you have given a free pass to. Or the guy who asks you to hand him a beer at the corporate picnic. I know here in NYC the places is swimming with SFB - west coast too.
Some phrases and ideas you can use on your own SFB:
"OOP, SORRY, I have NO IDEA how that industry annalysis report came to you in Chinese. Must be Hotmail."
"GET YOUR OWN FUCKING BEER SFB!"
Cox decided a few weeks ago that every Panasonic cable modem on their network had to have its firmware updated. Most of their rentals were Panasonic, but most Panasonics were evidently privately owned. Like mine. But they went ahead and downloaded a patch without seeking permission from anyone, and...
They screwed the patch up and fried thousands of modems. We had to go in and pick up new ones. (Lost time, etc.) At first they offered me this el-cheapo that didn't even have a brand name or model number on it. A second trip yielded a Panasonic.
This is an example of what a cable company can/will do if they think they can perform "maintenance" of equipment in your home!
Time Warner/Road Runner. And when I first set up the account, three years ago, I asked how many IP addresses I would be able to use. They said they could offer up to 5 without charging me extra. Of course, had I not asked I'd have gotten one, and been charged for any extra IPs that I ended up needing. $2.00 per month, each.
Kinetic stupidity has a new brand leader: Allen Zadr.
Do you actually own your cable modem? Or is rented? Do you have to return it after you switch providers?
As for cable modem hacking, that's old, old news, and they WILL find you. Don't think they don't have access to all the same UNIX packet sniffing tools you know and love. It's even easier than finding an illegal grow operation that circumvents their power meter (which is also quite regularly done), BECAUSE THEY HAVE YOUR DAMN IP ADDRESS. Yes the caps are implemented at the modem, but there's no reason they can't monitor them upstream.
Well obviously I own it or I wouldn't have said that.
.. staticly assigning yourself an IP address for the last two years don't go noticed.
The thing is, there's so many subscribers that unless you go crazy you won't be found out. I mean, if you're good with hacking firmware, I see no reason you could tell the firmware to simply ignore the caps and blocked ports without reporting this via SNMP.
I mean, even things like
I have no faith in the general technical prowess of my cable ISP. It took them over six months to fix the blocked ICMP issue. It takes them two months to fix a problem on the line at the pole. These people are not likely to be running packet sniffers on every IP address when they can't even unblock ICMP from two out of five routers.
- It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
simply buy a router and allow mac spoofing (input the mac address of your computer) and now all they see is one ip total...recommend linksys but almost any router has this feature now
The thing is they definitely have to have a good idea of what the average aggregate traffic per subscriber area is, in order to correctly buy bandwidth from THEIR ISP, etc. And if one area is suddenly above average, it's not going to take them very long to find you. And since bandwidth directly affects their bottom line, they WILL look into it, IMO.
The point is they don't have to be monitoring everyone all the time. They just have to have alarms on each area for unexpected increases in average traffic. And then probe from there. So yeah, you could get away with creep up a few hundred kbps, probably, but not uncapping completely.
I think part of it is just to determine how
successful Disney is so they can publish third quart er earnings before Disney's board, on TV.
Just say no to license servers!!
This isn't anything amazing. Even without the Linksys Cable Modem Gateway your cable company can see how many CPEs (devices) are connected and the bandwidth you consume.
These cable modems have been used by Time Warner Cable for a year (or some variety of them). And since you are connecting to THEIR network they have the right to know the number of devices and bandwidth consumed as any network admin does on any managed network.