Panic! - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

lucky13 · 24-01-08, 08:21 PM

Been out of the loop a while but . . .

A friend of a friend of a friend (you know how it goes) works for N*L in Ireland and has announced that his employers are sending a virus with the TV signal this evening that will disable the boxes and that we should disconnect our boxes for this evening. Personally I don't believe and will continue to watch as many of my numerous channels as possible tonight.

Anyway, I thought the question might be worth asking - if the signal that is being unscrambled is digital - is it possible to send a piece of code in the same manner that could do strange things to the box?

jimferno · 24-01-08, 09:46 PM

A virus?

hahahaha

lucky13 · 25-01-08, 05:16 PM

Not very informative jimferno

I wasn't asking about a virus and am not that stupid!!

My question was perhaps not worded very well - if it is possible to send a digital signal down the cable for the box to decode - could it also be possible to send a different type of signal to jam same decoder?

jimferno · 25-01-08, 05:26 PM

Sorry, just found it kinda funny. I wasn't trying to be an ass although it may have appeared that way.

I was under the impression that all they can do to stop us watching is to change the encryption method altogether. Some places do seem to be having problems receiving the Box office channels at the moment though.

spikebaby · 25-01-08, 05:31 PM

basically the can send a command that will knock the boxes off ...its not a virus its a command look on here for posts by mr spark your answer lies there mate

jimferno · 25-01-08, 05:35 PM

If this "command" can be sent, why don't they just send it every night and wipe everyone's boxes out?

lincsat · 25-01-08, 05:37 PM

If they wiped out genuine subscribers boxes there would be uproar.

lucky13 · 25-01-08, 05:39 PM

No probs jimferno

Have done a search for posts by mr spark and come up blank. Could you give me link to one?

jimferno · 25-01-08, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lincsat

If they wiped out genuine subscribers boxes there would be uproar.

So they'd have to know you're running a dodgy box and specifically send the signal out to you.

So the information in the opening thread would be of no concern then.

lincsat · 25-01-08, 06:01 PM

They have to be very careful so they don't disbale genuine subscribers if there are sending out a signal or ECM.

They can blacklist the MAC of a chipped box, or change the update method for the encryption keys - but it's extremely unlikely they would (or could) send out a signal to destroy the boxes.

VM on the mainland do however have a signal they send out to brick the Ambit 250 cable modems.

24-01-08, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
lucky13 LOOK-KEY 13!!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,130 Thanks: 15 Thanked 474 Times in 398 Posts	Panic! Been out of the loop a while but . . . A friend of a friend of a friend (you know how it goes) works for N*L in Ireland and has announced that his employers are sending a virus with the TV signal this evening that will disable the boxes and that we should disconnect our boxes for this evening. Personally I don't believe and will continue to watch as many of my numerous channels as possible tonight. Anyway, I thought the question might be worth asking - if the signal that is being unscrambled is digital - is it possible to send a piece of code in the same manner that could do strange things to the box?

24-01-08, 09:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
jimferno Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Panic! A virus? hahahaha

25-01-08, 05:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
lucky13 LOOK-KEY 13!!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,130 Thanks: 15 Thanked 474 Times in 398 Posts	Re: Panic! Not very informative jimferno I wasn't asking about a virus and am not that stupid!! My question was perhaps not worded very well - if it is possible to send a digital signal down the cable for the box to decode - could it also be possible to send a different type of signal to jam same decoder?

25-01-08, 05:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimferno Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Panic! Sorry, just found it kinda funny. I wasn't trying to be an ass although it may have appeared that way. I was under the impression that all they can do to stop us watching is to change the encryption method altogether. Some places do seem to be having problems receiving the Box office channels at the moment though.

25-01-08, 05:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
spikebaby Underground crew member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,541 Thanks: 38 Thanked 290 Times in 238 Posts	Re: Panic! basically the can send a command that will knock the boxes off ...its not a virus its a command look on here for posts by mr spark your answer lies there mate

25-01-08, 05:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
jimferno Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Panic! If this "command" can be sent, why don't they just send it every night and wipe everyone's boxes out?

25-01-08, 05:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
lincsat Super-Dooper Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In front of the PC Posts: 6,003 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2,580 Times in 667 Posts	Re: Panic! If they wiped out genuine subscribers boxes there would be uproar. __________________ Blade7000 & DM800Pro/SE in Stock, Linux Sat boxes from £52.25, SkyboxF3 under £60. Kryptview £123.50 & SV6 under £72 with Members Discount - Lincsat's Nick-Nacks (Shop) Drivers Protest Union

25-01-08, 05:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
lucky13 LOOK-KEY 13!!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,130 Thanks: 15 Thanked 474 Times in 398 Posts	Re: Panic! No probs jimferno Have done a search for posts by mr spark and come up blank. Could you give me link to one?

25-01-08, 06:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
lincsat Super-Dooper Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In front of the PC Posts: 6,003 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2,580 Times in 667 Posts	Re: Panic! They have to be very careful so they don't disbale genuine subscribers if there are sending out a signal or ECM. They can blacklist the MAC of a chipped box, or change the update method for the encryption keys - but it's extremely unlikely they would (or could) send out a signal to destroy the boxes. VM on the mainland do however have a signal they send out to brick the Ambit 250 cable modems. __________________ Blade7000 & DM800Pro/SE in Stock, Linux Sat boxes from £52.25, SkyboxF3 under £60. Kryptview £123.50 & SV6 under £72 with Members Discount - Lincsat's Nick-Nacks (Shop) Drivers Protest Union