Clarification by a newbie

[grizgrand]

Hi all,

Been reading up all the bits n pieces on the cable modem tricks.

So read thru this and see if i'm understanding correctly.

VM allocates an IP based on your MAC :
MAC's are unique to the modem (but can be flashed in on certain modems like the 200)
The VM network is split by region and by UBR allowing you to clone a MAC from the SAME region but DIFFERENT UBR.
You can sniff out a mac on a friends connection (say about 3 miles away) to use on your own cloned modem.
If u find a 20MB MAC... bingo bongo.

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How does that sound?

Questions
1. Why does this work? It should be technically very easy for VM to compare MACs to say billing postcodes to defeat the clones?
What are the known risks and how to minimise them?

2. Where does forced Config files fit into this? is this another technique, or is it outdated?


Thanks
Griz

[reptilianman]

Hi grizgrand ill try and answer most of your questions till a pro comes in i think there mostly American or Canadian in nature as they come on very late at night uk wise you seem to know much already.

"VM allocates an IP based on your MAC "

True

"MAC's are unique to the modem (but can be flashed in on certain modems like the 200)"

True to any modem running hackware 150/200/250/256(doctored) websters and surfboard modems

"The VM network is split by region and by UBR allowing you to clone a MAC from the SAME region but DIFFERENT UBR."

True

"You can sniff out a mac on a friends connection (say about 3 miles away) to use on your own cloned modem."

True but people always like to stick to saying on a different ubr rather than giving distance you sometimes get ubrs that span massive areas so 3miles is irrelevant

If u find a 20MB MAC... bingo bongo.

----------------------------------------
How does that sound?

Questions
1. Why does this work? It should be technically very easy for VM to compare MACs to say billing postcodes to defeat the clones?

They probably do thats why im having problems now but to be honest you can relocate your subbed modem to another area say moving house or something and dont tell them if they cut any modem they might get the subscribed user thats all i can think of.

"What are the known risks and how to minimize them?"

The only way of resisting detection that ive heard people talk about is to change your nic mac from the one you used to register your subbed modem with even if you dont have a subbed modem just a clone and a place with cable installed change your nic mac as it can be traced to the vendor then possibly to you i guess.

Risk depending on what country you live in can vary from being blacklisted from any cable services to a fine or prison

2. Where does forced Config files fit into this? is this another technique, or is it outdated?

For a time everyone was living free with 20mb connections as all you needed was a working mac then you could force the isps server to give you 2omb service by forcing the config file. But thats old news now prity much for most areas in the uk anyway as they encrypt the config files so 1. you dont know what service a mac will give you and 2. can no longer force 20mb service with any working random mac.

Ive read here that if you try and force a speed to a mac then they blacklist the either your nic's mac or your cable modem mac im not sure if thats true thou???

hope that helps