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scotash1 · 10-10-09, 11:13 AM

Fraudsters grab free high speed broadband

More than a thousand hackers are using reconfigured cable modems to fraudulently access free high speed Virgin Media broadband, sources have revealed.
The hack has been made possible by the recent launch of Virgin Media's 50Mbit/s "XXL" package. It relies on new equipment running the upgraded DOCSIS 3.0 data transmission standard.

The launch has allowed hackers to apply the new configuration from Virgin Media's official up to 50Mbit/s home modem to legacy DOCSIS 1.0 hardware, to access the DOCSIS 1.0 platform at higher speeds. Our source said over a thousand lines have been seen obtaining about 30Mbit/s downstream.

Virgin Media told The Register it was aware of the problem and was working to address it. It added that recent network upgrades allowed it to detect modems cloned in this way and it intends to pursue those involved. "The message is: we are onto this and we are after you," a spokesman said.
He said new routers in the firm's network were able to detect and take measures against cloned modems to ensure bandwidth is not stolen from legitimate customers. Many hackers, who trade details of their hacks in web fora, believe the modified modems are untraceable, but according to Virgin Media its new systems mean "that's absolutely not the case".
Virgin Media also sent this statement:

Virgin Media takes the issue of fraud on its network very seriously and, where appropriate, will prosecute. We have a range of tools that can detect fraudulent modems and service profiles on our network and a number of technological features which assist us in successfully addressing the challenge of fraudulent activity. Whilst the numbers are small, we are actively tracking fraudulent activity and are rolling out a range of countermeasures to eliminate these fraudulent broadband users from our network.

Obtaining services dishonestly is an offence under section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006. A conviction carries up to 12 months in jail.
Fraud using modified equipment has also been a problem for Virgin Media's TV services. Last year a Scottish man was jailed

after making £50,000 selling modified receivers that offered free access to premium channels.
Virgin Media investigators also participated in a raid

on a modification operation in Lancashire last April, which saw six people arrested.

hope this isnt true

G77 · 10-10-09, 11:42 AM

old news

taylord1984 · 10-10-09, 11:50 AM

its over a year old lol but it go to show that they talk **** as my box is still working.

bonez · 10-10-09, 12:10 PM

omg as G77 said, very old news

ratcatcher · 10-10-09, 12:40 PM

STILL WAITING FOR DICKIE BRANSON BOYS TO COME FOR CUP OF TEA lol

MorriSoft · 10-10-09, 02:02 PM

And there was me getting ever so slightly excited about a possible new challenge, guh.. Such a disappointment!

scotash1 · 10-10-09, 03:25 PM

oh thats gd then if its old news

taylord1984 · 10-10-09, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotash1

oh thats gd then if its old news

you could try looking at the date next time

m1n1_me · 06-02-10, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratcatcher

STILL WAITING FOR DICKIE BRANSON BOYS TO COME FOR CUP OF TEA lol

pmsl i like it one lump or two

redhouserobo · 06-02-10, 08:49 PM

very old news m8

10-10-09, 11:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
scotash1 Nokia Dbox2 & SB5100 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Thanks: 15 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! Fraudsters grab free high speed broadband More than a thousand hackers are using reconfigured cable modems to fraudulently access free high speed Virgin Media broadband, sources have revealed. The hack has been made possible by the recent launch of Virgin Media's 50Mbit/s "XXL" package. It relies on new equipment running the upgraded DOCSIS 3.0 data transmission standard. The launch has allowed hackers to apply the new configuration from Virgin Media's official up to 50Mbit/s home modem to legacy DOCSIS 1.0 hardware, to access the DOCSIS 1.0 platform at higher speeds. Our source said over a thousand lines have been seen obtaining about 30Mbit/s downstream. Virgin Media told The Register it was aware of the problem and was working to address it. It added that recent network upgrades allowed it to detect modems cloned in this way and it intends to pursue those involved. "The message is: we are onto this and we are after you," a spokesman said. He said new routers in the firm's network were able to detect and take measures against cloned modems to ensure bandwidth is not stolen from legitimate customers. Many hackers, who trade details of their hacks in web fora, believe the modified modems are untraceable, but according to Virgin Media its new systems mean "that's absolutely not the case". Virgin Media also sent this statement: Virgin Media takes the issue of fraud on its network very seriously and, where appropriate, will prosecute. We have a range of tools that can detect fraudulent modems and service profiles on our network and a number of technological features which assist us in successfully addressing the challenge of fraudulent activity. Whilst the numbers are small, we are actively tracking fraudulent activity and are rolling out a range of countermeasures to eliminate these fraudulent broadband users from our network. Obtaining services dishonestly is an offence under section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006. A conviction carries up to 12 months in jail. Fraud using modified equipment has also been a problem for Virgin Media's TV services. Last year a Scottish man was jailed after making £50,000 selling modified receivers that offered free access to premium channels. Virgin Media investigators also participated in a raid on a modification operation in Lancashire last April, which saw six people arrested. hope this isnt true

10-10-09, 11:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
G77 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6,118 Thanks: 695 Thanked 1,250 Times in 1,044 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! old news __________________ 1M Motorised Dish, 45W-36E, DM800HD. Quad LNB Mesh Mini Dish, 28.2E, DM500, TM500. Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000 XXJVU & CF-Root.

10-10-09, 11:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
taylord1984 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bristol Posts: 100 Thanks: 20 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! its over a year old lol but it go to show that they talk **** as my box is still working.

10-10-09, 12:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
bonez Mr Bones @ your service! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 94 Thanks: 27 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! omg as G77 said, very old news __________________ 1M Motorised Dish DiSEqC 1.2/1.3 Usals 120 H-H Motor 0.2DB QUAD UNI LNB DM500 (Jade Pli)

10-10-09, 12:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
ratcatcher Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 563 Thanks: 281 Thanked 93 Times in 85 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! STILL WAITING FOR DICKIE BRANSON BOYS TO COME FOR CUP OF TEA lol

10-10-09, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
MorriSoft Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Midlands - Pure n*l Posts: 1,903 Thanks: 121 Thanked 365 Times in 319 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! And there was me getting ever so slightly excited about a possible new challenge, guh.. Such a disappointment! __________________ All posts are of a hypothetical nature..

10-10-09, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
scotash1 Nokia Dbox2 & SB5100 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Thanks: 15 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! oh thats gd then if its old news

06-02-10, 08:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
redhouserobo Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 213 Thanks: 24 Thanked 40 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Virgin Media to battle modem hackers! very old news m8

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