Cox Jamming Traffic Just Like Comcast
from the always-good-to-be-second... dept
You didn't think Comcast was the only company jamming certain types of traffic, did you? With all the heat on Comcast, it's no surprise that others are being discovered as well. For example, people are now noticing that cable provider Cox is using a very similar method to jam bittorrent uploads. It's too bad to hear this from a cable company that prided itself on actually being consumer friendly. Perhaps that means that Cox will actually admit to what it's doing, unlike Comcast. Of course, it also probably helps Cox that it wasn't the first one called out on this. Just like Sony took all the heat for the rootkit, even though the same rootkit was also found on CDs from other labels, it's likely that Comcast will take most of the heat for its bittorrent jamming.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: bittorrent, jamming
Companies: comcast, cox
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Not for me... not yet anyways
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Me neither
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News to me.
As a side note, my Dad has Charter, and last month, he couldn't run an (authorized) update to a dongle. Turns out the software site was in Sweden and Charter had those overseas IP's blocked (somehow). He had to do it at a friends house on a different provider.
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Jamming?
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Wait...
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heheh, good one.
Well.. TIme Warner sent a notice to someone I know about 'putting up unauthorized content via torrent'.
And a new one I heard - the place I work is supposedly going to scan systems with SMS for 'unauthorized music' and report offenders. Of course, I wonder how they can tell if it's legal or not - it is likely just a scare tactic. None of the music I ripped from my CD's have any DRM at all.
If they wanna take me to court, let 'em - of course, it will be an issue of them paying court costs when I bring in original CD's for the stuff.
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They block me
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Ports blocked
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Re: Ports blocked
Google the model of your modem/router, along with "password". Most of these routers have a default password. I've changed settings on my friend's Verizon Westell Wireless modem/router with no problem.
I like that the ISPs are adding router functionality, because a lot of folks don't know to buy a router, and they're really an important part of securing your broadband system. Of course, they usually ship from the ISP with the security settings wide open, so you have to go in and lock them down.
If the DSL ISPs are really blocking access to the router settings, that's a significant change.
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Why the complaining?
____
Cox:
You may not operate, or allow others to operate, servers of any type or any other device, equipment, and/or software providing server-like functionality in connection with the Service...
Cox reserves the right to manage its network for the greatest benefit of the greatest number of subscribers including, without limitation, the following: rate limiting, rejection or removal of "spam" or otherwise unsolicited bulk email, anti-virus mechanisms, traffic prioritization, and protocol filtering. You expressly accept that such action on the part of Cox may affect the performance of the Service.
Comcast:
Prohibited Uses and Activities:
Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, using the Service, Customer Equipment, or the Comcast Equipment to: run programs, equipment, or servers from the Premises that provide network content or any other services to anyone outside of your Premises LAN (Local Area Network), also commonly referred to as public services or servers. Examples of prohibited services and servers include, but are not limited to, e-mail, Web hosting, file sharing, and proxy services and servers; ...
if the Service is used in a way that Comcast or its suppliers, in their sole discretion, believe violate this AUP, Comcast or its suppliers may take any responsive actions they deem appropriate. These actions include, but are not limited to, temporary or permanent removal of content, cancellation of newsgroup posts, filtering of Internet transmissions, and the immediate suspension or termination of all or any portion of the Service. Neither Comcast nor its affiliates, suppliers, or agents will have any liability for any these responsive actions. These actions are not Comcast's exclusive remedies and Comcast may take any other legal or technical action it deems appropriate.
____
So, all whiners, what exactly is your gripe? Any of you with any shred of honesty has to admit that in function, your P2P torrent client is also a server, and that falls under these prohibitions. Doesn't matter if you're DL'ing Shrek3, Debbie Does Dallas, or the latest Debian distro -- the program is still a server, and Cox and Comcast have already told all of their subscribers what they may do (read the part about "filtering of Internet transmissions...may take any other legal or technical action..." and "including, without limitation, the following: rate limiting...traffic prioritization, and protocol filtering").
Don't like it? Unfortunately you agreed to it when you signed up for service. How can this be fraud, when they told you up front they might take this type of action? Unhappy now? Vote with your feet and your wallet, otherwise realize that they own the ball field, the bases, the bat, balls and gloves -- you want to play the game, you have to play by their rules.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm just a messenger.
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what this article is really refering to
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Re: Re: Ports blocked
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Re: Why the complaining?
My 20 year old son thought he would download movies using a Torrent client. Our phone service (Vonage) would deteriorate on occasion,and I thought it was my router. After checking around, I see his PC was serving as many as 30 Torrent downloads! No wonder my Comcast bandwidth was being eaten up.
There are no more Torrents being served at this address, and our phone service is excellent once again.
I informed my son that if he was willing to pay for a business class T1 line, he could download anything he wanted. But he figured out all on his own a subscription to Netflix would be cheaper.
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Re: Re: Why the complaining?
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Re: Jamming?
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The answer is FIOS...
at least for now...
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The answer is FIOS...
at least for now...
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Re:
And now the same for torrent. If i download a 4 gb torrent, the next day, I get ping responses, but no http, ftp, or telnet traffic
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Re: Jamming?
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Re: Re: Re: Ports blocked
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not yet in las vegas
and ipv6 support is on
get paid for service rates that are over stated speed rates
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My University..
No traffic shaping (we electrical engineering kids would blow a fuse) and we can act as servers all we want. Albeit price for my plan is approximately $40, still I struggle to find ways to use up all 15 gigs (i constantly leave peer-to-peer software up and still only end up using about 10 gigs)
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I think we already knew.
For more scuttlebutt, Verizon also jams BitTorrent traffic. As far as I know, they were doing it over a year ago. My friend had Verizon DSL, and his downloads would crawl at 2 KB/sec. Replaced the ordinary client with Azureus, and MAGICALLY, he started seeing 50-100 KB/sec.
I assume their new FiOS is the same.
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Re: Re: Re: Ports blocked
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Time Warner...
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Re: Ports blocked
I had a similar situation with a modem/router/ip phone port and resolved it pretty quickly. I wanted my 128 bit WEP encryption, as well as my "G with speedbooster" so I used a Cat5 cable from the company supplied router to my own router and configured that one. I removed the antennas from the original one so no one can piggyback an my signal.My range and speed improved, and now I have wireless plus 4 hardwired ports. Our Xbox 360s work just fine, both via Cat5 and wireless, although hubby and I don't host on wireless due to lag.
Anyway, that's with Comcast Cable, but I've also done it for relatives with SBC (DSL) and Brighthouse cable. I agree with Anonymous Coward that they provide the router because many people can't set one up on their own, but they could do a better job of making the settings accessible.
Anyway, I hope this helps you get set up with your own encryption settings.
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Re: Why the complaining?
99.9% of all ptp is for illegal purposes. I find it kinda ludicrous that you want to sue because they are interfering with your stealing.
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Re: Why the complaining?
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Newsgroups with SSL
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Re: Ports blocked
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If you're using your own router, replace it. If you're using an ISP-provided router, ask them to send a new one. Bell Canada sent me a replacement wireless router/modem and it works swell for me, both for P2P and forum browsing.
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Re: Jamming?
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Re: Re: Why the complaining?
What stealing?
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Re: Re: Why the complaining?
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Re:
Your denial is BS.
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Re:
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Re: Re: Re: Why the complaining?
90% of torrent traffic is illegal. Are you going to sue Wal-Mart because their alarm system is throttling your shoplifting? You agreed to the TOS and if you just now read it and don't like it then take your business elseware. They are providing a service and may do so at their discretion.
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start your own isp
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You are all ridiculous
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Re: Re:
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Re: Re: Re:
Well, the company just admitted that they do, so...
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Cox-Confirms-P2P-Throttling-89571
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Re: Re: Re: Re:
"To ensure the best possible online experience for our customers, Cox actively manages network traffic through a variety of methods including traffic prioritization and protocol filtering. Cox does not prohibit the use of file-sharing services for uploads or downloads, or discriminate against any specific services in any way. To help our customers make the most out of their Internet experience, we take proactive measures to ensure that bandwidth intensive applications do not negatively impact their service. These network management practices are outlined in our subscriber agreement and Acceptable Use Policy."
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Depends on Local Whims
Cox appears to let it's local network administrators set their own policies to a large extent. Whether or not things are getting jammed in your area may depend on the personal whims on your local Cox network administrator. In any case, I know from personal experience that you can't take Cox's word about it.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Why the complaining?
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
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Re: start your own isp
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Re: Jamming?
That is not traffic shaping. It's not slowing things down based on protocol. It's out and out killing the connection. And what's worse is that they won't own up to doing it, even though it's been documented.
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Re: Re: start your own isp
If you don't like that, start your own country.
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MP3sparks blocked by Cox?
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COX Blocked
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Re: start your own isp
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BS
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Re: Not for me... not yet anyways
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