[Win7]
When using the internet connection mode does the phone have a built in firewall or port blocker? My laptop was already connected to the internet through my home's WiFI internet and I was downloading off bittorrent using µTorrent. I was getting decent download speeds on my torrents, but almost nothing on upload. Knowing that the LTE network is more balanced and generally faster than my home network I connected my phone to my laptop via usb and selected internet connection mode.
At this time I noticed no difference and opened task manager to check network utilization. Task manager showed that my home network connection was being used and LTE was not being utilized at all. So I disconnected from my home network and waited for µTorrent to adjust to my phone's connection. After tinkering with some settings in µTorrent it showed the "!" at the bottom right notifying me that either the port I've selected is blocked or some other setting is stopping my connection from being used to it's full potential. I again check task manager and as far as network utilization goes it was around ~1% and my download speeds are far from what they should be, and far worse than when I was just on WiFi.
So I connect back to the WiFi and µTorrent starts behaving how it did before I tried to use my phone. Task manager shows more activity on the WiFi connection and still around 1% for the phone's connection.
My concern is how can I maximize LTE's potential when for bittorrent. Is there some kind of built in port blocker or firewall element? Or is it some kind of protection set up by Verizon and they know I'm using their network for bittorrent? I was getting consistent 5MBps Down and Up when I tested my laptop using internet connection mode, so network stability shouldn't be the issue. Any thoughts?
I haven't tested it, but I'd be willing to bet that the built-in internet sharing mode on the phone blocks certain ports. You could try using a tethering app like EasyTether or PDAnet.
Are you rooted? You could try Wireless Tether for Root Users, and see if you get any different results with that, too. I had some issues using VPN from my OG Droid because there were some blocked ports when using USB tethering, but once I rooted and started using Wireless Tether, all my problems went away. It'd be worth checking out. If you're not rooted, I would imagine that the wifi hotspot would act the same way (although it's only free for another week or so).
Sweet! Another person who's going to get us capped.
Ya, runniNg bittorents off your phone is RETARDED
Sent from my 4G LTE Thunderbolt using XDA Premium
EEdaesung said:
[Win7]
When using the internet connection mode does the phone have a built in firewall or port blocker? My laptop was already connected to the internet through my home's WiFI internet and I was downloading off bittorrent using µTorrent. I was getting decent download speeds on my torrents, but almost nothing on upload. Knowing that the LTE network is more balanced and generally faster than my home network I connected my phone to my laptop via usb and selected internet connection mode.
At this time I noticed no difference and opened task manager to check network utilization. Task manager showed that my home network connection was being used and LTE was not being utilized at all. So I disconnected from my home network and waited for µTorrent to adjust to my phone's connection. After tinkering with some settings in µTorrent it showed the "!" at the bottom right notifying me that either the port I've selected is blocked or some other setting is stopping my connection from being used to it's full potential. I again check task manager and as far as network utilization goes it was around ~1% and my download speeds are far from what they should be, and far worse than when I was just on WiFi.
So I connect back to the WiFi and µTorrent starts behaving how it did before I tried to use my phone. Task manager shows more activity on the WiFi connection and still around 1% for the phone's connection.
My concern is how can I maximize LTE's potential when for bittorrent. Is there some kind of built in port blocker or firewall element? Or is it some kind of protection set up by Verizon and they know I'm using their network for bittorrent? I was getting consistent 5MBps Down and Up when I tested my laptop using internet connection mode, so network stability shouldn't be the issue. Any thoughts?
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Click to collapse
I'm sure they block ports, and to be honest, I sincerely hope they block torrenting on a cell phone. Why not use your wifi?
As others have already stated use your home internet connection as I like having unlimited data.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
eallan said:
I'm sure they block ports, and to be honest, I sincerely hope they block torrenting on a cell phone. Why not use your wifi?
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Click to collapse
It's because LTE's upload speeds are superior to my home connection. And for people worried about getting capped, there is no way I could get within the 10% of users who are throttled.
^_^_^
It's people like you that are going to ruin it for the legitimate rest of us. There is absolutely zero reason you should be torrenting on your phone, thats what your home connection is for. As mentioned earlier I hope that they do block the ports as I love my unlimited data plan knowing that I don't have to check my usage every 3 minutes like I would with att and their 2gb limit.
So in short, stop doing what your doing and ruining it for the rest of the U.S.
EEdaesung said:
It's because LTE's upload speeds are superior to my home connection. And for people worried about getting capped, there is no way I could get within the 10% of users who are throttled.
^_^_^
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Click to collapse
Neither matters soon Verizon will take away the unlimited tethering plan and you will be sol. Even if you use a rooted wireless hotspot Verizon will know when you start racking up the gbs.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I didn't realize it was such a big deal. Especially since it's a service I pay for, and I wasn't planning on torrenting the entire internet.
Since there are so many concerns of losing unlimited data, I'll think twice before using my phone's network to do any heavy downloading or uploading.
^_^_^
EEdaesung said:
I didn't realize it was such a big deal. Especially since it's a service I pay for, and I wasn't planning on torrenting the entire internet.
Since there are so many concerns of losing unlimited data, I'll think twice before using my phone's network to do any heavy downloading or uploading.
^_^_^
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Click to collapse
First off you are not paying for the Mobile Hotspot service it is free until May 15th.
Second as of right now there is no real threat of losing the unlimited plan. Verizon has not said anything about taking it away and as of right now you could up and download 100gb of data and Verizon may say nothing. The problem is that we just don't know. We could wake up tomorrow and all have capped plans (As it is in the contract we all signed when we bought our phones Verizon can change the details of the data plans basically at any time they want) Yes there is like a 1% chance of this happening at the PR Verizon would get from this would most likely run them into the ground but the thought is still out there. And for most of us who only use ~5gb of data per month or less just don't want to worry about that odd month when maybe some new series comes out and they use 50gb.
TLDR: As of right now its more of just a fear of losing it than anything else and not really something to be too worried about ATM.
EEdaesung said:
I didn't realize it was such a big deal. Especially since it's a service I pay for, and I wasn't planning on torrenting the entire internet.
Since there are so many concerns of losing unlimited data, I'll think twice before using my phone's network to do any heavy downloading or uploading.
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Click to collapse
Or at least posting here about doing so.
EEdaesung said:
It's because LTE's upload speeds are superior to my home connection. And for people worried about getting capped, there is no way I could get within the 10% of users who are throttled.
^_^_^
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Click to collapse
There is a difference in using a phone to web browse, or to watch a movie or whatever, and maxing it out 24/7 and saturating the connection to torrent.
One is a bad idea IMO.
Got it guys. I agree with all previous posts. I don't want to get capped either and I won't be a factor towards it.
^_^_^
That's bull...you pay for it you use it how you want...I dare Verizon to come at me already and I told them I'm rooted...I ruin my OG Droid and they still replaced it...they make hundreds of millions of dollars and I pay an already high phone bill...too bad there is already an Frostwire app
currensy said:
That's bull...you pay for it you use it how you want...I dare Verizon to come at me already and I told them I'm rooted...I ruin my OG Droid and they still replaced it...they make hundreds of millions of dollars and I pay an already high phone bill...too bad there is already an Frostwire app
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LOL. Another reprobate weighs in.
"you pay for it you use it how you want"
So, exactly how much are you "paying" for tethering (not that which is currently offered as a freebie, but the theft of services your comment implies)? Your comment might be better phrased "you pay for it, I use it," since it's going to be paid for by someone, and if not by those who rationalize stealing it, then by the rest of us.
"they make hundreds of millions of dollars"
I'm guessing (assuming you're not still in Jr. High, as your attitude suggests), that you make thousands of dollars. So, I'd be justified in stealing from you, by your logic.
"I pay an already high phone bill"
If it's too high, it's very easy to cancel the service. Obviously, since you're posting in the TB forum, you have one, which means you've recently renewed your service. Which is it - you agreed that the value per dollar was acceptable, or you're just stupid?
You have to disable other connections after enabling internet sharing mode. Windows doesnt magically switch to a better connection on its own.
People should also remember that torrent does not mean illegal. He never mentioned what he was downloading. Apparently no one else in this thread has ever downloaded a linux distro, since bittorent is a primary way to do it. Certain games and game content are distributed legally through bittorent as well along with other software (generally opensource stuff).
The other day I didn't want to wait 30 minutes for aptitude to update my system on my 630KB/s average DSL, so I plugged in my phone to internet sharing on LTE and it was done in < 5minutes @ 2500KB/s average.
Verizon's network does not block ports as far as I know, but you are behind NAT, so you aren't going to be running any sort of server either on the public internet or easily connecting to your phone from a remote location.
Why do people take threads like this off the rails so quickly? The OP asked a simple question that didn't really warrant a philosophical decision. Imposing your will on the miniscule number of TB users who visit XDA won't make any appreciable impact on Verizon's attitude towards sanctioned network use.
OP, please report back if following "yareally"'s suggestion of disabling other connections works once ICS is enabled. Also, are you able to bridge your connection to the TB's in Windows? It'd be sweet to be able to merge WiFi (for speed) with LTE (for reliability).
currensy said:
That's bull...you pay for it you use it how you want...I dare Verizon to come at me already and I told them I'm rooted...I ruin my OG Droid and they still replaced it...they make hundreds of millions of dollars and I pay an already high phone bill...too bad there is already an Frostwire app
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Click to collapse
If you use frostwire... you probably still have a myspace...
Lol at your made-up story, VZW is here on XDA also... they just might come at you bro...
In regards to the OP, lol at anyone who thinks this one single guy is going to be the downfall of unlimited data...
Nooter said:
OP, please report back if following "yareally"'s suggestion of disabling other connections works once ICS is enabled. Also, are you able to bridge your connection to the TB's in Windows? It'd be sweet to be able to merge WiFi (for speed) with LTE (for reliability).
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Click to collapse
Nope, cant bridge them in windows and use both (that is, it's not as simple as selecting both connections and clicking bridge). There's some ways to distribute their use over *nix and/or using a router and using them as separate connections, but it's not worth the time/effort. If you're really interested in doing it, there's some discussions about it on the xda forums already and elsewhere if you google around.
Related
Pretty Self explanatory. And if Verizon can tell i am using free tethering, can they do anything about it?
Short answer: With their hotspot app? Yes. With Wireless Tether for Root Users? No.
End. of. story.
Myth busted.
Just don't expect to replace your home ISP with a damn phone and cry when you get smacked with an "unfair usage" fine because you chewed through 26 GB of data.
I'm sure if they cared enough about what you were doing that they could probably deduce you were using it based on packet analysis.
They could make some assumptions based on usage.
I'd say be smart with your usage and don't push it. If you go overboard, it's liable to throw up a red flag and you really won't have any ground to stand on as it's a violation of your TOS. That said, what Verizon don't know won't hurt 'em.
+1. If you are Torrenting, Usenet-ripping, etc.. I'm sure they'll catch on. If you're casually browsing the web, etc. then I bet it would cost them more money to cause a stink than it would to just let it go.
Yes, they can see where your packets are originating from. VZW just hasn't looked yet. There is no program that is a work around, rooted or not. They will probably let it slide till tiered data starts.
Sent from my TBolt using XDA App
uniqueflips said:
Yes, they can see where your packets are originating from. VZW just hasn't looked yet. There is no program that is a work around, rooted or not. They will probably let it slide till tiered data starts.
Sent from my TBolt using XDA App
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True, but you can obscure the source and encrypt the contents of said packets via tunneling through secure proxy or vpn.
yareally said:
True, but you can obscure the source and encrypt the contents of said packets via tunneling through secure proxy or vpn.
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Click to collapse
VPN is my plan when they revoke the mobile hotspot. I'll send all my traffic, phone, tablet and laptop through VPN so they can't tell the difference between anything.
All they can see is the top level headers of the packets which will simply show that they are coming to and from a phone. Anything beyond that involves actually inspecting the packet contents which is a horrendous violation of privacy and something they would be successfully sued for doing to customers without their consent.
scook9 said:
All they can see is the top level headers of the packets which will simply show that they are coming to and from a phone. Anything beyond that involves actually inspecting the packet contents which is a horrendous violation of privacy and something they would be successfully sued for doing to customers without their consent.
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More importantly, the PR backlash of doing something like that would be terrible for them - especially since the rules governing Net Neutrality for wireless ISPs are still in flux. They won't risk throwing public opinion even further in favor of increased FCC regulation right now.
It is not an issue of capacity either - a single LTE eNodeB can handle roughly twice the aggregate downstream throughput as a DOCSIS 2.0 node per channel, and there will eventually be more eNodeB's in the country than DOCSIS nodes. Take a moment to think about that - Verizon's LTE will likely more than double the total "network capacity" of the United States once complete. This terrifies Verizon. They want to keep people thinking that cellular networks are fragile little things that can't take the pounding that wireline ISP's can, so people will be OK with being nickeled and dimed for their data. They don't WANT to compete with cable internet providers (even though they would win) because it means they will become a dumb data pipe. Tethering is the last hurdle keeping them from becoming just that, so I wouldn't exactly expect them to play nice.
I know that if the Thunderbolt I am getting gets good signal at my house I would consider dropping my FiOS line haha since they are about the same speed.
Ping would go from like 20ms to 120ms....big whoop still better than most of the country lol
They will see your amount of usage and send you a letter to stop. Just be smart and don't try and download 1GB movies through your phone.
If I decide to stream through my phone they can't do anything about it. Netflix is supported on an Incredible hehe, how can they prove that I do not just like watching TV on my phone alot? Add HBOGo to that and you have ALOT of traffic on the phone that is perfectly justifiable
scook9 said:
If I decide to stream through my phone they can't do anything about it. Netflix is supported on an Incredible hehe, how can they prove that I do not just like watching TV on my phone alot? Add HBOGo to that and you have ALOT of traffic on the phone that is perfectly justifiable
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You'll likely just get throttled as their top 5% throttle policy is impartial to how you used the data. What they classify as top 5% and the throttle speed is still unknown.
I find it hard to believe that they can enforce such a policy without providing some information on how they classify that data usage, otherwise they could throttle everyone and say we were in the top 5% data usage then never have to worry about network congestion
I believe as it keeps getting easier and easier to root phones we'll have more and more people tethering their phones without paying.
That's not too big of a deal, until you get the people who go home and cancel their cable or dsl, and start using their phone as their primary internet source. Not that it would hurt verizon if people did that. But get a few people streaming netflix through their dvd players on LTE and see what that does to verizon's network. It wouldn't take many people doing that before verizon start's paying attention.
The ISP I work for did a test a few weeks back to see exactly how much bandwidth is being used by netflix. We had a little over 30 customers eating up 75% of our bandwidth. that 30 customers was about 10% of our customer base.
Netflix is the largest source of downstream traffic after all haha. My point was, that downstream can come to a phone legitimately without tethering so how will they be able to discriminate on tethering people vs. just netflix users
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Netflix-Sandyvine-BitTorrent-Downstream-Upstream,news-11226.html
IMO, why can cellular providers dictate what we can/can't do with the data we purchase? If home/business ISP's pulled that, there'd be hell to pay and a huge outcry. Data is data. It is that simple but cellular providers are working on a dictation level at every step from hardware and software right down to the kilobytes we use.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
i heard they were going to monitor your usage and start tagging you if they caught you, i use the wireless tether app all the time never heard a word yet
Did the obligatory searches - didn't see anyone else in my shoes.
AT&T sent me a text and a letter in the mail telling me that they'd detected me tethering and that they would be changing my plan automatically to a tethering plan if I didn't stop.
I'm not sure how they figured it out, as I am pretty sure from past research on this forum that both tethering and cell data use the same APN. My only guess is that while on vacation, a massive data spike gave it away, as my phone was my only connection to the outside world.
This is fair warning to everyone that it seems AT&T is after tetherers.
Home from vacation, my data usage has gone way, way down so:
Was this a bluff by A&T based oin data usage?
Does anyone know the means which AT&T discerns who is/isn't tethering?
Has anyone else gotten this warning?
Well if you went over their cap it probably set of a few alarms.
It's possible to detect heuristically, if you're looking for it. If you're using deep packet inspection (which they probably aren't), it's dead easy (look for things like desktop browser user agents).
kenikh said:
Did the obligatory searches - didn't see anyone else in my shoes.
AT&T sent me a text and a letter in the mail telling me that they'd detected me tethering and that they would be changing my plan automatically to a tethering plan if I didn't stop.
I'm not sure how they figured it out, as I am pretty sure from past research on this forum that both tethering and cell data use the same APN. My only guess is that while on vacation, a massive data spike gave it away, as my phone was my only connection to the outside world.
This is fair warning to everyone that it seems AT&T is after tetherers.
Home from vacation, my data usage has gone way, way down so:
Was this a bluff by A&T based oin data usage?
Does anyone know the means which AT&T discerns who is/isn't tethering?
Has anyone else gotten this warning?
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Click to collapse
This is an issue that has been coming up in a lot of android/ios threads, and everyone has their own theory, but my guess is they're conducting individual (automated) audits when they detect subscribers with high usage. It would take a ridiculous amount of computing power to look at the IP packets & track every TTL hop of every subscriber with a data plan, but if your usage is over a certain amount, or in the arbitrary "top 5% of consumers", they're probably flagging your account for an audit of TTL hops.
That's the only way I can think of that would affect iOS, Android, Blackberry and WP7 all in the same way. Some people have been saying it's mostly iOS users, and others say its mainly Android or WP7 or whatever, but there's no evidence for any particular platform versus the others. I'm sure they're capable of figuring out each platform's standard TTL, so if they know what device you're using, they can easily identify any device you connect via your phone.
The only exception to this seems to be the Blackberry Playbook bridge feature, which is essentially just projecting the phone's browser session onto the Playbook's screen (albeit quite effectively). As far as I can tell, the only way they're identifying Playbook tethering is when people download the bridge app from App world as opposed to rroy's OTA method.
Were you tethering via internet sharing? I've received the same message from AT&T but only after turning on internet sharing for the first time. I tethered for over USB for 10 months before that with no problem. When I first got the message I stopped tethering completely because I didn't know what caused it (though it could of been the 13GB of data I was using). After discussing it on here I came to the conclusion that the message from AT&T was only received after tethering over Wifi, and that there were no issues with USB tethering. I've tethered since then and haven't heard anything from AT&T. So what method were you using? And if you say only USB it will prove my theory wrong.
Searching first is great, reading the sticky post would also be a good idea.
No Questions in the development section please.
Thread moved to WP7 Q&A
I received a text, an email, and a letter from AT&T. They just want more money from people to change to the 4 GB with tethering.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
jkern10 said:
I received a text, an email, and a letter from AT&T. They just want more money from people to change to the 4 GB with tethering.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Same here...I have only tethered once since getting these warnings, I wonder if they would actually change my plan though.
wow I had gotten the htc titan but i switched to tmobile and the radar 4g just because tmo seems to turn a blind eye to tethering...
i just got an android tablet wi-fi only but i need to access important docs on the road, if i enable wi-fi tethering on my Samsung Focus and use it just once do i get a warning telling me to stop?
No. You have to be brazenly stupid like I was and eat gigs of data first.
thanks for the quick reply, so what i need it for it wouldn't send any red flags that i'm using wifi tethering
Just keep your data below the throttling threshold of your plan and they'll have no reason to do deeper inspection. You should be home free.
Its still stupid that they have special plans for tethering, I have unlimited data, but I'm not allowed to use it how I want. Bull****. Its criminal.
Sent from my Focus S (SGH-i937) using Board Express Pro
ATnT has definitely strayed away from customer satisfaction. I understand that the need to keep there Data Plan operating at peak efficiency requires them to throttle back certain users, but the way they go about doing it....for shame.
I know this is a frustrating subject for all AT&T users. Does anyone know what they are using to track tethering. I ask because I have been with AT&T over 10 years and have in the past tethered without a plan. However today I received notice that I am going to loose my unlimited data plan if I do not stop tethering, sad part is I am not tethering or have I been tethering at all in the last several months. I do stream A LOT so I know I am on their list, but honestly I generally go over 3GB so I am not a data hog. I spoke to AT&T's version of customer service and request that they tell me the exact technical specification of the test they are using to determine I am tethering, the answer was, "I don';t know, my system tells me that so it must be true". I then asked what app on my device is causing the issue, "I don't know". Finally I asked how can I stop a behavior my phone is doing if I do not know what if causing the problem? "I don't know". The one thing he (a "supervisor") did know was that I could fix everything by changing my plan and paying more. I am now waiting for his manager to call with an explanation, but it would be good if I actually had some facts to fight with. Most everything I know about AT&T and their policies is completely subjective and open to interpretation.
I've heard of this happening before, and I don't think they really "track" it at all. I think all AT&T is doing is going by your bandwidth. They assume if you're regularly pulling down that much data that you must be cheating somehow.
If you're regularly using 3GB a month, that's probably what's on their radar screen. Keep complaining and insisting that you've done nothing wrong, and they should back down. Ask for some proof, which I doubt they can provide.
I tether all the time, but keep my data usage down, and I've never gotten a warning.
SMH at your story. This is ridiculous! Keep fighting, man. Don't succumb to the beast! :sly:
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app
Lol, I got a letter in the mail... Apparently they track... Now the question is .. disabling ARMS?
WCX HTC One "Hell of a fast phone" X
I got a warning to seems they can track it better now.
Sent from my One X using xda premium
Any of you guys using the Foxfi app from the Play store and the proxy addon? I've been using it on At&t with my Nexus 7 and haven't been notified.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Also, if the new share data plans work out for you, i believe tethering is included. I'm switching my wife and I over to that plan today (supposed first day they are turning it on). It'll save us about $25/month. But the plans aren't for everyone... Some it increases their price.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I've seen this discussed on other device forums here on XDA. No definitive answer was ever given on how AT&T determines whether you are tethering. One person who seemed to have a good degree of technical knowledge stated that every single data packet coming from a tethered computer are tagged differently than just phone use, and that any carrier can detect that tagging easily. Other people disputed that statement. I personally don't have the technical knowledge to say either way, but it seems feasible.
I personally doubt they go by bandwidth alone. I frequently go over 3 GB per month, sometimes close to the 5 GB throttle limit. Sometimes download close to 1 GB a stuff in a single day. But all on the phone (not tethered), and have never gotten the warning. Maybe they look for patterns, but not bandwidth alone.
redpoint73 said:
One person who seemed to have a good degree of technical knowledge stated that every single data packet coming from a tethered computer are tagged differently than just phone use, and that any carrier can detect that tagging easily. Other people disputed that statement. I personally don't have the technical knowledge to say either way, but it seems feasible.
I personally doubt they go by bandwidth alone. I frequently go over 3 GB per month, sometimes close to the 5 GB throttle limit. Sometimes download close to 1 GB a stuff in a single day. But all on the phone (not tethered), and have never gotten the warning. Maybe they look for patterns, but not bandwidth alone.
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I've seen that theory as well. But being able to identify tethered packets is not the same thing as being able to monitor all of them all the time. It's the latter that I am not certain is feasible given the number of smartphones on AT&T's network.
One thing that is certain is that AT&T is not consistent in how they do this. I've seen people get nailed after a single tether; others--like me--have been blithely tethering for years without any trouble. I've also heard of people like the OP, who get tagged even though they aren't tethering at all.
I continue to think that bandwidth has to be the biggest part of it. I suspect they watch for heavy usage, then pay closer attention to those accounts.
Another thing: AT&T is known to give certain perks and leeway to larger accounts, such as letting you upgrade more frequently. I have a big family plan with three smartphones, unlimited texts, Family Map, etc. I've often wondered if I'm on some kind of "let them alone for now" list given how much I tether.
In any case, I'm switching to the new sharing plans (which launched today), which include tethering, so it will be moot for me at least.
iElvis said:
I've seen that theory as well. But being able to identify tethered packets is not the same thing as being able to monitor all of them all the time. It's the latter that I am not certain is feasible given the number of smartphones on AT&T's network.
One thing that is certain is that AT&T is not consistent in how they do this. I've seen people get nailed after a single tether; others--like me--have been blithely tethering for years without any trouble. I've also heard of people like the OP, who get tagged even though they aren't tethering at all.
I continue to think that bandwidth has to be the biggest part of it. I suspect they watch for heavy usage, then pay closer attention to those accounts.
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Completely know what you mean when you talk about being able to identify the packets vs. actually monitoring all accounts. My feeling is that this is the main reason the enforcement is so inconsistent, that AT&T simply does not have the resources to monitor all the accounts this way. As you suggest maybe bandwidth is the first red flag, then they look at the tagging after that. And whatever the system is, it seems to be evolving ("improving" in the eyes of AT&T), as more people are getting caught.
Interesting feedback. I think I have figured it out. I was just guessing at my data consumption at 3GB, I actually pulled a report and looked. I average between 1 and 2 GB of data a month (pretty shocking to me, guess I use wifi more than I realize), last month it doubled to 4GB. It must be because I doubled my usage in one month, that must have set off a flag.
Still waiting for that manager to get me proof.
On a side note it felt really good to answer their survey texts with a 1 and not a 10.
I will update this thread if I get more information from the "manager". I am to stubborn to let AT&T win this one. Almost makes me want to start tethering again.
cyber_pete said:
I will update this thread if I get more information from the "manager". I am to stubborn to let AT&T win this one.
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Click to collapse
Good for you, man. Be interested to see how it turns out. Good luck.
I also just got a letter like this today. I've had unlimited data for four years, and I've tethered very sparingly over the years with the likes of PDANet, WiFi Tether, etc without being notified by AT&T. The only time I've really needed to tether was for the one week out of the year when I vacation to a cottage that doesn't have an internet connection. I went on vacation about a month ago, and tethered using the built in Hotspot with CleanRom's Hotspot Hack. I called AT&T after reading the letter over, and the rep told me that they did detect tethering activity on my end. I ended up telling her that I used a tethering app from the Play Store for the one week that I was without internet, but that I only used it in that instance and that I would prefer to keep my unlimited plan. She just asked that I delete the app from the phone, and cease tethering, and assured me that I could keep the plan by doing so. So, it seems as though their plan of attack is to enroll you in plan that enables the Hotspot functionality if they don't hear from you, but if you call and insist on keeping your unlimited plan, hopefully they will honor that like they did for me. Good luck!
Is it possible they are looking at the browser type? I've heard that browsers which don't normally run on mobile devices can get you caught.
smartphonesanonymous said:
Is it possible they are looking at the browser type? I've heard that browsers which don't normally run on mobile devices can get you caught.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the User-Agent factor, and yes they can get you that way, if you've gotten far enough onto their radar screen that they're reading your packets.
But no one really knows for sure how exactly they're doing it.
I, since I went to a shared data plan a few months ago, have come in from the cold.
Wow, zombie thread.
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk 2
USB tether with SSH and VPN
To carrier, it just looks like an ssh connection from your phone, everything else is encapsulated inside that doubly encrypted channel
(openvpn encrypts, so does ssh)
-- IP packet "signatures", Browser User-Agent, all invisible to carrier.
root not required, unlock/mod not required. works on stock unrooted device.
should work with any android phone, any carrier, any plan (that includes Internet access on phone)
(usage will still count against your data limit if you have a capped plan - mostly useful with unlimited plans)
carrier will still see your usage so they still might become suspicious, they just can't prove anything
use this advice at your own risk
it will use double the bandwidth on your HOME connection - everything has to go in, and
then right back out - may not be useful if your home internet is capped
.....
setup openvpn server on home PC connected with wired broadband
setup openssh server on home PC
setup proper passwords/keys for both to protect access.
use non-standard ports for greater security
(if you have a home router, be sure to forward the ports for both SSH and openvpn through it from "the outside" to the ssh/openvpn server)
if your home router is DD-WRT or similar, you may be able to do sshd and openvpn server right on the router, skip the PC.
.. EDIT: you will need to know the IP of your home connection to connect to it remotely. a dynamic DNS service can be useful for this ..
install sshdroid on phone.
install openvpn and adb on laptop
...
ok, you are out and about, and want to tether your laptop.
turn OFF wifi on phone.
enable usb debugging on phone.
connect laptop PC to USB on phone (connect type doesnt matter, charge-only is fine)
start sshdroid, have it ssh to your home PC and forward a tcp port for openvpn
use 'adb forward' command on laptop to forward the openvpn port from the laptop to the phone.
run openvpn on laptop, configure it to connect via localhost:xxx (where xxx is the port thats forwarded by adb to the phone, then by ssh to your home PC.)
use vpn tunnel for internet access
"whatismyipaddress.com" for laptop should show your HOME internet IP.
- this is just an overview, you will need to know how to setup the details of these apps and services, especially openvpn, in order to make this work. If you don't understand how to do so, find someone that does, or pay your carrier for the service.
- no wifi support, so no way to tether a tablet or anything else that can only connect via wifi; only a laptop or other PC that has a host USB port that can recognize the phone.
Tethering
I use FoxFi or PdaNet is the same. And not require Root.
I got this same letter two or three years ago. Idk but it think they are trying to scare ppl in to the new plans. I regularly use more than 5GB a month without tethering.
Sent from my HTC One X using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
I got a letter and called them and they are using this as a way to generate more money.
I know this is an annoying subject for some of you, but I haven't found clear answers on other threads. I am planing on tethering to Xbox Live and my Laptop. Is making a custom APN and deleting tether manager any good? Are there other and more effective ways? I am willing to take a risk and will stop if AT&T sends me a letter. I'm on CyanogenMod 10.
Thanks.
ArcriusOneX said:
I know this is an annoying subject for some of you, but I haven't found clear answers on other threads. I am planing on tethering to Xbox Live and my Laptop. Is making a custom APN and deleting tether manager any good? Are there other and more effective ways? I am willing to take a risk and will stop if AT&T sends me a letter. I'm on CyanogenMod 10.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be wrong but I don't think there's any way to do that.
After doing some more research it seems some apps can kind of hide it but you will most likely get caught if not right away eventually
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
ArcriusOneX said:
I know this is an annoying subject for some of you, but I haven't found clear answers on other threads. I am planing on tethering to Xbox Live and my Laptop. Is making a custom APN and deleting tether manager any good? Are there other and more effective ways? I am willing to take a risk and will stop if AT&T sends me a letter. I'm on CyanogenMod 10.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
regardless what you do, the amount of data that you will use doing what you listed is what will throw AT&T a red flag.
mikelebz said:
regardless what you do, the amount of data that you will use doing what you listed is what will throw AT&T a red flag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's what I thought. Huge red flag.
Thanks
Tethering xbox? I can see AT&T being all over that. Laptop i think is doable but again have to limit it to general surfing and emailing any heavy duty data usage like streaming movies will again be a red flag.
Red flags usually due to usage in a particular sitting.
If you thether intermittently should be ok.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Tethering guard is not a "tether police" app. It just controls tethering. Delete it and you won't be able to tether at all.
The only way to avoid getting caught tethering is to stay below AT&T's radar screen. That means keeping your data usage under control and not connecting to red flag sites like Windows update and, yes, Xbox Live.
If AT&T decides to check, there are numerous ways they can tell you're tethering, and once you're caught, the jig is up. They'll put you on a tethering plan if you keep doing it. There are no apps that are able to reliably hide tethering because there is evidence of it outside your phone.
There is some evidence they devote extra attention if you happen to have a grandfathered unlimited data plan.
I pirated tethering for years on my iPhones and One X and never got caught. I only tethered my MBP and was religious about limiting my data.
to allow native tethering on stock at&t rom all you do is a little sql editing of telephony.db which takes like 10 seconds. as far as detecting tethering im sure it depends on your area. i haven't ran into any problems tethering though. i don't understand why at&t would care since they already screw the people with unlimited anyways where after 5GB of data they throttle you to 500kbps, or that is what they do in my area.
DvineLord said:
as far as detecting tethering im sure it depends on your area. i haven't ran into any problems tethering though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The exact parameters by which AT&T is monitoring/policing for tethering seems to be unknown any anyone but AT&T insiders. It also seems to be a bit random. There have been reports by at least a couple folks on here that swear that they never even tethered, but got the SMS warning from AT&T that they were caught tethering, and any further tethering would result in being forcibly changed to a plan that allows tethering. While other folks use it occasionally and have never been caught.
The amount of usage is almost certainly a factor, so using it regularly for X-Box is probably not a good idea. The theory proposed by folks here, is that when certain red flags are raised by network usage, your traffic will be more close scrutinized, and the data packets examined for evidence of tethering. The checks are probably all network based, so changing anything on the phone will probably not help.
Personally, I use it only occasionally, for very limited time periods and data amounts, and have never been caught. Most often while traveling such as when a hotel WiFi is not available, crappy signal, or carries an excessive extra cost.
For some reason, I am getting an error when I try using t0mmy (found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1677261) one click tether enabler. I've done some searching and cannot find anyone else who has had this issue. What the heck am I missing (screenshots attached)?! Any ideas?
Info:
- Stock AT&T ROM
- Rooted
- Android 4.0.4
- Used on StraightTalk... all APNs are setup correctly... data works on the phone.
For solution, SEE BELOW
One other thing I should mention is that even when I am using `android-wifi-tether` it will not work. It just shows up as a device on my computer when it is turned on as a wifi hotspot.
I've downloaded SQLite Browser and have changed all fields with "broadband" to "pta". Still no go.
I don't understand what you need that program for...
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
When I click to activate the native wifi hotspot, it says that I cannot have a hotspot and to call 611. So I am trying Android Wifi Tether, which works for a little bit then after about 3 seconds, says "what the hell, your phone is taking over. shutting down wifi." Something like that. I'm just trying to get this phone setup so my friend can use it as a hotspot.
SQLite is to edit my `telephony.db`
Well, I do believe that it could be because you are using a stock rom, so att bulit in securities could be taking over. Also, I do want you to know that ATT does have advanced technology to detect tethering. without notice, they can upgrade you data plan to 5gb ($50) because you were caught tethering. it is the way the apn connects. now you can try to change your apn to BROADBAND, which is tethering, but again, but warned. if your data plan changes (esepcially if you are grandfathered into one), then that's on you...
so here are my suggestions: change the APN to broadband, get off the stock, and im sure there are a plethora of apps in the play market that should work
Herc08 said:
Also, I do want you to know that ATT does have advanced technology to detect tethering. without notice, they can upgrade you data plan to 5gb ($50) because you were caught tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will send you a warning (physical letter or SMS, can't remember which exactly) notifying you have been caught tethering without the appropriate data plan. Then, if you are caught again, they will change you plan.
Probably nobody except folks at AT&T know the exact methods they use to monitor for tethering. But the thought here is that a high amount of usage will raise red flags, then they will examine data packets for the signs of tethering.
Some folks (myself included) have been able to tether without getting caught, by just doing it occasionally, and keeping the data usage low. But even then, the system seems far from consistent. I've seen a couple of folks report on here getting the tethering warning from AT&T, despite having never even tethered.
The days when you could easily pirate tethering may be coming to an end. AT&T has really cracked down on it and improved their methods of detection. Even if you get this working, you will get caught if you start tethering regularly.
redpoint73 said:
They will send you a warning (physical letter or SMS, can't remember which exactly) notifying you have been caught tethering without the appropriate data plan. Then, if you are caught again, they will change you plan.
Probably nobody except folks at AT&T know the exact methods they use to monitor for tethering. But the thought here is that a high amount of usage will raise red flags, then they will examine data packets for the signs of tethering.
Some folks (myself included) have been able to tether without getting caught, by just doing it occasionally, and keeping the data usage low. But even then, the system seems far from consistent. I've seen a couple of folks report on here getting the tethering warning from AT&T, despite having never even tethered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do apologize, you are right. You will get a notice first. And then if you continue, then you will still bumped out. It is an email AND a SMS. Using small amount of data is usually the way to go. But if you trying to tether a computer, then most likely the data usage will be high. As I mentioned in other posts, as a former AT&T employee, if you want to tether, just upgrade your data plan. If you are on unlimited data, you will already get throttled at 3gb, so the Unlimited data and 3gb are basically the same thing, which is why the price is the same.
I have seem some accounts when excessive tethering is done, that the data is actually suspended, no matter what the case is. It's weird that AT&T can do that, but it is in their wireless agreement, which is at section 6 i think.
Thanks for the heads up about AT&T clamping down on this. It is good to know. I am doing this for an elderly couple who rarely use the internet. This is their first smart phone. They are savvy enough to know what that message means if they get it. I will let them know about it too.
They mainly will be accessing on the device itself but wanted the option to use it as a hotspot as well. They are already paying for data... they purchased the phone used and are under no contract (on Straight Talk). They want to use something they own, however they want. It's too bad AT&T is so mean.
It's like buying a computer and then the manufacturer says you cannot use bluetooth unless you pay them a monthly service charge.
[SOLUTION]
Oh yeah, I forgot to post that I figured a way out to get 'android-wifi-tether.apk' to work on the stock AT&T ROM.... here we go:
Get "Proxoid" from the Google Play Store
Get WiFi Tether from the Google Play Store (or from here [QR Codes in link]: http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/)
Get a mobile data widget
Once you have them installed, get them all lined up somewhere you can easily run them one after the other.
Make sure mobile data OFF before you turn anything on.
Open Proxoid and check the box to start/stop Proxoid... you want it ON
Open WiFi Tether and turn on tethering
Now you can turn on mobile data
This worked successful for me. I tested it for about 10-15 minutes, playing YouTube videos, reading some blogs, checked out some google image searches and so on. If you do not turn Proxoid on before mobile data is on, this will NOT work.
ENJOY! :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
UPDATE: This only worked on my Mac and Android phone. Mac picked up the HOX as a "device" instead of a wifi connection but it worked. Windows cannot find the connection at all. If someone knows how to get Windows to find the device and use it as a hotspot please let me know.
While tethering is a feature of the phone they own, the data being used is a service that is not owned and while I don't agree with what at&t does, I can understand why they would discourage tethering and it is technically within their right to limit how their data is used. They/you could have picked another company that allows tethering but as a consequence you may face saturation from all those heavy tether users.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
exad said:
While tethering is a feature of the phone they own, the data being used is a service that is not owned and while I don't agree with what at&t does, I can understand why they would discourage tethering and it is technically within their right to limit how their data is used. They/you could have picked another company that allows tethering but as a consequence you may face saturation from all those heavy tether users.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is the reason behind the detection. Same as throttling. With the explosion of bandwidth needed, the big companies cannot keep up. Hence why smaller companies offer unlimited data.
Sent from my Carbon-ize Evita using xda-developers app