[Q] How one might disguise tethering so providers don't know? - General Questions and Answers

It's extremely obvious to providers if you are using your phone to tether. First of all, a mobile phone sends different packet headers than a desktop. Also, desktops are constantly making connections to places mobile phones don't, whether it be to a Microsoft update server, Starcraft II connecting to a game server, your automatic java or chrome updates, or itunes sending back your play count info to apple.
So the question is, how can we tether without leaving a single trace?
All I can think of to do would be to disable all connections with a firewall, and then only allow those connections which arent suspicious, such as a browser(of course the browser would also need a custom mobile identifier that matched your phones identifier).
Is there anything I'm not thinking of? Any other way the provider might figure out?
I use a Samsung Focus (windows phone 7) on att&t. I have no need for a pricey tethering plan because I only very infrequently and sporadically feel the need to tether just a few times a year. I understand that I'm probably okay if I only do it infrequently, but I would rather not find out for peace of mind's sake.

I was wondering this too. I went into AT&T today and asked if any Androids could tether without having a tethering plan (I'm looking for a new phone). Ask expected, I was told I needed to have a tethering plan to use tethering. Although, I did a little research and PdaNet apparently has the feature to "hide tether usage." It says so on their site, just google PdaNet. I would post a link, but I'm new and can't. Try it out and let me know if it works, I would but I don't currently have an Android.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...unauthorized-android-tethering-and-may-never/
SOrry, didn't see you were WP7

Related

G1 Help! T-mobile hotspot access via laptop using G1

Hey everyone, I know you cannot use the the G1's hotspot access on any device other then the G1. I spend alot of time in Starbucks. Is there a way to use the G1's hotspot access for Internet on my laptop. Tethering via wi-fi is nice as is but with only edge here in Hawaii, its too slow. I was hoping someone could help me figure this out. Hopefully just a socks proxy, method will be developed for web surfing.
username should be your mobile number without dashes so 9545555555 and pw should be last 4 of social security number as listed on tmobile account, if not call and theyll fix account, mine was inactive at first
mdanerd said:
username should be your mobile number without dashes so 9545555555 and pw should be last 4 of social security number as listed on tmobile account, if not call and theyll fix account, mine was inactive at first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey! thats my phone number!!!!
You can use the port forwarding app in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443025. Get you G1 signed on to the hotspot and use the program to tether your laptop.
I wasn't aware that I could use t-mobile hotspots from my laptop by logging in with my phone number. I'll have to try that out next time I'm in Starbucks. Thanks for the tip!
So if the above works for you, you're probably set, but if you have rooted your phone you can also use the tetherblu app here:
http://androidactivity.com/
This would allow you to use the free t-mob wifi hotspot access on your phone and connect to it with your laptop. It's a MUCH faster connection than the SOCKS proxy method, and you don't have to carry around a USB cable.
mdanerd said:
username should be your mobile number without dashes so 9545555555 and pw should be last 4 of social security number as listed on tmobile account, if not call and theyll fix account, mine was inactive at first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was told that doesn't apply to the G1 data Hotspot account. Can anyone else confirm that? I'd love to have it working again.
Of course, I know I can use my G1 and tether the Hotspot to the laptop.
SoTacMatt said:
I was told that doesn't apply to the G1 data Hotspot account. Can anyone else confirm that? I'd love to have it working again.
Of course, I know I can use my G1 and tether the Hotspot to the laptop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was told. Pisses me off because I was told that the G1 data plan included "HotSpots" without being told that it was on the phone only.
You can get 2 hours free at Starbucks, FYI, if you buy something on a Starbucks Card (gift card, not the credit card).
I was told that even my laptop would work... but soon found out otherwise.
neoobs said:
I was told that even my laptop would work... but soon found out otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly the idea of paying for WiFi has run its course. All of the (non-Starbucks) coffee shops around here offer free WiFi.
One thing you might find interesting is that pretty much every sports bar (e.g. Buffalo Wild Wings) has free WiFi. Why? Two words: fantasy baseball.
Even our airport (Denver) has free WiFi now, although you have to sit through an ad to access it.
Any news on this. I thought I had seen somewhere an app that did this, but I can't find it anymore. Why doesn't someone make a "TetherPatch" application. Screen splits into two halves. On one side how your computer is connecting to g1 on the other how your g1 is connecting to internet. And the app makes the "patch" to get the data flowing. If you make the app, gimme some love.
memorito said:
Any news on this. I thought I had seen somewhere an app that did this, but I can't find it anymore. Why doesn't someone make a "TetherPatch" application. Screen splits into two halves. On one side how your computer is connecting to g1 on the other how your g1 is connecting to internet. And the app makes the "patch" to get the data flowing. If you make the app, gimme some love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are tethering apps out there already.
Could you tell me which apps allow me to connect this way?
laptop >> USB >> G1 >> WiFi (Tmo HotSpot)
I found the one that let's you connect to the net over the 3G network. I am looking for a way to use this concept at a hotspot. Thanks. All my searches don't seem to get me that info.
It's a no go with the G1 data plan. You can connect to the hotspot via the G1 but not from your laptop. Kinda stupid in my eyes seeming I could do it with when I had my Dash...but oh well...on to other methods.
-Tonloc69
By the way this was verified by T-Mo and I even tried fighting about it...damn...damn...damn

[Q] USB Internet Tethering. Can Verizon control this like the WiFi tether?

As many of you are aware, the Thunderbolt offers USB Internet Connection mode. This allows you to connect your thunderbolt via USB to a PC and use the phones internet connection. This is similar to the WiFi tethering thats currently free for a limited time. Eventually Verizon will start charging for WiFi tethering, but I'm wondering if they have the ability to cut off (unless your pay) the Internet Connection mode once the promotion ends.
The difference I've noticed is that the WiFi tethering is an actual installed application (hence very easily controllable by VZW), whereas the Internet Connection mode is embedded into the operating system (evinced by the fact thats its in the menu options, as well as the option to change what type of connection you want when you plug the USB cable into your computer).
I think once the promotion ends for free WiFi tethering, the USB tethering will still work and remain free unless VZW pushes an update to non rooted phones preventing this?
I ask because I just switched from my Thunderbolt (very poor battery etc even when rooted) to a Droid Charge. I instantly noticed that when I check the settings for internet connection mode, its not 'integrated' in the same sense as the Thunderbolt. Instead, both the WiFi hotspot tethering, as well as USB tethering are in essence a 'third party' application, which upon being launched, present you with a message stating the ability to tether is free during the promotional period, and thereafter you will be charged for data usage.
Any input on this? It's a shame to see it completely changed on the Droid Charge.. Maybe Verizon missed out on the Thunderbolt and USB tethering will always be available for free? We shall see in the months to come.
I know the word of a VZW store associate isn't really worth anything, but, before I bought my ThunderBolt, I was told that wired tethering will go "under the radar", as long as the data usage "isn't too much". The rep directed me to download "PDANet" from Market for this functionality, and she didn't even know at the time that native wired tethering was present on the ThunderBolt.
Also pdanet has been removed from the market though you can just download the apk from their site and install it now. Also I have not herd of anything with verizon but i know AT&T did send out a message to all the people that were using free teathering apps on thier iphones a text messages letteing them know they would be charged if continuing use. I guess Cell companys can tell if your using them some how.
thetwiztidfreak said:
Also pdanet has been removed from the market though you can just download the apk from their site and install it now. Also I have not herd of anything with verizon but i know AT&T did send out a message to all the people that were using free teathering apps on thier iphones a text messages letteing them know they would be charged if continuing use. I guess Cell companys can tell if your using them some how.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ATT never sent me a text and I dont have a tether plan. I am a heavy barnacle user at work, makes my 4gclear look like a joke. My gf just got a fascinate(galaxy s), and it seems verizons has native blocked-ish. i rooted my boss's captivate (galaxy s), and he has no tether plan, and he uses USB tether at work everyday. He didnt get a message either. But my GFs natives /ad hoc make her go to the verizon web site.
I'm worried now about using my barnacle. It should be someting like. 3g free, pay for 4g, something lame like that, rather than be phonenazis.
dumb question, how do you use the USB tethering?
Sent from my thunderbolt 4G using Tapatalk
I doubt it has anything to do with app vs. built-in functionality... they can't "easily track it" just because it's an app. I think it would have to do with the way the packets are being routed, and I don't know *how* they're (supposedly) tracking it when you use wifi tethering, so I wouldn't be so sure they won't be able to track it via USB.
It could have to do with looking for packets for protocols that apps don't support (bittorrent?). I'm really not sure. Anybody know the details of how they can tell?
dbow32 said:
dumb question, how do you use the USB tethering?
Sent from my thunderbolt 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in settings - > wireless & networks at the bottom there is internet connection mode.
Just bringing this topic back up, but I tried this mode today, and I got a popup like this. It seems they can find out about ICM. I guess this sucks for those of us who thought we could get away with it.
what25 said:
Just bringing this topic back up, but I tried this mode today, and I got a popup like this. It seems they can find out about ICM. I guess this sucks for those of us who thought we could get away with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, my friend, is why god invented PDAnet.
Yep... Pdanet works flawlessly. Go find it, worth the leg work. It's not in the market, but still very easy to find and set up.
miketoasty said:
This, my friend, is why god invented PDAnet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use PDANet. I use Wireless Tether and then tunnel all traffic through an encrypted VPN, so Verizon has no way to identify the traffic. Also secures things on public WiFi.
nerozehl said:
then tunnel all traffic through an encrypted VPN,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you point me to a tutorial on how to set up the vpn part of this?
I've already got wireless tether installed and working.
zxsix said:
Can you point me to a tutorial on how to set up the vpn part of this?
I've already got wireless tether installed and working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What O/S are you running on your server? If you're running FreeBSD, I'll gladly give you the configuration scripts/files I'm using.
nerozehl said:
What O/S are you running on your server? If you're running FreeBSD, I'll gladly give you the configuration scripts/files I'm using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No server of my own. Windows 7 x64 machine.
I think my router has vpn capability. I'll play with that.
Normally I use PPTP and L2TP/IPsec VPNs for work, but I used OpenVPN instead since it's easier to use and doesn't require too much server-side work. It's natively supported in CM7 and you can get a binary of openvpn with a nice GUI on the market, if you're using Froyo or the new GB leak.
Make sure your phone's kernel supports TUN/TAP. If enough people care about setting up tunnelling, I'll make a post somewhere with a full tutorial.
Here are some of my configuration files (FreeBSD 8.2-RELEASE)
/usr/local/etc/openvpn/openvpn.conf:
Code:
# OpenVPN configuration on Mephisto
# Up/Down Scripts
up /usr/local/etc/openvpn/up.sh
down /usr/local/etc/openvpn/down.sh
# Bridge/Adapter and UDP/IP settings
server-bridge 10.4.11.10 255.255.255.0 10.4.11.200 10.4.11.220
port 1194
proto udp
dev tap0
keepalive 10 120
comp-lzo
# Force all-traffic tunneling and push a DNS server
push "redirect-gateway def1"
push "dhcp-option DNS 67.19.72.206"
# Certificate locations
dh /usr/local/etc/openvpn/keys/dh2048.pem
ca /usr/local/etc/openvpn/keys/ca.crt
cert /usr/local/etc/openvpn/keys/server.crt
key /usr/local/etc/openvpn/keys/server.key
# De-escalate permissions
user nobody
group nobody
# Logging information
status /usr/local/etc/openvpn/openvpn-status.log
verb 4
mute 20
/usr/local/etc/openvpn/up.sh: (chmod +x)
Code:
#!/bin/sh
# xl0 is the ethernet NIC on this server
/sbin/ifconfig bridge0 create
/sbin/ifconfig bridge0 addm xl0 addm $dev up
/sbin/ifconfig $dev up
/usr/local/etc/openvpn/down.sh: (chmod +x)
Code:
#!/bin/sh
/sbin/ifconfig bridge0 deletem $dev
/sbin/ifconfig bridge0 destroy
/sbin/ifconfig $dev destroy
/etc/rc.conf: (snippet to show what you need to add for OpenVPN)
Code:
gateway_enable="YES"
if_tap_load="YES"
openvpn_enable="YES"
openvpn_if="tap"
openvpn_configfile="/usr/local/etc/openvpn/openvpn.conf"
openvpn_flags="--script-security 2"
Make sure the following kernel states are enabled:
Code:
net.inet.ip.forwarding: 1
net.inet.ip.fastforwarding: 1
These files are for FreeBSD, but the configurtion file should work on any implementation.
I take it apps like barnacle and wireless tether go undected right?
Sent from Desire HD or Inspire 4G or whatever this thing is called via premium XDA app.
lrs421 said:
I take it apps like barnacle and wireless tether go undected right?
Sent from Desire HD or Inspire 4G or whatever this thing is called via premium XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far i didn't get notices while using wireless tether. Never used barnacle tether though.
I remember reading somewhere about a 3G phone on Verizon that when you turn on the native hotspot app, the NAI used by the phone to obtain an IP address for your networked devices, and subsequently service the IP requests for those devices, is made through a DIFFERENT NAI than the phone when you are making requests from your mobile phone.
There must also be some other differences. Recall a while ago in the general forum someone made a complaint about their Thunderbolt mobile browsers being unable to access images from imgur.com. I experienced the same issue. The REALLY wierd thing though is that if I turned on hotspot and went on my laptop through the hotspot, I COULD see images on imgur.com. This means that native wifi hotspot also sends you to a different DNS server than internet requests made through the phone.
It would be interesting to see at what level that happens in the application/operating system/radio stack. It's possible (likely even probable) that wired tether apps specifically like PDAnet somehow work around these differences. If the NAI is spoofed or if the requests are masked to look like they are coming from an application on the phone, I don't see how it is possible for Verizon to know the difference, or ever limit it. They would have to do deep packet inspection and see what you are doing with your internet traffic at the application level, which I think would be much more trouble than it is worth, not to mention bordering on illegal.
tl;dr: I don't think Verizon can ever stop PDAnet.
I know that so far I have not had any issues on my Dinc using both the wired and wifi tethering native in OpenVPN. If verizon gets too smart about it all I will just set up a VPN to hide everything from them even more
I believe the native browser on the thunderbolt didn't give you the option of being recognized as a mobile browser or desktop browser, which could affect the way certain websites will show.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

Port forwarding with FoxFi or other options

So I have been looking for a way to say goodbye to AT&T's U-Verse and their terrible service/billing.
Now that I have a galaxy S3 and there is decent LTE coverage at home, I would like to use my Unlimited LTE as my main internet service.
This has worked out well tethering with FoxFi and I usually get around 15mb/s down / 6 mb/s up.
However I cannot figure out how to get incoming connections to uTorrent. I don't torrent very often but I like to maintain a good ratio and there are some things which I will seed forever, to make sure they are still available.
I haven't yet rooted my phone though I'm comfortable with it from prior experience. I wouldn't mind rooting it but if I can avoid it for the time being, why bother?
Has anyone had any trouble with Verizon and torrents on an unlimited plan? I don't use an exorbitant amount of data but I wonder about my privacy.
I would be very appreciative if someone could show me how to port-forward or otherwise open my phone to incoming connections from uTorrent through tethering. I have also considered using a VPN to increase my privacy, so if I could use that with my phone connection, I would be very happy.
Thank you to any who devote their time to my cause.
Sorry, I dont have a solution for you. but i would like to know the answer to this as well
i torrent just fine when tethering my Galaxy nexus on verizon (using PDAnet) i use about 20gigs a month or so and the max i ever went with it was 60gigs. but i have not torrent in a long time and have been using my tethering for WoW and L4D2 and downloading steam games
Whoa, you're on u-verse and having bad service and bill? Might want to shoot me a private message to talk about it and I can take a quick looksee of what's going on (I'm a tier 2 technical support agent for u-verse, and you wonder why I'm on Verizon Wireless )
Anyways, the only thing I've learned is that setting up utorrent on the phone is a pain in the ass but will work (been awhile since I've done it) but only when it's on 4G, if it's on the 3G network it won't let you do it (I can't point my figure on why).
scsa20 said:
Whoa, you're on u-verse and having bad service and bill? Might want to shoot me a private message to talk about it and I can take a quick looksee of what's going on (I'm a tier 2 technical support agent for u-verse, and you wonder why I'm on Verizon Wireless )
Anyways, the only thing I've learned is that setting up utorrent on the phone is a pain in the ass but will work (been awhile since I've done it) but only when it's on 4G, if it's on the 3G network it won't let you do it (I can't point my figure on why).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the consideration. I'll be in touch.
I tried to use uTorrent on my S3, but the private tracker I use only allows supported clients. There is no Android option available. I am going to suggest they add one, but in the mean time, I'm wishing I could run a Linux client on my phone or figure out a way to enable incoming connections over a WiFi/USB tether. Don't know where to start with that, though.
You might want to look at your computer's built in firewall. From my understanding of port forwarding it allows certain traffic to bypass a firewall to a specific client. I don't recall foxfi having any built in firewall so anything connected to it should be in a DMZ
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Jarredw said:
You might want to look at your computer's built in firewall. From my understanding of port forwarding it allows certain traffic to bypass a firewall to a specific client. I don't recall foxfi having any built in firewall so anything connected to it should be in a DMZ
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The built in firewall doesn't block incoming connections when I am using my home wifi (I have set up port forwarding in the router). The only thing I change is that I connect to FoxFi and the port is no longer accessible from outside (no connections are being made to upload in uTorrent.)
BUMP?
Has Anyone gotten anywhere with this, I know its not a firewall somewhere down the line the port is getting blocked but all my firewalls are off....
Mike
androidkitty said:
Thanks for the consideration. I'll be in touch.
I tried to use uTorrent on my S3, but the private tracker I use only allows supported clients. There is no Android option available. I am going to suggest they add one, but in the mean time, I'm wishing I could run a Linux client on my phone or figure out a way to enable incoming connections over a WiFi/USB tether. Don't know where to start with that, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should see if they support tixati. I have had nothing but problems with utorrent in the past couple years. Tixati may not look superior at first but it has all the same options plus more. Probably what really draws me to tixati is it allocates the files before download.
VPN Fixed it, Kinda
androidkitty said:
The built in firewall doesn't block incoming connections when I am using my home wifi (I have set up port forwarding in the router). The only thing I change is that I connect to FoxFi and the port is no longer accessible from outside (no connections are being made to upload in uTorrent.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I had the Idea to set up a VPN on the computer, and It did fix the connection problem, got the green, BUT my DL speeds went to crap, Which makes sense, So I guess if you wanna either find a decent VPN provider that can handle the through put could possibly solve the issue...I just jumped on the first free one I came across..
Hope It Helps
Mike
Which VPN did you use eventually mike ?
dumbledon said:
Which VPN did you use eventually mike ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Started with OpenVPN, which worked OK, But was a PITA to setup, I eventually went to a free VPN through a website, and client configuration, They'd change the password daily, you just jump to the site, log-in get the new Password and your good to go, Speeds where about the same...
And It's been awhile, but I found out the the Issue was AT&T blocking certain websites (Including at the time, My Free Host for my Forum which is now on a VPS..) and have since moved to T-mobile....
Been Awhile and memory isn't as great as it was, Hope this is what you are looking for,
Mike

8X Tethering

So..moving from Android to Windows is pretty awesome except that Windows is just way to good at locking down their hardware. Verizon just adds insult to I injury when it comes to using my unlimited data which I will never give up until they decide to drop me.
Anyway, if anyone is interested I have figured out how to tether the 8x via USB (and at pretty decent speeds) but have still been searching for any sort of workaround for the ICS that VZW thinks unlimited users shouldn't be allowed to have for free. I could just go pay the $5 for Tether-X or whatever but I hear it takes a lot of setup on the computer end which is just a hassle and not convenient seeing that my home computer already has fast internet. I've had a few ideas...
First, for those who are interested in USB tethering. It involves enabling Diag Mode (##634#) so your PC will recognize it as a USB Composite Device. The problem here is the drivers. I searched all over and finally came across the 8x-specific drivers for the PC to recognize it as a modem. Message me if you are interested in the details to setting that up. Now to the hotspot question...
From what I've read, there used to be a way to go into your EPST settings (##778#) and change the DUN NAI in the default W.IP profile to bypass the block. The problem here is that you cannot edit these settings because VZW(HTC?) decided that people shouldn't be able to play with the device they paid so much for to keep their unlimited data. Does anyone know any tricks to unlock editing in these sections of the EPST? Any other workarounds that anyone has heard of? Please don't say such things as "move to a shared plan" or "pay for the hotspot"...I waited for this phone to come down in price so I could buy it out-of-pocket just for the fact that I could keep my unlimited data. And it wouldn't really be unlimited if I had to pay more to use ICS, now would it? Besides, it's not a necessity, just something that would be convenient. I have faith that WP8 will be cracked soon so I can enjoy it like the old days where the native file system was open for modification.
NeMisiz said:
So..moving from Android to Windows is pretty awesome except that Windows is just way to good at locking down their hardware. Verizon just adds insult to I injury when it comes to using my unlimited data which I will never give up until they decide to drop me.
Anyway, if anyone is interested I have figured out how to tether the 8x via USB (and at pretty decent speeds) but have still been searching for any sort of workaround for the ICS that VZW thinks unlimited users shouldn't be allowed to have for free. I could just go pay the $5 for Tether-X or whatever but I hear it takes a lot of setup on the computer end which is just a hassle and not convenient seeing that my home computer already has fast internet. I've had a few ideas...
First, for those who are interested in USB tethering. It involves enabling Diag Mode (##634#) so your PC will recognize it as a USB Composite Device. The problem here is the drivers. I searched all over and finally came across the 8x-specific drivers for the PC to recognize it as a modem. Message me if you are interested in the details to setting that up. Now to the hotspot question...
From what I've read, there used to be a way to go into your EPST settings (##778#) and change the DUN NAI in the default W.IP profile to bypass the block. The problem here is that you cannot edit these settings because VZW(HTC?) decided that people shouldn't be able to play with the device they paid so much for to keep their unlimited data. Does anyone know any tricks to unlock editing in these sections of the EPST? Any other workarounds that anyone has heard of? Please don't say such things as "move to a shared plan" or "pay for the hotspot"...I waited for this phone to come down in price so I could buy it out-of-pocket just for the fact that I could keep my unlimited data. And it wouldn't really be unlimited if I had to pay more to use ICS, now would it? Besides, it's not a necessity, just something that would be convenient. I have faith that WP8 will be cracked soon so I can enjoy it like the old days where the native file system was open for modification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this, I enabled WiFi Internet sharing in my Verizon 8X: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52490701&postcount=5

[Q] Route Hotspot traffic through VPN

I am trying to route my Hotspot traffic through a VPN, in order to prevent my carrier from detecting it. So far, I've been unable to get this to work by just connecting to a VPN and enabling the Hotspot. Some research (many, many XDA threads and Google) have convinced me that this is a very involved task. So, now I am approaching it from a different angle, the goal is still to conceal hotspot traffic.
Looking at the default TTL of Android, it appears to be 64. My laptop (Ubuntu) is also 64. So I changed /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_default_ttl to 65 on the laptop, raising the TTL by one. So if my carrier is paying attention to this, packets should appear to originate from my smartphone, rather than 1 hop behind it.
Next, if I connect to a VPN from my laptop... that should prevent them from seeing that I am connecting to Windows Update (or other obvious non-smartphone services) or from reading the user-agent, as the VPN encrypts the packets.
This, I think should be sufficient, right? I do not intend to use an insane amount of data anyways. The carrier is Sprint, and they've never mentioned anything to me before. Do you think they would investigate any further than this for signs of hotspot use? I hope that this is an appropriate category to post this, I tried under Galaxy Nexus Q&A but did not get any answers.

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