EIRCOM'S Router Vulnerability:
The Vulnerability in Eircom's (Netopia) Routers stems from the fact that the WEP (Security Key) is generated using the Wireless Networks own name. If you have an Eircom router that you connect to Wirelessly, you will have seen the name of your Network (SSID). It looks something like:
EIRCOM 1234 567
This name is unique to your Router. Each Router has been programmed with a different name, the numbers vary. major weakness in the way the default WEP key for your Netopia is generated. The
WEP key is formed from the serial number of the router and some Jimi Hendrix
lyrics. That’s fair enough you might think, because nobody knows your serial number, right? For some reason, the Eircom SSID is also generated from the serial number in such a way that, given the SSID, you can easily find out the serial number, and hence the WEP key. The process has already been automated via an Eircom WEP key generator. then anyone within a possible 100 meters can access your Broadband connection.
Why would anyone want to?
Usually for one of two reasons, either they simply don't want to pay for Broadband and if yours is unprotected, they don't have to. The other possible reason is so as they can download illegal material from the Internet, with very little chance of getting caught. The problem for you is, if they are using your Network, who is going to be investigated? You are.
Secure your Wireless Network. Even if you are using a cable from your router to your PC, the Wireless broadcasting is still turned on. Most Routers come with Wireless, built in. On the majority, the Wireless is ENABLED.
Usage Caps & Charges
Its important to remember that at the end of the day if you go over the cap and you get charged you only have yourself to blame as you agreed to Terms & Conditions that advised you could be charged for going over your cap.
Eircom
Plain and simply Eircom have the right to charge, it would appear Eircom like many ISP's only charges when you abuse the service and as such reports are mixed. Some people have been charged, others have not.
Three Broadband
Three Broadband have been known to charge customers if they go over there usage cap.
UTV Internet*
UTV have always charged customers for going over there cap but UTV do have a "unlimited*" upgrade option for a small fee which is more then fair to customers who believe they may go over their usage cap
Vodafone
Plain and simply Vodafone have the right to charge, Vodafone have been known to charge customers and as such you may be charged if you go over your cap.
NTL/Chorus/UPC*
NTL/Chorus/UPC do not currently charge customers who go over there usage cap, however they will either warn customers that they face termination of there account if they continue to overuse the service or they may force you to upgrade to the next package so that you have a larger more suitable cap
BT Internet
Plain and simply BT have the right to charge, BT have been known to charge customers but not others.
BT Business Broadband
This is a unlimited service and no download caps or usage policy's applies,
Imagine Broadband*
While at present Imagine do not charge for going over your usage cap they do according to their Terms & Conditions reserve the right to upgrade your Broadband package to a package more suitable to your usage needs, continued breach of your cap can result in the termination of your Imagine Broadband account.
O2 Broadband*
O2 Broadband have a cap and a Fair Usage Policy attached to this, according to there Terms & Conditions they can do the following "O2 reserves the right, at our sole discretion, and having provided you with notice, to introduce an excess Usage charge",, while this shouldn't be a problem for the majority of customers its best to watch your usage.
Smart Telecom Broadband
Smart currently don't have download caps or usage caps according to their website
* Fair Usage Policy applies |
