Is the end of "free" tethering near?? - Page 3

Mutiny32 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocelyn84

Exactly! When we (WinMo users) tether, Sprint thinks whatever we're doing is on the phone's browser.
This thread is silly.

That's not true at all. The HTTP protocol uses TCP port 80 or 8008/8080 as in accordance with official IANA port reservations. It can use other ports, but only when the server is configured to use an unofficial alternate. HTTPS is TCP 443 officially.

As such, traffic can be reliably classified and usage monitored by a carrier. It is extremely easy to do so. Other applications use other TCP/UDP ports, as there are 65536 ports for either protocol.

Basically what I am saying is that Sprint could easily determine if a user is tethering if they wanted. The reason people can get away with it is that Sprint has better fish to fry, so to speak. They only pay attention to tethering when bandwidth for a user spikes and gets flagged for possible abuse of service. After that, the account's usage can pulled up and monitored for unusual port usage, number of connections, and possibly even packet inspection to determine the program that is using the connection; as most communications are sent in cleartext.

So no, they don't just think it is the phone's browser when you tether.

And yes, I do that kind of stuff for a living

No, not for Sprint. But I do know their type of firewall system, as they are oficcially a reseller of the product; Nokia IP security devices running Check Point. Yep, Nokia makes (or should I say made, they just sold that division to Check Point this year) the most badass firewalls in the world. Great people to deal with.

Jocelyn84 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 02:18 PM

Mutiny You're absolutely correct, but you change those settings on your computer and browser in order to avoid detection. I know I do it, and as soon as searching is working , I'll find the thread to prove it.

supdawg · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 02:21 AM

People who abuse tethering should be turned off by Sprint. I use it if my internet is down, or if I am on a road trip somewhere, but I don't use it a lot because I know Sprint doesn't approve and I don't want to be the guy who ruins it for everyone.

**w7excursion** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 04:32 AM

Ya shouldnt be talking at all if you "abuse" the system at all lol.

AB33 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 05:46 PM

The BB can tether right out the box through the USB and BB Desktop Manager if you know what to connect and hook up through about 7 steps. I bought tetherberry for my dad's Curve on Sprint for $49, that works easier with less hassle and shouldn't be shut down by Sprint. If Sprint does the same for the WM phones we would all have to go to PDA Net or use the Wifi app. Sprint wants us all to pay 50 per month for PAM for all devices that have that capabilities.

cbreze · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 05:53 PM

So pda net is a decent option although not free(one time purchase). I understand that it disguises your browsing somehow to look like the phone is doing the surfing. Anybody know, is that right? And further, does anyone know how that works?

chong67 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 08:34 PM

I see. In a sense, Sprint got other better fish to fry.

**boredandtattooed** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 01:18 AM

pam is only 15bucks last i checked....

and quit complaining.. were all stealing already anyways..

tethering is not included in unlimited data, never has been..

if it ends, its ends...

and sprint may launch roms like they did with tp1 that block it
but im sure we can always undo it just like we always do..

and why even ask a question like this anyways... do we call the shots at sprint? no

we cant possibly know the answer OP.. but my guess is BB cant flash roms to get around things, WM can...