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Public Service Announcement For UK BT Broadband Users
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: UK
Status:
Offline
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Hey there. Ever noticed those 'free' Wifi networks called BT FON or BT Openzone? Noticed they seem to be getting more common lately?
Maybe you even noticed that they don't just spring up in population centres anymore, and you've spotted them in quiet rural villages or even isolated properties?
Here is why: That super-duper shiny BT Home/Business Hub you got free with your broadband? Its that. By default, new BT Hubs come providing both BT FON and BT Openzone networks. BT are sharing YOUR broadband without asking your permission or telling you what they are up to.
Luckily its easy to log into the hub and turn this off, but still. I personally think this is a bit out of order. Anyway, now you know and you can decide whether or not you want to share your connection with others.
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I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
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Moderator  Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Polwaristan
Status:
Offline
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Wow, that's crazy. It's shocking a company's lawyers would let them do this. I can't imagine the lawsuits or blame game for child porn or media piracy subpoena drama.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: UK
Status:
Offline
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These open networks are free to BT service subscribers (and some Orange subscribers) or you can pay to use them (they started out in airports) so people who log in can be traced. Its more that an already overstretched network is being further hindered in terms of the actual download speeds you'll get.
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I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cambridge, UK
Status:
Offline
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Indeed this has been going on since at least the BT Home Hub 2.0 - 3.0 is the latest.
If you don't want to do anything with your network in terms of static DHCP reservations, the Home Hubs are fine, otherwise, chuck them out and get a Netgear.
The Business Hubs (2Wire 2700HGV) are normal wireless and fusion networks, which are all secure. I think fusion networks are intended for wireless phones?
I've not investigated the 2701HGV in too much detail yet. I've only had two from BT in the wild. The firmware is slightly different and they support fiber optic connections.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: UK
Status:
Offline
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The last one I spotted had a Fusion network which was WPA, a WEP network of some kind and both BT FON and BT Openzone unsecured networks.
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I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: planning a comeback !
Status:
Offline
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LOL, how hard would it be to set up a fake BT Openzone router and simulate a man-in-the-middle attack or skimming off password. Shouldn't be hard.
Just image all those people that have used legitimate BT Openzone networks before, and whose devices "learned" that BT Openzone hotspots are ok and to be trusted.
-t
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