How to check if your ISP is messing with your packets

by Ian Dumych Apr 11th 2008

A while back, the EFF caught cable provider Comcast using basic hacking techniques to restrict the use of Bittorrent on their connection. This irritated a lot of people, not only illegal file sharers, but also the growing number of consumers who use the bittorrent technology for legitimate purposes, such as downloading Open Source software or getting quality, legal media from one of Bittorrent's many partners.

The EFF, ever vigilant, has created an excellent guide to "packet shaping", the technique that ISPs use to futz with your data. In a nutshell:

You the consumer have the ability to monitor your connection for suspicious packets using a tool called Wireshark.
People who catch their ISPs in the act can send evidence to the EFF, which will in turn help their case to take legal action against sneaky ISPs.

Check out the white paper at their site, complete with cute illustrations and explanations that just about anyone ought to be able to understand.

Tags: Bittorrent, Consumer Rights, ConsumerRights, Online Life, OnlineLife, P2P

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Roy said 11:18AM on 4-11-2008

I know that Comcast is douching with my network connection.. I'll try this out! Thanks Download Squad

Brian said 11:43AM on 4-11-2008

To much to read, looks hard to do. No thanks.

Todd said 11:50AM on 4-11-2008

Awesome, thank you for this DLS! I have been trying to figure out why my $80+ DSL would start slowing down and yes "packet injection" by AT&T is the reason.

I urge all DLS reader to use that Whiteshark software and see all the monkey business going on by your ISP - shocking and grounds for a class action law suit.

darkkosmos said 11:58AM on 4-11-2008

"This irritated a lot of people, not only illegal file sharers, but also the growing number of consumers who use the bittorrent technology for legitimate purposes"
I believe you! /ultrasarcasm

Ian Dumych said 1:53PM on 4-11-2008

Excuse me, but have you even been to the official bittorrent site? They have tons of legal content there, from big names.

http://www.bittorrent.com/nowplaying?csrc=top_nav

Todd said 1:54PM on 4-11-2008

FYI all the great shows over on Revision3 use bittorrent, which was the start of the "packet injection" saga for me. The simple act of downloading a Diggnation high def episode triggered something at AT&T and my service has been manipulated ever since.

A good follow-up for Ian Dumych would be to list all the legit services that use bittorrent ( NetFLicks? Hulu? ) and the resulting evil the ISPs commit as seen through Whiteshark.

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