India Broadband Forum

beat_root

Hi,
let me know ur suggestions plz on this new issue with Hathway, Pune cable internet or if anyone has faced a similar issue.

A bit of background info: - I currently use the (512 intropack plan(prepaid)) which means 2GB or 2 months whatever finishes earlier, use it only for e-mails, no large downloads/attachments, no torrent downloads. My daily download is less than 5 MB

I have deliberately avoided installing Wireless router due to security reasons, i'm happy plugging in the cable, use a RH distro of Linux (with ssh disabled, and usual Linux security measures)

The frustrating issue:
The usage details on Hathway's website shows a download of 1.2 GB, 1 GB, 500 MB on dates 5/6/7 September 2008.

Frankly(i have no reason to lie) i had not even turned on my modem , and there was
no computer at home(i had left my laptop at my office for entire week)


The IP address listed with the downloads is mine, which is makes it next to impossible to convince Hathway support/cust. care that i have not done these downloads.

Also the current usage exceeds the (download limit+carry forward limit) , which is strange for a prepaid plan.

Has anyone experienced this with Hathway ?

I'm worried that if any illegal (Net Banking Fraud or e-mails sent by anti-social elements) was performed in this activity, the IP traced will turn out to be mine.

just4kix

It appears that your account is breached. The "same ip" story is bullshit. If Hathway is giving static IP to your login, then obviously IP address will be the same for your login id. On the other hand, if they are giving dynamic IPs then even your own actual usage will have different IPs for different dates.

Does Hathway track MAC id? It is extremely difficult to change/duplicate MAC id.

__________________

beat_root

Yes, its static. And i'm not exactly bullshitting here, If you try to explain that the activity was not done by me, then the standard reply that "But this download was done from you IP...." is given by tech support/cust. care.

The message i want to convey here is that it is difficult to prove to Hathway that i have NOT done this download.

As far as MAC id goes, the MAC ID is also assigned by Hathway, and agree with u that its extermely difficult to change or spoof it.

just4kix

No. NO. You misunderstood me. When I said "bullshit" I meant that it is bullshit from Hathway side.

I suggest that you somehow close the case and switch to BSNL wherein they provide port binding, i.e., telephone number is tied to your BB account and then there is no possibility of account hack (unless telephone line is hacked).

Admin

The only solution to this issue is switch to another isp and get an unlimited connection. I know it is very frustrating having to pay for someone else's misadventures but there is hardly anything we can do about it.

beat_root

Yes, what u've said must have happened.
Other Hathway users have faced similar issues as well, here's one i found :
(i've broken the link , have to exceed 15 posts yet...

www | mouthshut | com/review/Hathway_Cable-150340-1.html]Hathway Cable Review, Hathway Cable Plan, Speed, How is Hathway surviving the competition? - MouthShut.com

I have lodged a complaint with Hathway (i dont expect a waiver on the bill)
If some illegal activity was done in that unauthorized usage, then at least i have some defense to put up. Better to be proactive and do what you can now than suffer later.
To make things worse, Hathway's Cust.Care (Pune) phone lines are down for the last 2 hrs.

Thanks.

strider

This is the worst feeling, one would ever receive.

beat_root

Just found out something new.
This now seems to be a billing mistake/blunder on Hathway's part.
My plan is a 512-Intropack (2 months validity), as i said before.

my current plan renewal gives me a validity period of 1-aug-2008 to 30-sep-2008

But Hathway has happily sent me a bill dated 1-Sep-2008 for Rs. 430(??)
This could very well be someone else's usage debited to my account
(I trust these ppl very much to make such mistakes and not bother to check it within the organization first before bluntly cutting off the customer, asking to pay the amount)

Sorry if i'm pulling this thread too long.... i hope it helps someone who is facing a similar issue or someone who opts for Hathway's services

just4kix

No. This thread is good.

beat_root

After visiting Hathway officials in person (at their office near Prabhat Rd., Pune), they have agreed to look into the issue.
At least they accepted that the usage was not likely to be mine, and something has gone wrong. (phew !!)
and that the IP they assign is static and cannot be hacked...blah-blah..and i shud not worry who is using my account....

The person i spoke to agreed to check the details on 13th Sept and then contact me.
It's 4 days now and no contact from them... (they've just agreed to look into the problem, but are not concerned about it anyway...)
I'll go to their office again to wake them up ...

just4kix

What do they mean "static ip cannot be hacked"? IP is given after a user connects to the ISP's router. The DHCP assigns the IP address. If your user id and password is known to others they can also use it on their hathway connection.

You must ask them specific questions on anti-hacking security measures. Every modem (ADSL or Cable) has a MAC address. Is your account (username) bound to the MAC Id? If not, they have no security measures. If they say yes, insist on proof. Also try the following, if possible. Go to a friend/neighbour who has Hathway. Try to login to your account from his/her place.

In case of BSNL, for example, at many cities/places, the phone number is tied to the BB account and hence there is no hacking possible even if username/password is compromised. This is known as port binding.

Admin

Get an unlimited connection to put an end to your misery every Isp in India has one problem or the other ... with an unlimited connection you would atleast be imune to billing issues.

beat_root

I did ask them specific questions, but these officials are trained to rattle off rehearsed responses every time. The guy just would not budge an inch, sticking to the "static IP" story all the time....

Yes, the MAC id is assigned by Hathway to the cable modem.
Now, is it the same MAC id that was seen on those downloads is the question, which Hathway has not answered...the mac id is not listed with the internet usage which u can check on their website..

And here's the shock my friend; there is no authentication involved.
U assign the ip given by them to your network interface, set the DNS, let the modem connect, and bingo ! u r on...

One more way would be to check what was the MAC id of the NIC used (if that is tracked by Hathway, and if they investigate this diligently)
the hwaddr is unique for every NIC, which would be a sure shot way to tell who it was.

Yes, Admin I agree with you, given a reliable ISP like BSNL i would have not hesitated for an unlimited plan.
Unfortunately BSNL will lay cables and setup a new exchange near my locality is only when i can go for it (another 2 years, i'm living with WLL for my landline rt. now)

But with providers like Hathway, going for an unlimited plan is no different than donating them money.... connectivity issues that go on for 2 weeks+ and speed compared to a dialup for a 512 kbps plan....

I even considered switiching to Airtel, but i'm advised that although their connectivity is good, their billing is worst

just4kix

BTW, where do you reside? I am surprised that BSNL does not have cables at your doorstep.

And what you said about Airtel in Pune is true. Their billing sucks bigtime in Pune. I have had similar reports from two friends living in Camp area.

beat_root

I reside near MIT Engineering College, Paud Rd., in Pune.
BSNL had laid cables for individual bungalow plots there...way back in 1970
But now plot owners have started demolishing their old bungalows and construct buildings having 8-10 apartments
So you have one cable running upto the plot and 10 flat owners, all wanting a BSNL phone.... but not sufficient cables.

The Karve rd. tele exchange officials say that they have no plans to lay new cables in that are.a
A new tele exchange is expected to come up on Paud Rd., somewhere near Chandni Chowk, but it is at least 2 years later.

So for quite some time, and in the recent future too, i will have to go without any connectivity

hey just4kix, just saw your profile..you reside in Pune too....good 2 know.

just4kix

Yes. I live near College of Agriculture - just inside the lane that is adjecent to the flyover. The area is known as Modibagh (not to be confused with 1 Modibagh).

beat_root

It's over a week now... and still Hathway officials have not found anything yet.
They have tried to use dirty workaround to avoid solving the problem.

They have proposed to change my plan to a new 1 Mbps plan valid for 4 months and pay Rs. 1250 upfront, and forget about the past billing issues.

But what caused faulty billing in the first place.... They still cant seem to find out

I came to know that YOU telecom is another provider in Pune who offers connectivity in Kothrud, Pune
Is it comparable/better/worse than Hathway ?
any suggestions are welcome ?

beat_root

Still no details about the unauthorized usage....
They claim that their "manager" had sent an e-mail about the usage details.
Nothing recd. yet. (i got a read receipt for my e-mail complaint though)
At least they agreed about the usage and waived off the charges when i agreed to renew the account.
All this after 2 visits to their office and 20+ phone calls.

I have a new name for it:

Hateway Cobble Intermittent Packet Provider