Uncapping Cable Modem Tips

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How does my ISP know if I uncap my cable modem?

ISP Monitoring of Cable Modem Uncapping

Your ISP and/or cable company monitors the network. If your neighbors hold an “uncap cable modem” party, the ISP can detect that your neighbors' bandwidth is above specified limits. The ISP can query the network to find your MAC address (not to be confused with Macintosh) and identify you as the source of the uncapping. In addition, many ISPs have modified the config file sent to the modem to detect when the cap is exceeded, at which point the modem shuts down. No matter how clever the uncapping machine or cable modem uncapper, the ISP can still catch you.

   
What is the OneStep cable modem uncapper program?

OneStep Cable Modem Uncap

OneStep is supposed to be the Arnold Schwarzenegger of cable modem uncapper programs, a lean mean uncapping machine.

The brainchild of shadowy criminals calling themselves “DerEngel” and “Byter,” OneStep sends disgruntled cable Internet subscribers into frenzied anticipation. But Netizens content with 3 Mbps and unwilling to face exile in the form of dialup advise against buying into the uncap cable modem program, although DerEngel reportedly insists OneStep is legit. DerEngel also plans to provide disclaimers and warning statements for those who want the mammoth 30 megabyte program.

OneStep is supposed to make uncapping safe, but many Netizens say to steer clear.

   
Does uncapping even work?

Uncapping Doesn't Work

Several uncap cable modem proponents will tell you that they've been able to coax ten times the bandwidth out of their cable modems since they've run a cable modem uncapper or used and uncapping machine.

However, most tech experts agree that uncapping doesn't work, except on older modems. Also, experts say the bandwidth limit is enforced at the head end, and there's no way around this design. In the event you do increase the cap, you have to reboot the cable modem to make the change permanent, but once you do, the modem will contact the head end computer and download the latest settings, including the speed limits, which are most likely the ones you just tried to bypass through uncapping.

   
Can I uncap my cable modem by altering the Docsis specifications?

Uncapping and Docsis

One tutorial on the Internet gives you an uncap cable modem tutorial that includes instructions on how to change Docsis specifications. We won't post the instructions here. Altering Docsis is like backing up in an area with warning signs saying, “Do not back up, severe tire damage.” Uncapping machine, cable modem uncapper, the tool doesn't matter. Your ISP/cable Internet provider monitors Docsis specifications and can look for red flags. Besides, the speed increase will be negligible.

   
Are there tutorials on how to uncap my cable modem?

Uncapping Tutorials

Like specs on how to create viruses or how to start your own MLM business, tutorials on “how to uncap cable modem” are abundant on the Internet.” They feed the perpetual motion uncapping machine started by a few hackers and cable subscribers dissatisfied with their cable Internet service.

Like cable modem uncapper programs, cable modem uncapping tutorials are questionable at best, illegal at worst. If you do some research online, you'll find that cable modem uncapping tutorials are usually posted by poor spellers in tech forums. Most cable modem users treat them with about the same credibility as junk e-mail advertising.

   
What is a cable modem uncapper and how does a hacker use it?

Cable Modem Uncapper

Uncapping cable modem tips:
A cable modem uncapper is a program floating around the Internet that uncaps the bandwidth limits either included in your cable modem or programmed in by your cable Internet provider. It's available in a Zip file, but be advised that using this program to uncap cable modem equipment will at the very least get your ISP service terminated. Thanks to Docsis and to the cable company monitoring users' modems for bandwidth hogging, using the cable modem uncapper program is in the category of “use at your own risk,” much like an uncapping machine.

There are also other uncapping programs users have offered in internet forums, including links to sites devoted to cable modem hacks. Again, this is murky territory.

   
Can I legally uncap a cable modem?

Legally Uncap Cable Modems?

If you're thinking about uncapping your cable modem, especially if the modem cable with a cable Internet service provider, be warned. Your service agreement prohibits uncapping, removing software blocks that limit or “cap” bandwidth.

Uncap your cable modem and you will at the very least be banned from your ISP for life. In the case of subscribers who uncapped cable modems provided by Buckeye Cable of Ohio, the FBI seized the offenders' computer equipment, although reports suggest this may have been excessive punishment.

Some critics argue that the laws about cable modem uncapping are not clearly defined. But most of us would probably do well to avoid an uncapping machine or a cable modem uncapper.

   
How do I coax more speed and bandwidth out of my cable modem without resorting to uncapping?

Uncapping Alternatives

More uncapping cable modem tips:
There are many terrific cable modem speed tweaks out there. You can increase your speed and bandwidth without ever needing:

• An uncap cable modem tutorial
• A cable modem uncapper
• An uncapping machine
• A hacker

There are excellent speed optimizer programs for purchase and available as freeware or shareware. Alternately, you can change your computer's settings yourself without needing to do anything to your cable modem.

   
Will my bandwidth actually increase if I uncap my modem?

Uncapping=Increase in Bandwidth?

Stealing bandwidth is illegal. The chances that you'll gain insane amounts of bandwidth by using a cable modem uncapper or uncapping machine are negligible, and not worth getting banned from your ISP for life plus jail time. Most high-end servers can only handle 8 Mbps. Hackers on the net may be saying, in ungrammatical posts, “Uncap cable modem, u know u want too,” but you can't enjoy the bandwidth boom from the county jail.

   
Why do ISPs cap cable modems?

ISP Caps on cable modems

ISPs frown on bandwidth hogs, and hackers who uncap cable modem limits with a cable modem uncapper or an uncapping machine.

Cable Internet providers and ISPs don't limit bandwidth to make your life miserable (that's what dial-up is for.) They do it to prevent people from running huge bandwidth-hogging Web servers on their cable Internet connections.

In addition, ISPs have a whole network of customers to distribute bandwidth among. It's the same principle as parents giving every kid the same allowance – it's just fair to everyone.

   
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