Well yesterday I was tethering like i've done every day on my device and I kept getting redirected to a tmobile webpage telling me to pay an extra $15 per month for tethering.
My T989 Sgsii is using CM7 and there is no tmobile tethering software on the device. Is anyone else able to tether? Im on a prepaid contract have have tethered every day for free since last december.
Im guessing tmobile is blocking my tethering on the network end, since all blocking/tethering management software has been removed from my phone.
Any advice? If i cant tether, i cant use up all 5 gigs i pay for, so ill probably get a cheaper plan or switch to straight talk.
Seems like we have the same problem?
I made a post on the Nexus One forum aswell.
zeus_chingon said:
Seems like we have the same problem?
I made a post on the Nexus One forum aswell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Looks like we both have the same problem.
Tmobile must be somehow able to detect when my computer tries to hop on their network and blocks it.
Can anyone else who uses tmobile comment on this?
They're mainly catching you by looking at the headers of your http traffic, and assuming that http requests with desktop browser strings are coming from tethered PCs. If you change them to spoof Android's browser, T-mo can't tell the difference.
They could probe more deeply if they wanted to, but as a practical matter, they don't. If they blindly dip the net into the stream and just look for http traffic with desktop-browser identities, they can effortlessly catch 99% of the people who tether.
If you really want to hide your tethering from them, just subscribe to a PPTP VPN service like ibvpn.com. It's around $5/month (~$37 if you pay for the whole year up front), it'll TOTALLY hide what you're doing from T-Mobile (because all they'll see is an encrypted bitstream), and also comes in handy for using a wi-fi tablet with public access points (the reason *I* subscribe).
Just be careful to make sure your network connection doesn't drop while you're tethered, because there doesn't seem to be any way to tell Android, "Establish this VPN whenever there's connectivity, and DO NOT send ANY data via ANY means besides the VPN". If your connection drops, the VPN will break, and if the phone reconnects to T-Mo a half second later, it'll just silently send all network traffic going forward straight through T-Mobile until you reconnect to the VPN.
bitbang3r said:
They're mainly catching you by looking at the headers of your http traffic, and assuming that http requests with desktop browser strings are coming from tethered PCs. If you change them to spoof Android's browser, T-mo can't tell the difference.
They could probe more deeply if they wanted to, but as a practical matter, they don't. If they blindly dip the net into the stream and just look for http traffic with desktop-browser identities, they can effortlessly catch 99% of the people who tether.
If you really want to hide your tethering from them, just subscribe to a PPTP VPN service like ibvpn.com. It's around $5/month (~$37 if you pay for the whole year up front), it'll TOTALLY hide what you're doing from T-Mobile (because all they'll see is an encrypted bitstream), and also comes in handy for using a wi-fi tablet with public access points (the reason *I* subscribe).
Just be careful to make sure your network connection doesn't drop while you're tethered, because there doesn't seem to be any way to tell Android, "Establish this VPN whenever there's connectivity, and DO NOT send ANY data via ANY means besides the VPN". If your connection drops, the VPN will break, and if the phone reconnects to T-Mo a half second later, it'll just silently send all network traffic going forward straight through T-Mobile until you reconnect to the VPN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
best advice ive received so far - i was wondering how they were able to tell i was tethering. so i guess ill just need a browser that supports changing of the user agent? or is it more complicated to browser spoof?
I got the same message two days ago with a prepaid account on a CM9 exhibit ii
I'm not sure just changing the ua would help though because I'm getting the redirect on my android tablet as well, not just my laptop
The headers also give them an idea if more than one unit is being serviced, ie: hotspot. Encryption hides this as well. Bottom line? They will see tethering if they look for it.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA
I just use Opera. It hasn't failed me yet.
I believe the tether detection works by looking at the TTL for packets. It would be more than it should be if the client is using the device as a gateway. Thing is HTTPS still works once you've been "blocked" as well a bunch of other protocols, so it looks like they are just setting a captive portal for port 80 traffic. That said, I have a Zentyal VPN set up at home on my 50mb/s line, so once tethered I VPN into my home machine which then resets my gateway on my laptop to be the gateway on the VPN machine at home. This redirects ALL traffic through the VPN effectively side stepping t-mobiles blocking altogether. So as long as they still allow any data connections over my data plan while tethering than I can access everything like normal. One positive side effect is that general browsing seems to be MUCH faster given that the traffic is really actually being downloaded from my home connection and being siphoned through the VPN rather than having the phone itself and t-mobiles crappy gateway doing all the work.
---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 AM ----------
Not to mention, everything is encrypted so t-mobile cant track any of my surfing habits either. I dont know about you all, but I tend to trust my ISP a little more than my wireless carrier.
So the issue has been solved.
I can tether on tmobiles network with no issues as long as i DONT use google chrome. Safari and Firefox access webpages no problem. Chrome has a user agent string which tmobile is able to see - and block by default on their network.
I'm on Tmobile w/ my Droid 3, stock OS. I tether once in a while, only use Chrome for browsing, and I've never gotten redirected.
--posted from my phone
EDIT: found another thread here with more posts:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26477722
5318008 said:
I'm on Tmobile w/ my Droid 3, stock OS. I tether once in a while, only use Chrome for browsing, and I've never gotten redirected.
--posted from my phone
EDIT: found another thread here with more posts:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26477722
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using chrome all day today. First half of the day it was fine (and every other time before this but I've only had them for less than a month), but then after I started pushing maybe a gig through netflix in addition to using chrome THEN chrome stopped working. Had to use a user agent extension to get chrome working again.
So it might be a trigger set off by data usage to THEN check for the user agent
colonelcack said:
I was using chrome all day today. First half of the day it was fine (and every other time before this but I've only had them for less than a month), but then after I started pushing maybe a gig through netflix in addition to using chrome THEN chrome stopped working. Had to use a user agent extension to get chrome working again.
So it might be a trigger set off by data usage to THEN check for the user agent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense. TMobile doesn't appear to have refarmed Portland yet, so when I do tether, I don't end up using that much data, what with being stuck on 2G and all.
Please look at my post regarding T-mobile tethering
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26649587#post26649587
The methods employed by t-mobile to detect tethering are quite frivolous and an asinine move on their part. Their detection does not even work properly.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
fix for Tmobile blocking tethering with usb cable
To fix your issue just change your user agent in IE or Firefox. If you dont know how to do that just google change Useragent for IE or firefox.
Hopes this helps.
jordanishere said:
Well yesterday I was tethering like i've done every day on my device and I kept getting redirected to a tmobile webpage telling me to pay an extra $15 per month for tethering.
My T989 Sgsii is using CM7 and there is no tmobile tethering software on the device. Is anyone else able to tether? Im on a prepaid contract have have tethered every day for free since last december.
Im guessing tmobile is blocking my tethering on the network end, since all blocking/tethering management software has been removed from my phone.
Any advice? If i cant tether, i cant use up all 5 gigs i pay for, so ill probably get a cheaper plan or switch to straight talk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firefox doesn't work either...
jordanishere said:
So the issue has been solved.
I can tether on tmobiles network with no issues as long as i DONT use google chrome. Safari and Firefox access webpages no problem. Chrome has a user agent string which tmobile is able to see - and block by default on their network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try Safari, but they pounced on me when using Firefox.... :crying:
Hi,
Just got a shiny new Galaxy Note 10.1 last weekend. Yesterday, after receiving my case and keyboard from Amazon, I brought it in to school to start taking advantage of the S-Pen for note taking in classes that keyboards don't quite cut it in. Unfortunately, it revived an issue that I had and ignored on my HTC Rezound from last year... an issue that a WiFi device can't ignore, and unfortunately my phone's battery is not up to using CM10's tether function all day (and it might start running down my monthly data being used 5 days a week, all day).
So, any ideas what might cause this issue? The school primarily has Macs, and my Windows 8 Laptop sometimes has issues, but at least half the time it works fine. It is just Android devices that will not work. They connect, and get great signal strength, but just won't get any actual data. To my knowledge, nobody has ever gotten an Android device to connect. My Rezound is running an unofficial CM10 (4.1 JB) version, and my Note is using whatever the newest official update is (4.1 as well, I believe. Non-rooted). I don't know a whole lot about this type of stuff, but I'm not afraid to tinker around to try and get it working. I've tried a few other suggestions from numerous Google searches, but to no avail so far. The network is unprotected, and run by the school's IT people, so needless to say I have no way to easily change settings for the campus' network. I'd prefer not root the Note just yet, but if I need to, so be it. Any ideas what this might be?
Thanks
Some more Info
Coffeeist said:
[Original Post]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some more info:
I cannot ping the tablet from my laptop (I get no packet loss, but all return 'Destination Host Unreachable'.
Same result if I try pinging my laptop or the router from my tablet using Terminal Emulator.
Sometimes, if set to DHCP, the tablet will give an 'Authentication Error Occured' error (or similar, I don't recall the actual wording). Sometimes it indicates a connection, but just won't work. I've never had a problem connecting using the same info as my laptop (with the IP changed, of course), but again, no internet, no ping.
Thanks
May or may not be the problem, but from what I've noticed, school networks tend to have a lot of blocked ports. I know the main Google Sync Framework uses port 5228. Try shooting an email to a network admin in your school's IT dept, asking about that port or just in general if they're aware that Android devices are unable to connect on their network.
Coffeeist said:
Some more info:
I cannot ping the tablet from my laptop (I get no packet loss, but all return 'Destination Host Unreachable'.
Same result if I try pinging my laptop or the router from my tablet using Terminal Emulator.
Sometimes, if set to DHCP, the tablet will give an 'Authentication Error Occured' error (or similar, I don't recall the actual wording). Sometimes it indicates a connection, but just won't work. I've never had a problem connecting using the same info as my laptop (with the IP changed, of course), but again, no internet, no ping.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "same info as my laptop" what types of credentials are you referring to? Something you have to change on the laptop in order to get in? The more information regarding this you can provide (safely, mind you, mask/alter any sensitive info), the better we can assist you. If you have to do something like set a VLAN, then you're never going to get an Android device to work as we do not have the capability to use VLAN'd wireless like most PCs and Macs can with the proper configuration changes. If there's some browser catch-all page, then that should work, but based on your statement "with the IP changed" leads me to believe that you're messing with the adapter settings directly. I would be especially keen to helping you with more detailed networking issues like this should you provide me with the information requested. I look forward to your reply. (Yes, I like technical challenges like this, it's why I work VoIP support.)
IP address or no IP address
Coffeeist said:
Some more info:
I cannot ping the tablet from my laptop (I get no packet loss, but all return 'Destination Host Unreachable'.
Same result if I try pinging my laptop or the router from my tablet using Terminal Emulator.
Sometimes, if set to DHCP, the tablet will give an 'Authentication Error Occured' error (or similar, I don't recall the actual wording). Sometimes it indicates a connection, but just won't work. I've never had a problem connecting using the same info as my laptop (with the IP changed, of course), but again, no internet, no ping.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since you know ping, then did you check the IP address for each device?
Back to basic:
1: ping your device gateway IP
2) if ok, then ping ur device (tablet or laptop)
3) if ok then ping bbc.co.uk (this will check your dns), if failed ping your dns's IP address.
If no IP on android, then check if there is any protection on device. It sound like no IP been allocated for you.
Depends on how good a school's IT dept. I have not seen many school actually put filter to stop non-window device.
I am not sure it has anything to do with VLAN yet. As a simple logon, device does not care VLAN or no VLAN.
The basic for us is 1) get an IP on device. 2) know how to get out (gateway IP) 3) interrept hwere you go (DNS resolution) 4) know how to get to internet (internet router, internet firewall, internet boardband et...)
If you have authentication error, then it is sure you are not going to get an IP address. If this is WiFi then check on security (WEP, WAP...TKIP...)
tinbox134 said:
since you know ping, then did you check the IP address for each device?
Back to basic:
1: ping your device gateway IP
2) if ok, then ping ur device (tablet or laptop)
3) if ok then ping bbc.co.uk (this will check your dns), if failed ping your dns's IP address.
If no IP on android, then check if there is any protection on device. It sound like no IP been allocated for you.
Depends on how good a school's IT dept. I have not seen many school actually put filter to stop non-window device.
I am not sure it has anything to do with VLAN yet. As a simple logon, device does not care VLAN or no VLAN.
The basic for us is 1) get an IP on device. 2) know how to get out (gateway IP) 3) interrept hwere you go (DNS resolution) 4) know how to get to internet (internet router, internet firewall, internet boardband et...)
If you have authentication error, then it is sure you are not going to get an IP address. If this is WiFi then check on security (WEP, WAP...TKIP...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Coffeeist,
Please contact your schools IT department and find out what kind of encryption they use on their APs.
If they use TKIP, then that is whats causing the problem with android devices.
Once TKIP is disabled on the AP you are connecting to, you will be able to reach the internet.
I say this because I had the same problem in the past (setting up Cisco APs), and can confirm that this is the cause of the problem.
TKIP shouldn't be used anyway. They should be using AES. TKIP is too weak.
I guess that last part answered another question that you might of had. (Why TKIP doesn't work with Android?) Android=Secure TKIP=WEAK.... Unacceptable for Android
Also, you mention something about not being able to ping your tablet from your laptop. If I understand this correctly, you have both your laptop and tablet connected to the same AP and you are trying to ping between the two. This wont work in most cases. Reason: "Port-Protection", which if enabled doesn't allow clients on the AP to communicate with each other.
Regards,
Ed
Let us know how it goes.
nasvi said:
Hello Coffeeist,
Please contact your schools IT department and find out what kind of encryption they use on their APs.
If they use TKIP, then that is whats causing the problem with android devices.
Once TKIP is disabled on the AP you are connecting to, you will be able to reach the internet.
I say this because I had the same problem in the past (setting up Cisco APs), and can confirm that this is the cause of the problem.
TKIP shouldn't be used anyway. They should be using AES. TKIP is too weak.
I guess that last part answered another question that you might of had. (Why TKIP doesn't work with Android?) Android=Secure TKIP=WEAK.... Unacceptable for Android
Also, you mention something about not being able to ping your tablet from your laptop. If I understand this correctly, you have both your laptop and tablet connected to the same AP and you are trying to ping between the two. This wont work in most cases. Reason: "Port-Protection", which if enabled doesn't allow clients on the AP to communicate with each other.
Regards,
Ed
Let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With useful posts above the rest is not much left for me to say but a simple advice
Make sure your friends aren't playing a prank on you coz I tend to do it I use arpspoof and aireplay-ng to cause such mayhem
Sent from my A116 using Tapatalk 2
Airplay and Arpspoof wouldn't be possible if MFP is enabled on the AP. Also the OP is stating that it is with all android devices and not 1.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app
responses
First off, thanks for all of the posts, and I apologize for taking so long to respond.
Also, I did check port 5228 with my laptop, and it seemed to indeed be closed. Haven't been able to contact IT yet, but I will need to soon to solve an issue with another, unrelated issue.
Cynagen said:
What do you mean by "same info as my laptop" what types of credentials are you referring to? Something you have to change on the laptop in order to get in? The more information regarding this you can provide (safely, mind you, mask/alter any sensitive info), the better we can assist you. If you have to do something like set a VLAN, then you're never going to get an Android device to work as we do not have the capability to use VLAN'd wireless like most PCs and Macs can with the proper configuration changes. If there's some browser catch-all page, then that should work, but based on your statement "with the IP changed" leads me to believe that you're messing with the adapter settings directly. I would be especially keen to helping you with more detailed networking issues like this should you provide me with the information requested. I look forward to your reply. (Yes, I like technical challenges like this, it's why I work VoIP support.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just IP/DHCP/DNS (and I've also tried public DNS such as Google). Nothing fancy set up on the laptop (everything should be on Windows default network settings, same with Android on both devices). There is also no catch-all page, assuming I'm interpreting that correctly (as a login page sort of thing, like I'd get at Starbucks or a Hotel).
Glad to provide the challenge... truth be told, underneath the annoyance of lacking connection, I love issues like this because of the fun tricks and such that solving them can teach.
tinbox134 said:
since you know ping, then did you check the IP address for each device?
Back to basic:
1: ping your device gateway IP
2) if ok, then ping ur device (tablet or laptop)
3) if ok then ping bbc.co.uk (this will check your dns), if failed ping your dns's IP address.
If no IP on android, then check if there is any protection on device. It sound like no IP been allocated for you.
Depends on how good a school's IT dept. I have not seen many school actually put filter to stop non-window device.
I am not sure it has anything to do with VLAN yet. As a simple logon, device does not care VLAN or no VLAN.
The basic for us is 1) get an IP on device. 2) know how to get out (gateway IP) 3) interrept hwere you go (DNS resolution) 4) know how to get to internet (internet router, internet firewall, internet boardband et...)
If you have authentication error, then it is sure you are not going to get an IP address. If this is WiFi then check on security (WEP, WAP...TKIP...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If I recall, this either had full loss, or Destination Host Unreachable, when pinging the gateway IP from the tablet.
2. Have tried this nonetheless, and I think I made it through once or twice just after turning on the tablet, but after that would only get Dest. Host Unreachable.
3. Had tried with Google, fails across any DNS.
I seem to get an IP, although sometimes I get the authentication error in Android and it won't connect. Whenever I set a static IP, based off of my laptop's IP (not the same, of course), I get connected, just no internet.
nasvi said:
Hello Coffeeist,
Please contact your schools IT department and find out what kind of encryption they use on their APs.
If they use TKIP, then that is whats causing the problem with android devices.
Once TKIP is disabled on the AP you are connecting to, you will be able to reach the internet.
I say this because I had the same problem in the past (setting up Cisco APs), and can confirm that this is the cause of the problem.
TKIP shouldn't be used anyway. They should be using AES. TKIP is too weak.
I guess that last part answered another question that you might of had. (Why TKIP doesn't work with Android?) Android=Secure TKIP=WEAK.... Unacceptable for Android
Also, you mention something about not being able to ping your tablet from your laptop. If I understand this correctly, you have both your laptop and tablet connected to the same AP and you are trying to ping between the two. This wont work in most cases. Reason: "Port-Protection", which if enabled doesn't allow clients on the AP to communicate with each other.
Regards,
Ed
Let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless I am totally clueless about this stuff (er, moreso than I though I already was), it uses neither TKIP or AES, being an open and unsecured network.
sak-venom1997 said:
With useful posts above the rest is not much left for me to say but a simple advice
Make sure your friends aren't playing a prank on you coz I tend to do it I use arpspoof and aireplay-ng to cause such mayhem
Sent from my A116 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, I doubt it. None of my friends, especially the ones who I think would even try and do something like this, are tech-savvy enough for me to have any suspicion of that. Thanks though
Another piece of info (a pretty weird seeming one at that): Sometimes, I'll turn on my tablet in the middle of the day, and out of the blue there is an email notification there, for recent emails. Of course, if I go into browser, I can't get any pages. Can't think of any other networks that the device could/would connect to on campus, either.
Thanks!
Coffeeist said:
First off, thanks for all of the posts, and I apologize for taking so long to respond.
Also, I did check port 5228 with my laptop, and it seemed to indeed be closed. Haven't been able to contact IT yet, but I will need to soon to solve an issue with another, unrelated issue.
Just IP/DHCP/DNS (and I've also tried public DNS such as Google). Nothing fancy set up on the laptop (everything should be on Windows default network settings, same with Android on both devices). There is also no catch-all page, assuming I'm interpreting that correctly (as a login page sort of thing, like I'd get at Starbucks or a Hotel).
Glad to provide the challenge... truth be told, underneath the annoyance of lacking connection, I love issues like this because of the fun tricks and such that solving them can teach.
1. If I recall, this either had full loss, or Destination Host Unreachable, when pinging the gateway IP from the tablet.
2. Have tried this nonetheless, and I think I made it through once or twice just after turning on the tablet, but after that would only get Dest. Host Unreachable.
3. Had tried with Google, fails across any DNS.
I seem to get an IP, although sometimes I get the authentication error in Android and it won't connect. Whenever I set a static IP, based off of my laptop's IP (not the same, of course), I get connected, just no internet.
Unless I am totally clueless about this stuff (er, moreso than I though I already was), it uses neither TKIP or AES, being an open and unsecured network.
Haha, I doubt it. None of my friends, especially the ones who I think would even try and do something like this, are tech-savvy enough for me to have any suspicion of that. Thanks though
Another piece of info (a pretty weird seeming one at that): Sometimes, I'll turn on my tablet in the middle of the day, and out of the blue there is an email notification there, for recent emails. Of course, if I go into browser, I can't get any pages. Can't think of any other networks that the device could/would connect to on campus, either.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on your responses, I have a follow up question and comment. The question is as follows: Did you have to register your computer with your IT when you started school in order to be permitted on the wireless network? If this was the case they're likely filtering based on MAC address (which you won't be able to spoof on your Android, but you may be able to spoof on your laptop), get them to re-register your laptop after you spoof the MAC address so you can get both devices on using the same MAC address (though not at the same time of course unless you're fine with stuff randomly not working). The comment is as follows: Yeah, finding the workarounds to get back limitations like this is definitely a fun challenge because when you win, you've definitely learned something new. Oh, and you were right about my question of the gateway authentication page like a hotel wifi login page.
MAC
Cynagen said:
Based on your responses, I have a follow up question and comment. The question is as follows: Did you have to register your computer with your IT when you started school in order to be permitted on the wireless network? If this was the case they're likely filtering based on MAC address (which you won't be able to spoof on your Android, but you may be able to spoof on your laptop), get them to re-register it after you spoof the MAC address so you can get both devices on using the same MAC address (though not at the same time of course). The comment is as follows: Yeah, finding the workarounds to get back limitations like this is definitely a fun challenge because when you win, you've definitely learned something new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it was up and running just through connecting normally, and has been since (mostly) - no registration or anything like that. Now, the reason that I put 'mostly' in parentheses is that sometimes the computer will be connected, but also have no internet (I don't think this started until I, dare I admit, upgraded to Windows 8). However, this only happens sometimes, whereas the Android devices never get internet access.
However, on the topic of MAC addresses, one post (in fact, I think it was on XDA) I saw awhile back while Google searching this problem was that someone had a similar issue, found to be with their device's MAC address having the letters 'FA' instead of 'FB' or something like that. Being that my Note isn't rooted, I haven't tested it with that, but perhaps I should give that a try with my CM10 Rezound?
(This is the post: HERE)
Thanks!
Coffeeist said:
Nope, it was up and running just through connecting normally, and has been since (mostly) - no registration or anything like that. Now, the reason that I put 'mostly' in parentheses is that sometimes the computer will be connected, but also have no internet (I don't think this started until I, dare I admit, upgraded to Windows 8). However, this only happens sometimes, whereas the Android devices never get internet access.
However, on the topic of MAC addresses, one post (in fact, I think it was on XDA) I saw awhile back while Google searching this problem was that someone had a similar issue, found to be with their device's MAC address having the letters 'FA' instead of 'FB' or something like that. Being that my Note isn't rooted, I haven't tested it with that, but perhaps I should give that a try with my CM10 Rezound?
(This is the post: HERE)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That shouldn't be it unless they have corporate level routers that don't recognize the MAC address of any devices manufactured after 2009 (when most of these manufacturers got the MAC addresses assigned to them (this is VERY unlikely)). I would honestly work with IT on campus and advise that it appears not a single Android device is allowed on the network. If they're blocking Android for any reason, check the terms of service for using the WiFi and see if there's any provisions for banning an entire brand of device/OS for whatever reason. If there's only provisions for individual banning, then take it back to them and show them that your record has not been abusive in the least and go from there. Make a case, otherwise draw one up with legal council. *shrugs* I don't believe anyone should ever be punished for the type of device they chose to purchase, that's first amendment choice, but it really comes down to their terms of service which you agree to by using the wifi.
Cynagen said:
That shouldn't be it unless they have corporate level routers that don't recognize the MAC address of any devices manufactured after 2009 (when most of these manufacturers got the MAC addresses assigned to them (this is VERY unlikely)). I would honestly work with IT on campus and advise that it appears not a single Android device is allowed on the network. If they're blocking Android for any reason, check the terms of service for using the WiFi and see if there's any provisions for banning an entire brand of device/OS for whatever reason. If there's only provisions for individual banning, then take it back to them and show them that your record has not been abusive in the least and go from there. Make a case, otherwise draw one up with legal council. *shrugs* I don't believe anyone should ever be punished for the type of device they chose to purchase, that's first amendment choice, but it really comes down to their terms of service which you agree to by using the wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give it a shot, thanks.
Coffeeist said:
I'll give it a shot, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to bump the thread, but seeing as it's my own I figured it would be alright...
I got around to asking the the school IT about the issue, and they said that the deliberately block mobile traffic, which they went on to find out does include Android tablets (I understand phones, but I can't even begin to understand why they target Android tablets... unfortunately, that's not my call). I Google searched a bit, and found that networking devices from a company called Aruba can be set to block traffic from specific types of devices (supposedly Cisco and a few other companies can do similar things too), by checking something with the HTML version, or something like that (I'm by no means a networking expert hehe).
So, I guess I'll make my last effort with this thing, and ask if anyone knows of some legal, non-hacky way of getting by this?
I'm guessing not, but worth asking.
Thanks
Coffeeist said:
Sorry to bump the thread, but seeing as it's my own I figured it would be alright...
I got around to asking the the school IT about the issue, and they said that the deliberately block mobile traffic, which they went on to find out does include Android tablets (I understand phones, but I can't even begin to understand why they target Android tablets... unfortunately, that's not my call). I Google searched a bit, and found that networking devices from a company called Aruba can be set to block traffic from specific types of devices (supposedly Cisco and a few other companies can do similar things too), by checking something with the HTML version, or something like that (I'm by no means a networking expert hehe).
So, I guess I'll make my last effort with this thing, and ask if anyone knows of some legal, non-hacky way of getting by this?
I'm guessing not, but worth asking.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before discussing any workarounds, you may need to review the Terms of Service for your wifi on the school premises first, review the consequences for bypassing their security measures, and figure if it's worth the risk to you... At this time, it'll be kind of "hacky" to get around such a block. In order to provide you with a valid workaround though we'll need a little bit of information regarding what's going on when you connect.
First, when you connect to the WiFi with your Android device, do you even receive an IP address? If you don't then we'll stop here, the only way to get around the types of blocks they're employing at this level would require hardware hacking/firmware reprogramming to change the identity of the device itself, which is flat out illegal in just about anywhere I can think of. Here's your checklist, fill out where applicable: (Even if you set static information to accomplish this, that will be a valid Y.)
Get an IP? (If Y, proceed)
Is it a valid IP address on the same network as your PC? (Either way, don't care)
Can you ping the gateway you got from DHCP on Android? (If Y, proceed)
Can you ping the DNS server(s) you got from DHCP on Android? (If Y, proceed)
Can you ping an external server such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8) on Android? (If Y, then we're done here)
It's kind of a bit of a process unfortunately, however, if you pass every single one of these tests with the Android device, there's good news. They're only filtering traffic based on the User-Agent identification of all your applications (and based on the MAC address of your device, denying your DHCP requests), you should be able to bypass this with a VPN tunnel back to your home from your Android (after setting your static IP) in order to encrypt and keep this information from leaking to their systems. However, this will likely set off alarms if they monitor their network heavily. If the school IT asks, then you're "working on projects in-between classes on your computer at home and your family has a home office with VPN already, so you used that to connect back to the house". Either way, they can't say much about it besides cut you off... again. Anywhos, I wouldn't recommend trying to bypass without doing all this research first, and then also evaluating the possible consequences, however the rewards are within themselves. You'll be the only person at school with a working mobile device, (besides those iSuckers). Technically, encrypting your traffic is completely legal (and they can't say anything legally about it), however, setting a static IP address in the same range as your computer at school may be against their TOS which you abide by being on campus. Let us know how everything goes.
Cynagen said:
Get an IP? (If Y, proceed)
Is it a valid IP address on the same network as your PC? (Either way, don't care)
Can you ping the gateway you got from DHCP on Android? (If Y, proceed)
Can you ping the DNS server(s) you got from DHCP on Android? (If Y, proceed)
Can you ping an external server such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8) on Android? (If Y, then we're done here)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Static I set an IP and all other info (Gateway, DNS, etc, except for Network Prefix Length... no clue what that is, left it at 24 default), and could not ping gateway
Dynamic/DHCP I will have to check tomorrow, after downloading stuff for the tablet to get that info (I think I need root to use IfConfig with Terminal Emulator, correct?).
Whatever they use to block me out, it seems to have a slight hole built in... every day, multiple times a day, I will look down at my tablet and see notifications (mainly email, occasionally Facebook, etc) that pushed through on the schools network (I know that for sure, being that often times the emails are messages received during the day, in a time period where the tablet has been nowhere near any other networks). Maybe this hole can be breached?
Thanks!
Coffeeist said:
With Static I set an IP and all other info (Gateway, DNS, etc, except for Network Prefix Length... no clue what that is, left it at 24 default), and could not ping gateway
Dynamic/DHCP I will have to check tomorrow, after downloading stuff for the tablet to get that info (I think I need root to use IfConfig with Terminal Emulator, correct?).
Whatever they use to block me out, it seems to have a slight hole built in... every day, multiple times a day, I will look down at my tablet and see notifications (mainly email, occasionally Facebook, etc) that pushed through on the schools network (I know that for sure, being that often times the emails are messages received during the day, in a time period where the tablet has been nowhere near any other networks). Maybe this hole can be breached?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems like small gaps where the system doesn't block you long enough to receive some traffic, but that is promising. BTW, you can get your "network prefix" (netmask as we call it) from your computer. If you go into the command prompt on windows and run "ipconfig /all" you'll get 4 useful bits of info we need, IP address (so you can mimic it), the gateway, the subnet mask (usually 255.255.something.something) and the DNS servers. The subnet mask determines what you use, and I HIGHLY doubt they use 24 (that's mainly for home networks, 24 = 254 devices permitted on the DHCP, 16 = 65534 devices (this is WAY more likely)).
Cynagen said:
It seems like small gaps where the system doesn't block you long enough to receive some traffic, but that is promising. BTW, you can get your "network prefix" (netmask as we call it) from your computer. If you go into the command prompt on windows and run "ipconfig /all" you'll get 4 useful bits of info we need, IP address (so you can mimic it), the gateway, the subnet mask (usually 255.255.something.something) and the DNS servers. The subnet mask determines what you use, and I HIGHLY doubt they use 24 (that's mainly for home networks, 24 = 254 devices permitted on the DHCP, 16 = 65534 devices (this is WAY more likely)).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just had a clean connection for about 5 minutes, and had a normal-looking IP based on my PC. Using Terminal Emulator I pinged the gateway after my connection failed, still with no response. I still appeared to have a proper IP on my tablet, but no actual internet connection.
So, perhaps these small windows are something to pursue? Or perhaps sticking with the VPN plan is best?
Thanks!
Coffeeist said:
Well, I just had a clean connection for about 5 minutes, and had a normal-looking IP based on my PC. Using Terminal Emulator I pinged the gateway after my connection failed, still with no response. I still appeared to have a proper IP on my tablet, but no actual internet connection.
So, perhaps these small windows are something to pursue? Or perhaps sticking with the VPN plan is best?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to make sure your networking information is entered correctly, you still haven't said anything about the netmask in this situation. However, if you're entering this information in correctly then you should have a solid connection until they realize you've forced a device into the network. The only thing you can do beyond that point is during that window, open a VPN connection without using a single browser request so they don't know what the device is unless they check the MAC address. Either way, this is a window that can be used, you just need to avoid identifying your device in any way prior to initiating the VPN connection. Turn off Sync when you connect.