yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] :
It is my understanding that AT&T's NOC IS using TTL values to determine tethering. The value will obviously be wrong when it hits the laptop and then phone. This is completely legal on their end.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fincan:
Hmm, if they are in fact using that, it is fairly trivial to modify your TTL values under linux with iptables (with --ttl-set option) so you can basically modify your packets with (phone's_ttl + 1) but I don't know if it is possible under Windows.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fincan:
UPDATE: Apparently Atrix uses 64 as TTL, which can be seen in /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_default_ttl file, so we need to make our laptop/computer to send packets with TTL value of 65. I've edited the post according to this value.

----------------

Hehe what do you know, actually it turned out to be even easier on Windows.

Default TTL value for Atrix is 64 , so we need to force our laptop to send packets with TTL 65, so it drops to 64 when it passes the phone. In order to do this in Windows (tested this on Win 7 64 bit, should work on XP, Vista, etc.)

Open regedit (Start - Run - regedit)

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Tcpip\Parameters

Look for a value called DefaultTTL. If it is there, change it's value to 129 (decimal). If it is not there, create one by Right Click - New - DWORD (32) - Name: DefaultTTL and change it's value to 65 (decimal) or 41 (hexadecimal)

Tadaa! That's it.

Or just use the attached .reg file, it just adds the DefaultTTL key with value of 41 (hex) or 65 (decimal)

If you are using Linux on your computer, you can set your TTL temporarily (until you reboot or set it again) with the following command (run as root):

echo 65 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_default_ttl​
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ddiehl:
Do you know if the TTL value is the same for all android phones? I have an Inspire, and want to try your method, but don't know if it'll work with my phone. I tether very little (probably less than 5% of the time)- usually only in airports, or when I'm somewhere with no WiFi. I just want to play it safe..

Thanks...
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fincan:
Yes it should be the same for all android phones. In fact I think for all linux devices TTL is 64, and for windows it is 128.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] stewartsoda:
Quick, someone who doesn't tether change your phone's TTL to 63 and see what happens. Throw a fit if you get served.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Sir_Brizz:
LOL! I was thinking of that, too. I can see how that conversation goes... "I have never used anything but my phone to use the internet... I bought this phone on eBay." "Sorry sir but you are tethering give us more money" *lawyers* *lawsuit* *served*.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xx0505xx:
I have the unlimited data plan from AT&T so i never really had to look at my data usage. However, there was a time when I was moving and had no home internet for about 2 weeks and I had to tether from my atrix for that time being and in the 2 week period I checked data usage because i was curious and found out that I had used over 12gb of data in 2 weeks.

I was worried something might happen or I might be overcharged on my bill but my bill stayed the same. this was about a year ago though. other then that I never really use my phone to tether unless I really have to.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mikeloeven:
My biggest issue is regarding the difference between tethering and internet sharing.

tethering is a service where the computer uses the phone as a bridge to dial into the cell network

but with ICS the phone is acting just like a router. what i dont understand is how att can legally accuse ICS users of stealing tethering when ICS is not a ATT service like classic tethering. i really dont think any isp should have the right to dictate how their consumers use their data plan with the exception of blatantly illegal activity such as hacking and online fraud
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] goofyj8:
has anybody got caught using "Using App like Barnacle or Wifi-Tether" method?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] totalimmortal363:
Unlimited mobile hotspot and unlimited 4G data :D
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nosit1:
So, awhile back I got popped. Couldn't tell if it was iPhone or Atrix. It was the iPhone. I record 12.7GB this billing cycle. Nothing. Using a TTL hack on my tablet in addition to the wireless tether app.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lefthooked:
Where to find either of these? Cant located in marketplace.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drew68:
I believe you get barnacle directly from the website. Do a Google search for barnacle tether and you will see the website. I did it from my phone. You have to have side loading enabled
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] goofyj8:
" Originally Posted by Ed Venture View Post

(C) Using App like Barnacle or Wifi-Tether.

Ed

Where to find either of these? Cant located in marketplace."

Take out the SIM card from the phone, boot it up all the way and go to martket place and search for it. That's how I got it installed.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rickwood:
Or go into airplane mode. Then enable wifi and access the market that way. That's how I installed Barnacle.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ambient711:
OK, so it looks like iPhone users are more prone to getting the emails, calls, and texts about tethering (please correct me if im wrong). The real question is after the notice has anyones plan actually been changed?

Ive done some research (mostly Google searches) and I cant seem to find anyone who has actually had there plan changed.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] iamandrus:
I got the first text a few days ago, saying that they were changing my plan to the stupid 4GB with tethering. I called and said that I didn't tether (by claiming to not know what tethering is), and they said I could change my plan back to the unlimited once I got another message about it. I was skeptical, and was right to be...

I got the final text of death and called AT&T immediately following. Someone on the phone said that whoever I talked to before was lying and that I couldn't go back to the unlimited plan I had before. That angered me because they're basically doing this out of pure greed and genuinely screwing over iPhone users who really need a lot of data. They're so lucky my contract expires next year or I would have a Verizon iPhone in my hands right now.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fincan:
Actually this means your contract became non binding, and you can leave at&t without fines.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lsxrx7:
u didnt tell us what phone u have ?

atrix ? or iphone ?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ambient711:
So they actually changed your plan to the 4GB tethering? because I got a warning text and then a second one even though I was not tethering since the first letter, I called in and they said it was a mistake they sent the texts warning me about changing my plan.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KryptosXLayer2:
AT&T to put a stop to illegal tethering; no more joking around

AT&T to soon begin revoking unlimited data from jailbreak hotspot users

Okay! So, the discussion begins again, since I just found out about AutoTether and really want to use it with my Tab 10.1....... I heard someone on G+ say "as long as you have the correct app that has carrier tracking hidden, you can tell them your watching netflix and they will never know." What the hell is that??? Or better yet, where do I get it? haha
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] coolio86:
So there are ways to hide tethering on the iPhone? How? Actually is there a way to hide the amount data you use if you have an unlimited data plan? I want to use my unlimited data to it's full use. And I'm not paying any extra.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ambient711:
PDAnet has a Hide Usage thing.... dont know if it works or not.

http://junefabrics.com/iphone/index.php
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] danstheman7:
Wait, so all I have to do is tether an insane amount, change the TTL on my phone (to 128, for example), and then once they switch my plan, I can leave free?!

oh my g/d is this true

i can't wait to get away from them, my average H+ download speed is less than 1mbps in my area....
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Alcapone263:
i enabled tethering with this method here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1160452

does anyone know if this is safe to use or not? has anyone who used this method gotten served yet?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] moobieboobie:
+1 would also like to know
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drock212:
The concern whether the APN method to tether is safe or not has arisen because of a recent article that was published talking about AT&T cracking down on illegal tethering. To clear some things up this article was specifically talking about illegal tethering APPS and that's even what AT&T said "illegal tethering apps" and once again they were only talking about the iphone not any android phone. So the APN method seems to be safe for now and os the most recommended method.

PS. From all the posts I've seen on here I don't remember reading a single one where an android owner got the notice and also think of it, if you're not using your phone as a full out replacement for you're home internet needs you're not going to go into a range of use that will have you noticed.

From unlocked/rooted GB Atrix
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] coolio86:
Let me make sure I got this straight. Android uses APN tethering so they don't get caught, right? What how can the iPhone use the same kind? What app do I need? I want to use MyWi from Cydia because it has infrastructure mode so it acts as REAL WiFi instead of an adhoc connection.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] coolio86:
I was looking around and the app TetherMe seems to be exactly what I was looking for. Infrastructure mode and it hides usage. Has anyone gotten any texts of death from using it?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ambient711:
Text email and call about tethering ... i was using tetherme...
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ranova:
screenshot?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tapeworm_george:
How often were you tethering? How much data per month? Anything else relevant? When did it happen?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ranova:
augh, why are people talking about "TetherMe" in the ATRIX forums? I googled it, and unless Im missing something, its an iOS tethering app.

STOP causing confusion and worry by posting about iOS tethering methods in an ANDROID device forum. We already know iOS users are getting the cease and desist letters from MyWi and other tethering methods...

Geezes
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drock212:
As stated above this forum is about the Atrix an android device. Not iphone. And everyone getting caught is using the iphone with some tethering app. Also I know nothing about iphone or if they can even use an APN method to tether. Seems like you guys need to find an ios forum as most here are android experienced not ios experienced

From unlocked/rooted GB Atrix
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ambient711:
I dont have the email or text anymore, I got the text, email, and call about a month and a half ago.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ambient711:
I use between 2-4GB a month. I have never gone over 4GB that is why im so surprised.

I only tethering occasionally and never for big files.

P.S. Sorry all I know this is a Atrix area, this is my last post about iOS
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nosit1:
So far, I'm using 8.2GB right now. About 4.5GB is from regular data usage (my phone is literally what I do everything on...even school work.). Using the Wireless Tether application and a TTL that emulates the same on the phone. No warnings on Android. The only warning I got was from my iPhone usage with MyWi.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] twayneo:
top 5% of data users starting oct 6th will be throttled
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KryptosXLayer2:
Man, you tell iPhone owners to piss off on an Atrix forum and it gets real quiet in this thread now! So does that really mean Android owners have NOT received any notifications from AT&T to cease tethering?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Alcapone263:
i'd guess so. i've done a lot of researching on it across the web, and still haven't found any android users that have been cracked down.

don't take that as 100% proof that android users are safe though, the best way to avoid being served is to just not tether in the first place.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dcpppf07:
have rooted my Atrix and have just started tethering (not very often yet, I've only had the phone for two days).

Just curious which would be safest between Barnacle, wifi tether, and the method seen here.

I hear the iPhone users are getting busted by using apps, and am contemplating buying the SQlite app so I can do the method above. I would just like to hear that it is safer if that is the case, and why it would be safer.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] crossix:
So correct me if I'm wrong, if you use the default method of "wifi sharing" without using any apps except the ones that came with the os and don't change your apn they can't track you?

When you use the default "wifi sharing" that comes baked into andriod your phone acts as a portable router. It has it's own dhcp server all the packets get sent through your andriod device using the ttl and the ip of andriod not the computer's OS?

If this is not the case then perhaps a firewall or a proxy to redirect the traffic completely through the phone so it looks like its coming from off the phone might work to eliminate any possibility of them detecting traffic otherwise.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] edgeicator:
Only way to truly hide it is with a vpn or SOCKS proxy. We don't know exactly how AT&T is tracking people down. All data is already being routed through the phone. TTL is a function of packets. Only way to hide it is to edit a registry setting on your phone if you're on windows.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nosit1:
I have this registry fix if anyone would like it.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] danstheman7:
Sure! I'd use it.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KryptosXLayer2:
Absolutely we would!
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nwelker:
Curious if anyone could shed any light on my situation. I'm an android user with a rooted Aria and I tether very rarely but during our wheat harvest I host a webcam and usually run around 10 gb use of data. The thing is I am a newly transferred Alltel customer with unlimited data "actual unlimited" to At&t and the deal they gave us with this takeover is we have no contract, we just keep the plan exactly what we had b4 unless we do a major upgrade like add another phone and such. Their website says "no contract" and I've talked to a rep and they say it is kinda like a state of limbo. So if I have no contract and if they come after Android users, what would they do?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DarkSim2o9:
LOL, that is to true...

I live out in the country about 6miles from our town and my internet goes out all the time and its nice to be able to use the tethering when i need to.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] multimedialeech:
just wanted to let people know, i have been using my attrix to tether pretty frequently (5+ days a week at least an hour or so a day) since my friends house doesn't have internet yet. Running the alien mod, and have been using the tether option in settings->wireless & networks -> tethering & mobile hotspots (sometimes usb sometimes wireless). Just woke up this morning to the email from AT&T saying they would drop me from my unlimited plan to a tethering plan if it keeps going past the end of the month. Just wondering if anyone has figured out how they are finding out that a phone has been tethering/ if there was a safe way to do it?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fincan:
Try this:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=14077254&highlight=fincan#post14077254

Other than the TTL value, they cannot find it out without breaking the law and doing an active payload inspection. Most likely what they are doing is just looking at the data consumption and flagging people whose using too much data, whatever too much is in their book.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] multimedialeech:
thanks for showing me that post i will defiantly do that, i only had like 5.3gigs used when i got this email, and when i called to tell them i didn't want the tethering plan, i asked if they check by data usage and the rep said they did not. (though i don't know if i believe them). Though to be honest i am rather concerned about losing my unlimited plan so even after making the registry change i will prob only use tethering when i absolutely have to.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fincan:
No problem, also always talk to them as if you don't even know what tethering means on the phone :)
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] multimedialeech:
yea i did, i called them back and tried to ask what it was that got me flagged (because of course i have no idea whats going on and don't want this to happen again) and they just kept repeating that it popped up in the system that i was tethering and they could not give any details as to why i was flagged
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] J-man67:
DAMN! Just got served. I RARELY tether, but I still use a lot of data. Netflix may have caused my flag... I will be calling!
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xyrovice:
Same here. Odd thing is, while I've tethered in the past, I've certainly not done it recently.

I guess it is a data level thing...and I have an unlimited plan (grandfathered), so I'm p!ssed they'd get their panties in a bunch.

Well, looks like I'm about to ***** out a cs rep here...all the while completely oblivious to this "tethering" to which they refer.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sfate2009:
I too was served today, and had the tether talk, i informed them i knew exactly what tethering was, and i have also tethered in the past, but not anytime recently, i use tons of multimedia apps, including Netflix. these are high data usage apps, and im certain these are whats tripping the flags, i simply explained i have a phone that i watch netflix on constantly have an hdmi hookup to view on a monitor, and do so, this is not tethering.. they removed my flag, and told me the account would be under review until the 30th, this is simply a scare tactic from at&t to try to get people out of their contracted unlimited data plans, im ready for the fight! i would love for them to try and change my plan, that will be a breach of my contract, and i would sue them for the past 12 years of service, which has always sucked by the way!
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Clienterror:
I got out of my Verizon contract like that. They breached the contract then tried to keep billing me after I canceled because I wouldn't pay the early cancellation fee. It's funny because most cell phone companies don't realize your contacts go both ways and cry like babies when you call them on it.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mazdaspeed786:
just got served too, i barely tethered maybe 100 megabytes this month. dammit, what should i tell them?
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Alcapone263:
insist you don't know what tethering is, and insist that you used that data streaming videos on netflix and music on pandora.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KryptosXLayer2:
Am I seeing this right, the first ever reports of AT&T busting Android users? I just read another report about them not being able to track down Android tethering usage and not wanting to divert resources to doing so because it's just that easy to catch iThing users in the act! Honestly I don't read many other device forums, so forgive me if I'm not up to date on my info here, but this is pretty crazy!!!
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sfate2009:
That's right, im assuming they just started this shake down today, this morning i received an email about having an appropriate plan yada yada , again, i believe this is only targeted to unlimited data plans, and hi usage users.. at&ts way of saying thank you for paying for crap service all these years with our highest plans available, now we dont want you to have what you originally signed up for , so we will pester the hell out of you until you submit, HEY AT&T KISS MY MF A$$!
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] J-man67:
I pay my bill every month. I signed up for unlimited so I wasn't limited. Now I am using the data (untethered) and being reprimanded for it. BS!! I use Pandora, stream Netflix, and download new roms, apps, movies, blah blah blah. If that's not allowed then bye bye Att. I have happily used this service since it was Cellular One but I will gladly jump ship if need be.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shriva:
i got the same email also...

When i called and explained i use netflix/ustream/ect.. they said i was flagged cause i had downloaded a tethering app??

They said to delete the tethering app.. and stop tethering.. didnt seem to believe i was just using the phone.. which i do, cause i'm an over the road truck driver.. i watch aot of movies/ect on the phone while i'm waiting getting loaded and unloaded ect ect..
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] multimedialeech:
wondering if anyone else was able to get the "flag" removed from their account. I'm considering calling back tomorrow to see if i can get it off using the same netflix/pandora usage angle.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KryptosXLayer2:
I do an average amount of tethering and haven't received anything so far.... Just checked both email addresses on the account and haven't been "served," so I'm not sure how they're targeting people with Android devices! I use an app to connect my tablet to my phone's built-in mobile hotspot, so..... Waiting for the word from the Death Star!
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mapobean:
i am currently on the phone with att about this. I do not use tethering and this is pissing me off, i have unlimited data and have recently installed CM7 i am thinking that the APN that comes with CM7 may be the culprit i have added and changed to a different APN. The customer rep i am talking to has no idea what she is doing this is ridiculous. i will post back with results of my conversation.
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] live4nyy:
Has anyone tipped a tech blog yet, like Engadget or Android Central? This might need media attention so AT&T cannot bully people.

;)
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mapobean:
Ok i'm back with an update apparently they could not figure anything out or resolve this problem. I was told however that if i am using my Bluetooth to listen to my music through my car stereo, it is considered tethering. I am pissed that is complete bull **** and i am about to call back and talk to a hire up
[Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sfate2009:
I have not spread the news yet but am planning to, any help would be appreciated, so i think i figured out what happened how they picked it up at least on my end, like i said i dont use anything but the stock apps, and the SQlite method of editing the telephony db and another(which i cant remember) setting, i noticed that the phone for the 1st time since i upgraded to the new stock rom,(which was when it came out) had rebooted a few days ago, twice, i thought ok, maybe it was just an update, well just looking into my .db files, the original settings i had made were changed, it looks like they might be running some sort of database check, then when the files are not matching , restoring them or replacing them, my question is, is there anyway to protect the modified files?