They log IP, what file you asked for, the time and browser/client type. If they could easily check server logs those letters would have the details in them to back them up.
TV Licence Super Thread
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They log IP, what file you asked for, the time and browser/client type. If they could easily check server logs those letters would have the details in them to back them up.
Simply using a VPN (make sure it's one that doesn't store any logs) removes all hope that anyone can follow you via your IP back from a website. Even for your ISP.
These days using a VPN should be standard practice for your own security.
These days using a VPN should be standard practice for your own security.
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You need a UK endpoint to watch iPlayer. And UK endpoints will be under snoopers charter.
I did and they all said it’s perfectly doable even the network experts who have nothing to do with the BBC there was also a network experts in this forum who confirmed he could do it as well. It’s not just TVL/BBC PR either as more than enough places unrelated to the TVL/BBC have said it works.
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Actually he's right, particular applications can seemingly be detected on encrypted networks. It is a bit worrying, given the number of apps people have on their phones etc.., you could gain quite a lot of information about someone just through passive monitoring.
Soldato
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I have done more research and this technique is called packet length steganography. You can find relevant publications by searching for 'packet size as a covert channel'.
I am man enough to change my position. It is technically possible. Texas Instruments use it to config the wifi on their CC3300 chip. Whether it can be successfully used to prosecute tv license fee evaders remains to be seen.
Using a cable would appear to be a solution.
I am man enough to change my position. It is technically possible. Texas Instruments use it to config the wifi on their CC3300 chip. Whether it can be successfully used to prosecute tv license fee evaders remains to be seen.
Using a cable would appear to be a solution.
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From what i understand, when you watch the iPlayer it records the MAC address of the device. When they talk about WiFi detector vans, the method they will be using is similar to when you do a deauth attack on the router or a specific device connected to the router.
You can monitor any WiFi network, regardless of encryption and the devices connected to the router.
Here is an image of a router, and the devices connected to it near me.
Im not connected to the network, but i can scan the devices connected via the MAC address and see how many packets are being sent to the device. This is legal under the snoopers charter as it is all 'Public info'
You can monitor any WiFi network, regardless of encryption and the devices connected to the router.
Here is an image of a router, and the devices connected to it near me.
Im not connected to the network, but i can scan the devices connected via the MAC address and see how many packets are being sent to the device. This is legal under the snoopers charter as it is all 'Public info'
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I very my doubt it’s enough by itself to prosecute evaders as there are too many drawbacks and it provides very little information other than the application is being run. As I understand it they cannot see what’s being watched, who’s watching only that something is being watched. But it should be enough to justify applying for a warrant for a more detailed search. There is also the question of if TVL even bother to use the method or are only using it as a PR scare. I admit it could be just PR but I wanted to get across that the method is real.
Someone needs to tell Cyberghost then, because they have UK nodes and don't log anything
Also a bunch of mac addresses and packet count tells them nothing. The data is still encrypted. You can use a mac address to start hacking in to it, but they aren't allowed to do that.
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Associate
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Someone needs to tell Cyberghost then, because they have UK nodes and don't log anything
Also a bunch of mac addresses and packet count tells them nothing. The data is still encrypted. You can use a mac address to start hacking in to it, but they aren't allowed to do that.
It tells them they might be looking in the right place, it might be enough ''evidence' to grant a warrent. I don't think they would use this, its not accurate enough and would be extremely expensive. But it theory it could be done.
If they suspected somebody they could pull up outside their house scan the nearby routers and see if any of the mac addresses are present on their database of mac addresses and see when they last streamed from the iPlayer. That might be enough evidence, i would hope not as its not very accurate. But judges might take a different view.
No they can't.
Soldato
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Packet header fields aren't encrypted. Modulate them in a known way server-side. Intercept packet at client side, read unencrypted modulated fields, demodulate, proof.
That's my understanding.
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They would still have to prove its you and not someone else who maybe using your network
Soldato
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Presumably it's used as grounds for a search warrant. The judiciary in England seem friendlier to the TVL guys than in Scotland, where evidence needs to be water-tight.
Associate
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Can i ask why? you seem to have forgotten your argument to back up your statement. (Not trying to cause an argument, I'm just interested to know why they can't query a database.)
Different routers will encapsulate packets in a different way? Your broadband speed and latency will also determine at what speed you receive the packets.
Then you have interference from other things downloading at the same time.
We'll see if such forensic evidence (if successful) is ever presented in a court as it will immediately be public knowledge.
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To be fair just don't watch anything on BBC iPlayer. Move to other streaming TV services. Don't want to pay don't watch it.
It is already public knowledge that this is possible, though it isn't clear that the BBC are going to make use of this or if this is just going to be the next generation of 'TV detector van' myths where we'll never seen any evidence produced in court.