Re: [gentoo-user] ISP extorsion - how to negate / get around?

On 03/10/2017 02:50 PM, Corbin Bird wrote:

> Have a serious problem, might cost me any Internet access.
>
> My ISP ( Charter ) merged with Time-Warner. New name "Spectrum"
>
> 1 # : Now I have intermittent connectivity.
>
> 2 # : And with the death of FCC privacy rules, the new ISP is forcing me
> to update their records ( for sale-of purposes ). This includes phone (
> all ), SSN, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers.
Tell them you are a foreigner and thus you don't have an SSN, offer to 
provide a deposit.
>
> 3 # : the ISP attempting to force agreement to "no communications
> allowed with the FCC". Also is attempting to force agreement to
> "Arbitration with the ISP as the Arbiter" for all complaints.
Ask your local public utilities commission if this is allowed.
>
> 4 # : billing is only online now. Not allowed to see a Account
> Statement, or receive any "receipt for payment" until I comply with ISP
> demands.
>
> 5 # : external e-mail clients ( Thunderbird, Claws-Mail, etc. ) are now
> starting to have problems. ISP solution -> must use their web based
> e-mail app only ( only works with Windoze, surprise! ).
How can a web based email service only work with windows?
> 6 # : ISP is starting to filter customers web access. The ISP is
> deciding what sites customers are allowed to see. ( look up the practice
> called "ransom" ).
Get a vpn service?
>
> 7 # : no other broadband ISP in the regional area. No alternatives.
>
> They are using a hijack technique that I don't know the name of,
> attempting to force compliance.
>
> NOTE : The ?hijack technique? will corrupt the portage trees if you use
> "emerge-webrsync".
>
> Is there any way to ... fix? work-around? ... this idiocy?
>
>
>
> Background info :
>
> The old cable modem suddenly stopped working. The ISP sent out a clone
> of a Cisco DPC2316 ( Technicolor ), complete with hacked / trashed /
> closed firmware. So I returned the rented cable modem ( bought my own ).
> The Technicolor clone was using a built-in Java based "???????" to
> redirect / filter at the modem.
All cable modems are closed source and controlled by the ISP AFAIK.
> Switched to Google Public DNS. Doesn't effect the ?hijack technique?.
>
You want privacy but you are using google? what?
> The "uMatrix/uBlock Origin" plugins ( Firefox/ Palemoon ) stop the
> ?hijack technique? in the web browser. Always shows up as an ipv4
> address, embedded in a "frame", that resolves to "*-charter-*".
>
Complain to your local utilities commission.