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As another nice-while-it-lasted data deal, Verizon used to allow previously-used SIM cards to connect to their LTE network. Once connected, all TCP/IP traffic w

As another nice-while-it-lasted data deal, Verizon used to allow previously-used SIM cards to connect to their LTE network. Once connected, all TCP/IP traffic would be redirected to a captive portal page. There lies the problem; UDP traffic could still flow freely. Yes, that included OpenVPN (WireGuard hadn't been invented yet). I never really abused this, but someone must've, as when I checked a month later, activation was strictly handled through phone calls; previously-used SIM cards no longer received any type of LTE service.

kbenson 5y ago
One of the tricks in the past to get past captive portals that allowed only DNS traffic, but did not redirect DNS traffic to a controlled server, was to tunnel traffic through DNS. I remember I went on a cruise once and that was my plan to get out of having to pay exorbitant fees for data access on wifi. I never ended up doing it though, because I ended up not really using my phone or laptop while on the cruise, which I count as a win. It was a lot easier to not actually use the internet then though, as it was 10-15 years ago. The last time I was on a cruise, 3-4 years ago I think, I bought the wifi package, and it was so poorly implemented and/or overloaded that it was a pain at best to use. All things considered, not usually an issue when you're relaxing, but when you need it for a moment and it feels like you're using an old 3G connection, that sucks.
Bluecobra 5y ago
That’s a good a find. Back in the mid 90s I was a teenager with a PC but my parents wouldn’t let me go online, so I had to find nefarious ways of accessing the Internet. I had a 50’ phone line cable and had to go online when they weren’t home. One method I found was the Prodigy install CD would have to dial up to the Internet to download the list of servers. I found I could just minimize the installer and go online freely but only for 10 minutes. They ended up fixing this about a year later.
- ta988 5y ago
  I made a hole in the ceiling and passed a cable that I spliced in the telephone box. I just had to put alligator clips on the cables hidden behind the radiator tubing. That plus some ISP that had a bug in their subscribing system so you got 50 hours for free every time.

kbenson 5y ago

One of the tricks in the past to get past captive portals that allowed only DNS traffic, but did not redirect DNS traffic to a controlled server, was to tunnel traffic through DNS. I remember I went on a cruise once and that was my plan to get out of having to pay exorbitant fees for data access on wifi. I never ended up doing it though, because I ended up not really using my phone or laptop while on the cruise, which I count as a win. It was a lot easier to not actually use the internet then though, as it was 10-15 years ago. The last time I was on a cruise, 3-4 years ago I think, I bought the wifi package, and it was so poorly implemented and/or overloaded that it was a pain at best to use. All things considered, not usually an issue when you're relaxing, but when you need it for a moment and it feels like you're using an old 3G connection, that sucks.

Bluecobra 5y ago

That’s a good a find. Back in the mid 90s I was a teenager with a PC but my parents wouldn’t let me go online, so I had to find nefarious ways of accessing the Internet. I had a 50’ phone line cable and had to go online when they weren’t home. One method I found was the Prodigy install CD would have to dial up to the Internet to download the list of servers. I found I could just minimize the installer and go online freely but only for 10 minutes. They ended up fixing this about a year later.

ta988 5y ago
I made a hole in the ceiling and passed a cable that I spliced in the telephone box. I just had to put alligator clips on the cables hidden behind the radiator tubing. That plus some ISP that had a bug in their subscribing system so you got 50 hours for free every time.