I know they CAN, but the issue is do they have the mechanisms and operational capabilities of actually doing so? I would like to see my cable provider making it hard to do some of the things I do. Not because I should not be doing them, but those same holes that I exploit (hopefully in a benign fashion) can be used with malicious intent. By saying, "If you want to use our service then you must deply this kind of modem/router" at least makes their insistence explicit. Currently there is more arm waving than actual adherence to security policy. Thus we have many poorly configured Windows boxes accessing the internet (and the WWW) in manners which are to the detriment of everyone else.
-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu] On Behalf Of Eric Kuhnke Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 7:06 PM To: nanog@merit.edu Subject: RE: Block all servers?
The TOS/AUP for most residential broadband connections already allows the ISP to shut off service or do anything they want to the customer without prior notice. It has been this way for at least 3 or 4 years, since the advent of @Home. Take a look at the TOS/AUP for Comcast, Shaw Cable, MSN DSL or similar...
Second, in the acceptable use policy for high speed connections, require a "licence" of some kind. We have licenses/permits for our cars, our dogs, our burglar alarms, for going fishing,..... Why not for broadband. Actually I can see many reasons both to do it and not to do it, so this is clearly an area where debate is reasonable.