ISP packet sniffing question
October 19, 2015 1:32 PM Subscribe
Can my ISP detect which file I torrent if I start the P2P download process on VPN then finish normally?
I was recently served with a "copyright infringement" notice from my provider (Verizon) for having watched a movie on Popcorn Time. I was shocked - not because I thought I was in trouble, because it was just a warning - but because they'd nailed me; they identified the exact movie I'd watched.
My understanding is that they can match the file size based on the size of the data packets I downloaded. My question is this: if I start the download using VPN, then at some point switch back, can they still identify the file? My reasoning for thinking they may not be able to is that the file size (and the packets remaining) are now different.
FYI - not that this makes a difference - the kind of films I'm watching are not blockbuster films; rather, small obscure films that I either missed in the theater or can't otherwise get a hold of easily.
I was recently served with a "copyright infringement" notice from my provider (Verizon) for having watched a movie on Popcorn Time. I was shocked - not because I thought I was in trouble, because it was just a warning - but because they'd nailed me; they identified the exact movie I'd watched.
My understanding is that they can match the file size based on the size of the data packets I downloaded. My question is this: if I start the download using VPN, then at some point switch back, can they still identify the file? My reasoning for thinking they may not be able to is that the file size (and the packets remaining) are now different.
FYI - not that this makes a difference - the kind of films I'm watching are not blockbuster films; rather, small obscure films that I either missed in the theater or can't otherwise get a hold of easily.
Verizon participates in the Copyright Alert System which means that it doesn't matter how you start the download. If you upload part of an infringing file to one of their torrent clients then you end up on their list.
posted by ODiV at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2015
posted by ODiV at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2015
The nastygram was almost assuredly not from DPI done by Verizon.
Agreeing with the others, they have systems taking part of many/most public torents (and probably many of the very popular "private" trackers); they just need for you to upload anything from a swarm - you don't need to have 100% of the file, just share any of it with them. I wouldn't be surprised if they send a notification just for joining a swarm, regardless of transfering data to them. They know the claimed filename the same way that your torrent client does. It's 100% not based upon file size. Even if you've 100% downloaded it via vpn, but then later upload to the wrong client from your unprotected connection, you'll get a nasty gram.
If you're 100% on vpn for all down/uploading then they'll send the nasty grams to your vpn provider. In short, your system should disable any torrenting programs if the vpn goes down.
posted by nobeagle at 2:15 PM on October 19, 2015
Agreeing with the others, they have systems taking part of many/most public torents (and probably many of the very popular "private" trackers); they just need for you to upload anything from a swarm - you don't need to have 100% of the file, just share any of it with them. I wouldn't be surprised if they send a notification just for joining a swarm, regardless of transfering data to them. They know the claimed filename the same way that your torrent client does. It's 100% not based upon file size. Even if you've 100% downloaded it via vpn, but then later upload to the wrong client from your unprotected connection, you'll get a nasty gram.
If you're 100% on vpn for all down/uploading then they'll send the nasty grams to your vpn provider. In short, your system should disable any torrenting programs if the vpn goes down.
posted by nobeagle at 2:15 PM on October 19, 2015
This is why i quit using torrents entirely and started streaming. memail if you want details on my setup.
And yes, to clarify, they are part of the swarm.
It's 100% not based upon file size. Even if you've 100% downloaded it via vpn, but then later upload to the wrong client from your unprotected connection, you'll get a nasty gram.
This is completely true and i've experienced this. I've also had butthead friends come over and connect to my wifi with open torrent clients seeding stuff and gotten my service shut off. Ugh.
posted by emptythought at 8:36 PM on October 19, 2015
And yes, to clarify, they are part of the swarm.
It's 100% not based upon file size. Even if you've 100% downloaded it via vpn, but then later upload to the wrong client from your unprotected connection, you'll get a nasty gram.
This is completely true and i've experienced this. I've also had butthead friends come over and connect to my wifi with open torrent clients seeding stuff and gotten my service shut off. Ugh.
posted by emptythought at 8:36 PM on October 19, 2015
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posted by mikeh at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2015 [3 favorites]