Can cable modem (no router) get infected?

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Tebailjaho

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Hello!

I have question out of need to know just in case. Can old cable modem, that has no in-built router, get infected by anything?

If yes, would there be obvious signs or how could I make sure everything is okay? What could infected modem do?
 
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The Paladin
I checked their site just now myself - those modems are still there for slower speeds I buy from them.
Click to expand...

okay so your ISP web site still has those EPC2203 listed as valid on their network, then use it.
if there is a need for a firmware update to that modem, the ISP will push it through themselves.
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The Paladin

The Paladin

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infected no, hacked or overtaken because of bios of cable modem is failing to prevent people to take advantage of it, quite possible
why do you think cable modem companies issue new firmware's , SB6190 just got one 5 days ago to block a "possible vulnerability"
so yes you m ay have no issues, if it is even compatible with your cable ISP system. I would check with them first, they may not even allow it on their network anymore if it is too old
 
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Tebailjaho

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I have one more question: who updates modem firmware? Is that automatic and user like me has no need to do it myself? If I should do it myself, how would I go doing it?

Is it even possible to update modem firmware through computer and could I ruin something when touching it?
 
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bill001g

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A modem is a layer 2 device. This means it is only visible to other layer 2 devices on the same network. Even if you were to know the mac address of someone elses modem it does you no good because a mac address will not pass any router. This is one of those fundamental network things they stress in network training about what is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3.

Now many modems have a ip address also but it is generally only used for troubleshooting since there is little you can configure on a modem. They all use private ip addresses and in most cases they use the same private ip address. This does not hurt anything because they only allow connection via this ip from the local ethernet port it is not possible to use the IP from the network side. Even if it was the private ip and the duplication of the ip would make it impossible for a external person to access it.

So pretty much only someone that had gained access to the ISP equipment could even attempt to hack the modem.

Still there is almost nothing you can change on a modem. They are pretty much single purpose boxes. To a point this would be like asking if you can hack the ethernet chip in your computer. Yes there is a software driver loaded into the chip but it is so single purpose it is unlikely to be able to be exploited.
 
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The Paladin

The Paladin

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I have one more question: who updates modem firmware? Is that automatic and user like me has no need to do it myself? If I should do it myself, how would I go doing it? Is it even possible to update modem firmware through computer and could I ruin something when touching it?
Click to expand...

Depending on the ISP (Comcast for example) will do it themselves because of security reasons.
most of the time you can update it by visiting the cable modem web site and upgrade the firmware (some will need to be reset to factory settings before letting you do that.
 
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Tebailjaho

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Weird, tried to search for Scientific Atlanta 2203 (modem), but found nothing on Cisco's homesite. Guess better to not think about it any more then?
 
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The Paladin

The Paladin

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Weird, tried to search for Scientific Atlanta 2203 (modem), but found nothing on Cisco's homesite. Guess better to not think about it any more then?
Click to expand...

on the label of your modem does it say DPC2203 per chance

Found a manual for DPC2203 @ Manuallisb -> https://www.manualslib.com/manual/628336/Scientific-Atlanta-Dpc2203.html

if it is, its an October 2006 device which means your ISP probably wont let you use it because it is no longer compatible with the much higher compression speeds use now.

whom is your ISP we could check their web site for compatibility list
 
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Tebailjaho

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It says EPC2203 actually.
I checked their site just now myself - those modems are still there for slower speeds I buy from them.
 
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Tebailjaho

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Trust in my ISP, yes? :D
I checked and they have 9 modems for different speeds. It lists it as Webstar EPC2203

DY2TljX.jpg


...while mine is Scientific Atlanta EPC 2203, but pictures look pretty much same.

EQH53BT.jpg




Well, thank you for giving me advice! All this new data suddenly made me scared, but your advice about trusting ISP helped me a lot. :D

 
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Tebailjaho

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Younger twin then. :D
 
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