IP: Re: DirecTV vaporizes hacked smart cards: : Good Morning SiliconValley Fri Jan 26 12:00:14 EST 2001

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 08:58:59 -0500
> From: Ballman <Ballman () usna edu>
>
> Dave,
> I'm a bit skeptical DirectTV story below.   There are a number of ways SAT 
> pirates avoid the
> ECM signal.  They can simply keep the card out of the receiver (reducing 
> the chance of being
> connected when the bullet hits),  "ECM bullet blockers" are now on the 
> market as are line
> switches.  Some of the pirate companies claim their cards have never been 
> "ECM'd" due to
> anti-ECM programming.  The cards aren't permanently damaged by the ECM, 
> they  can be
> "unlooped" and reprogrammed in about 5 seconds if the pirate has an 
> unlooper/programmer.  The
> unlooper/programmer hardware is available for about $200 on the 
> internet.  DirectTV recently
> suffered a major blow when pirates discovered how to hack the new "HU" 
> type SAT cards.
> DirectTV has switched to exclusively selling systems using the "HU" type 
> smart card.  My
> point here is that not all pirated DirectTV SAT cards will be effected, 
> only the least
> sophisticated user will lose his pirated service. Even those who did lose 
> their programming
> will send them back to the pirate programmer for reprogramming and be 
> pirating again within
> two weeks.
>
> DirectTV has done the pirates a great service by being so 
> predictable.  They always send the
> ECM bullet just before or sometimes during major sports events. Of course 
> this allows pirates
> to prepare...
>
> Jerry



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