Changed broadband username on Plusnet Hub One

I was very surprised to find yesterday that the username shown on my router had changed from [email protected] to [email protected]. I have had the router for six months and the router was set up for user abc and has always shown abc as the username to date.

I have reset the router in the last few days, which involved re-entering my password, so I can't understand how the username was changed. I phoned Plusnet support and they couldn't explain what had happened. Can anyone here help, please? Should I be concerned?

Edited by deleted (Tue 14-Jun-16 07:59:46)

Plusnet use TR-069 for remote management, so it may be a mis-configuration their end which gave your router the wrong username.
https://www.broadband-forum.org/technical/download/T...

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

Plusnet use TR-069 for remote management, so it may be a mis-configuration their end which gave your router the wrong username.
https://www.broadband-forum.org/technical/download/T...

If you've switched off remote access can they still get into the device?

Yes they access it from the WAN not your LAN

Did it connect with the xyz username?

The Plusnet Hub One is a fully managed device, that means the ISP has full control to perform firmware upgrades and make configuration changes as they require. This cannot be disabled.

The ISP also will not release details of what each firmware upgrade changes. The changes they make are effectively a black box, but are designed to ensure the service continues to function whilst you are with the ISP.

"Did it connect with the xyz username? "

Yes, that's the odd thing.

As long as user xyz isn't connected then you will be able to connect. The Radius system (Plusnet Login Servers) will get confused when the real xyz tries to connect and reject them. Then the fun starts.

In reply to a post by LFa:

"Did it connect with the xyz username? "

Yes, that's the odd thing.

That was me, not BatBoy .

What if you literally try the letters [email protected]?

I'm wondering two alternative things.

1) It was originally set up by person xyz who decided he didn't like it and reverted to his previous router. This has been known. Unlikely in this case, but possible.

2) The same piece of kit (badged as a Home Hub ver 5A) when used on BT needs only a dummy username and any or no password. This isn't inherently because of the router, but because the BT Consumer system picks up on the line number I believe. I wonder if you are on their new network and that works the same way, but they are keeping/publishing old-style usernames to keep it simple for support staff until everyone is on the new one.

I am tipping PN are switching over to the same system used by BT, as RobertoS has suggested.

Effectively one u/n used by all customers and the pw is either blank, or just a standardised one.

The authentication occurs outside of the UN/PW.

Would make sense given the hub you have is just a BT Homehub 5A.

Just basically saying I agree with point 2 of RobertoS post.

In reply to a post by georgelnx:

As long as user xyz isn't connected then you will be able to connect. The Radius system (Plusnet Login Servers) will get confused when the real xyz tries to connect and reject them. Then the fun starts.

Not always, you may find, both are allowed to login and both get the same IP. In that case, both will likely see major routing issues and inaccessibility issues.

Matt

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

The ISP also will not release details of what each firmware upgrade changes. The changes they make are effectively a black box, but are designed to ensure the service continues to function whilst you are with the ISP.

Precisely why I don't use an ISP issued router.

That raises the question of what password was the OP using on xyz. If the stored one belonging to xyz I agree. If his own, then the line authorisation theory is most likely.

Hence my suggestion of literally typing in the letter xyz in front of the @, and seeing whether or not it connects.