EE HUAWEI E5332 : Don't Touch it!

I recently purchased one of the above EE dongles as I travel a lot. Boy what a mistake that was. As I was only using it mainly for business, I couldn't understand why EE keep telling me whenever I topped up that my data limit had already been exceeded. I then found out that dongle security doesn't exist. I was frozen out because someone else was using my IP address, and all my data.

Took it back to the shop and was given a new sim. Same thing happened. Took it back again and was pretty much told that it couldn't happen to an EE dongle and that I must be mistaken. Fortunately, I took the precaution of recording everything with screenshots.

They still didn't believe their precious dongle could be hacked. When I requested a refund, I was told the only remedy would be to purchase another one.

As if I came down in the last shower! EE dongles have a serious security problem which they are not admitting to, so as much as I don't want the hassle, it looks as though they are going to court. Perhaps they can explain to a judge how my IP address isn't really being used by other people, it just looks like it. In the meantime, if you value your security, and your wallet, don't touch an EE dongle.

In reply to a post by Poppey:

Perhaps they can explain to a judge how my IP address isn't really being used by other people, it just looks like it. In the meantime, if you value your security, and your wallet, don't touch an EE dongle.

What IP address were you looking at??

Did you change the WiFi password at all? That is your security.

I would like to reply to both your comment and JChamier's comment at the same time if I may.

By the time I kept loading money onto the dongle, I guess it amounted to over £50; this included the vouchers I purchased, which I was later informed were useless.

I did have a security number, but it made no difference. As to IP address, it was the dongle's IP address. When I returned it to the EE shop first time, they looked and couldn't understand it, which is why they gave me a new sim.

The real danger with using EE mobile broadband is that once your IP address has been breached and someone starts using it, you do not know what sites they are visiting. It could be child porn or anything. The security problem with EE is a real danger and for them to ignore it is an even bigger one. So I say again, if you need mobile broadband, don't touch EE.

Finally, I had a 3 dongle for around 5 years. No problem. In fact very good. The only reason I changed my provider was I was travelling a lot in an area which didn't support 3, so was forced to change.

Are you sure you are not on a NSA/GCHQ watch list?

If I wasn't, I probably am now!

In reply to a post by Poppey:

The real danger with using EE mobile broadband is that once your IP address has been breached and someone starts using it, you do not know what sites they are visiting. It could be child porn or anything. The security problem with EE is a real danger and for them to ignore it is an even bigger one. So I say again, if you need mobile broadband, don't touch EE.

This is the same as any dial up internet provider, or the majority of broadband providers (including BT, Sky and TalkTalk) where your IP address changes each time you reboot the router/modem.

Even 3 change your IP each time you power cycle the mobile broadband device.

jchamier is correct. The usage and billing is tied to the phone number, (mobile and fixed line), the IP may change each time you log into a service.

Either your phone number has been hacked, (unlikely seeing as you had the SIM replaced), or your dongle is permanently connected and you have some background services running, Skype, Windows updates, Anti virus etc., etc.

Billing by ip address would be very odd. The underlying 3g layer is where the billing will be.

As others have said some un noticed activity may be the cause

Perticullarly in Mobile networks where CGN (carrier grade nat) is often implemented meaning lots of subscribers share the same internet facing IP.