Is it possible for someone to steal OnDemand from our cable box?

Question

No one will fess up to the pay-per-view charges on our cable bill. Before I go on a witch hunt and accuse my roommates of something they didn't do, is it possible for someone to hack into our cable box and steal On Demand movies like I've heard of people stealing cable before? This is the fourth (non-consecutive) month that charges for adult movies have showed up on our cable bill.

Answer 1

I'm not sure.  Chances are better that one of your room mates is sneaking a movie in every once in a while.  My 12 year old suggests that you pay the bill and lay low.  Get your remote control and use the parental setting to lock them out.

* Go to Main Menu

* Click Parental Control

* Click Movie ratings Lock

* Click the OK/Select button so that ALL movie ratings have a lock next to them

* Set a code that only YOU will remember

Now, any time anyone "unauthorized" wants to watch a movie, they will need that four digit code that you so sneakily upgraded to.

Watch in silence as they squirm, and see if there are any more charges to your account.

FYI Drawback -  Any time YOU want to watch a movie or show, you will have to input the four digit code.  Don't forget it.

Answer 2

The answer is, while it is theoretically possible, its difficult.  Your box has a specific ID that is used to purchase the movies, and at least on the local system, if 2 boxes show the same ID they are disconnected until Comcast figures out which is which.

Two things I would check however..

1>  Did you upgrade your converter box?  If so, what happened with the old one?  It's POSSIBLE that its out there somewhere and your provider made a mistake and never deactivated it.  You can call the provider to verify how many boxes are on the account.

2>  Set the parental control on the box, or disable on-demand on that box.  If the charges stop, you'll have your answer.