ISP monitoring

icey_haj · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:05

Bt, sky and another ISP (cant remember name) are going to monitor our activities online, and send us advertisements related to our surfing habits. Sounds like big brother to me. Apparently though, you might be able to opt out.

Trill · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:07

Good job i'm planning to move to "Be" then. Unless that is the other ISP!

With BT at the moment.

Sonea Fifer · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:10

Whats your source?

I fairly confident Sky wont be participating in this

me227 · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:14

Virgin Media is the other one. I think if you want to opt out you have to phone up and say when it comes into effect.

mks2005 · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:18

Now even happier to have left VM ADSL.

Monkey Puzzle · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:26

Sonea Fifer said:
I fairly confident Sky wont be participating in this

Why'd you say that? (I'm with sky

)

Sonea Fifer · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:34

Monkey Puzzle said:
Why'd you say that? (I'm with sky )

Because I work for them

chiggz · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:37

how will these ads work? i dont have any virginmedia software installed - what are they gonna display the ads on?

.. and does this mean i'm to expect lots of porno ads? :|

Sonea Fifer · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:42

chiggz said:
does this mean i'm to expect lots of porno ads? :|

God i hope not - the wife would kill me

Hyper · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:52

Sonea Fifer said:
Whats your source?

I fairly confident Sky wont be participating in this

I hope so too, I am with UK Online who run on the same network.

Hxc · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:52

Thanks to your unsupported and unsourced post I will now change ISPs and start a petition against them!!!

Biohazard · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:54

Hxc said:
Thanks to your unsupported and unsourced post I will now change ISPs and start a petition against them!!!

Moredhel · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:57

"Phorm" is the name of the advertising system, BT, Talk Talk and Virgin Media have signed up to it.

http://www.phorm.com/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/06/internet.privacy?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7280791.stm

Saucy enough for you?

Biohazard · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:58

How are the adds provided though?

BloodyL · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:58

What a way to trip over your laces icey_haj...... :rolleyes:

ISP's signing up to Phorm:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/377/virgin-media-signs-targeted-ad-deal

The lion, the witch and a few skeletons in the wardrobe:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/384/virgin-media-and-phorm-latest-update

The BBC fall foul of Phorms damage control PR:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7280791.stm

Hxc · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:59

probably through publishers who sign up to use the service.

gillywibble · 6 Mar 2008 at 23:59

Gah, we'd get ads about MSPaint, Swans necks and Keith Phizackerley.

With a bit of moshzilla thrown in for good measure

Stellios · 7 Mar 2008 at 00:03

Surely the fact that they are using your web browsing activities to send you related advertising is a violation of privacy?

All the same though, feel free to send me some free PS3 or Xbox 360 mags, they are pretty expensive to buy

Heofz · 7 Mar 2008 at 00:29

if you use firefox, 2 words: adblock plus.

I haven't seen an ad in months :cool:

BloodyL · 7 Mar 2008 at 00:36

Aye, all is needed is for the ip addresses of phorms server farms to be found out and spread through the adblocking/anti-phishing community and the whole thing will fall down pretty fast.
Or even something so simple as a few extra lines in the HOSTS file.