Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Think I need some guidance here, as I don't see 'click-through fraud' as being relevant here.

I still only see the potential for a VM customers unique serial number of being labelled as interested in almost everything if the afore mentioned 'random page generator' were utilised - thus making that customer marketable to every advertiser on Phorm's books. All events on targeted adverts being clicked on (fraudulently or otherwise) surely happen after a customer's serial has been already marketted based on the mined data.

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

what a load of old toot, all under the guise of A safer experience ... pleeeeassseeeeee someone pass me the sick bucket!!!!!!!

How unbelievably patronizing! This response reads like something written for the benefit of a five-year-old!

-We KNOW what the real agenda is here (selling commercially-valuable private data on your customers)...

-We don't WANT it dressed-up as a benevolent act of kindness ("A safer experience") - I for one want to take responsibilty for my OWN security on the web thank you very much - I understand what Phishing is, and I can decide whether a website is dodgy or not for myself.

-How dare YOU decide what is a more "relevant" web experience for ME: I never read adverts and I'm certainly not going to start now. For future reference: ALL advertising is irrelevant to this user. Got it? If I had my way, every website would be ad-free like bbc.co.uk

-We DON'T trust your assertions about our privacy in this system. We have no way to verify them, and NEITHER DO YOU once you've passed our private data to somebody else.

-You are deliberately MISLEADING customers when you state "Customers won't be forced to take up Webwise, so they'll be able to keep their internet experience as it is now." Most people reading this sentence will take it to mean that if they opt-out then you will not pass any browsing data about them on to Phorm. However, "Webwise" is only the system that alerts users to phishing sites and pushes targeted adverts at the user - the browsing surveillance part of the system is called "Open Internet Exchange" (OIX), and you are not saying that customers won't be forced to take up OIX, are you?

A safer experience my Arrse.

And that bit at the bottom is depressing - "working to offer the solution and pleased to be offering it soon" - makes it sound imminent and certain....

-

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

It same as Click-through fraud by:-
1) Making there data pointless.
When business see this is happen the value of information drops.
2) Gaining information who do business is.
Business do not like embargoes due there advertising activities.
3) Add's will be pointless as add's are not being viewed.

Then invoice Virgin Media to bypass this dumb SPYCOMS activity. I do not believe there is anyway this activity would be legal Unfair and terms law.

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Sorry, I see those as two seperate issues. I don't see any necessity for data to be 'graded' upon collection for its accuracy to whether it is genuinely an interest of the customer or if it is the result of the random page generator. I suspect Phorm aren't going to care either, as they are scoring a hit between an interest and a vendor, that just equals a rental of the virtual billboard. If no sales happen then vendors may cease advertising but I doubt they willl; after all adverts still appear in newspapers and magazines with no real way of gauging their 'usefulness'. What I'm getting at here is do we know that Phorm are following the same model as Google and get paid for advert clicks/sales; I think it is more likely that with their closed targetting system they can just rent out virtual ad space on a billboard basis - thus taking no real immediate risk on the sucess/failure of the adverts. In that light, I believe click-through fraud is of no consequence whatsoever, and also means Phorm just have to supply data and not qualify it.

In any rate, I do hope that the operation does get reversed so we don't have to worry ourselves over the ins and outs :)

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

That pretty much sums things up - and I'm definitely worried about the "offering it soon" line. Unfortunately I'm among those who don't have much choice but Virgin - for our use we can't get an acceptable speed on ADSL :(

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

The People Vs SPYCOMS

This is a list that will block internet activities with Phorn
It will be updated in time
Save the host file on windows to
Windows/System32/drivers/etc/hosts

This list is in a alfa state (ie pre beta)

http://rapidshare.com/files/96092346/hosts

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Before anybody does this, please review the list in that hosts file. Many popular sites are listed. Only use this file if you ABSOLUTELY want to block all Virgin, BT, SKY and TALK TALK websites.

I think its a bit extreme to be honest, although I can see why some would want to do this.

If you want a grin, look at the comments on the hosts file.......goooood English.

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Apologies Rob. I thought it was a letter from VM to it's customers who had complained about the Phorm tie-up - I didn't realise it was copyrighted material from another website. Thank you for the edit.

---------- Post added at 09:14 ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 ----------

One glaring omission in that list.... webwise.com !!

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

The 2 most popular threads on the forum are about the free upgrade and this Phorm initiative. The timing of the upgrade is starting to look like a coincidental sweetener that may be working.

The best Phorm of defense is attack :) .

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Indeed lol

Whats the point of having a speed upgrade if you have to slow it down with TOR in order to preserve what should already be a given ... your privacy

---------- Post added at 12:07 ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 ----------

If you want to speak to someone about Phorm and how it will supposedly work you can try ringing VM’s retentions department on - tel: 0800 052 0870

This so far has been the only department that seems to be able to verbally relay any information regarding Phorm. One can only assume that there have been numerous cancellation enquires due to Phorm, and as such the retentions guys have been ‘readily briefed’ as to what to say.

So, did it alleviate my concerns and fears?

Hell no, not even close! Phorm (webwise) was completely and utterly played down as being nothing more than harmless marketing info. TBH I was almost lost for words with their woolly explanation of how it worked. As if somehow I was the overreacting fool for being so concerned with it!!!

So,

Has anyone else rung retentions to querry Phorm (webwise)?

If so, what were you told?

Did it put your mind at rest?

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

O posted this in another area not realising this thread.

So how is VM going to monitor PHORM make sure they dont abuse us. I found it will monitor and pound us with junk advertising based on every single thing we do with our connection even reading emails. Surely this deal against our civil libities.

ps dont think you will get away with by saying vm can stuff it BT & Talk Talk done it too.

Link explaining Phorm and its evil empire

http://www.badphorm.co.uk/page.php?3

Oh by the way peeps OPT OUT does NOT safguard you they WILL STILL SEND your activities to PHORM.

AS ALL 3 main internet providers doing it you are screwed in the uk.

I think this is a hidden agenda and its not about advertising or keeping you safe from so called phisching its about finding out if you do things illegal.

In some ways I am for it if stops those 5% from raping the bandwidth but everyone could find the nasty men knocking on the door.

How mainy done some simple browsing and sites got hacked and sent you to nasty websites.

There is real danger this can easily be abused for the wrong reason who is to say our protected internet banking activities will be secure anymore.

VM and the rest are stupid.

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

However, that list will not stop the monitoring you. Also, blocking zavvi is a little pointless. They have nothing to do with virgin.

Also, it will block access to websites linked to the three isps and phorm. It will not stop them monitoring you.

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

I have made it totally clear to them that should this be a OPT OUT not a OPT IN then i will remove ALL my services from them.

I will then go to

BT for Phone.
Sky for TV
BE Unlimited for my BroadBand

A large loss to Virgin Media if we all do that.

Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77 & 102]
 

Guys, el reg has done several articles on this now (including one leaked presentation on how it works)

They have a handy list at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/phorm_roundup/