Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoffW
Can I ask someone to clarify whether Phorm will insert of change ads of sites not signed up to their system, or simply profile them and then insert relevant ads into sites that have signed up?
i.e the only way the system modifies the source web page is when the host has signed up with them?
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As Alex stated its only OIX websites that will provide altered adverts based on your personal habits.
However its unclear as to how your data will be handled if you where to opt out, the feeling is (based on the tech at present) is that regardless of your consent your data will still run through Phorm equipment before getting to the page you requested.
Meaning in simple terms they can still see everything you do over http:// sites but that they wont actualy store the information they've snooped.
This may differ on implementation however, for instance BT could implement a way that would effectively give you a direct connection whereas say virgin would rerout your data regardless of your consent. How this would be done at this point is not entirely clear.
Furthermore should an external party gain access to the phorm equipment and youve opted out but still go through the equipment (which at this point seems the default scenario) then you would still be entirely vulnerable to that external parties whims.
Once the equipment is up and running then your ISP has effectively placed every customer at considerable risk for the sake of a few quid per battery farmed human connected.
going slightly off at a tangent here:
Have you noticed the myriad of available viruses and exploits/hacks on the internet today?
Notice that there are very few targeting systems like Linux/BSD/Unix or mac platforms?
People spend considerable time writing these things for what i can see as being two main reasons.
1: A wide target audience to harvest.
2: a dislike for Microsoft in general.
Now look at the phorm system, it will undoubtedly (if Kent has his way) have a vast userbase so point 1 looks promising to any prospective would be hacker.
And the dislike for Microsoft is nothing compared to the feelings on Phorm so point 2 is also filled.
I can see the system (especialy in the early stages) as being full of all kinds of exploits that the russian coders had failed to think of.
I feel personaly that everyones data that passes through the system is therefore at a considerable risk of being missused by people whose motives are unclear. At the current juncture this means everyone connected to an ISP who has launced the Phorm system, irregardless of wether theyve opted in or out.
A little frightening huh?