Virgin Media Hijack customers browser search options - Page 5

Ben B · 14-08-2009, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir John Luke

Since you may have missed it the first time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS_hijacking

I'm not stupid it just seems that the name is stupid.

jamiefrost · 14-08-2009, 16:21

Maybe I don't understand, all this does is add some search results to the response page.

Don't understand how Vigin can be hijacking there own DNS servers

So virgin have set of DNS servers but they use a set of rogue DNS servers to hijack the original ones and give back the same results!! Very clever, thats a cunning plan if I ever saw one.

JJ

Sir John Luke · 14-08-2009, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiefrost

Maybe I don't understand, all this does is add some search results to the response page.

Don't understand how Vigin can be hijacking there own DNS servers

So virgin have set of DNS servers but they use a set of rogue DNS servers to hijack the original ones and give back the same results!! Very clever, thats a cunning plan if I ever saw one.

JJ

Your browser sends a DNS request VIA the VM DNS servers. The response the VM DNS servers receive is NXDOMAIN, as defined by the standards. However, instead of simply passing this response through to your browser, it is 'hijacked' by VM and replaced by the IP address of their ad-server.

Traduk · 14-08-2009, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiefrost

Does this then hold true for all areas for example should virgin have left customers on 512kb internet connections until they they ask for a free upgrade. Personally I'd rather get the free upgrade without having to ask for it.

Most users getting an email about search options in a DNS query response wouldn't have a clue about what Virgin were talking about.

For the majority of users couldn't care less, for those who do notice either they aren't bother or they opt out.

JJ

Virgin are relatively new and back in the days of 512 it was, for me, Cabletel. I have had free upgrades in the past which were at nil cost for a considerable period of time. By the principle that they are now applying they could offer me a free upgrade to 50Meg providing I am prepared to pay the price differential. To me the definition of free is nil cost both to change and for the subsequent cost after the change .

Your opinion of the majority of users has been echoed by disparaging remarks made by VM's CEO. It is that view and the apparent truth in fact that allows exploitation.

A relatively small number of people saw the threat that Phorm had and through protracted and concerted effort frustrated attempts of implementation. This almost certainly doesn't warrant that much attention but shows that VM are still willing to scrape some money out of exploitation which is beyond their remit as a supplier of a service.

musicbravo · 14-08-2009, 16:43

Hmmmmmm, hello is that retentions i wish to cancel my subscription because you have linked me to a search page instead of telling me the page is unavailable. you have also told me how to stop this happening, this is absurd. I would have preferred to have struggled to disable it on my own terms and kick up a fuss. BTW did you know that analogue will be no more soon and yourselves and the government have forced this change on me so i cant make my own decision about it. As a result of this blatant disregard of my rights as a numpty i want you to waive all disconnection fees, and get me off your services. As a goodwill gesture could you send me a dial-up modem so i can enjoy slow page loads, plenty of time outs and of course obligatory disconnections in peace.

sorry just thought i would waste some time concocting a pointless argument to see what it felt like to whine. I got to admit it gave me a buzz briefly, but the realised it wasted nearly 5 minutes of my life.

Apologies if this doesnt make sense, I lost interest in this post halfway through, but ever the optomist i had to continue with it because in my own way i thought it was slightly funny!!!

Sir John Luke · 14-08-2009, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traduk

Virgin are relatively new and back in the days of 512 it was, for me, Cabletel. I have had free upgrades in the past which were at nil cost for a considerable period of time. By the principle that they are now applying they could offer me a free upgrade to 50Meg providing I am prepared to pay the price differential. To me the definition of free is nil cost both to change and for the subsequent cost after the change .

Your opinion of the majority of users has been echoed by disparaging remarks made by VM's CEO. It is that view and the apparent truth in fact that allows exploitation.

A relatively small number of people saw the threat that Phorm had and through protracted and concerted effort frustrated attempts of implementation. This almost certainly doesn't warrant that much attention but shows that VM are still willing to scrape some money out of exploitation which is beyond their remit as a supplier of a service.

Exactly. Given VM's attitude to net neutrality, further down the road, the DNS servers could be programmed to intercept queries for (say) google.com and return the address of whatever search engine provides VM with the most revenue. Wedge, thin end of.

Kymmy · 14-08-2009, 16:50

Now where's that link to the tin foil hat song??

Ah...there it is

http://eclectech.co.uk/mindcontrol.php

Sirius · 14-08-2009, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Now where's that link to the tin foil hat song??

Ah...there it is

http://eclectech.co.uk/mindcontrol.php

Was thinking that myself.

Sir John Luke · 14-08-2009, 16:58

You've persuaded me to repost

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11...vernment_plot/

Traduk · 14-08-2009, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir John Luke

Exactly. Given VM's attitude to net neutrality, further down the road, the DNS servers could be programmed to intercept queries for (say) google.com and return the address of whatever search engine provides VM with the most revenue. Wedge, thin end of.

It looks as though many people are either oblivious to mission creep or have such a short term view that it is inconsequential.

Sir John Luke · 14-08-2009, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traduk

It looks as though many people are either oblivious to mission creep or have such a short term view that it is inconsequential.

....which is precisely what VM and the like are relying on.

14-08-2009, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben B

But then how would people know about it?!

So its far better to give people the hassle of having to opt out?

Scam, plain and simple, I dont want VM or any company forcing stuff on me then putting the onus on me to opt out.

Sirius · 14-08-2009, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcamalpha2004

So its far better to give people the hassle of having to opt out?

Scam, plain and simple, I dont want VM or any company forcing stuff on me then putting the onus on me to opt out.

Then there is a simple answer for you if its thats much of problem.

Mick Fisher · 14-08-2009, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

And by Virgin making money out this, then its a way of keeping your subscription price down.

I beg to differ. It is a way for VM to increase their profits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

And what exactly do you mean by stealthily steal? As far as I can see Virgin have been quite upfront about this

Yeah? So why don't they ask me first before auto opting me in. If that is not stealth then I would like to know what is.

If VM had wished to do the right thing they would have followed the recommendations of ICO and made it an opt in service.

---------- Post added at 17:42 ---------- Previous post was at 17:34 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by webcrawler2050

Just what is the issue? It's not like, they installed a KeyLogger and are logging all of your strokes and taking screenshots and storing them on a remote server are they?

Jasus, talk about over acting. You need to seriously think about what your saying here chap..

Ideally access to your advice should be the same as VM's new "value added service". OPT IN not auto opt in.

I don't think anyone would like to be auto subscribed to open dns now would they.

webcrawler2050 · 14-08-2009, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick Fisher

I beg to differ. It is a way for VM to increase their profits.

Yeah? So why don't they ask me first before auto opting me in. If that is not stealth then I would like to know what is.

If VM had wished to do the right thing they would have followed the recommendations of ICO and made it an opt in service.

---------- Post added at 17:42 ---------- Previous post was at 17:34 ----------

Ideally access to your advice should be the same as VM's new "value added service". OPT IN not auto opt in.

I don't think anyone would like to be auto subscribed to open dns now would they.

Personally, don't care as long as my broad is stable and consitent..