phorm/webwise

Dangle

I don't think you'll be seeing any discounts at all for using webwise, I've watched the interviews and Phorm are marketing webwise as an added benefit for ISP customers, and your ISP is hardly likely to give you a discount for using a service that they claim is beneficial to you.

What I don't get is why would anyone choose to give away all the valuable personal information about themselves revealed by their browsing habits, in exchange for a feature that is already built into modern browsers as standard...

The very first time you first run IE7 you're asked if you want to turn anti-phishing protection on, but if you chose not to, then to turn it on now, select Tools->Phishing Filter and if it is off you'll see the option "Turn on Automatic Website Checking", select it and a window will open, click on "Turn on anti Phishing Filter (Recommended)" and click ok.

Firefox has anti-phishing on by default, you can test if it is enabled by clicking on this link http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/its-a-trap.html

But, if you don't have it on already, select Tools-> Options from Firefox's menu then click on the security tab of the window that pops-up and tick "Tell me if the site I'm visiting is a suspected forgery"

If my ISP wants to spy on what I read and what I type, and which sites I shop at and what I buy and which online banks I use, so that they can serve me targeted adverts, then I think it is only fair that in exchange they should offer me my internet access absolutely free. To be frank though, I'd sooner pay for a service from an ISP that doesn't want to spy on me.

ElCheapo_2

Helix wrote: »

The laws they broke I think were to do with the fact they did all this without informing customers. Even going as far as denying that anything was going on when some customers questioned them.

Virgin have said that any trials that have taken place have been within their own labs with no connection to customers.

Did I imagine it or did I read somewhere that webwise impersonated sites to plant fake cookies? Wouldn't this be classed as deception or forgery?

markyboy7

ElCheapo wrote: »

Did I imagine it or did I read somewhere that webwise impersonated sites to plant fake cookies? Wouldn't this be classed as deception or forgery?

Have you read this?

http://www.inphormationdesk.org/

It explains most things and what to do about it. Don't forget to sign the petition below.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ispphorm/

Opened my eyes!

admeup

I read somewhere that if you were thinking of leaving your ISP that had Phorms Webwise and were browsing for other internet providers, then they would start sending you discounts to stay. Apparently Webwise will know that you are looking at other internet providers and kind of panic

Jocatz

OldBear wrote: »

I, too, have signed the petition and urge everyone here to do similar.

I'd be really interested to know what Martin and the MSE Team think about this Phorm/Webwise scheme, and of BT, Virgin and Talk Talk spying on all the posters here. Is the Team aware that (if what I read is true) that moneysavers' ISPs and Phorm intend to intercept and/or change/forge the cookies this site sends to all visitors to this site?

My own current contract with BT is due to end in a couple of months, so the phone calls from them should start real soon. To find out what's going on for sure, I have written to BT asking what savings will be available for signing up to this service. I doubt I'll renew if this goes ahead, as there appear to be a good many people, (including spyware companies, antivirus companies, lawyers, MPs, MEPs and Members of the House of Lords), who believe this technology is quite illegal, but it might be worth finding out if my ISP will offer me a bribe to take it.

I'll let you all know what they say.

Edit: Just spotted this question above:


That's a very good point. I know from what I read that these Phorm people claim to be not able to read encrypted sites, but given this company's past history, and their links to some very dodgy Russian and Chinese spyware groups, I think I would stop online banking and buying if this went ahead.

You've really made me think about the safety of my internet banking. I have e-savings accounts that can only be managed on the internet.

If privacy becomes an issue and I am forced to stop doing my banking this way I will loose some accounts that pay attractive rates of interest.

What right have these people got to invade my privacy and claim to be doing me a favour.! Are we the only country to be targeted or have they tried to do this across Europe or the USA?

Dangle

admeup wrote: »

I read somewhere that if you were thinking of leaving your ISP that had Phorms Webwise and were browsing for other internet providers, then they would start sending you discounts to stay. Apparently Webwise will know that you are looking at other internet providers and kind of panic

I read that they proposed such a "customer save" feature, but I understood that UK ISPs can not use this feature because of data protection regulations.

markyboy7

admeup wrote: »

I read somewhere that if you were thinking of leaving your ISP that had Phorms Webwise and were browsing for other internet providers, then they would start sending you discounts to stay. Apparently Webwise will know that you are looking at other internet providers and kind of panic

I've just read it's like having your letters opened by the postman so they can tell junk mail companies what you are interested in.

Looking at it another way, imagine ringing your mate up to tell him you were thinking of buying another car. You put the phone down and within 5 seconds the local dodgy used car salesman rings you up to try to sell you a car.

I don't want this webwise, it stinks.

Does Martin Lewis know about this? I'm sure he would not want any of his readers to get caught out by this.

If you don't mind the privacy issues, ring BT and Virgin and ask for a 50% discount on your broadband bill.

ElCheapo_2

markyboy7 wrote: »

Have you read this?

http://www.inphormationdesk.org/

It explains most things and what to do about it. Don't forget to sign the petition below.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ispphorm/

Opened my eyes!

Thanks for the suggestions. I've already signed the petition and e-mailed the url to my family and friends asking them to do likewise and pass it on to their friends. It has also been added to my e-mail signature. Maybe if everyone did the same it would have a pyramid effect. A million plus signatures would be difficult to ignore!

http://www.inphormationdesk.org/ should carry a health warning because reading about BT's secret trials etc. isn't doing my blood pressure much good.

OF1975

ElCheapo wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions. I've already signed the petition and e-mailed the url to my family and friends asking them to do likewise and pass it on to their friends. It has also been added to my e-mail signature. Maybe if everyone did the same it would have a pyramid effect. A million plus signatures would be difficult to ignore!

http://www.inphormationdesk.org/ should carry a health warning because reading about BT's secret trials etc. isn't doing my blood pressure much good.

Not only your blood pressure but I suspect certain BT and Phorm executives blood pressure has risen over the last few months with all the bad publicity and threats of legal action. Time to check the post.

markyboy7

I just love this chart of the Phorm/webwise share price.:D


http://www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail?code=cotn:PHRM.L&display=chart&it=le


(you might have to hit 'refresh' a couple of times.