Minkey
Registered User.
- Local time
- Today, 23:47
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2004
- Messages
- 661
I've been tracking this story for a while now but we've only really found out now what it actually does (almost ! - no ones 100% certain).
What is Phorm ?
I quote - "It's a technology that can deliver targeted advertising based on a user's browsing habits using deep packet inspection."
The means it tracks your browsing habits and inspects all your web traffic to show you adds you might be interested in. It essentially a technology that knows what your browsing, without your consent Most people regard this as adware.
It also performs redirects and automatically sets cookies on your PC.
It's even regarded as illegal because it's opt out not opt in and you'll probable not even know about it.
More technical details can be found here in pdf.
Who does this effect ?
They are targeting major IPS's and at the moment BT, Virgin Media and Talk Talk are all signed up, more will follow. Also many web sites are using Phorm profile based advertising. Oh and BT trialed it in 2006 so if you with them you could have already been tracked.
If you not with these ISP's should you be concerned ? Well for now probably not but as I mentioned web sites use this profiling and your ISP, if they sign up, probably won't tell you they have. I don't use any of them but I've taken precautions (see below) it's better to be suspicious than not.
How worried should I be ?
Personally I don't want anyone tracking what I do even if they claim not to be holding personal information. I also want to know exactly whats happening on my PC at anytime and my personal use of the internet is not 'altered' by third parties without my knowledge - do you ?
There's also the concern that a system like this can be hacked by using an exploit (either in the system itself or via another piece of software).
How can I stop them tracking me ?
This is a difficult question to answer but at the moment with no other protection I quote (from BadPhorm.co.uk) "you will require to disable the Phorm system by opting out on every browser that uses your network connection. There is no way to 'globaly opt out' of the Phorm system."
Steps you can do for all browsers:
Firstly you should delete all your cookies but (my disclaimer) you'll have re-accept ones that are required (this forum for example) and therefore you should know your log in and password, watch out for shopping sites also they usually must have a cookie to work but you can always (in Firefox) accept cookies only for this session for example.
Set your cookies more securely - in IE Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Override automatic cookie handling and set First party to prompt and Third party to block
for Firefox Tools > Options, tick accept cookies but change the Accept cookies to ask me every time.
I know this may seem like a pain but I would rather spend 2 seconds clicking no than have unwanted cookies on my PC.
Apologies for those using other browsers I don't use them but I'm sure if someone does they can post if anyone needs to know.
The only problem with this is you obviously need to have cookies enabled for certain sites but hang on there is an other thing you can do. There is an add on for Firefox that can permanently set your browser to opt out - Dephormation it can also alert you to web sites that use Phorm profile advertising. They are working on a version for IE.
Want to know more ?
BadPhorm OK it's an anti-phorm web site but it does have information on FAQ's by Phorm themselves.
Dephormation FAQ's
The Registers Phorm articles
Phorm Wikipedia entry Which Phorm recently edited themselves and removed key factual entries clicky
Apologies for the length of the post but I do feel strongly about this and it's not intended to be rant more of a heads up
What is Phorm ?
I quote - "It's a technology that can deliver targeted advertising based on a user's browsing habits using deep packet inspection."
The means it tracks your browsing habits and inspects all your web traffic to show you adds you might be interested in. It essentially a technology that knows what your browsing, without your consent Most people regard this as adware.
It also performs redirects and automatically sets cookies on your PC.
It's even regarded as illegal because it's opt out not opt in and you'll probable not even know about it.
More technical details can be found here in pdf.
Who does this effect ?
They are targeting major IPS's and at the moment BT, Virgin Media and Talk Talk are all signed up, more will follow. Also many web sites are using Phorm profile based advertising. Oh and BT trialed it in 2006 so if you with them you could have already been tracked.
If you not with these ISP's should you be concerned ? Well for now probably not but as I mentioned web sites use this profiling and your ISP, if they sign up, probably won't tell you they have. I don't use any of them but I've taken precautions (see below) it's better to be suspicious than not.
How worried should I be ?
Personally I don't want anyone tracking what I do even if they claim not to be holding personal information. I also want to know exactly whats happening on my PC at anytime and my personal use of the internet is not 'altered' by third parties without my knowledge - do you ?
There's also the concern that a system like this can be hacked by using an exploit (either in the system itself or via another piece of software).
How can I stop them tracking me ?
This is a difficult question to answer but at the moment with no other protection I quote (from BadPhorm.co.uk) "you will require to disable the Phorm system by opting out on every browser that uses your network connection. There is no way to 'globaly opt out' of the Phorm system."
Steps you can do for all browsers:
Firstly you should delete all your cookies but (my disclaimer) you'll have re-accept ones that are required (this forum for example) and therefore you should know your log in and password, watch out for shopping sites also they usually must have a cookie to work but you can always (in Firefox) accept cookies only for this session for example.
Set your cookies more securely - in IE Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Override automatic cookie handling and set First party to prompt and Third party to block
for Firefox Tools > Options, tick accept cookies but change the Accept cookies to ask me every time.
I know this may seem like a pain but I would rather spend 2 seconds clicking no than have unwanted cookies on my PC.
Apologies for those using other browsers I don't use them but I'm sure if someone does they can post if anyone needs to know.
The only problem with this is you obviously need to have cookies enabled for certain sites but hang on there is an other thing you can do. There is an add on for Firefox that can permanently set your browser to opt out - Dephormation it can also alert you to web sites that use Phorm profile advertising. They are working on a version for IE.
Want to know more ?
BadPhorm OK it's an anti-phorm web site but it does have information on FAQ's by Phorm themselves.
Dephormation FAQ's
The Registers Phorm articles
Phorm Wikipedia entry Which Phorm recently edited themselves and removed key factual entries clicky
Apologies for the length of the post but I do feel strongly about this and it's not intended to be rant more of a heads up