P.S. Hi all
I guess this will allow Sky Player to work as well then .
Aaaaaargh!! Linux!!!!
Well thanks for sharing the info with us.
Ok, I am not chuffed...
I opted to install the program without toolbar and every now and then I am getting popups or re-directs on common sites I frequent. Fair enough, this program is free etc etc, but that is the kind of stealth advertising I do not, under any cirumstance, appreciate. Hmm.
I love this program so will still keep it installed, but will have a dig with Hijackthis and see if theres anything I can do to get rid of the browser hook-ins (if thats what they are).
Yes, to work properly they have installed an IP intercept driver, they have full control of your browsing habits. Not even dummying the hosts file will work if they are using direct addressing. Another fear could be that you are now a botnet member but so far I have monitored no calls phoning home. At the end of the day , is what you get worth the underhand hassle ? I suppose yes, but this product needs careful monitoring, if their business model does not make a profit, underhand policies may well surface.
It's a yellow light so far, nothing to worry about in terms of security just yet but be VERY aware this product has direct access to the network stack and everything you transmit is available to them, including login and banking details. No trojan/spyware is going to spot this habit, only a firewall set to intercept user supplied personal information will alert this, but you have probably already either allowed the product to run. My own observations are that this product sits below the AV driver and isn't even suspected/monitored.I will update once I know/hear/see more.
As I mentioned above (I know, you're all too excited by this new software to care), TOR works.
http://www.webtvunleashed.co.cc/2009...g-to-work.html
I turn it on only when I need to trick the iPlayer that I'm in the UK. Off while searching, wait until I get the video I want with the "get lost, foreigner" text, turn it on and refresh, turn it off and click play/download.
If you download it, the first time you play it it'll need to get 30 days' media rights. Same deal (but you must enable the proxy in IE for this part). Turn on the proxy in IE, open the file, wait until media rights are downloaded, turn off the proxy in IE.
Sounds like grief? Maybe, but once you've done it a couple of times it seems easy. And it works with every player (BBC, ITV, Ch5, Ch4, Sky).
Ought we not use this funky service, then? You're scaring this horse.
As Eco states, it has been extensively reviewed. If you trust the reviewers, then you can trust the product. I myself will remain cautious, I am sniffing the conversations it has beyond the BBC and have trip wired any @ frames that might include email addresses. The current developers seem credible, but it's always an easy commercial business decision to sell on a bad model, would be purchasers always seem to be bottom feeders and may just want to raid the customer base... Also, if the security on their servers isn't industrial grade, it is a tempting target for Botnet enlisters. This is true for anyone with a large trusting customer base.
My advice ? This product is ethically dubious, in deliberately breaching the wishes of a known trusted organisation who are protecting the rights and elevated subscriber position of the UK license payer. Is that a business you can trust yourself ? No comment.
Internet users are a mercenary bunch, we all do dubious copying/downloading/streaming etc, so like Usenet and Torrent, know your playground and 'don't come running to me if you hurt yourself on the big swings...'
I make no judgements, or claim any deception on the part of this product but forewarned is forearmed.
I am still using it on a safe laptop serving as a media extender and streamer, it will not go on the same machine as my personal data.
In my opinion, this software should only be used to watch iPlayer and similar. I wouldn't complete any forms with it, even my name and email address. It doesn't require registration to use the software either. We have a "web surfing" laptop which is used for just that (macbook) so we've installed it on that. Definitely don't do internet banking through the software, although even that should be relatively safe if you have one of the "caluclator" hardware security systems.
As for the ethical point: ethics are funny things. On torrent community sites, there are groups of people who break their necks to rip the newest movies and episodes at the best quality in the quickest time and host them on the fastest servers. They do this for free, and for the benefit of others (and a bit of credit). Of course many (most?) would call their actions theft. There are no moral absolutes
Absolutely. It is theft but we benefit from it and our morality evaporates at this point. I am just as guilty here. I think we both agree that this software should be isolated as you say on a data-less laptop etc. Again, as I intend to keep using it thank you for the link.
ok then you experts....I installed it so how do I now get rid of it??? thx.
There is an uninstall option in the Programs folder/menu.
I can't get past where it asks what language you want to use for the installation. I click on English and nothing happens
Edit: working now
err! could you be a tad more specific? You are talking to a computer moron here
Their website is the best place for FAQ's and support. Probably better than this thread/site.
Guys,
Having not read all of this thread, I thought I'd share my experience here.
I did it all in about 10 minutes (including pausing the video clip and typing in the relevant information)
It is completely free with no adds at all. I have been using it for almost 5 days now and I've watched a lot of shows.
I have not created this method, I just found it, tried it and it works well (for me).
What you need:
- Laptop / PC (obvious one)
- Active internet connection (another obvious one)
- Latest version of Mozilla Firefox (no links, look it up and download it please)
- Greasemonkey addon (for Firefox)
- FoxyProxy addon (for Firefox)
Log onto youtube and search for this video;
"How To Watch iPlayer From Abroad" by ThePyroProduction
(again I will not link it)
Watch the video and follow the instructions as set out in the video. It is a little technical, but you should be able to complete them easily. Once you have done everything (note that Firefox will want to restart twice, ignore first restart, but do complete 2nd restart) ensure that you turn on the Proxy by selecting (on OS X) Tools, FoxyProxy Standard, Use proxies based on....
Another thing to note;
The video shows the first "Anonymous" logging ip address. This means you do not need a username and password. If the one shown does not work for you, try another "anonymous" IP address (I am using the one on page 3)
Hope this helps.
Last note. Setting the proxy to apply the proxy to all URL's allows for viewing of not only iPlayer, but also ITV Player (4oD not tested at time of writing)
Good luck guys and gals!
So in summary the Jury is out on this one for now.
But people seem to agree if you download it then don't do any personal stuff on the computer its on correct?? Or are we being cautious?
Sorry but I am not a computer expert so some of this is above my level of knowledge.
So if I want to get BBC i player and sky on a computer which I will use for internet banking what is the best way to do it??.
I have worked out the moving back to the UK answer already
Well, you can turn off the product by right-clicking on the little red shield on the bottom right of a windows machine. It'll then say "privacy is off". What is means is "privacy is on"
But with internet banking you should certainly turn it off, but it's still pretty hard to hack into your internet banking account without your little hardware number generator.
Er, just disconnect from the service, clear history / cookies and browse as usual, right? You'll know you're still connected if the in-browser ads are displayed. One can only hope 'disconnected' means what it says...
My previous reply informs how to completely remove the product...
4. UNINSTALL ExpatShield (through Start > Programs > or through Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs)
5. Reboot
6. Remove "AnchorFree Inc's TAP-Win32 Virtual Network Driver" from Registry (and delete, next step) .... search for "taphss"
7. Delete windows\system32\drivers\taphss.sys
Step 6 and 7 are not done automatically by the Uninstall process.