Some ISP’s have taken to altering web pages in transit… this means that what you see in your browser may NOT be what was actually sent from the server.
In other words, you are seeing what your ISP WANTS you to see rather than what the creator of the web page you’re viewing wants you to see. Right now, this foolishness is limited to inserting ads, but who knows where this slippery slope might lead. That’s not censorship, but it is some serious BS.
Don’t get me wrong… I don’t have a problem with advertising. But I DO have a problem with what essentially is a man in the middle attack perpetrated by ISPs.
So how can you tell if YOUR should be in the market for a new ISP?
Easy. The University of Washington is doing some research into the matter, and they have a tool that will test your ISP’s level of asshattery. Just visit the page and look at the results.
Popularity: 13% [?]
June 21st, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I never before knew the exact meaning of browser hijacking.
Its hard to believe something like this is real, i would be furious with my ISP.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I actually don’t have a problem with this unless they abuse the system (i.e publishing ads). It’s good that ISPs monitor content sent back to your browser IF they use this knowledge well, like filtering harmful virus/trojan software (acting as a ISP-level anti-virus).