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Auggie

(31,058 posts)
Sun Oct 26, 2014, 09:33 AM Oct 2014

Totally annoying: Comcast's open Wi-Fi hotspots inject ads into your browser

Comcast is giving users a very good reason to demand an HTTPS connection on every site they visit. The Internet service provider has started injecting ads for its services on websites where you wouldn't normally see them when you're using an Xfinity public Wi-Fi hotspot.

Imagine, for example, you were browsing your favorite news site when suddenly a pop-up from Comcast appears at the bottom of your display—a behavior you'd never experienced on that site before. That's exactly what happened to former Wired editor Ryan Singel when he connected to a Comcast Xfinity hotspot earlier in September.

It appears Comcast has actually been doing this for months, but the program only recently came to light after a report by Ars Technica.

The injections can either be an alert to let users know they are connected to a Comcast hotspot, or inserted ads to promote Comcast's Xfinity mobile apps, a Comcast spokesperson told Ars. Comcast was not available for comment at this writing.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2604422/comcasts-open-wi-fi-hotspots-inject-ads-into-your-browser.html

Hey, Comcast ... STOP IT!

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Totally annoying: Comcast's open Wi-Fi hotspots inject ads into your browser (Original Post) Auggie Oct 2014 OP
Ad Block is your friend. hobbit709 Oct 2014 #1
This gets around ad block Auggie Oct 2014 #4
Try Ghostery. dixiegrrrrl Oct 2014 #5
I'm starting to think that using a private VPN ChromeFoundry Oct 2014 #2
I'm going to look into that. Meanwhile, I stopped using free Comcast WiFi on my devices ... Auggie Oct 2014 #3
I have used both... ChromeFoundry Oct 2014 #6

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
5. Try Ghostery.
Sun Oct 26, 2014, 04:18 PM
Oct 2014

Firefox add on.
I use ghostry and Ad-Block
AND
Flash Block.
All Mozilla add ons.
Faster page loading.

ChromeFoundry

(3,270 posts)
2. I'm starting to think that using a private VPN
Sun Oct 26, 2014, 11:47 AM
Oct 2014

may just be the way to go. I'm already using a socks 5 proxy for some transient activities and the performance is outstanding. Most of the VPN providers offer compatibility for routers running DD-WRT and Tomato, as well as connectivity for your mobile devices when connected to public WiFi networks.

Anyone using a VPN service for all of their traffic?

Auggie

(31,058 posts)
3. I'm going to look into that. Meanwhile, I stopped using free Comcast WiFi on my devices ...
Sun Oct 26, 2014, 12:34 PM
Oct 2014

and I'm going to complain QUITE VOCALLY.

ChromeFoundry

(3,270 posts)
6. I have used both...
Sun Oct 26, 2014, 09:55 PM
Oct 2014

BTGuard and switched to TorGuard which (in my opinion) offers much better customer service and better speeds. But, in fairness, I have only used Socks 5 Proxy services and cannot speak for their VPN offerings.

Hopeful that others will offer their experiences so that others that are shopping for a private VPN will have something to reference.

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