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Virgin media: Difference between revisions

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Added virgin media page, and how they screwed me with forced DNS
 
grammar fix
 
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==== Forced DNS Usage ====
==== Forced DNS Usage ====
Users of virgin media's routers aren't allowed to set their own DNS servers<ref>https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Wireless/custom-dns-or-modem-mode-on-the-hub5x/5571095</ref>, being forced to use their own.
Users of virgin media's routers aren't allowed to set their own DNS servers<ref>https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Wireless/custom-dns-or-modem-mode-on-the-hub5x/5571095</ref>, being forced to use Virgin media's provided DNS servers, which are almost always slower and less reliable than using Cloudflare or Google dedicated DNS (1.1.1.1/8.8.8.8 respectively)<ref>https://www.dnsperf.com/</ref>
Virgin media's provided DNS servers are almost always slower and less reliable than using Cloudflare or Google dedicated DNS (1.1.1.1/8.8.8.8 respectively)<ref>https://www.dnsperf.com/</ref>


The reason for the ISP forcing their own DNS servers isn't known, but they are used primarily to DNS block sites deemed "inappropriate" by them<ref>https://www.virginmedia.com/help/list-of-court-orders</ref>.
The reason for Virgin Media forcing their own DNS servers isn't known, but they are used primarily to DNS block sites deemed "inappropriate" by them<ref>https://www.virginmedia.com/help/list-of-court-orders</ref>.


There are also privacy implications that come with allowing them access to your DNS queries<ref>https://www.howtogeek.com/664608/why-you-shouldnt-be-using-your-isps-default-dns-server/</ref>, as normally they'd only be able to see what IPs you are connecting to i.e. google servers, but DNS queries also provide exact subdomains i.e. secret.youtube.com
There are also privacy implications that come with allowing them access to your DNS queries<ref>https://www.howtogeek.com/664608/why-you-shouldnt-be-using-your-isps-default-dns-server/</ref>, as normally they'd only be able to see what IPs you are connecting to i.e. google servers, but DNS queries also provide exact subdomains i.e. secret.youtube.com

Latest revision as of 23:29, 16 January 2025

Virgin Media Limited/Virgin Media O2 Limited is a telecommunications company from Britain, founded in 2007, which provides telephone, television and internet services in the United Kingdom.

Anti Consumer Practices[edit | edit source]

Forced DNS Usage[edit | edit source]

Users of virgin media's routers aren't allowed to set their own DNS servers[1], being forced to use Virgin media's provided DNS servers, which are almost always slower and less reliable than using Cloudflare or Google dedicated DNS (1.1.1.1/8.8.8.8 respectively)[2]

The reason for Virgin Media forcing their own DNS servers isn't known, but they are used primarily to DNS block sites deemed "inappropriate" by them[3].

There are also privacy implications that come with allowing them access to your DNS queries[4], as normally they'd only be able to see what IPs you are connecting to i.e. google servers, but DNS queries also provide exact subdomains i.e. secret.youtube.com

Mitigation[edit | edit source]

Set your DNS servers manually on each of your devices to 1.1.1.1 or another reputable DNS provider.