Virgin Media: Difference between revisions
m Added category |
m improve references with additional information |
||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
===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> Instead, they must use Virgin Media's provided DNS servers, which are almost always slower and less reliable than Cloudflare's or Google's dedicated DNSes (1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8, respectively).<ref>https://www.dnsperf.com/</ref> The reason for Virgin Media forcing its own DNS servers isn't known, but the servers are used primarily to block sites deemed "inappropriate" by the company.<ref>https://www.virginmedia.com/help/list-of-court-orders</ref> | Users of Virgin Media's routers aren't allowed to set their own DNS servers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slazanger |date=27 Sep 2024 |title=Custom DNS or Modem Mode on the Hub5X |url=https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Wireless/custom-dns-or-modem-mode-on-the-hub5x/5571095 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |via=Virgin Media Forum}}</ref> Instead, they must use Virgin Media's provided DNS servers, which are almost always slower and less reliable than Cloudflare's or Google's dedicated DNSes (1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8, respectively).<ref>{{Cite web |title=DNS Performance Analytics and Comparison |url=https://www.dnsperf.com/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=DNSPerf}}</ref> The reason for Virgin Media forcing its own DNS servers isn't known, but the servers are used primarily to block sites deemed "inappropriate" by the company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin Media court orders |url=https://www.virginmedia.com/help/list-of-court-orders |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Virgin Media}}</ref> | ||
There are also privacy implications that come with allowing the company to access your DNS queries,<ref>https://www.howtogeek.com/664608/why-you-shouldnt-be-using-your-isps-default-dns-server/</ref> as normally it would only be able to see what IPs you are connecting to, but DNS queries also provide exact subdomains.{{Citation needed}} | There are also privacy implications that come with allowing the company to access your DNS queries,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heddings |first=Anthony |date=14 Apr 2020 |title=Why You Shouldn't Use Your ISP's Default DNS Server |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/664608/why-you-shouldnt-be-using-your-isps-default-dns-server/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=How-To Geek}}</ref> as normally it would only be able to see what IPs you are connecting to, but DNS queries also provide exact subdomains.{{Citation needed}} | ||
====Mitigation==== | ====Mitigation==== | ||
Revision as of 11:49, 15 March 2025
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 (2021; merger)[1] |
| Type | Public |
| Industry | Telecommunication |
| Official website | https://www.virginmedia.com/ |
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.[citation needed]
Anti-consumer practices
Forced DNS usage
Users of Virgin Media's routers aren't allowed to set their own DNS servers.[2] Instead, they must use Virgin Media's provided DNS servers, which are almost always slower and less reliable than Cloudflare's or Google's dedicated DNSes (1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8, respectively).[3] The reason for Virgin Media forcing its own DNS servers isn't known, but the servers are used primarily to block sites deemed "inappropriate" by the company.[4]
There are also privacy implications that come with allowing the company to access your DNS queries,[5] as normally it would only be able to see what IPs you are connecting to, but DNS queries also provide exact subdomains.[citation needed]
Mitigation
Set your DNS servers manually on each of your devices to 1.1.1.1 or another reputable DNS provider.[citation needed]
References
- ↑ https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/about-us/
- ↑ Slazanger (27 Sep 2024). "Custom DNS or Modem Mode on the Hub5X". Retrieved 15 Mar 2025 – via Virgin Media Forum.
- ↑ "DNS Performance Analytics and Comparison". DNSPerf. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "Virgin Media court orders". Virgin Media. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Heddings, Anthony (14 Apr 2020). "Why You Shouldn't Use Your ISP's Default DNS Server". How-To Geek. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.