Every time I visit a website Sky tells them where I live !

[fruitbat]

I think it is more likely to be something like the Google toolbar or a similar application you have installed which is 'feeding' you adverts it thinks you will be interested in. A bit like Phorm, but not so agressive.

I use Firefox on Mac OSX (10.5). I don't have a Google toolbar or anything similar. I've configured Firefox to block pop-ups; to only allow cookies from sites I visit (ie. not from 3rd party websites); to clear history when Firefox closes; and it has no add-ons or extensions.

Don't worry too much, what you see can only be seen by you no one else has access to the information. Rather like the infantile banner hosted by danasoft, which purports someone knows all about you, they don't, it is simply using information attached to all IP addresses. Only you can see the information it contains. I personally think it should be banned from forums, for the reason you are demonstrating, that it can cause unnecessary worry.

Thank you for explaining that to me. I find it reassuring.

If you are really worried remove any browser help objects (BHO) you have installed on your PC. That should get rid of them. I hope this serves to set your mind at rest.

Do you know where on Mac OSX 10.5 I might find such items?

[fruitbat]

Don't know why, it's not them doing it! Chances are, as others have advised it is something you have installed without realising the implications.

It never once happened with my previous ISP. Now with Sky it happens frequently. I use exactly the same browser and OS as I used before, and I've installed nothing new. The only thing that has changed is the ISP.

If that doesn't point to Sky, to where does it point?

[reddwarfcrew]

It's not Sky, plain and simple. Whenever you visit a webpage, you tell that webpage your IP address (you have to, it's the way the web works).

Now IP addresses are assigned to locations and as such the website can simply look up your IP address to get an idea of where you live. That is all.

If the IP location database is not up to date, then it will report an incorrect location (which it sometimes does. Apparently I live in Coundon, when I actually live in Radford.

Don't be concerned, it's just the way the web works. Some sites use the feature to be clever, others will use it to suggest you have a vrius so that you buy their software.

There are plenty of websites that will be tell you where you live, who your ISP is, what internet browser you use, purley by the IP address that your browser has to send.

[reddwarfcrew]

Thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately I'm unable to use Hide IP because it's a Windows-only app.. I use a Mac.

Google is your friend, loads of solutions for MACs

mac hide your ip address - Google Search

[Isitme]

Sorry I have no experience of Macs, in Windows you would use HiJackThis, which is a Registry based application so it will not run on a Mac. All I can suggest is that you try running Firefox in Safe Mode, see here - Safe Mode - MozillaZine Knowledge Base and see if there is any difference.

You might also want to try Safari, which I believe is very good on the Mac. - Apple - Safari - Introducing Safari 4 - See the web in a whole new way

This smells of Phorm really, I hope Sky are not running secret trials as BT did some time ago. I doubt it as BT got into very hot water through doing it.

[GSMGuy]

I

Don't worry too much, what you see can only be seen by you no one else has access to the information. Rather like the infantile banner hosted by danasoft, which purports someone knows all about you, they don't, it is simply using information attached to all IP addresses. Only you can see the information it contains. I personally think it should be banned from forums, for the reason you are demonstrating, that it can cause unnecessary worry.

If you are really worried remove any browser help objects (BHO) you have installed on your PC. That should get rid of them. I hope this serves to set your mind at rest.

I like the danasoft one!

Lol

Mike

[Isitme]

Like this one??

Lol

Mike

Nope, can't see it, I block all the rubbish that danasoft puts out.

[dms05]

It's often said this apparent reporting of 'who you are and where you are' acts like a mirror, it reflects what it sees (in your IP address) and reports the image back to the sender who is also the viewer - and just as important, no one else can see it.

It's absolutely nothing to do with your ISP and is simply the information contained in your IP address. Of course anyone can look up your IP address and find it all out What Is My IP Address? - Lookup IP, Hide IP, Change IP, Trace IP and more... and have a look - it places me within 0.5km of the correct location!

[stevvi]

It never once happened with my previous ISP. Now with Sky it happens frequently. I use exactly the same browser and OS as I used before, and I've installed nothing new. The only thing that has changed is the ISP.

If that doesn't point to Sky, to where does it point?

Sorry if I missed it but what, exactly, is happening?

[Isitme]

Sorry if I missed it but what, exactly, is happening?

Did you read the post from the beginning?