Close

Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    DF VIP Member DavidF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    GLASGOW
    Posts
    994
    Thanks
    389
    Thanked:        743
    Karma Level
    312

    Attention Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    Just took my dad back to his house in Scotland after having him down south for a month and he has received the a letter like the following - https://twitter.com/whatevillurks/st...58806131896321
    This is just an image of the letter - not my twitter ect just to show.
    I have checked his router just as an aside and it has upnp is off and firewall on...he doesn't actually have a computer ect I have set up a box in his bedroom for him to be able to watch footie ect.
    Im bloody fuming tbh...he is 83 and if I wasn't here this letter (Which incidentally refers you to paid for security fixes and anti virus ect...so its marketing which I think is the type of thing you would get from a scam marketer)
    If I wasn't here he would have been panicking like a goodun unplugging shit ect ect. I wonder how many non tech savy have been conned into buying these services. Apparently some people have been told by virgin cs that if they don't buy the software and secure their pc properly then they "may" be cut off. Really bad form from VM.

  2. #2
    DF VIP Member dpSparhawk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Liverpool
    Posts
    6,873
    Thanks
    1,716
    Thanked:        2,393
    Karma Level
    746

    Default Re: Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    I don't think it's unreasonable for any ISP to send out a letter advising of a potential threat. After all, that threat can potentially work its way backwards across the network and possibly compromise service for other customers. How else are they going to notify people? They could call.... normally met with abuse or suspicion, write a letter, or send an email. They wouldn't sent a letter out unless something HAS been detected on the VM network. Of course they'll use the opportunity to promote their security software. That's business. No one is forcing anyone to use their security.

    As for VM CS advising customers they may be cut off, I very much doubt they would threaten you with that if you failed to buy THEIR software however (although in any business, you get bell ends), it's in the T's and C's that they reserve the right to cut service if there's anything that could compromis their network and other customers. That's in ALL ISPs T's and C's.

  3. #3
    DF VIP Member
    Ashley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    London
    Posts
    2,003
    Thanks
    3,299
    Thanked:        472
    Karma Level
    321

    Default Re: Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    Whilst like Dpsparhawk says its probably a genuine reason to be sent, I find VM to be relentless with their marketing and selling.

    I left them about four years ago and still receive weekly letters addressed to the occupier trying to sign me up.

  4. #4
    DF VIP Member Over Carl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    13,125
    Thanks
    3,975
    Thanked:        1,690
    Karma Level
    1251

    Default Re: Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    I've never seen one of these myself but I've read about these being issued by various ISP's when they see suspicious traffic.

    A few years ago I often used to be testing various networking equipment, and sometimes I would be learning about a new device and leave it horribly misconfigured for a while which would have been sending all kinds of strange traffic through my ISP but as none of these were possible methods of infection or attack I never received any notifications. I could be talking out of my backside, but this makes me suspect they are only sending these letters out if there is the possibility of risk to yourself or others.

    I can't tell from the scan you have sent, but it appears they are offering the antivirus software for free, but I cannot see the * at the bottom which may be hiding the catch.

    Disabling uPNP isn't an ideal fix as if you were doing thing like gaming online it could be an issue, but saying that if it happened to me first I would disable uPNP, then figure out which device on the network is causing the problem before turning uPNP back on.

    Here is an example of how SSDP can be used to launch a DDoS attack. If something like this is happening I can understand Virgin getting involved to cut down unnecessary bandwidth wastage and to avoid being an accomplice that is facilitating such an attack.

  5. #5
    DF VIP Member DavidF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    GLASGOW
    Posts
    994
    Thanks
    389
    Thanked:        743
    Karma Level
    312

    Default Re: Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    The point is he has no pc/laptop. His upnp was not enabled nor has it ever been. The only thing on his network is a bloody box connected to cs. This is marketing make no mistake. A quick google brings up plenty who have received these letters and none of them have ANY problems even when scanned ect. Most don't even have upnp enabled. The links do offer a trial for software then pay £x whatever can't remember. There is also an option to pay for them to "fix" any network issues you may have. His router doesnt even display ssid nor is wps enabled....I already took care of that when it got installed.

    I would be applauding them if this was an actual problem that they had diligently identified. But it's not - this is a fishing exercise no more no less.

    Thanks to DavidF

    Over Carl (6th January 2016)  


  6. #6
    DF VIP Member burner1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    South West
    Posts
    7,570
    Thanks
    329
    Thanked:        676
    Karma Level
    1213

    Default Re: Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    I got one a month or so ago, did the usually checks etc. and nothing wrong my end. Had a look on their community site and the general consensus is that VM are rolling out updates which are currently adding traffic to peoples lines. My Blue light (superhub) used to only flash when I'm on the net etc. and data is coming in and out, then one day, it just seemed to be constantly flashing and still is.

    I was also annoyed at the blatant fear mongering this letter was implying and to grab their 'recommended' third party products. Genuine letter in the interest of the customer? I don't know, but if there were such issues of concern, for what we pay to use their service they are the ones who should plugging any gaps in their systems.

    I also thought that Upnp was an internal network protocol and not one that bounces over the internet? Might be wrong but that was my thinking on it.

  7. #7
    DF VIP Member Geko's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Location
    Earth
    Posts
    5,971
    Thanks
    1,175
    Thanked:        1,281
    Karma Level
    620

    Default Re: Virgin Media SSDP Letter - Frightening customers.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashley View Post
    I left them about four years ago and still receive weekly letters addressed to the occupier trying to sign me up.
    The previous owner was a subscriber. I get this weekly letter. I can recognise them by sight now and they go straight into the bin.

    Thanks to Geko

    Ashley (7th January 2016)  


Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 17th September 2002, 09:29 PM
  2. a precise step by step on xbox media player 6
    By herbinator in forum Microsoft Consoles
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 3rd September 2002, 10:45 AM
  3. Xbox Media PLayer And XStream B6 FINAL
    By FR15K in forum Microsoft Consoles
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 2nd September 2002, 01:14 PM
  4. XStream and Xbox Media player 5
    By oE in forum Microsoft Consoles
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 30th August 2002, 12:55 PM
  5. Xbox Media Player
    By Sweguy in forum Microsoft Consoles
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 29th August 2002, 03:21 PM

Social Networking Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •