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Belkin Routers Route Users to Censorware Ad
The Register has a story today about
Belkin routers redirecting their users' network traffic.
To me, this seems like the logical next step after top-level domain name servers piping ads to your browser. Now the routers themselves hijack the traffic they are supposed to, uh, route -- and you'll love where they send you instead. But it's OK because you can opt out. Incidentally, the Crystal Ball Award goes to Seth Finkelstein, who in 2001 quoted John Gilmore's famous aphorism about the internet, and asked "What if censorship is in the router?"
With the dizzying array of routers available for purchase, I've often been befuddled by the sheer number of choices that I have when buying new equipment. Which one is better? Why is this router $10 less than this other one when they appear to do the same thing? Which manufacturer should I trust with my data? With razon thin profit margins, and fierce competition in the IT hardware industry, such choices have become extremely difficult.
It's comforting to to know that Belkin has recognized my problem, and has stepped forward in an effort to solve it. They make it so much easier by saying...
"If It's Belkin, You Don't Want It!"(tm)
Thank you Belkin. With your new forward-thinking "Don't Buy Our Stuff" policy, I will be sure to stay on the lookout for other products that you offer, so that they can assist me in making difficult purchasing choices even easier.
I'm looking forward to to car that randomly turns left when you turn the steering wheel to the right.
Come to WA state: it appears that most drivers here are already using them, if their apparent road-sense is anything to go by...
Call me old fashioned, but I like a dump to be as memorable as it is devastating - Bender
ericd@belkin.com enjoys his peace and quiet. ericd@belkin.com does not like unsolicited email. People should not send messages to ericd@belkin.com unless they are personally affected by the issue. Spammers should not illegally harvest the email address ericd@belkin.com.
Customer: "Great! I'd like a cup of the soup please."
[Waiter takes out a hammer, thwaps customer on skull]
Customer: "WTF was that for?"
Waiter: "Sir, I'll stop thwapping you on the head as soon as you TELL me to stop."
Customer: "Why the hell would I have to TELL you to stop?"
[Waiter thwaps customer once more]
Customer: "GOD DAMMIT!"
Waiter: "Just say 'Stop,' sir, and this will all be over..."