Can anti-piracy badguys spy even if you download YOUTUBE videos/movies?

Hey guys! My friend used an addon by name downloadhelper. She said that she used because she saw that in 'recommended addons' list in mozilla addons site (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/recommended) But yesterday when she enabled 'block http' option in peerblock, she was very much afraid. In her own words: "Since I don't use P2P, I don't enable 'block http' option. But yesterday when I enabled that option while downloading a video, peerblock blocked many media oriented sites like Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc, Warner Bros. Records Inc, Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation, Gannett Media Technologies International, Public Broadcasting Service, The Jim Henson Company and others like World Wide Web Consortium (?!), Inktomi Corporation, BBC, IBM etc.

It even blocks (even now) McAfee Inc. and Savvis (My McAfee Siteadvisor uses it I think). Allowed million times. But still blocking. Note: I did allow PERMANENTLY.

I'm not downloading today. But I get other stuffs like United Nations (!), Internet Security Systems, Commission of European Communities DG XIII, Internet Security Systems, Elseviers Science Publishers, Bell Laboratories/Lucent Technologies, and other random $H#t$.

Why?! Even if I google search Jim Henson Company etc., it is blocking. But at that time, I didn't even search/load their websites. Are they watching me? I'm afraid. Help me... "

Since youtube like sites actually 'download' while streaming (this is why you can replay once completed) can they identify who is watching and who is downloading? Will they spy? Do they take law enforcement? Of course, if you download from P2P file sharing (I heard they are also gonna watch non-p2p sites like rapidshare and mediafire) they may catch you and take charge you. But downloading from youtube like sites? Of course, youtube's TOS prohibits downloading. Though youtube can do what dailymotion did (in dailymotion, while downloading , you'd get error preventing complete download) it didn't. Why? She decided not to download in future. In fact, that was her first day using both downloadhelper and peerblock so she was afraid. Help guys!

She also couldn't open wwe.com, comodo.com and a lot of sites while enabling 'allow http' option. So, she couldn't even use that option.

 

First things first, tell her to calm down Just by using Peerblocker and seeing all those blocks...it means it's doing the job asked of it. What she is seeing is what happens with many blocklists, they're made to cover just about EVERYTHING. This means these lists can be a bit on the paranoid side. All those media company blocks are quite normal. The media industry, government agencies, businesses, they are all connected in one way or another on the internet through various partners, advertisement agencies, and the like.

So what she saw was what many people don't see, how the internet truly works. She needs to be cautious, she is protected by the IP blocker, but IPs change and no one knows every single IP address used by every company. So, if P2P'ing, be aware of that. As far as Youtube goes, media companies (RIAA mostly) CAN go after you for downloading copyrighted videos off there, but in all honesty there's a SLIM chance of that. Usually they gripe and cry until Google removes the video from its servers.

So, relax, nobody is waiting to pounce If you find you're having trouble with a website even when not blocking HTTP traffic but with Peerblocker running, just right-click the blocked entry and alloy it for however long you need, or, permanently.

 

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. I showed your reply and she was relieved to some extent. Thanks!

"So, if P2P'ing, be aware of that." she herself is a paranoid. So she don't use P2P things.

"As far as Youtube goes, media companies (RIAA mostly) CAN go after you for downloading copyrighted videos off there, but in all honesty there's a SLIM chance of that. Usually they gripe and cry until Google removes the video from its servers."

She didn't upload. Just downloaded. Since youtube like sites actually 'download' while streaming, can they differentiate users downloading and users watching without downloading? Just wondering.

She uses Level 1 blocklist from I-Blocklist (http://www.iblocklist.com/list.php?list=bt_level1) and the author is Bluetack (same as PeerGuardian's!) Why are they blocking comodo, a well known security software vendor, wwe.com, a simulated wrestling sport etc?! And she said she'd be grateful if you to download that peerblock app and see whether you get more irrelevant sites (a.k.a sites you didn't browse?) while enabling 'block http'.

We both are 15 year old kids. So please do help us. Thanks.

 

Well, youtube did take actions against techcrunch, one of the famous technology sites. It provided a free download app but sad smiley Read this: http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/11/15/huh-youtube-sends-techcrunch-a-cease-desist/

But what can you say about this public propaganda: http://www.orbitdownloader.com/Use-as-YouTube-Downloader.htm

Orbit Downloader is the most popular YouTube Downloader chosen by millions of people. "

"Orbit Downloader's Grab Pro break YouTube's anti-leeching technology. Never miss YouTube using Orbit Downloader as YouTube downloader from now on!"

You can see many and many sites like youtube.com here: http://www.orbitdownloader.com/faq.htm#video

Since we both are not having enough guts to use anything related to P2P, we are not in a mood to try orbit downloader.

RIAA, MPAA, CRIA, etc may also be harsh with non-p2p-sites like mediafire, rapidshare, megaupload etc. But youtube? They concentrate more on uploads than downloads.

Though many have got caught using P2P things like Kaaza, I didn't even see a single person sued for downloading youtube videos. What is your opinion?

Well, even if youtube is 100% against downloading, it would have done something like dailymotion (when you download from dailymotion, you'd get an error after 99% every time! blah!

 

I'll be perfectly upfront and say I don't know the answer to your first question. I know they CAN figure out who watched what on Youtube, that was a highly publicized thing when the record companies/TV networks started getting after Google to take down "infringing" videos. That's if you're a registered user at Youtube. How that affects people that just wander there and watch a few things, I don't know.

Now, as to why you are seeing such things as the WWE, Comodo, and other well-known entities in the list, this is because these are companies with paid products/productions that get pirated and put up at places like YouTube and P2P networks. Again, where one media entity is, more are sure to be connected to them. That's the internet for you.

So, when you're watching, say, Family Guy on Youtube, you'll see Fox, TBS, and other companies that are involved directly with the show or involved with the TV networks in some manner (be that ad-serving or what have you), you'll see these entries in your list. That DOES mean they are watching, but it does NOT mean they can and are tracing it back to you personally. Peerblocker does its best to prevent that.

I've been a Peerblock user for quite some time, and used Peerguardian, it's predecessor for god knows how long, lol, so I'm used to seeing all these weird entries. Hey, today while downloading a torrent, I got hit with the Department of Defense, various electric companies, colleges, TV networks, U.K government agencies, you name it. That's just how the internet is, we're all tied together in one way or another. By the way, often when you see REALLY strange things like electric companies, high-level government offices and the like, sometimes it's just because they share an address within that IP range with the ones who are supposed to be blocked.

Again, nothing to be freaked over, it's just what happens when you have the planet tied together Sleep comfortably, you're alright, but do be careful out there.

 

Your Youtube answer: It isn't the watchers they are TRULY trying to catch, it's the uploaders So yes, Youtube is just as much a target as any other video-sharing/P2P website.

 

Hey! thanks again! Wilder rocks! Submitted the same in others but didn't even get a single reply! You guys rock! \m/ And now, eventually, she grins. Thanks Wilders, thanks dw426! Yip, yip, hurray! She said that that was like a wild nightmare but wilders relieved her! She said said she is grateful to you and wilders! But must accept. I was also kinda tensed because she is my best friend. We don't log in and download! It makes 'em easy to catch! Comodo is free! How does it link with other companies? And as far as wwe.com is concerned, they don't take their weekly shows (smackdown, ecw, raw) seriously if they were uploaded in youtube like sites because they themselves are having in their site to stream. Only Pay Per Events. Even if some upload 'em, youtube immediately removes saying "wwe claimed" But dailymotion does have more PPV. But blah! They can't be downloaded!

Hey! You get electric companies? Funny! I get United Nations! I know! They (UN) do nothing! LOL Hey, do you download torrents? "today while downloading a torrent ..." but are you fine? Wondering why am I asking? youtube < P2P. So, we'd be little bit extra-relaxed! And you will also be fine.

 

And another doubt: hey! Do you get all those stuffs (including media sites like liongate) even while not downloading? Just wondering!

 

Lol, I'm glad you two are relaxed. Yes, I download torrents, and there aren't any bars around me or guys named Bubba Look, I'm not telling you to go out and P2P, no matter what you do to hide yourself, you CAN be found. That's the internet. Now, the WWE, as far as them having the stream themselves, well, they own the product, and it's streamed on their website. That's quite different from grabbing it off the TV and putting it online

They can do what they want with their product, you can't. I've never figured out the TV show issue. I mean, networks show their production every week...for the entire country. I really don't see the harm in uploading a show the entire country has seen already to a place where those who may have missed it can see it, and so can the world. I don't get it with music videos either. No one, with a straight face can walk up to me and tell me money is still being made on videos that were made in the 80s and 90s, even early 2000s.

Where in the world is money being lost on videos that have long ago been put in the vaults and have never been seen again? The media companies, and, especially the RIAA are plain and simple greedy bullies. They aren't protecting anything, they're simply afraid of the internet. Wow, I went WAY off topic there. Okay, reeling myself back in. On your Comodo question (I think it was Comodo specific anyway, my mind is wearing down), you likely saw them because of 3rd party partners being blocked too.

 

Yes you do. Again, that's how the internet works. When you connect to a website, you also connect to any 3rd parties associated with that website, companies that serve up ads you see on the website, all those things. It's just normal traffic.

 

As you might know, I do have more knowledge regarding computer security (I'm thinking to be computer security expert in future. But, I have a doubt. Hey, do these computer malware thingy remain ever or they'd vanish? Govt. can easily eradicate but how come they'd because it is an ever-booming-business for the antis just like police and thief! edit: thief and police! ) and I've also installed adblock plus, no script mvps hosts, hp hosts (one of the bests but kinda too aggressive! But, okay, it's alright! ) As IT Mate says, "a hosted computer is a happy computer!' Just like huggies for a baby -> my representation!

 

Well now you're getting on an entirely different topic, which you might want a new thread for However, for the time being, the answer is yes, malware domains (I think this is what you're asking?) do vanish. In fact, they come and go so often that neither PeerBlock nor a HOST file is of much use these days. We're talking malware hijacking that can last a few hours and then completely vanish, leaving the previously clean domain quite safe again.

You need different tools to combat that, which, again, is way off topic for this thread. AdBlock and NoScript are fantastic at what they do, and they are a great first step to preventing these infected domains from hurting you.

Edit: I didn't answer your government question. It's actually just as difficult for them to eradicate the problem as it is us normal folks....unless you want a tightly regulated Internet, with the security and privacy issues that would come along with it

 

And sorry for not replying your previous post. My eyes didn't see unfortunately at first. It is just 8 pm. But why am I tired?

Well, thanks once again and allow me to type this once again: "you guys rock! \m/"

Yeah, hosting in wwe.com and hosting in youtube (that too by others) is different. Though I don't watch family guy, I love south park! Since I'm having not having a television at home, their website (http://www.southparkstudios.com/) helps me to watch online as soon as the episode is aired! Just like wwe.com which is hosting as soon as their non PPVs are shown on TV! But practically speaking, there is also another site by name xepisodes.com which also hosts southpark episodes! Just like that, WWE also allows non-PPVs.

Yeah, MPAA, RIAA and others do deserve red/yeallow rating in Web Of Trust:

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/mpaa.org
http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/riaa.com

I also use McAfee SiteAdvisor along with WOT. Though it's 'McAfee secure' and automatic diagnosis (now it's TrustedSource web reputation analysis is lot more aggressive and even flagged one of the famous downloading sites, softpedia.com once.) fail to detect, it has lots of experienced users who are not even afraid to flag siteadvisor.com for it's bogus automatic ratings & spurious 'secure' badge and judge like more than 95% correctly.

What do artists want? Publicity and making others happy more than getting money (I mean, true artists, not those [censored] ones.) I've heard one singer who had a terrible voice paid for sponsorship and audience who were listening and sang for more than 20 years like that! Unfortunately didn't know the name but. But if I remember correctly, she was fat on that pic! Though she didn't have the voice, she had the spirit. I appreciate that. Must accept. At that time, there were no fake synthesizers like Hilary Duff uses. But Taylor Swift does have a pleasant voice.

Sorry for such a long reply, but hope you have enjoyed!!!

 

Don't worry, no agents here lulz.... "its a joke"

Why go thru all the trouble of PGP/Bluetack ect, and all their bloated lists, what a pain

You already have Adblock Plus so

Go to Fanboy's AdBlock List site, and on the Right you will see the buttons under Firefox, Click to Add the P2P list to your AdBlock and wala your blocking anti-p2p groups from your Browser.

I personally use all of Fanboy's lists for Firefox and Opera, why wouldn't I, they're the best AdBlock lists around!

 

Does anybody else have any experience with this "Fanboy's AdBlock" ?