Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
Viglink
I posted on another section with the phrase ' 10 lines left ' and was surprised to see it turned into a commercial link to ebay. Once I'd followed the link it then reverted back to my original post with no trace of the link left?
I've now found out this was the work of something called Viglink... is this installed on the forum?
http://www.viglink.com
25th Feb 2014 12:11 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
...you can opt out if you wish 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
25th Feb 2014 12:19 pm
ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
Yes it is, I have to allow it in Adblock to see pics and links. There's something else that I can't remember also been added.
Didn't use to, hence spending more time on other sites that are not being bloated with like this.
And yes I know, if I don't like it I can leave! Tony
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25th Feb 2014 12:21 pm
crews control
Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
Thank you - thought someone had invented a virus for a mac for a minute
25th Feb 2014 12:24 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3654
Viglink is a very annoying affiliation scheme, used by lots of forums these days to generate income from people who buy through links posted on forums.
You can opt out... but this does not work very well. All opting out does is to place a cookie on the computer, if this is deleted your back to square one! It also slows the users computer down - if you do a search on the net you will find loads of complaints about this.
The simple method of disabling it is to add viglink.com to your routers firewall under blocked sites - this also means that you don't have to opt out on each device you use on the internet. I did this a while ago and have not had any problems since.
The image below shows the properties of a link on this site before enabling the firewall
and after
25th Feb 2014 12:54 pm
crews control
Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
That's a good idea... I'll do it now. Thank you.
25th Feb 2014 1:53 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18563
Hi guys,
Sorry that some of you feel so strongly about the site making a few pence on a click to an eBay link
VigLink only adds its own links from certain phrases to eBay/elsewhere if you are NOT logged in. Simply log in to get rid of these.
ruggedpeak, you should not have to unblock VigLink to allow pictures to work, it does not intefere with photos at all
It sounds like you may have something else running as an addon/extension in your browser - something that I do not have control over.
You'll note there is NO Google Adwords on here unlike many, many sites, no tracking of purchases or visits to show targeted ads.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
25th Feb 2014 1:56 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18563
I assume those of you who are blocking this also tear the adverts out of free publications (with your eyes closed) so that you don't see them
Or is there some other issue that I need to address that you are not bringing up?06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
25th Feb 2014 1:59 pm
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
I've never noticed any links - is there something wrong with my devices?
Presume the revenue is necessary to keep the site going - or we could all buy calendars in December or a brolly or 2?
25th Feb 2014 2:15 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18563
Yep, everyone buy a brolly and I will happily take the VigLink off 06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
25th Feb 2014 2:16 pm
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
Bearing in mind the fact this is one of the single most useful resources on the Internet for me, and has literally saved me ££££ already I'm happy to leave it be and hope it helps keep the site available and viable MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
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25th Feb 2014 2:16 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3654
Martin wrote:
VigLink only adds its own links from certain phrases to eBay/elsewhere if you are NOT logged in. Simply log in to get rid of these.
You'll note there is NO Google Adwords on here unlike many, many sites, no tracking of purchases or visits to show targeted ads.
Sorry Martin that is not the case, the above link properties were taken today whilst I WAS logged in.
I am not against the site making money, what I am against is my internet behaviour being monitored via sites like this (I also don't like my computer being slowed down unnecessarily) and I can also say that I have Google Adwords (amongst others) disabled in the same way!
25th Feb 2014 2:28 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18563
VigLink will affiliate links even if logged in, but the case the OP was about (adding links to phrases) only occurs when visiting as a guest.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
25th Feb 2014 2:30 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3654
Ah ok, didn't know it did that
25th Feb 2014 2:32 pm
ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
Martin
Thanks for the response.
It may be the other url I have to unblock to get the photos, I just do both at the same time.
It's not the ads that are the problem for me, or I suspect others (not just on here but generally), but its the being tracked we really don't like. Ads in free papers don't record which bits of the paper I read or follow me around for weeks afterwards letting various dubious outfits create of profile of what I may or may not look at. This story sums it up nicely:
It is appreciated that Adwords isn't on here, but Viglink earns you money at the potential incovenience of your users/customers and is just another ad tracking system. It's like I go shopping, see an ad on a bus shelter and some dodgy American bloke sticks a tracker on me or follows me around for a month and if I buy what was on the ad they ask the shopkeeper for a kickback. Not cool IMHO, and hence the popularity of things like Adblocker.
Rant over!
A poll would be interesting to see if users on here are not impressed by this or couldn't care less.
Apart from that still a great site Tony
Club RLD Wheel Protector & Sump Guard
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like this. 
