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April 13, 2008
Filed Under (News) by Mad Morten
Vegging out after a long weekend, I’m watching Video On Trial on MuchMusic when all of a sudden the signal gets distorted and this guy in a weird mask, cowboy hat and goggles pops into the frame and holds up a poster saying “Phreak615.com.” “What the…someone hacked MuchMusic?” I thought, so I checked out the website (which is little more than a blog). Here, Phreak615, a self-proclaimed “pop culture activist” posts his achievements and links to other similar stunts like the “SkullPhone” electronic billboard hacks down in the States (which turned out to be paid ads for a new service). Now, normally I wouldn’t write about stuff like this, but since I can see this becoming a huge thing on the web very quickly, I gotta tell you why I think this is an elaborate hoax, or at the very least an inside job. Historically, the number of documented cases of TV broadcast hijacking can be counted on one hand. And even these were only on a very limited local basis. The reason for this is simple: To hijack a broadcast, you either have to have direct access to the distribution centre or Master Control of the station, or you have to have an antenna big and strong enough to overpower the regular broadcast signal. Of the two, the last one is the only feasible alternative unless you actually work at the station you wish to hijack. But when it comes to Phreak615, it must be an inside job. Why you ask? Well, if he really is located in Toronto, Ontario, the hijack would only be visible in his immediate vicinity. I’m in Vancouver, BC, so if he actually did hijack the broadcast, it must have been the main feed which comes straight from the MuchMusic headquarters. And that can only mean one thing: That he actually works there. He even hints at this fact in his own blog:
There are only two feasible explanations here: 1. Phreak615 is a disgruntled employee of CHUM who wants to damage the company by hijacking the broadcast or 2. These “hijackings” are actually part of a promotional campaign for a new show or service MuchMusic will be rolling out shortly. Of the two I would put my money on the latter option. And here’s why: There were two “hijacks” during the show I watched, both strategically placed toward the end of the show, during “peak” viewership and right after commercial breaks. They were placed in order so that while you really didn’t catch what the first one said, the second one was very obvious. Furthermore, Phrea615 has hijacked several broadcasts over the last week, all during peak hours. If this really was some punk who was doing this without permission in the Much building, there would be a complete lockdown by this point. Security around Master Control in any broadcast facility is extremely tight and it would be next to impossible to pull off a repeat hijack unless everyone was in on it. Finally, the hijack is made to look like it is an analogue signal interference attack. Problem is that the only signals exposed enough to hijack today are digital. So if you actually managed to hijack them, the hijack would look nothing like what is displayed here. Of course I can’t be 100% certain, but I would be shocked if this wasn’t some elaborate ploy on MuchMusic’s end to advertise a new show or service. 229 Responses to “Phreak615 Hacking MuchMusic? Me thinks not”Leave a Reply |
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April 13th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Seems very logical, but still I’m leaning towards that it’s an inside job, going from the info given here as I’m no expert.
It seems to have a sort of rebelious tone to it (the blog) and the fact, he claims to have the power broadcast ANY video left in his comments section. Any video is a wide spectrum and judging by the ‘Swashbucklers’ video (here http://youtube.com/watch?v=dz13R98BMpU) and the bottom video on the most recent post on his blog, he MAYBE, just MAY have the power to do that as the video has no real point to it. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds though.
Adding my two cents,
Snow
April 13th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
You are a moron, if much music was promoting something like that I’m pretty sure they would be smarter than to use something related to the Anarchist’s Cookbook (Captain Crunch) and language using “fuck” and “bitches” for it. Also are you not aware that the appearance of digital videos can be altered, and that the CHUM building is not tight on security AT ALL?
April 13th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Trust me. If someone managed to hack into the main broadcast system, it would lead to a complete shut-down of the building. Because anything that goes on the air is defacto subject to CRTC rules and the channel’s responsibility. Viewers can sue a channel for any content they air, regardless or it’s origin, and this type of major break would lead to a CIA style crackdown.
Of course I can’t say with absolute certainty that this isn’t real, but if it is, it would have to be an inside job. You can’t patch into the broadcast system and superimpose your own content on top of the feed without some serious equipment and access to pre-broadcast feeds. It would have to be a downstream keyer or switcher with fully compatible output (probably SDI) that would be patched in between Much Music Master Control and the first relay station (CTVGlobeMedia). Otherwise the “intrusion” would only be local and would never reach Vancouver.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:08 am
You seem to know alot about this. Why don’t you TRY and hack into Mod, then you can Judge Phreak615.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
this is real and much will never look at me again once they find out what im about to do. so watch you little phreaks!
April 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
hey phreak, why are you doing this is there any real point?? or just to prove your bad ass?? and why no blog today??
April 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
In one of his videos he basically tells you that he is hacking into their system through an open router, and to watch the routers, which is very possible. Another factor is that he is also saying things on his blog like, “things are about to get nasty.” If CTV Globe Media saw that as a threat don’t you think that they would pretend as if nothing happened (no mention of anything on ANY news network), also seeing as by the way he talks on his blog he comes off as a famewhore. And if you’re a famewhore wouldn’t you be timing your hacks to when the peak hours are, it only makes sense to place them there if you are hacking their system. And like the other comment says, CTV and Much are not going to use anything like the Anarchist’s Cookbook, phreaking, and language like “fuck” to promote a product of theirs, it could be more damaging than good. If this was a promotion of some sort I also think that they would have more than 670 views to their blog. So next time how about you actually research what you are writing an article about?
April 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Your Mom: I work in broadcasting. I have respect for my work. Therefore I’m not even going to consider that challenge. All I can say is that unless you are on the inside (like me) it’s pretty much impossible.
Your Dad: You’re on to something… keep digging
People are Ignorant: I work in broadcasting. I know how a broadcast facility is run. Again I reiterate: If you were to superimpose anything on top of the national feed, you would have to reach it at it’s source (so between Master Control and Distribution). Not only that, but you would need a full switcher with a mux that could overlay the signal. If you did do this, the cut would be direct, not that messy interference stuff he is putting up. I’m pretty sure all the interference is added by Phreak615 as part of the editing process before broadcast.
The only access point where you really have any way of doing this would be at Master Control. If we are to believe your assertions, he is hacking in to one of the main broadcast servers and somehow superimposing his video on top of the streaming content. Which again is pretty much impossible.
As I said in my original article, there is a chance he is an employee somewhere in the MUCH or CTV network that is pulling a prank. If so, he will be tracked down and fired / sued pretty fast. The systems are fairly transparent. He also indicates as much in his post when he says he’ll probably get fired. Considering what has happened to MUCH/CHUM in the last year, this isn’t impossible. However, if he does work there, it’s not really a “hack”, just abuse of power. Anyone in the broadcast industry can hijack a live broadcast if they want to. We just don’t. Because it’s stupid and not really a challenge.
I’m leaving open a 1% chance that this really is a hack, in which case Mr. Phreak better pack his bags and leave the country before they track him down. Signal hijacking is no laughing matter and there is jail time and substantial fines at the end of that string.
I’m curious to see how this plays out. Please, by all means keep posting your thoughts. Just keep it civil. Dabbler has a heavy commenting hammer when it comes to nasty personal attacks.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
he just did it again, whatever hes doing
April 14th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
He just did it again
April 14th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
He’s been doing it a lot, and I think what you posted makes sense. I’m still going to look around and snoop about it, but it’s kind of funny because the hosts don’t even realize that it’s happening (and it’s been happening for the past week).
I’m absolutly sure you’re on to something though :].
April 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Kev: You’re dead on. If someone really did this, there would be immediate widespread panic in the control room and that panic would spread to the live hosts. Considering that the MUCH studio is an open environment and that you frequently hear production dialogue in the background, you should be hearing frantic shouting and people running around when these “hacks” take place. We lost the feed once and it was complete and utter mayhem until we figured out what the cause was. The fact that there is zero indication that anything out of the ordinary happened on the air, something is very fishy. It’s not like the studio crew doesn’t monitor the live broadcast.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Okay I was watching Much music Video On Trial too!, I saw too of those things… the first one was a girl… no mask nothing… she Said something while looking at the camera and poking it.. and then a blue screen came up and it said “phreak615″… At first we thought it was part of the show or something.. We were not sure… but then it happened again.. the tv like went out and it was some dude in a mask a cowboy hat and some goggles holding up a sign saying “Phreak615″.. I have not seen another one since.. it was only around 10 minutes ago.. so There might be more… But I went here first to make sure it would not hack my computer…. but it cleared up a but now thanks..
April 14th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Mad Morten, you are missing the most important points, if you work in broadcasting then you should realize that no mainstream company is going to use phreaking to promote ANYTHING or Captain Crunch, and if you aren’t aware of who he is search Captain Crunch Anarchist’s Cookbook on google, and if you look through is blogs he states that he works for Much so obviously you are even contradicting yourself. I’m not totally sure about this but i haven’t noticed any texts being broadcast about phreak615, and I’m taking that as a sign of a cover-up. CTVGlobeMedia is just being smart in handling something they can’t stop as of yet. Oh and by the way in one of his blogs he does say that he is leaving the country this summer. Once again do the research before you say anything.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
it doesn’t make sense that this is viral marketing because Much wouldn’t link to a blog with swearing and all that stuff, many people have already pointed this out.
but it doesnt really make sense that it is a legit hack either because no one is talking about this on the news. If it was legit, this would be a huge deal.
I really just dont get the deal with this phreak615 guy. if he can hack onto much musics broadcast… why is he directing everyone to a blog that talks about his hacking. I just don’t understand any of this.
phreak615, how about you shed some light on the matter… and whats the going out with a bang all about?
April 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
It happens at the exact same times, with the exact same messages on re-runs of the shows. Wouldn’t that mean that it is one the tapes they are airing? If it was a hack signal, it would be overtop of whatever is playing, right? Not part of it.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
L: That pretty much settles it. You just described the exact same “hack” I saw last night. Which means it’s on the rerun tape (just like XJ said) which means that either a) Phreak615 is working at Master Control and has a “special tape” he plays, b) the people at MUCH master control are complete idiots who don’t check their logs or c) it’s all a scam just like I’ve been saying all along.
People are Ignorant: If you’re going to pull that “doing your research first” big, at least read the original post first. If you look closely, there’s a blockquote where I actually spell out word for word his statement about leaving the country and say that this is a clear indication that he works at MUCH. Nuff said.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I’ve been tracking his blog and he seems to have revealed his technique:
http://phreak615.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-hack-broadcast-television.html
Does this make sense to anyone — he certainly discuss the digital versus analogue debate and calls out some people asking him about it but not sure if he has seen this post specifically.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
yea i just read the new blog too, Mad Morton you should check it out
April 14th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I just updated the article with a response to the latest revelations. Looks like it’s an inside job, just like I indicated. It remains to be seen exactly who is involved but you can’t call it a “hack” because anyone with access to the servers (editors, producers, techs, graphics, PAs etc) can do this if they want to. They just don’t. Because they don’t want to be fired/fined/jailed. This for your information.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
wait how could you exacttly film the clip when he was on? are you on his inside
April 14th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
It’s gotta be a hoax, i just saw it happen at 2 am, i’m pretty sure he isn’t outside in his car doing it at this time…Well put, it’s gotta be a new promotion for Much
April 15th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Anonymous: The clip is from Phreak’s website. No idea who recorded it, but whomever did obviously knew when it happened. I’m obviously not on the inside, but I think one of the commenters in this thread might be. I won’t tell you who just yet but stay tuned… I’m following this case with a microscope.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:54 am
one thing I dont get is if he does this whenever he wants to in his car outside the building… why is it that when they then rerun the episode the “hacks” seem to have been recorded on the tape… somthing still doesnt make sense am I right?
April 15th, 2008 at 8:18 am
If you did proper research before writing this then why was there no mention of what phreaking and who Captain Crunch is? I think that is something that you should have included seeing as that pretty much proves it is a true hack. ALSO in his last blog he says he used a D-Link router, so once again I was right, i guess anyone can get into journalism. haha
April 15th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Oh and if it’s me that you think is the one who is in the inside, it’s not. I just actually looked all of my facts up and read his blogs carefully. Like you should have.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:34 am
And maybe before you say that what he is doing is not a hack you should read the meaning of the word hack, actually i’ll save you the time seeing as you haven’t done anything to write this except watch MOD, read about 3 or 4 blog posts apparently, and try to say you understand how he did it. C’mon buddy an 18 year old girl has more of this figured out then you do.
Hack – a clever or quick fix to a computer program problem; a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem; or a modification of a program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable to them.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I’m sorry, how would mentioning what phreaking is, and who Captain Crunch is prove that this is a legit hack? So this guy did 5 minutes of research on wikipedia and watched the movie hackers twice. Big deal! As “your dad” and myself have both pointed out previously: “why is it that when they then rerun the episode the “hacks” seem to have been recorded on the tape?”
Heres a hint. It’s cause there is 0% hacks involved.
I can’t wait for this to be over and it be an ad for axe deodorant, or something equally pop culture/lame.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Okay XJ, I’m sorry but you are incredibly stupid.
“”The actual tricky part is the script that automatically runs an override to the current broadcast stream at pre-set times.”
Why does it show up on re-runs of shows then? Thats not overriding current braoscast. Thats planned on the show tapes.
No Skillz… no style… bad hurt unit.”
I’m not sure if you realize this but MOD is a live show when it’s aired at 5:00 PM, so pretty much the videos are sitting in their system and then they override the program that is on that time, and another thing, they aren’t going to be using tapes, that’s old technology and wouldn’t be as pleasing to the eye as digital video is. Oh and it matters who Captain Crunch is and what phreaking is because they are related to the Anarchist’s Cookbook and anyone who has half a brain can figure out they are not going to use something that is that anti-social to promote something to the masses.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I’m sorry if my ignorance offends you. Perhaps you can share your infinate wisdom with me, and explain in simple terms why on Video on Trial (the Janet Jackson episode) which has aired twice, The Phreak615 message comes on, at the exact same time? If they air that episode again today, I would expect to see this awesome “hack” at the exact same time again. Just seems very suspicious to me.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:53 am
If you guys haven’t figured it out yet (except XJ & Your Dad, since they seem to grasp whats going on) this is an obvious ARG. Read and learn.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:01 am
People are ignorant: your getting a little too intense here. I agree this whole thing is weird. it seems like it can’t be a viral marketing scheme, because they wouldnt like to things like captain crunch and the anarchist’s cookbook.
but this guy can’t be hacking much music the way he says he is. Video on trail is not a live program. I watched the same episode twice, and it had the same two hacks in the same to spots. if he is doing this how he says he is, how is that explained.
and just to put my opinion out there, I have no idea is this is legit, or some scam. If he is actually hacking like he says he is…. it would not be soo low key. This would be a major story on the news. The hack in 1987 that phreak615 has on his blog, I looked it up on youtube and it was a huge story the very next day. This has been going on for weeks. It doesn’t make sence either way if you look at both scenarios with an open mind.
FF4: I agree it could very well be an ARG, if it is I’d love to be a part of it. I just can’t seem to figure out the point to it, what is the goal of the game?? to get random videos aired with poor quality on much??
April 15th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Some clarifications on how broadcast stations work:
Most modern stations run media servers as their main broadcast systems. These servers can either play back live content with superimposed content on top (ads, pop-ups, slide overs etc, or they can run previously aired shows again. What Phreak claims to be doing is altering the server logs so that when a show airs (and then re-airs), his uploaded clips are superimposed on top of the show just like graphics. This is how you set up the day-to-day broadcast and how you manage commercials etc and is not a hack at all, just a server log change. When Phreak says he wrote a script to superimpose the vids, I’m assuming he means he wrote a script that alters the log in real-time – also a standard feature. I used the exact same technology to insert a snow graphic on top of a bunch of shows for Christmas a station I was working for a couple of years ago.
People are Ignorant: Your definition of a “hack” doesn’t fit at all. What Phreak is describing is plugging a router into the media server (standard network feature found on all computers and servers), altering the script (standard operating procedure) and uploading content to the server (which is what a server is built to do). The only part of this that can be called a “hack” in any way is that he set up a wireless network, something anyone including my cat can do. Not exactly a stroke of genius.
You seem to be totally obsessed with this Captain Crunch and the Anarchist Cookbook issue even though that’s not what is being used in the majority of these “phreaks”. Furthermore, the general public does not know, nor have any interest in, the Anarchist Cookbook. A reference to this book or Captain Crunch is nothing but a lame way of making yourself feel cool – it’s about as “dangerous” as saying you like American Psycho for it’s comedic relief. And if this is a MuchMusic ploy or an Alternate Reality Game (starting to lean towards that last one myself) it would be perfectly legal for them to air it because it would be part of an entertainment show.
What really gives this all away is that if this really was a “hack”, it would already have been stopped a long time ago. The server admins would be able to find and purge the “hack” in a matter of minutes, the router would have been found and removed and the guy would have been fired. The people at Much might be “old” like he says, but they’re not complete imbeciles and they know their gear. A stray router would stick out like a sore thumb and server log changes cause changes to the log which is reviewed every day.
People are Ignorant: Why don’t you do your research before flapping your lip? at least read up on broadcast publishing rules and media servers. And please change your name. It’s far too introspective.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Anonymous: who knows what the original creators intentions are. For all we know this may turn out to be marketing for an artist or a CD like the Nine Inch Nails Year Zero ARG was. If you view the phreak615 blog there are way too many pieces of random information that appear to be classic ARG clues rather than legitimate blogging, the only thing to do is follow them and see how far the rabbit hole goes
April 15th, 2008 at 10:58 am
…oh and Mad Morten that was a fantastic rebuttal of “People Are Ignorants” disjointed rants, kudos to you.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I agree – the clue that I noticed first was the reference to Locke and Demosthenes. (Which is apparently from a book called Ender’s Game – unfortunately I’m not farmiliar with it). If you look at the memo from Much about Technical Difficulties, there is document open on the bottom of the screen called Locke and Demosthenes.
I want to play, but I don’t know where to start.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Coming soon to MuchMusic, a new show where people make their own YouTube-like videos and have them played on the air. In these videos, they rant about what’s on their mind, and stuff like that. It’ll most likely be called Much PhreakOuts, and it will premiere on June 15th (6/15). Your username helped me to uncover the mystery. (phreak for Much PhreakOuts; 615 for June 15th, 2008 (6/15)). Thanks for the good clues, phreak615. Viral marketing is fun, isn’t it? Especially when smart people like me expose your plans. Ha ha ha!
April 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Impressive Mark77
Your kung-fu is strong.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
XJ, the clues were just laying there to be pieced together. The name and number were the obvious leads, so I just put 2 and 2 together, and that’s what I came up with. I’m a journalist by trade, so investigating things is naturally something I’m good at. Sorry, Mr. phreak615, but it looks like I’ve cracked the code, thanks to the help og your carefully laid breadcrumb trail. You can all breathe easier now. Be sure to watch MuchMusic on June 15th (6/15) to see if I was right. However, Mr. phreak615’s “phreakouts”, so to speak, will most likely continue until then. They’ll gradually get longer, and more detailed, with the hopes of attracting viewer attention and buliding hype. Remember what Koodo Mobile used to do with their ads? The same kind of thing will happen with phreak615 and his “hacking”. Thanks for you kind words as well.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Mark77: nice work, so it is viral marketing eh. hahaha oh this is great…
April 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
your dad, what else would it be? Of course, there were some examples of signal hacking that were real, such as the WTTW Chigago Max Headroom hacking incident in 1987. Unlike the phreaky one’s attempt at hacking, this was for real, and was actually a hack, and not a blatant viral marketing scheme. What’s worse, now Mr. 615 is reaching out the the public and getting kids to make rants which he will use in his upcoming rants. I think this charlatan is most likely the potential host of this new program that Much is promoting. It seems that it will be a show where people across Canada will send in videos of themselves ranting about numerous subjects. phreak615 seems to be unhappy with some aspect of MuchMusic for whatever reason; his blog depicts him a disgruntled Much employee. You know, that may be a good point. Maybe this new rant show will be a show where people can send in videos of how they feel about the station. I wonder if I’m anywhere near being right. Regardless, tune in on June 15th to see if I am. You know, I think I’ve beaten the phreak. Not bad for a guy who’s just finished his first year of journalism school. The score right now: Mark 2, phreak615 0.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
XJ: The Ender’s Game reference is an interesting one (what press release from MUCH are you talking about btw?). I read the book some years back. It’s about a kid who is trained to be a pilot of sorts that controls hundreds of drones in a war – much like you would in say Starcraft. But it turns out the “drones” are actually real people and the game turns out to be real. I know they were planning on making it into a movie but it never got past the scripting stage.
Mark77: Interesting theory – but I wouldn’t be resting on my laurels just yet if I were you. It’s highly unlikely that MUCH would be pushing a show that doesn’t go to air until June. The potential for a disaster (like people exposing it for what it is like we are doing here) is much too great. And your deduction is a bit of a stretch. My bet is still on the ARG theory.
Here’s some interesting info tho: If you Whois the domain phreak615.com you get the following dump:
Domain Name: phreak615.com
Created on…………..: 19 Mar 2008
Expires on…………..: 19 Mar 2009
Registrant Name: Phil Reaking
Organization Info:
Phil Reaking
344 Dexter Road
Uxbridge, ON L0A 6G7
CAN
Phone: 1 416 9276540 ()
Email: phreak615@mac.com
Now the name is obviously false, but the number goes straight to one “Rosalina McDougall” at “Strategic Sourcing Communications”. That could mean something or could mean nothing. All I get is her voice mail. Feel free to follow this (probably dead) lead at your own risk.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I called the number yesterday during business hours and someone picked up. I didn’t tank to them (cause I wasnt actually expecting it to connect). It’s a live number though.
Here is a link to the Much Music release (available on Phreak615’s blog:
I find the windows open on the bottom interesting.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Mad Morten, this sounds interesting. I know what I said is a bit of a stretch, but you never know, it could have some validity to it. I went as far as sending an e-mail to the e-mail address, but I have yet to receive a reply. I really wonder what this is all about. It tries to be on the same level as the Max Headroom incident from 1987, but it reeks of viral marketing, which I’m guessing it must be. The Headroom hack was an actual hack, and did not appear to be pointing towards something on that station. In fact, phreak615’s blog even has a video of that incident posted on it. Further He claims that it inspired him to do what he’s doing now. Other examples include Captain Midnight on HBO in 1986. Further information about these actual TV station hacks can be found on YouTube and Wikipedia. All we have to build on at this point are hints and allegations. Hopefully, we’ll find out what this is all about soon. However, we do have another clue – the “hacks” only seem to take place during Much’s original programming. And if one specific “hack” was seen on one original show, the same one will be shown when that particular episode is shown again. Another clue is that phreak615 is 27 years old. At least that’s what it says on his blog. I don’t think it’s a useful piece of info, although most of Much’s on-air talent is around that age. The plot thickens…
April 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I just noticed that Enders Game is supposidly in Pre-production as a full length Movie (as per information on IMDB). Interesting.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Update: I posted some of my above allegations on phreak615’s YouTube profile page. The result? He blocked me. Gee, I wonder why. Perhaps I revealed part of his secret. Either that, or it could be a case of sh*t disturber meets sh*t disturber. And just as in magnetism, like poles repel.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
holy shit! you guys are really digging deep, I’m not sure what to think now. If this is an ARG would it really be this difficult to get the first real clue? This feels really complex to me for a marketing campaign.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I agree with Mark77, if this was a real hack, as this dude says, MM’s shit would be so tight you’d think they were in prison. After the second “hijack” this reeked of viral marketing. For what, who knows. Perhaps it is for a new show (I see as likely). If this was a genuine phreak from my days, why use a psueonom like phreak, how faux pas. I have to admit, when my girlfriend said MM was being hacked, I sheepishly thought how cool it must feel to be sticking it to the man. How much cooler would it be if it was ARG and the replies came through another station
April 15th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Just cuz I like throwing my two-cents: To me this seems like viral marketing set as a challenge to the viewer. I would “bet the farm on it”. Everything is laid out with clues. ESPECIALLY the Much Music “techinical difficulty” memo. For example the book reference (Ender’s Game) Remember Morton said: “read the book some years back. It’s about a kid who is trained to be a pilot of sorts that controls hundreds of drones in a war – much like you would in say Starcraft. But it turns out the “drones” are actually real people and the game turns out to be real.”
Personally with that little tidbit (sorry i never read the books)It seems to all add up in my book.
The book reference is an allegory for the campaign.
It does look like it’s a new show. Much is all about interactivity. They love looking like they are on “the edge”. So more than likely the show, let’s call it Much Phreak Outs, will be hosted by a VJ (”the kid pilot”) who requests viewers (the new “drones”… and yes that’s how MM probably sees their audience) to send in “youtube” style videos for the show (video: the new artillery).
As for the other loose ends. Like using swears: it’s called a swerve. All the adults and “rational” thinkers will say “oh but Much wouldn’t say that” Except Much M wouldn’t care. It’s not their website and they aren’t responsible for comments made on a public forum not associated with their company. Also, youth/young adults swear already so it’s not like they’re perverting their core audience. (when in fact they are actually engaging them and talking directly to them with this dialogue)…. so I guess what I’m saying is: I agree with Mark77 and Mad Morten. I think it’s the ramp up to a new show. Expect to see proper commercials and chat up on-air with in 3 weeks (virals tend to be short lived) Plus if it is a viewer-content driven show. They will need to time to put a proper call-out to the viewers for said content. This is just to whet the appetites of the masses. Make them want to be apart of the “game”. But that’s just me. Course i also think that “ep 4.1″ on the Memo screen shot could be a clue to a Season 4-Episode 1 show from somewhere…
April 15th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Lazenby, I couldn’t have said it better myself. All you need to do is put two and two together, and you get your answer.
And just for shiggles, look what someone posted on phreak615’s blog today:
Joel said…
According to this smartie, this is a viral for a show called Much PhreakOuts which will appear on June 15th (6/15).
This refers to what I said earlier. There’s also a link to this blog on it. And to think that it made it to the phreaker’s blog. Take that, viral marketing. Some of us are smarter than you are. The cover is pretty much blown, and we are the spoliers. I wonder what Mr. phreak615 is thinking right now. Probably something along the lines of “Damn those meddling kids…”
April 15th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
The Scoobie Gang can crack any case!
April 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
My thoughts on viral marketing
April 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Yes, Lazenby, the Scooby Doo / Dabbler / Mark77 / Mad Morten gang can solve any viral marketing case. And XJ, when I saw your picture, I realized it was missing something – the losing horns from The Price is Right. Those horns and the phrase “Epic Fail” seem to go hand in hand, especially if you know about YTMND.com. We’ve dealt this phreak of nature a serious blow – or at least I think we did – , and thus, we are victorious. The final score: Dabblers 3, Viral Marketing / phreak615 0. And since we’re in the NHL playoffs now, it’s always nice to post a shutout. Face it, phreak615 – we’ve exposed your little scheme for the blatant viral marketing ploy that it is. See you on June 15th.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
More likely we’ll see his sheep june 15th.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Yes, but the fact remains, we’ve exposed his secret. His minions will produce opinionated videos for this new show, and I’m willing to bet money that phreak615 will then be unmasked and serve as the program’s host. Chances are he’s just a new person that Much hired recently to host this show and possibly some others, but they don’t want anyone to know who he is yet. Thus, they’ve created this little viral marketing ploy to build hype for the new program and its host. This could also mean that one of the existing Much VJs could be leaving the station, though, and phreak615 will become his or her successor. All will be revealed on June 15th. I wonder if he’ll make a post about how we may have exposed his plan on his blog (www.phreak615.com) anytime soon. If he does, I’d love to hear what he has to say. This is going to be fun…
April 15th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
OR – you could be absolutely crazy (albeit imaginative) and nothing your supposing is correct.
I mean it probably is a viral marketing thing, but how do you know it’s for some show called PhreakOuts and that it will premiere on the 16th of June – 2 friggin’ months away? Or that this dude is the new host for said show.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
At this stage, everything I’ve been talking about are all just hints and allegations. I’m not saying that all of this will happen, but it might. Then again, it might not. It’s hard to say what will happen at this point. I’m no psychic, so I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see what the result is like everyone else. That sounds like a logical idea. Perhaps we will be presented with additional information as time goes by, and even some longer videos (average hack video length is between 5 and 15 seconds now). Whatever this results in, it might turn out to be interesting and enjoyable. I guess the only safe thing to do right now is keep watching Much, and check out the phreaky one’s blog for more info and rants. The plot thickens…
April 15th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
And see? This is what they want. They want you to watch – to see what the hell’s going to happen. So it’s working. Unfortunately I have a feeling it will ultimately be disappointing. Of course I’m compelled to be intrigued, but my brain is saying “ignore”.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Mine is too, Rayne. Much used to somewhat watchable, but since the average age of their viewers is now between 12 and 18, things have gotten progressively worse over the years. They rely too much on emo music and stuff like that, I find. I’m 21 now, and I no longer watch Much, except for the annual Fromage show. I gave up on pop music ages ago. I found out about the phreak615 thing when I was channel surfing earlier today. I wanted to find out what it was about, and thus, my investigation began. They’re trying to make a mountain out of what may prove to be a molehill, so to speak, and pulling a stunt like this, they’re trying to generate hype about this new development and keep the viewers guessing. Believe me when I say I’ve seen this kind of thing before, and it doesn’t always happen in television. There are thousands of cases of this happening in the radio world as well. I would know; I work in that field. When radio stations change formats, they drop the old format and either launch the new one right away without any fanfare, or keep the listeners quessing for a few days or weeks by playing random music or sound effects – a ticking clock often works best – along with liners pointing to a certain date and time. When formats are dropped in the fall / winter season, some radio stations switch to Christmas music for a spell until the new format is launched after the Christmas season. Unfortunately, sometimes when the new format launches, it turns out to be not as good as everyone thought it would be, and after a few months of abysmal ratings, it gets replaced with something else. Something tells me that whatever lies at the end of the garden path that phreak615 is leading us down may prove not to be as cool as it was being made up to be. Of course, in the world of Much, that doesn’t matter. If it sucks, they’ll cancel it without notice, and rerun it into the ground, just like they’ve done with several of their other failed original shows like Much 911, Much in Your Space, etc. Of course, those of us who know better than a bunch of 12-to-18-year-old pop music worshippers will probably just end up ignoring this thing, as you said.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I hate to double-post, but a very smart user on YouTube has given the allegation to end all allegations. Here’s what that user, SparkAds, said:
“I already know what the show will be… The concept of the show is just regurgitating a dead franchise…. Speakers Corner.
I’m all for viral marketing.. I think its cool that even though the three of us here are against this one, there are some that are cool.. Cloverfield was incredible.
To whoever did this one… good concept, bad delivery.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. I remember Speakers Corner from the ’90s and early ’00s. People would go to the Speakers Corner box at the ChumCity building in Toronto and record their opinions about or their reactions to something. This, in a sense, is what phreak615 is doing here. He’s encouraging other people to send him their videos about his hacking campaign, where they discuss their opinions about it and their reactions to it. So expect a Speakers Corner-like program to hit the MuchMusic airwaves shortly. And now, my friends, the cover has officially been blown. Thank you to SparkAds on YouTube, who hammered the point home. You can all breathe easier now.
(P.S., check out this video that two smart kids made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vcdE1MbBKI
Enjoy.)
April 16th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Wow, I’m busy for one full night of the week and everything is exposed. Well it was fun while it lasted, I geuss now we watch the youtube’d version of speakers corner on June 15th. Much must have known that if they were going to start this campaign so soon that the cover was going to be blown, there is no way they expected to keep it a secret until June 15th. They should have started this campaign like 2 weeks before the program and really made it beleivable for the premiere. But I suppose they do need time to have videos sent in and prepare the show. Silly much trixs are for kids, can’t fool us
April 16th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Mark77 – Good video, and good comments. Thanks for the link. Really informative. I’m sick of the BS that publicity is full of, these days.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:59 am
lmfao this is stupid, much music is losing there viewers and they want more, i know by Phreak615 doing this, he has my brother watching much to see if it will happen again, i know many people who watch much now just to see this hack, this is all just to get my viewers, and i have to say, hes doing a good job about it, everyone is stupid for thinking hes real.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:29 am
If smart these days is 2 kids reading your blog, then reaching over to turn on the camera their parents bought them (without getting off their stoned asses mind you) reading your analysis almost word for word, fuck I don’t know what smart is anymore.
I love everyone’s theories, but if there is a real date attached to this, this thing can’t be over yet. I’m staying tuned.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:34 am
One more thought… I was sure this was bullshit until I saw the thing on the air for myself. Now I have to say I’ve bought in. But if there’s any doubt about it, why don’t you just post him a clip and see.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:41 am
lol how cud you tell they were stoned, YOU’RE STONED
April 16th, 2008 at 7:17 am
I have to admit that this freaked me out the first time i saw it. I had to make sure it came on all my tv’s to make sure it was real. If it is just a hoax thing for a new show, that’s truly lame, although i would like to get on it and rant about some things. If, this guy is some real hacker, i dare him to show his REAL face.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Okay, so I read all of your ideas last night (nice deduction btw) and pretty much agreed with the stoned chimps too.
But now I’m not so sure. Something’s not sitting right with me. Most people’s screen names don’t really mean anything. What if “Phreak614″ was already taken? And who has the most to gain from all this guessing and misdirection anyway?
Mark77, you seem to have a lot of time on your hands for this kind of thing. And you seem awfully anxious to convince us all it’s just a marketing stunt…
Okay, I’ll just say it. Last night I dreamt you were the Phreak.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:13 am
First time caller, that’s the best line I’ve heard today. No, I’m not phreak615, nor do I work for Much. I’m just a journalism student and radio broadcaster from Montreal who enjoys investigating things. Suprisingly, I don’t have that much time on my hands, but this phreak thing intrigued me. I’d seen stuff like this on TV and even radio before, and every time it was done, the results were either something new, lame, or predictable. Although there were some stunts (especially those done on radio) that did lead to someting good (ie: a new format which helped to increase a radio station’s flagging ratings and make it worth listening to again). Is Much having problems with ratings? Most likely not, I’m assuming. If everything that myself and the two kids who made the debunking video said is true, then we might see the relaunch of a new kind of Speakers Corner program. However, your theory about the username could definitely be true as well. What if his username was phreak699 or something like that? It wouldn’t mean anything. 699 is just a number, like 615 is. Plus, no month has a 99th day, although you could argue that 9 + 9 = 18, which does work. A crazy number like, say, 76432, for example, would definitely throw everyone off. But I digress. I’m not saying that whatever is going to happen will occur on the 15th of June; at this point, it is strictly a guess, and should only be regarded as such. That’s why this stunt was started in the first place – to get people guessing, and to get people involved. Some of phreak615’s newer videos feature a girl, and some Asian guy. They found out about the stunt, were intrigued by it, and got involved quickly. Thus, the “plan” is working, so to speak. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – don’t hold me to these allegations. There could be some truth to them, but at this point, they’re still just wild guesses.
(By the way, the Matsuto77 that the two kids, Nick and Shannon, refer to in the video I posted the link to is none other than yours truly
. Seriously. )
April 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am
So I’ve read this long winded and interesting discussion, and there have been some very good points made.
I do see one hole in the viral marketing idea. Advertising for something that is two months away is unheard of. Especially something of this level. By the time June hits, everyone will have lost interest, and the hype in the show will be lost. It’s rare for something to be advertised more than a month away, let alone over two months prior to the start date.
Secondly, the MMVA’s are on June 15th this year, ruling out any real possibility of a new show premiering that day.
While I have been quite enthralled by this whole thing, it won’t lead me to watch Much any more than I do already. I can’t sit through 30 minutes of unintelligent dialogue for a 15 second clip. God bless the internet, haha.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Wow I’m glad i stumbled upon this whole article and discussion… I fully believe in the whole marketing-a-new-show concept. I think it makes total sense. As for what Aaron was saying… why wouldnt they want to debut a brand new version of speaker’s corner right after one of their biggest shows of the year? Tons of networks use a big draw to launch big shows… Think Superbowl (Family Guy, American Dad and countless others)
April 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I really dig the debates and I’ve been checking out his blog, this one, BlogTO and the YouTube videos…given Mark77s repetitive message not just here but in all of those locations (under a ton of different names but very obvious because it is the exact same message), I am guessing that he actually works for Much is either a) trying to throw us off with this fake show name or b) is actually starting to promote this new show.
It is interesting to note that Mark77 started to take the attention away from the technical conversation about the hacks and started directing it immediately to this new show, with a name and everything. There is nothing, anywhere about this show name so how would just this one person know about it and have the time during the day to post to all of these web sites.
If you are a journalist why are you posting your findings here?
Also if Phreak blocked you then why am I still seeing your posts EVERYWHERE? You are now way more annoying than the ‘hacks’. It almost seems like you’re a bot or have an unusual amount of time on your hands — what are you trying to prove by exposing the master plan?
I think you are for sure working for MuchMusic.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I tend to doubt that this is anything but a publicity stunt from Much for 2 reasons. One, you never see anything occur during a commercial, which would result in Much losing advertising dollars. Two, I watched Much yesterday and there was the “interference” during MOD. I saw the replay of that MOD today and at the exact same time as the show yesterday the same interference came up. Am I to believe that Much would not be able to remove it from their broadcast when it is replayed the next day? Don’t think so.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:49 am
The stoners are right!!!
April 16th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Random Viewer, allow me to make one thing very clear for you: I do not work for or represent MuchMusic or CTV Globemedia in any way. I’m just a person who likes investigating things. If anything, I represent the Journalism Department of Concordia University in Montreal. I guess with all of the allegations and sh*t disturbing that I’ve been doing, I might have become a conspiracy theorist as well. I’ve basically said something, and numerous other people ave either agreed with it or believed my allegations entirely. Say what you want, but I do not work for Much, CTV Globemedia, or any of its affiliates. Like I said, I’m basically a conspiracy theorist of sorts who’s interested in doing a bit of investigating. That’s all.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
My reasoning for not wanting to air a new show on the same day as the MMVA’s was the man hours involved in airing a live tv show seem too high on a day when everything is focused on an awards show. Everyone at Much would theoretically be working on the show and a large chunk of the viewership would be there, meaning a lot of people wouldn’t see it running.
It would be different if it were a cartoon like the ones mentioned, but if it’s anything like what’s being speculated, it’s not.
So my guess is that the 615 probably refer to something else..or nothing at all.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
It’s true, the 615 could be absolutely nothing. It could just be some randomly generated number thanks to the hundreds of other “phreaks” on the internet.
I still side with the stoners. We should give them mad props for getting on that.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
A whois on the site gives:
Phil Reaking
344 Dexter Road
Uxbridge, ON L0A 6G7
CAN
Phone: 1 416 9276540 ()
Email: phreak615@mac.com
Cant find anything useful on the address. Called the phone # and “lana mcdougall” or something answered and I hung up.
Anyhoo, I’m sure it is a promotional campaign of some sort, I just find it weird that he uses the f-word on his blog when this is aimed at young teens/children.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
You know, maybe it is an elaborate lead up to the MMVAs. Probably not though. Or, it could be a new show called “Phreak your Phreaking Mind” that comes out in June of 2015 (6/15?). And, maybe the show is all about hacking and historical electronic sabotage. And I think it will be hosted by the Asian dude and the girl’s probably a co-host. Or, it’s a new “Much” channel, that plays kind of experimental sort of types of kinda music that people send in through YouTube.
… Um… Yeah. That’s probably it.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
So I just called Rosalina McDougall and she says she has no idea what this is all about. It is apparently a “Bank of Montreal” number- she said she’s had many many phone calls where people just hang up. I apologized to her. She probably works for the company that MuchMusic hired to create this silly marketing thing.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Bank of Montreal?
And Matt77… is in Montreal…. HMMMMMMMM.
Coincidence? Maybe…. maybe not….
April 16th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Err. I meant Mark77. Oops.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Believe me, it isn’t a coincidence, Leroy. phreak615 probably just posted some random phone number to throw all of the sleuths like us off. I hold an account with the Bank of Montreal, but let me assure you, that has nothing to do with what’s going on here. And just for shiggles, Matt is my brother’s name. But I digress.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
.. or maybe Mark77 is a robot…. from another planet…. working for “the man” to confuse us.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I don’t work for “The Man”, I’m not here to confuse you, and I am not from another planet. I’m a journalism student from Montreal who had some ideas, that’s all. I know it’s a bit hard to believe for some reason, but let me assure, I am legit.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I believe you.
I like Phreak615’s latest post. The reference to the game of polybiusa> is funny.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I agree with the stoners. Which I guess means I agree with you. But only because I agree with the stoners. I hope you can understand.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hey guys. I’m Nick from the video. First of all, thanks to our… supporters? I think.
I just felt like I had to point something out here, if it hasn’t been pointed out already.
Phreak’s latest post has the word “dabble,” and he remarks on “keeping score”. “Keeping score” sounds a lot like he’s calling out Mark77, and I’m just saying that because I’m pretty sure I’ve noticed you tallying your victories over Phreak… so yeah I think he’s making a remark about you.
And well dabble sounds like dabbler, but I doubt I even need to point that one out.
No idea what the Wolf thing is about. …Except for the fact that it’s a word in my email address. But I think that may be just a coincidence, I’m pretty sure my full email address isn’t displayed anywhere.
So for now I’m going to have to go ahead and say that I think it’s about… nothing. But you never know. Unfortunately God didn’t grant us all with premium bullshit detectors, but I think I know when I’ve caught a whiff.
Anyway. Just keep your eyes peeled.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Ok I was in the audience on april 15th this is all a scam. they do a prerecording before the show goes “live” and when “phreak615″ comes on it’s the prerecording nothing else. want me to prove it I was the guy in the front row with the red t-shirt. In the beginning of the show before it went “live” I was wearing a hoodie and did NOT put the hoddie back on. (going to have to take my word for that) anywho half way through the show my hoodie appears back on because this is the prerecording they had us all do. They also did alot of practising before going live so I don’t believe this what so ever.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Wup wrong day I was their on monday April 14th not the 15th sorry lol.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Someone by the username “Greywolfe 1983″ posted on our video. So maybe that has connection to the “Wolf” he mentioned. Look at the numbers he used. Maybe they’re a clue. Anybody know how to find out what colours those two numbers would represent? Could be grey. Of course I could just be pulling all of this out of my ass. But. It’s weird. Or maybe the numbers somehow connect to 1983. Or not.
Anyway, everyone have a good day.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Mad Morten: Anybody who doubts you or says you don’t know what you are talking about is a retarded, loser. I beleieve you are in the broadcasting industry because you know what you talking about (about the servers and how to connect and stuff like that). Ignore those losers Mad Morten
April 16th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
The first tine I saw this “hacking” happen on muchmusic I also saw it happen on mtv canada the exact same day. It only happened that one time on mtv though. Anyone else see it?
April 16th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Or maybe if you add 1983 to 615 to 24 to 10 you’ll get what points to what looks like a used Band-Aid, um- and it is but the rest of this stuff doesn’t make any sense without it, so… maybe the six in 615 and the nine in 1983 should be switched which points to my front yard, which has a lot of gravel. And over here is a shell, which, to me – you know this is just me talking here- looks like a helmet for a mouse. And then when you ask the mice about it, they don’t say anything. Sounds fishy, right? Or maybe it’s mousy…
April 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Oh, and no I didn’t see it on MTV, but they’re both owned by CTV Globemedia, so this could make sense.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
It just happened right now…but except it was a guy dancing saying “I’m going to be on TV”. And right after Leah seemed all like..un-enthusiastic like…so monotone, like she’s suspicious. I texted in saying ‘Who is phreak615?’ and they didnt post it up.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Rayne – if you’re reading this, drop us a line will you? I saw your comment on the latest Phreak posting before it got deleted. It looked like you were about to expose him. I’d like to know what you know. Comment here – we won’t cut you out – or send me an email.
Drayomi: Thanks for the vote of confidence. I don’t think anyone should question my claim to be employed at a TV station – a simple search on this blog or on the web will prove it beyond any doubt.
On a separate note, I’m curious about Phreak’s stats. From the looks of it, we’re getting more hits off this than he does… so much for a MUCH ad campaign, eh? He did comment on this blog a while back (comment #5). Maybe he’ll grace us with his presence again if we just ask nicely. I’d like to hear his response to all the stuff that’s being said here.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Nick: Not only am I Mark77, but I’m also Matsuto77 from YouTube. Matsuto is the name of the main character of this story I’m writing. But I digress. Your video was awesome, to say the least. I think we may be closing in on him. And yes, he does appear to be calling me out. If he wants a fight, then he’ll most certainly get one. He may have his video, but I have my allegations and you guys.
Mad Morten: I think the phreakazoid is most definitely reading your blog. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be making reference to dabbling (the name of this blog site is Dabble.ca), and keeping score (me tallying up my “victories” against him). By the way, I’m a broadcaster too, only radio is my forte, not TV.
Rayne: Your analysis lacks sense, but maybe I can figure out something with wolf, 24, and 10. After all, I was the one who figured out the whole 615 thing. I’ll put something together and get back to y’all on this.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
It obviously has to be fake, I watched MOD this morning during their rerun, and it aired, and it aired at the same time yesterday. If it’s a scheme for a show, it’s pretty pathetic. Mad Morten, why don’t you track the IP address and compare them to the comments?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
This is funny, it is a post from blogto.com (where there is a similar discussion going on).
“I’ve heard that this is just (just?!) an elaborate physiological experiment conducted by someone out of concordia university. Anyone know more about that angle?” Posted by: anonymous at April 16, 2008 3:23 PM ”
Concordia – thats where you are right Mark77?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Okay, let’s try to figure all of this out.
The new clues: Wolf, 24, 10, greywolfe1983.
greywolfe1983 is a user on YouTube who responded to Nick and Shannon’s video.
I did a Google search on Wolf 24 10, and I ended up with this, which has all three of the clues in one sentence, pretty much. You can view it here: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/WeeklyRpt03/wk10312003.htm
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any useful information that might point us in the right direction.
24 and 10 could possibly be 24/10, or October 24th. but it would be useless to start promoting something that will debut in October in the middle of April.
Hmm, this one is tough. Anyone else have any ideas?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Mark77 posts out of Concordia (for the most part). As for the psych experiment theory, I have to say it sounds pretty far fetched.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Mark77:
“After all, I was the one who figured out the whole 615 thing.” Um… Was this ever confirmed? I’m not saying you’re wrong, but, it seems to be a bold statement to make when none of us REALLY know what any of this is.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Scott or Steve:
I guess that statement did seem a bit bold. Never mind…
Mad Morten / XJ: I don’t post out of Concordia University, but I am a student there. Someone’s just making an allegation that’s more far-fetched than any of mine. At least my allgations make some kind of sense. By the way, I happened upon something interesting blogto.com. Check it out:
“It’s also possible that the 615 is a reference to former phreaking… Multi Frequency Telephone system.
“The end of MF phreaking in the lower 48 United States occurred on June 15, 2006.”
Perhaps that’s what the 615 refers to. At this point, however, it’s anyone’s guess. He’s a crafty one, that phreak615, but we’ll figure him out sooner or later.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hey I have a off topic question. tell me what the whole 615 thing means. also did anyone notice the giveaways today.. the wireless routers. It made me think when I looked back at what Phreak was saying about connecting his wireless D-link router to the main server. What type of router? their is a D-link 615 wireless router that looks the same as the giveaways today.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Also just a interesting quote about the Name “Phreak”.
“Phreaking is a slang term coined to describe the activity of a subculture of people who study, experiment with, or explore telecommunication systems, like equipment and systems connected to public telephone networks. The term “phreak” is a portmanteau of the words “phone” and “freak”. It may also refer to the use of various audio frequencies to manipulate a phone system. “Phreak”, “phreaker”, or “phone phreak” are names used for and by individuals who participate in phreaking. Additionally, it is often associated with computer hacking. This is sometimes called the H/P culture (with H standing for Hacking and P standing for Phreaking).”
April 16th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for the lead(s), Darkness. That does seem interesting. Maybe the lord of the phreaks uses this kind of router. Personally, mine’s a Linksys, but that doesn’t really matter. But this wireless router thing does sound suspicious for several reasons. First of all, it’s a weird thing to give away on a TV show like MOD (they usually give away things like CDs, t-shirts, iPods, and things of the like), Second, phreak615 claims on his blog he used his router, anong other things, to “hack” Much. Third, the 615 appears to be a variable number. It could mean anything. I originally thought it was a reference to 6/15 (June 15th), but that turned out the be the date of the MMVAs on Much. But your information says that it’s a type of router manufactured by D-Link. Hmmm. Something is definitely going on here. However, I have a new idea. Why don’t we try to get someone on the inside to attend an MOD show and give us a report. I would go myself, but I live in Montreal. Is there anyone out there who is a regular MOD watcher that would like to act as our “mole” of sorts?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
lol great game of polybius were playing cus I can surely see the insanity it’s plaging apon us. A game that doesn’t exist. Were trying to find more about this guy yet he’s masked everything about him / her self. It’s interesting that he’s captured the audences attencion with this game. It’s what he, they, Much, wants us todo
“Polybius is a supposed arcade game featured in an Internet urban legend. According to the story, the Tempest-style game was released to the public in 1981, and caused its players to go insane, causing them to suffer from intense stress and horrific nightmares. A short time after its release, it supposedly disappeared without a trace. No evidence for the existence of a game has ever been discovered.[1]“
April 16th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Has anyone found anything in the video or audio of any ‘hacks’ that can prove either TRUE or FALSE for ANY of the theories??? Just getting into this late and wondering what/ (if any) the clues are….?
-BritNinja
April 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I was at Much on the 14th. The shows are prerecorded as I’ve said before.. well at least his “hacks” are. watch they happen after the deakenator is finished with his interviews. The “hacks” are played before the show become live. Basicly when they are practicing or so I though. Also I did notice the tv’s going funky when I was their before we went live I figured it was nothing. Though I didn’t see any guy in goggles.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
If you wanted to figure all of that out, you might want to ask someone who works in broadcast television, like Mad Morten, the originator of this blog.
MM, if you’re reading this, try to record one of the phreaker’s interruptions, and analyze it in the editing lab. Perhaps that’s one way to figure all of this out.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Blaa.. It goes prerecorded, Live, Music vids, Deakenator, Hacks, Live… basicly.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Mark77: “I don’t post out of Concordia University” – that’s not what your IP says. As for recording and checking the feed in the editing lab, I can guarantee you there is nothing there. the feed is clean.
BritNinja: One thing is for certain: If Phreak615 really had a router and a script running on the servers in Much headquarters, it would be found and turned off immediately. These systems are extremely easy to monitor and it would be pretty much impossible to hide such a huge intrusion. The fact that there is no word from MUCH on this at all is also a good indication: Had this been a real hack it would have been all over the news by now. An inside source at MUCH told me that “they are not saying anything” which is what they usually do when something is afoot (as in something is being launched). If this was a hack, MUCH HQ would have been in total lockdown (and probably off the air) by now. Because if it was a hack, it would be such a grave breach of Canadian broadcasting standards and CRTC rules that MUCH would have to pull the plug until they could root out the problem.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
We’re being Punk’d.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Ah. Very interesting. I’ll have to investigate this myself by watching MOD tomorrow for the first time in numerous years. Bear in mind that the hacks can appear during any Much original program.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Lol Mad Morden is right it’s stupid to be playing into this. All we can do is check out the website and wait to see if it happens again tomorrow or the next day about 41 minutes and 37 seconds into the show. Anyways guys have fun with this. I’m off L8r.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
The Much Music boards are suspiciously empty about this. (I can’t believe I signed up to Much Music, just to check – sick!)
April 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
hmm i happened today on MoD again lol
April 16th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Now I’m beginning to understand phreak615’s little ploy here. He wants us to be interested in his little game, and I suppose that where the Polybius reference comes from. And Mad Morten, I’ll admit, some of my posts today came from school because I was there. The majority of them come from my home. And since your contact at Much appears to be keeping mum about this, I guess it means something potentially big is coming after all.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
So, anyone planning on driving up to Muchmusic headquarters and hacking into his ‘router’ :p
April 17th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Has anyone checked his blog today? He’s left something for Matsuto77 at a streetcorner. Are they working together?
April 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am
At a streetcorner in MONTREAL!!!
(Duh duh DUHHHH)
Ok, this is silly.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Guys, I’m actually Matsuto77. See some of the above posts if you don’t believe me. Anyway, the address points to a clothing store called Influence U. Part of me wants to go in there and ask if someone there has something for me, but I’m not so sure. What do you think?
April 17th, 2008 at 11:43 am
We get that it’s you. Does the store sell D-Link routers? Are they giving them away for free? Or what? Go there. They will all be like “Quoi?” and you’ll probably make yourself into an ass, BUT maybe you will find a clue. Yes, you should go.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:48 am
You can always give them a call and ask. Save yourself a potentially waste of time trip.
(514)931-3283
April 17th, 2008 at 11:51 am
mark u called him out!!! u called the phreak out now he’s answering
u gunna back down now?
April 17th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Mark 77, you better have gone to that address……
April 17th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
You have to take a camera when you go. Just in case there actually is something of interest.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
He’s a journalism student. Of course he’ll take a camera. You are taking a camera, right Mark? You better be taking a camera.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
If there aren’t photos, I’ll be a little upset.
This has the makings of one of the smartest things Much has done in a long time.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
If you don’t return from your journey Mark77 I’ll avenge you!
April 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
So was there anything actually left there???????????
April 17th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
i hope muchmusic didnt hire some goons to silence him for uncovering their scheme
April 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
ha ha
April 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Well look at this (from Phreak615’s blog)
sweet_heat said…
Right XJ. Poor little Rosalina…
…or should I say XJ in sheep’s clothing?
Shall I explain my brilliant deduction:
1. dabble = dabbler
2. wolf = sheep
3. 24 = x
4. 10 =j
Huh. Well….. I’m impressed.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
How would he leave something in Montreal, if he’s in Toronto?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
HA lol Phreak just came on and said phreak615 is a hoax and pointed to his website again.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoax
April 17th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
well at least he admitted it. Good, it’s all over. I’m going home… or, I am home already, but whatever. Now we better get an explanation from MuchMusic what this is all about.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Oh XJ not question per say who you are but do you denie the accusation?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I don’t believe it’s over.. not yet all he had was a sign that said hoax. and mummbled somthing. “So think it was so you think it’s a hoax?” I could be wrong about what he said.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vcdE1MbBKI
duh he’s using da haterz 2 help him!
omg hahaha dis dude is f’in high-larious!
April 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Like why would he direct us back to his site again if it was over?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I think he was saying – “I am the wolf, XJ. You keepin’ score, biatch? Let’s play polybius!”
April 17th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
LOL.. yeah probly. Anywho Phreak broke his trats he came on the show earlyer then usual. keep watching MUCH !!!
April 17th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
YUP YUP I was right !!!! he came on MUCH twice today !!
Woot my assumpsion was right on
April 17th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
and actually he use his supporters this time. from his responces.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
XJ posts out of Calgary. The poster from comment #5 who calls himself Phreak615 (I have no reason to doubt it’s not him) posts out of Toronto.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
DArkNeS – what was the accusation?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
What was the comment that was deleated on phreak615s site under comments Influence U?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Or, maybe XJ’s the phreaky dude. either way it doesn’t really matter. I’m bored with this I’m gonna go have a life now and forget all about this (which is easy cuz I don’t actually watch muchmusic). Then, maybe in a couple weeks I’ll check back to see wtf was actually happening. Later kids.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Mad Morten – If I’m at work it appears out of Calgary, I’m actually located in Kelowna, BC though.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Well look at this (from Phreak615’s blog)
sweet_heat said…
Right XJ. Poor little Rosalina…
…or should I say XJ in sheep’s clothing?
Shall I explain my brilliant deduction:
1. dabble = dabbler
2. wolf = sheep
3. 24 = x
4. 10 =j
Is this saying you are Rosalina?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
XJ: Point is you’re not in neither TO or Montreal. Just trying to kill the rumors before they get out of hand.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
How does wolf = sheep, though?
April 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
If thats what it means, then yes I deny the accusation. I am not some lady in Toronto who works for the bank.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
lol.. I kinda find it amusing that stars gone wild is on and it’s Geeks vs. Freaks, though it’s a rerun.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
weird they are doing a kind of Pheaks615 effect on stars gone wild with similer sounds. except it’s the hosts.. but it’s different. not all screwy like the way Preak does it. and they are not taking over the show.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
NOPE he hacked Stars Gone Wild !!!
April 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Keep watching much he’s apparently going to be doing this all day :S
April 17th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
So I just had a friend phone me and be like “HOLY F@$K, i just saw you on MuchMusic”.. I managed to miss this, but for the record I am efonefifty on YouTube..
And now I am all like WTF mate, I thought this was all bullshit.
I’ve also been trying to figure out what I can from the screen capture of the e-mail.. strangely enough googling EP Villain 4.1 brings up a LOST message board..
and Locke just happens to be a character on that show..maybe LOST reruns are starting alongside the O.C. for summer? June 15th would be about right when graduations and stuff are wrapped up and people are done school..
April 17th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Yeah thats awsome you were
the Pheak is also doing his thing on Stars Gone Wild atm lol.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Savalas
hmm..Demosthenes comes up in here..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke_(Lost)
“A new slang term “Locked” has been circulating among some groups of fans of the show Lost. It is used when someone does a seemingly brash action that is destructive, while following a hidden agenda”
April 17th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hello, friends. Mark, AKA Matsuto77 here. So, I accepted Mr. Phreak’s little challenge, since it happens to be near the downtown campus of my school. No, I didn’t bring a camera. Even though I’m a journalist, I don’t always carry a camera with me. My preferred method is using an audio recorder and microphone. But I digress. Anyway, the address left on El Phreako’s blog led me to a clothing / jewelery / handbag store called Influence U. Oddly enough, that’s what the title of phreak615’s latest blog entry was. Anyway, I didn’t find anything interesting there, and when I mentioned to someone who worked there what was going on, he thought that I was doing some kind of project. However, I did take some time to check out the surroundings. Diagonally across the street was a church; a Reebok store was next door; there was a drug store next to the RBK store; Concordia’s EV (Engineering and Fine Arts) building was facing the store, and there was an office building facing the church on the next block. The address of the store was 1476 Saint Catherine St. Perhaps some of what I just mentioned has some kind of significance. XJ and the other sleuths, what sayeth you? I think the address might be the kicker here.
April 17th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
do you think it could just have been a gag back to the whole “puppetmaster” thing, is he just seeing if he really can control us?
April 17th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Mark – what are the chances it was just a random address? Think he’s just straight up playin with you? There’s gotta be something to it….
April 17th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
What if Influence U is it. What if the address doesn’t matter. Thats the joke – just that his influence is enough to get someone to actually go to the address and see what was there.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Or maybe he knew it was near my school’s downtown campus. The store was only a block away. I had a feeling this had wild goose chase written all over it, but I’m really not sure. However, your dad, maybe that puppetmaster thing has some validity to it. First, he got some random YouTubers to make short videos for him, and then, he got me to check out some random store. This is one elaborate scheme that he’s cooked up, and I must say, I’m impressed. Hey, phreakmeister, since it’s quite clear that you read this blog, what do you have in store next. Here’s another chalenge for you – make a video and talk about me and my allegations. You’ve already blocked me from posting on your YouTube profile page, which I thought was pretty weak. You can block me all you want, but that won’t stop me from churning out more allegations and conspiracy theories. I will personally send you $5 if you do it. I’d do it myself, but why should I waste my time buying into another one of your schemes? I don’t know what you’re promoting or what your purpose is, but you sure have a lot of time on your hands (as do I sometimes). But thanks to your idea today, you’ve earned a point in this game. So the score is now Mark 3, Phreak 1. You are a worthy adversary, my friend. But I will figure you out. Mark my words (no pun intended).
Speaking of conspiracy theories, here’s another one for you, XJ and company. I went to the store, found nothing, and the whole thing turned into a wild goose chase. In other words, I may have gotten punk’d. Hmmm… Hey, there’s an idea. Punk’d. Think about it. It’s a TV show. Perhaps this whole thing is a viral marketing campaign done by Much to promote their acquisition of that show, or the creation of a new original reality show which involves things of that nature. Plus, someone said that phreak615 is now saying that the whole thing’s a hoax in his videos. Punk’d is a show about hoaxes. What do you make of it, Dr. Watson? Tune in tomorrow for the next exciting installment of CSI: Viral Marketing. And now, the score is Mark 4, Phreak 1.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
If Phreak615 ends up being Ashton Kutcher I’ll be completely shocked and impressed.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Did you see the latest post on his blog? With pictures of a manequin in a green mask in the Influence U store?
April 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
In the second picture, you can see a reflection of the person taking the picture, which looks like a woman in a pink shirt. Fake?
April 17th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Good Lord, I barely noticed it. Fascinating. I think phreak615 is wearing the same mask in is videos. That’ll teach me to pay attention to details. Now, I wonder what the rest of this leads to. phreak615, it’s obvious that you’re reading this. Did you see my offer? Mention something I said, and I will personally send you $5. Man, I really need to get my own blog. What else is up your phreaky sleeve, o phreaky one? Is there anything else in Montreal that I should be looking for? And how did that mask get on that mannequin, anyway? The plot thickens…
April 17th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Mark go get the mask! This is awesome.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Ok, I know I said I was done, but… How could you have missed the mask, Mark – how? And at least somebody brought a camera. Geez. You can’t record a mask with a microphone. Anyway, he obviously has buddies in Montreal cuz I doubt he went there to stick a mask on a mannequin just for you. OR, he probably bought the mask at Influence U, so that mask was already there – which makes more sense.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Also, I don’t think he’s dumb enough to fall for the $5 thing. I mean, honestly, it’s only five bucks and he’d be found out.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
jees I almost feel compelled to get back involved with this now that phreak has called me out.
Thats definatly the same sort of mask he uses in his videos, and I don’t want to rag on Mark77 because he has came up with some great theories. But it is totally possible that the mask was not put on until after Mark was there. I’m sure you stuck out like a sore thumb looking around, and if phreak has ppl in Montreal, then it wouldn’t be hard for them to do that after you left… or to have had these photos taken before and removed the mask shortly after.
I have been reading everyones posts very closly, and nothing is becoming any clearer. the only thing we no for sure is that this is fake, therefore we should not be giving phreak so much credit. he is probably just some new hire of either much music or that marketing agency and this is his project. this is his life right now… trying to play with our heads. what the final goal is, i’m still not sure of. but we have to stop giving this guy credit. he has lied from the beginning.
We have some very good thinkers here on in this discussion, and I think we will figure it out sooner than much had planned (if we haven’t already with some of the theories being thrown around here). regardless I posted a short little video on youtube so I will be watching much tomorrow night to see if I make the cut. I can’t beleive how caught up I have become in this with exams right now…. damn phreaks
April 17th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Is the mask still there? I wish I lived closer to Mtrl and I’d go grab it myself.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Here’s something for you to enjoy.
http://matsuto77.blogspot.com/
Back to the situation, your dad, you might have something there. Maybe the mask was put on after I left. I was there at about 3 this afternoon. Maybe I missed it, but then again, there could be some validity in your words, just as there is in everyone else’s around here.
I’m going to take a break from the phreakfest right now and say that everyone here is awesome. You’re all so intelligent, and like me, you’re not afraid to take a shot in the dark once in a while. Okay, so we don’t always agree, but once thing is certain – we’re all on the ball here. Yes, some crazy-ass shiznit it going down, but our ideas help us to make sense of it. It reminds me of something I learned in a CEGEP course a few years ago. The course was Philosophy of Art, and the thing I learned related to art. It went as follows: Art is an evalutive concept. What one person says is art, another could say is crap. That applies here. One person’s idea could sound valid to some, but others would say that it doesn’t make any sense at all. That’s exactly what’s been going on here. Some people say my ideas are cool, while others question their validity. But that’s what blogging is all about. Clashing opinions. This is one of many reasons why I have now jumped on the blog bandwagon with a blog of my own.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Some1 in Mtrl agree 2 go get the mask tomorrow if its still there.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
No thanks. I’m brave, but not that brave. It’s in their display window, and if you try to steal it, believe me, bad things could happen. Just leave the mask be. Sometimes, doing a crazy thing like that can have negative consequences.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I didn’t say anything about stealing
April 17th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I know, but it sounded that way. If you went, what would you do?
April 17th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
… buy it?
April 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Ah, touche. That might work. But what would be the point of that?
April 17th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I dunno make your own silly videos and join in the fun. Hey, it may be fake, but it’s puttin people on TV.
April 18th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Not to start a whole new line of crazy conspiracies here, but this article disappeared off Google about 7 hours ago. Completely. Whereas earlier today if you searched “phreak615″ you would find us on top, now we’re not even in the listing. Searching the entire article name gives you nothing. All our other articles are indexed so there is definitely something going on here. I’ve never seen anything like it. Bizarre. It’s even gone from Technorati! The rabbit hole gets deeper and deeper…
April 18th, 2008 at 7:16 am
That is quite odd, Mad Morten, but do you want to hear something just as crazy? Someone named Cassius posted a message on phreak615’s blog last night saying that he thinks phreak615 might be Devon Soltendieck, a MuchMusic VJ who hasn’t been seen on air as much as he used to be lately. And I’m sure you know about the little challenge that the phreakazoid issued me. He posted pictures from the store there, as you might have seen on his blog. When I read the Devon Soltendieck allegation, I remembered that he, like me, is from Montreal. There was an article about him in The Gazette a few years ago, when he got the VJ job. I then put 2 and 2 together once again, and I came up with this – since the address was in Montreal, and there were pictures of the store, this could mean that:
1.) phreak615 is Devon Soltendieck.
2.) Devon Soltendieck is working for / with phreak615.
And as for the reason why I missed the green mask on the mannequin, the reason for that was apparently, I had missed it by four hours. Another person who posted on El Phreako’s blog mentioned this. What do the rest of you make of Cassius’ claim?
April 18th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Hey Mark,
For one, sir I am very impressed with your skills. You have taken this psycho’s game and really forced him into playing hard. It’s a royal shame you missed the mask but I really think you should go back and get it. I’m not saying steal it, I’m not even say buy it. Can’t you go in there, and ask whoever is working if you can just go over and look at it? What if Phreaky dude has a reason for you to find it? Maybe we’re all grasping at straws because we’re missing a clue….a clue he left for you!
There’s no harm in asking to see it right? no jail, no risk, no loss
April 18th, 2008 at 9:06 am
So I did some more digging, and this is what I found for you mark77..
http://caesar-cipher.blogspot.com/
That caesar dude from your blog.
but in his blog there is an odd comment that links to this website…
http://6152410.ath.cx/
(Polybius Project Phase III)
can anyone run a whois and find out what the f this is?
April 18th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Sounds legitimate, sidelinesleuther. I appreciate your commentary. This has sort of become a mental chess match between the ministry of phreak and I, and it gets more interesting by the day. I could definitely go down to Influence U and do that, but I wonder what the store would say about it. I went there yesterday and asked about what was going on, and they seemed puzzled by what I was saying. I haven’t ruled out that idea yet, but it might have to wait for a bit. I have some things I have to take care of.
However, I came across another clue today. Notice how in the videos made by phreak615 himself, there is a clock next to his chair. That clock is set to 6:15. I wonder, could this the exact time of when he wants to carry out his big scheme? Usually, TV shows on Much and just about every other channel out there start and end every hour or half-hour (:00 and :30). To have something start at :15 or :45 is unusual here in Canada, but it often happens on European TV stations. What do the rest of you think of that?
April 18th, 2008 at 9:32 am
So the store attendees think you’re crazy, is that of huge importance to you? I know you have a life, but I think that mask could be invaluable to the task. Is anyone willing to call the store and ask them to set it aside? Tell them it’s a school project or a hunt of some kind. Even if there isn’t a clue in it, it might be nice to have some pardon the pun “Phreaky memorabillia”
615 seems to reoccur a lot in his messages. I think we’re on the right track with a time or date, I don’t think we need to look much further. I feel that mask is vital tho and should be collected or protected (via phone call) sooner rather than later
Stake out anyone?
April 18th, 2008 at 9:55 am
You know, sidelinesleuther, that’s not a bad idea at all. Does he want me to grab the mask and / or get a good look at it? It might seem that way. And for the record, I don’t care what people think of me. But what I do care about is getting into trouble. What if the store’s manager is there, and asks what I’m up to? I don’t want to get arrested or anything. But still that mask seems to be a key element in this storyline. Elementary, br dear Watson. The game is afoot.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:56 am
P.S., are there any other Montrealers here that would want to help me out? I can give you my e-mail address, if you’d like. It’s magnetboy1@yahoo.ca . Drop me a line if you’re interested.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:11 am
tell the manager the truth? Odds are your truthful story will be so out there he won’t believe you anyway! LoL Clearly someone at the store had to have approved this, otherwise store security is terrible. Make sure the mask is there, ask someone if you can take a look at it (as I doubt it belongs to the store) If there is something you’re supposed to find then I’m sure it will be addressed to you. Print out online evidence that you are Matsuto77 because clearly it’s for you
April 18th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Okay, so I’m sorry I played my cards so close. I posted this on the Caesar Cipher blogg in hopes that they would be moving this thing on a little quicker than you lot (hey, I’m in this to win).
Now the site that was there this morning (I really hope some of you got a peek at it) is totally down/gone/offline.
Either the phreakhunter is for real, or I got too far ahead, too soon.
I’m a little freaked out right now, I’m sticking with you.
April 18th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Thanks for the info, FTC. Feel free to post any other info you find on my new counter-phreak615 blog. There’s a link to it through my username here (just click on it). When I tried looking at that link, I got an error message that said that the page could not be displayed. This is very odd. Caesar Cipher, however, is also in the hunt for phreak615, and he (or even she) has claims to have some great insider info. However, he doesn’t seem to want to post it on his blog. Thus, I invited him to e-mail me with more details. But FTC, let me ask you this: Can you remember what you saw on that site? If you can, post it here or on my blog. Thanks again for your help,
To sideline sleuther: I won’t have a chance to visit the store again until Tuesday. I’m Jewish, and the Passover holiday is going on from Friday night until Monday night. So I’ll need people like you, XJ, FTC, your dad, Caesar Cipher, and the others to help out and keep digging while I’m gone. I realize that this extended downtime will weaken my position a bit, but religion comes before detective work. So I’m counting on you guys to keep everyone else updated and to keep searching. I know you’ll do a good job.
April 18th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Phreak’s blog profile says he’s in a band called The Nunnery. Real band? If so, that may narrow your suspects down to 3 or 4 people, no?
April 18th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Things are starting to make less sence to me, phreak615 claims to be in toronto, yet he sends Mark on a hunt in montreal, so either he lies and is in montreal, or he has connections in montreal.
I’m not totally sold on this Caesar Cipher guy. He claims to have seen the photo shoot and everything an knows who the phreak is, but then he posts and asks for any information regarding that person. Who else would have been there and witnessed the whole thing. And he says he knows what kind of camera was used. How could you be close enough to see the camera, and not confront the person.
Go Diva: regarding the band the nunnery, i dont know how much that has been looked into, I don’t think they have a myspace site, but it may be somthing worth looking into. but everything else in the profile seems like complete BS so it may just be nothing.
I think that someone needs to go and get that mask too. Chances are, its not supposed to be there in the first place so i can’t see the store owners minding, unless they have already noticed it themselves and removed it.
Mark we’re gonna miss you but the show must go on, and btw, I posted a short little clip on youtube for shits and giggles… so i’m watching much tonight while I study to see if I make the cut.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Your Dad, don’t worry, I’ll be back on Monday night. I feel like I’ve just handed Mr. 615 a victory on silver platter, but like I said, religion is more important than a one-up game with some weirdo. I hope you guys will continue to find new leads while I’m gone. We all know that his royal phreakness reads this blog, and maybe ever my own blog, which I launched yesterday, so watch for responses on his blog to what we’ve been saying. I’ll try and ask about that mask if I can get to Influence U on Tuesday. Hopefully, it will still be there by then. If not, then we need another Montreal operative to do it, as I will temporarily be inactive. And YD, can you hook us up with a link to your clip, by any chance? I’d love to see it. Good luck to you all, and happy hunting!
April 18th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I posted a new article with new information and a summary of the events leading up to all this. If you don’t mind, I’d like you all to move the discussion to this new article as this one is getting ridiculously long and difficult to follow for new readers.
http://www.dabbler.ca/news/phreak615-the-plot-thickens-20080418/
April 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hey I think I might have another hint to it leading to Devon Soltendieck. Just look at a picture of Devon Soltendieck and compaire the differences in Phreak615’s chin and his. They are nearly the same. I’m talking about the dimple in his chin btw.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Devon Soltendieck is on MOD now. I’m positive it has to be him.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Hmm.. “you just can’t cetch me I don’t know what it is. Join in @ http://www.pheak615.com” well that adds question but I think were still on track.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
“devan Vs. deackenator.” “you know cus the deveon has a alterego also.. who I can’t tell you yet”
April 18th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Wait.. Theirs has to be more then this. I know it. http://6152410.ath.cx/ he has been cluing in on somthing bigger. Polybius!Wolf, Demosthenes, 24 10,615. Polybius Project — Phase III. I could be wrong but this little bit on info is alittle to interesting to pass up checking out.
Gasp! Xj I think he’s in on it!. xj_gibson.. it might be a nothing but still. Also phreak just happened to say he is the Locke, and Demosthenes, and The wolf. Which is all Study Parameter. In the blogs XJ was one of the people talking to us.
quoting xj “Polybius eh? Nice, you find the ROM and we’ll all make an afternoon of it.”
Matsuto 77 hmm.. I don’t want to say anything against you but somthing else poped up. Wmode 77 is a Study Parameter on the site. idk if their is a relation their.
now to find out how to acsess this site if it has todo with anything.
April 18th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
w/e Ignore me. I’m done. I figured their could be more but their isn’t. Devon it. l8r ppls.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
In response to “becky”
I don’tbelieve she is a moron. Look at it this way —
How many commercials do you see a day, and how many of those interest you? Not many.
So, what is a way to excite the audience a bit, make it more so interesting?
Well, how many “hijacks” do you see a day?
Not many, and so by doing this, much is getting the attention of all their viewers, and when they actually come out with what “phreak615″ really means, then everyone will want to watch, because their attention has been caught.
It’s really not moronic at all, and I actually admire this blogger for thinking into this, as much as (s)he did, because it does seem kind of fishy, does it not?
I mean, come on, what are the chances, that someone has been hacking into muchmusic, from INSIDE, and they have not been discovered yet.
The chances of that are pretty low, I mean, do you really think a million/billion dollar establishment such as CHUM would actually allow a hacker to hack into their system?
Really, the only logical explanation is that of this blogger.
So really, (s)he is not the moron here, you are.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
i know nothing at all about broadcasting, and i rarely watch muchmusic. but i happened to be home sick one day this week and was watching MOD, and saw the phreak615 feeds a couple of times.
the first time it caught me by surprise, i didn’t know what it was and just thought it was my imagination, as i had just woke up anyways.
but then it continued, i think it was 3 or 4 times during MOD.
anyways,
i dont know what its about, how serious it is, or how he’s doing it,
but in my opinion, i think its pretty cool.
but thats probably because i’m not thinking hard about it.
i’ll be keeping myself up to date about it all, because i find it interesting. but i’m just a bystander, putting in my 2 cents.
good luck on figuring it out, guys.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am
First poster here. . . you won’t really recognize me as I have a life (no offence. . . really, I find this entriging as well) and I’m just here. . . maybe this is a publicity stunt and by having so many posts on this blog. . aren’t we giving Much what they want? Publicity? Not that it’s a bad thing, I’m just saying. .
April 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Nolan: Maybe you are right we this is kinda giving them more publicity. No matter how much we try to denounce it we just clarify it is publicity and give them more of it
April 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
the name says it all…maybe ppl will acually care about much when they reach to a wider audience, surreee they have much loud, but wtf once a week at 2am
i hope they fail and die
April 20th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Also, I’ve heard reports of people seeing the “hacks” on TSN and MTV Canada (both of which are owned by CTV Globemedia). CTV often cross-advertises on its networks. This points to it just being purely marketing – no conspiracy. Also, if he works for Muchmusic and is “hacking” Muchmusic, then why would it show up on other channels?
April 21st, 2008 at 9:56 am
Trying to figure out the polybius Project. Is there any chance we have been dropped enough clues to have a participant ID and password? Theres is also a study Parameter “fjord”. Phreak615 states on his blog that “That he once spanked a cobra on the fjords of alaska…” This is all nuts…
April 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Not as amazing as signing in to the Polybius project, but – http://bp2.blogger.com/_riITRqwwgGE/R_KDOx_DcNI/AAAAAAAAAAM/9wZUOCC6DS4/S220-h/DSC01600.jpg Phreaks picture, and of course devon – http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1073/535132536_da0ab7200d.jpg
A few similarities for sure
April 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Soo, it’s happening quite often, and whenever it happens it’s right in the middle of when they’re talking. If it was promoting something, I doubt they would cut off the VJ’s to put it out there. & nobody in the audience seems
to notice it either. If they can’t see it, that means the vj’s can’t see it either..
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I like Mark’s theories, 6/15, and Much Phreakouts. Ok, I remember in late December – early January, it was Leah or Devon, who said there will be a new show premiering on Much around the summer time called Much Phreakouts. Since 6/15 is the day of the MMVAs, reverse 615 and you get 516, 5/16. May 16th. I remember seeing the word Phreak on Much back then…
If this is correct, and it probably isn’t then, the “Phreak”s “hacking” was totally pointless, and you just scared other little viewers who were watching Much, now there afraid to turn on the tv cuz you might show up. Not that 8 year olds should be watching…
Greywolfe1983, one thing to consider: maybe 1983 was when he was born? This is different but maybe the “Phreak” is the owner of the account: greywolfe1983. Although this is somewhat related but may have no use, maybe the “Phreak” was born on June 15th, 1983.
I had my friend search up area codes with 615 while I was getting checked up by the doctor, they were in the US, so that really didn’t help. I searched up phreak615 on Wikipedia. I got this, “Devon was suspected of hacking MuchMusic’s signal over a period of several weeks in 2008 under the pseudonymn of Phreak615.” I was hoping, it would say, “Devon has been caught by Matte Babel broadcasting his messages, Devon has admitted this, and he added, I’m the host of Much Phreakouts. Matt was shocked that he didn’t know.” XD
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 am
my money is on it being a cool way of hyping the launch of a new show.
anyone remember “speaker’s corner”? they had video booths where you could tape yourself ranting about whatever was on your mind.
these days people do that with webcams on youtube, so it only makes sense that they are trying to resurrect that show idea but with a new way to add your own content.
this show is probably going to be a big hit because anyone in the country can submit a video, where with speaker’s corner it was limited to where ever the few video booths were located.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Ok, so I’ve been playing a lot of catch up lately.
I’ve been seeing this guy on MuchMusic for weeks and had no idea what was going on, but then I saw him in Paris so it’s sparked my imagination.
I’ve been floating from site to site and there’s a few things that I think should be brought up
Mad Mark – didn’t you post on another site you were giving up? Why didn’t you get the mask? You claim to have investigative spirit, but you’re afraid to ask a store clerk to see the mask and then you come on here and bash this whole thing? Did anyone think that Mad Mark’s lack of courage could be holding back a solid clue for us? Did anyone notice that after Mark failed to get the mask, this whole thing slowed down? Seems like sabotage to me Mr Mark. You’re all claiming to be bored and unafriad but when it comes to picking up a mask from a store front..you know and having to talk to someone…you run?
Also, it’s obv the MMVAs, no one is disputing that…at least not from what I have seen, but clearly there’s still a mystery. He’s not just posting senseless garble…he never has…there’s been a point to everything. So pat yourselves on the back for the MMVA guess…man…I wish he had made it easier….oh wait…IT’S IN HIS NAME! Clearly they wanted us to figure that out….but there’s clearly more to it.
For people who hate this so much, you’re spending a lot of time posting things. My advice is to just have fun with it. You’re all pretty smart from the thousands of posts I’ve seen, so why give up? There’s a piece missi9ng and just because you can’t find it…doesn’t mean you should take your ball and run
I for one am still curious about this whole thing…I’ll stay on board
April 28th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I was at muchmusic last week for much on demand and i was watching the control computer behind the audience (behind right side of the audience if you are watching on tv) and they had a phreak615 thingy queued up on one of their preview monitors.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:13 am
I’ve silently been following this for a while, as I am a Media Student majoring in PR and I’ve realised early on that this is a great tactic to pitch a new show.
I do remember during one of the Deganator spots on the show, Leah mentioned something about Devon also having an alter-ego…. this is definitely a pitch for a new show, everyone at Much is in on it, and we’re all just feeding into the game, giving them what they want…. very good PR on their half, brilliant.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
If this were really a hacking or inside job, there is no way that Much or CTVglobemedia would keep it quiet… 1) they’d apologize on air to void themselves of any legal problems that might ensue, and 2) they’d hunt down the insider asap.
There is no way they would let multiple hackings go on air. Especially if its an inside job. They’d be guarding all the equipment 24/7… come on .. this is totally a hoax and an advertisement for something.. and obviously its working if ppl are talking about it (though still not working THAT well seeing as they’ve only interested a few hundred people rather then I’m sure their goal of thousands)
May 6th, 2008 at 2:01 am
MMVAs June 15 2008 6/15/2008 aka 615= Phreak615 is nothing but a stupid promotion for the MMVAs
May 6th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
[...] http://www.dabbler.ca/news/is-phreak615-hacking-muchmusic-me-thinks-not-20080413/ [...]
May 10th, 2008 at 3:55 am
I’ve been watching these posts for about a month now. I think some of your theorys are spot-on. The last Phreak615 “hack” that I saw was mixed with footage of the MMVA’s. Also MMVA ad’s are starting to come up in the same fashion, They don’t pop up in a show but it still has that “viral marketing” feel to it. It lasts no longer then a few seconds. Mark 77, Darkness, Mad Morten. Kudos for always bringing something new to the table
May 15th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I saw a commercial today after video on trial and now im sure he is fake. It was an ad for a much contest called “Find The Phreak”
May 15th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
@ muchmusic.com/phreak
May 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
[...] we reported way back in April, the so-called “hack” of Canadian music station MuchMusic by a mask wearing dork is [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I think some one is hacking them maybe they just dont want to admitt it?
June 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Clearly this is an inside job. This guy is only putting those short videos up during Much Music’s air time. Programs that are not by Much Music are uninterrupted and “Phreak615″ only interrupts Much Music commercials and programs.