I am a Virgin Media customer (cable) and do not use it either, so I can't really comment on what it actually is or does.
Like yourself, I like to think that third party software will treat my equipment the way I want it, by blocking or allowing want I tell it to, and not by letting in, what it wants to let in.
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To be honest his second speed test even for a "up-to" 8 meg was terrible, compared with my 4 meg cable connection.