Comcast adopts DNS hijacking, cashes in on bad URLs

broni · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2009, 06:30 PM

Unbelievable!!

Comcast adopts DNS hijacking, cashes in on bad URLs - TechSpot News

Quote:

In a bid to squeeze out more cash through their existing service, one of the largest ISPs around has added themselves to the ranks of companies participating in controversial DNS-redirecting programs. Comcast has officially begun redirecting invalid DNS requests to their own “search portals,” which are advertising pages intended to capture anyone who makes a typo or visits an invalid address into a web browser.

The technique is slowly being adopted by other ISPs around the world, and has been rife with controversy since the beginning. Essentially, anytime a user tries to visit an invalid web page, they are redirected to an advertising splash page rather than being told that the page is unavailable. As most other ISPs are doing, Comcast is offering an opt-out system – though there have been complaints that the process is not particularly friendly. Other ISPs around the world that have begun implementing this include Bell Canada, Verizon, and EarthLink.

Several years ago, Verisign, a major domain registrar, attempted to implement this. Their attempt received massive public outcry, and ultimately even ICANN stepped in and asked them to stop. Comcast has even gone a step beyond their cohorts, pushing for a new IETF standard that would make such DNS hijacking more legitimate.

For those who want to opt out without going to something like OpenDNS..

https://dns-opt-out.comcast.net/

Once verified through e-mail get this response:

Confirmed: Domain Helper Service Opt-out

Your opt-out request has been confirmed. We will complete processing of this request within 2 business days.

Once we complete this work, we will send you an email to advise you that you have been successfully opted-out.

Digerati · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 04:27 AM

I will have to keep an eye on Cox Communications to make sure they don't try something similar. They have a history of doing things without researching how it affects their customers - their "auto-move" and "auto-delete" spam filter was a doozy.

broni · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:12 AM

I only wonder what takes Comcast TWO days to opt me out....

townsbg · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:26 AM

I've heard back things about comcast so I'm glad we don't have them. One thing I've heard is that they will idle the connection for someone who is using their bandwidth more than they would like. I don't know if this is true but that is what I heard or read.

broni · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

they will idle the connection for someone who is using their bandwidth more than they would like

They said this pretty officially.
Monthly download limit is 250GB. If you exceed it twice, they may disconnect you for 6 months.
Then, they said something in general about throttling heavy users (probably those close to 250GB).

townsbg · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:38 AM

Yes that's the word I was looking for.

broni · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 02:00 AM

I'm free

Quote:

We have completed the work to opt you out of the Comcast Domain Helper service.
This change will take effect automatically when your cable modem renews its DHCP lease (generally within 5 days or less). However, you can easily make this take effect immediately via one of the following two methods:

1. If your computer is directly connected to your cable modem, you will need to reboot your computer.
2. If you have a router directly connected to your cable modem, you will need to (a) reboot your router and then (b) reboot your computer.

Thank you,
Comcast

townsbg · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 03:36 AM