Difference between revisions of "Opt out of DNS Redirection"

A Domain Name System, or DNS Server is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses. A standards compliant DNS server will return a "Name Error" or a "DOMAIN" error when it is requested to resolve a non-existent domain name <ref>http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1035</ref>. Unfortunately, some internet service providers see a revenue stream in hijacking such requests and instead delivering a page with sponsored links. The advantage to the ISP is estimated at about $5 (US) per user per year. The disadvantage to the end user is that, in addition to seeing unnecessary ads, many applications, including virtual private networks, that rely the published standards either stop working well or stop working at all. Additionally, it introduces security concerns. He exploited a vulnerability in the servers that allowed him to [[Rick Roll Someone|Rickroll]] web users who visited plausible but non existent subdomains.<ref>http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/04/isps-error-page/</ref> Fortunately, users often have ways to opt out of this "improved user experience."

A Domain Name System, or DNS Server is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses. A standards compliant DNS server will return a "Name Error" or a "DOMAIN" error when it is requested to resolve a non-existent domain name <ref>http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1035</ref>. Unfortunately, some internet service providers see a revenue stream in hijacking such requests and instead delivering a page with sponsored links. The advantage to the ISP is estimated at about $5 (US) per user per year. The disadvantage to the end user is that, in addition to seeing unnecessary ads, many applications, including virtual private networks, that rely the published standards either stop working well or stop working at all. Additionally, it introduces security concerns. He exploited a vulnerability in the servers that allowed him to [[Rick Roll Someone|Rickroll]] web users who visited plausible but non existent subdomains.<ref>http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/04/isps-error-page/</ref> Fortunately, users often have ways to opt out of this "improved user experience."

==Steps==

==Steps==

#[[Rid Your Computer of Adware, Spyware and Viruses|Run a recently updated spyware utility]] and remove any spyware that is detected. This behaviour is sufficiently similar to that of several spyware programs that it is worth confirming whether it is coming from locally installed malware or your ISP.

#[[Rid Your Computer of Adware, Spyware and Viruses|Run a recently updated spyware utility]] and remove any spyware that is detected. This behaviour is sufficiently similar to that of several spyware programs that it is worth confirming whether it is coming from locally installed malware or your ISP.