EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities in Embarq http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19405161 en Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:00:25 EDT Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:00:25 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447787 Maxo :
said by NormanS See Profile :

Your first lookup queries your router, or modem? That would hold the actual Embarq DNS servers, yes? What would interest me would be the results of looking up 'www.microsoft.con' using the Embarq DNS servers. Should be something like this:
I have a 2-Wire modem/router combo. The router is holding the DNS servers (they are set to automatically obtain.)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447787 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:42:18 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447206 espaeth :
said by NormanS See Profile :

Ultimately, what I don't like about OpenDNS is that the Google lookup suggests an OpenDNS landing page for the Google site.

I am not sure why they do that. I don't know why I should trust OpenDNS more than Google.
Google cuts OpenDNS in on the AdWords revenue, which is how they are able to provide the service for free. Google needs some way to track who is using OpenDNS to get to their site to properly attribute the AdWords revenue payout for sponsored link clicks, so that's why you get directed to the OpenDNS navigation page first so that the OpenDNS referral can be tracked.

You get the same Google content and search results, the only thing that changes is who gets paid if you click on a sponsored link.

-Eric]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447206 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:14:26 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447188 espaeth : I ran through some of the DNS servers listed in the FAQ, it appears all of the Flordia servers are doing the mistype redirection, but once you go further down the list the results are hit and miss.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447188 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:57:29 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447174 NormanS : I was just trying to find out what the Embarq DNS servers were really doing. I don't use them myself, and don't know if I could test them myself. At least on ISP blocks access to their DNS servers from outside of their customer network IP address space.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447174 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:48:16 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447143 dagman52 :
agreed. Perhaps we are arguing the same thing. ;-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447143 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:27:29 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447138 NormanS : I didn't post a single screen shot. All are "copy and paste" jobs; plain text.

If an 'nslookup' on a non-existent domain does not return an IP address to a landing page, then there is no problem that I can see.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19447138 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:26:16 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446999 dagman52 :
Norman,
I didn't take screenshots, but nslookup is responding correctly when I'm opted out of the service (using Linux). Opting back in is overriding the queries on a known typo. I would go so far to say as Embarq's DNS servers are working as I would expect.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446999 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 01:14:03 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446870 NormanS :
said by Maxo See Profile :

Mind you, this is on Linux:
As long as the results make sense...

Your first lookup queries your router, or modem? That would hold the actual Embarq DNS servers, yes? What would interest me would be the results of looking up 'www.microsoft.con' using the Embarq DNS servers. Should be something like this:
I have actually been jumping around, trying different setting in my router. I ran with the default DHCP setting (router gets IP address, DNS servers from SpeedStream 4100) for a long time. Every so often, though, I'd hit a period of DNS lag. I thought it might be the router firmware, and tried both the latest version, and the first (router shipped with the middle version, of three). Ultimately figured it might be some kind of interaction between the router and the modem, so I manually overrode the automatic settings. I also played with OpenDNS (set up an account to configure things) and Verizon DNS server on the router. Ultimately, what I don't like about OpenDNS is that the Google lookup suggests an OpenDNS landing page for the Google site:
I am not sure why they do that. I don't know why I should trust OpenDNS more than Google.

Anyway, I'd rather keep the ATTIS DNS servers, for now (68.94.156.1/68.94.157.1). If 'at&t Yahoo!HSI' (ATTIS) changes things, I would consider jumping over to DSL Extreme for Internet service. As long as DSLX kept a basic, no-frills, no tricks DNS service. Or run with Dynamic DNS Network Services, LLC "Recursive DNS" service, if necessary. Granted, I'd have to pay for it. But it would be exactly what DNS should be.

--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446870 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:36:11 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446614 espaeth : It's in the control panel after you register your IP address.
Click for full size
OpenDNS Control Panel
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446614 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:45:04 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446468 NormanS : The place to disable OpenDNS error correction. There is a bit of lag from when I change the router to use their DNS servers, and when their Dashboard reflects that change. And I want to be sure that the change is in effect before I run the 'nslookup' command, just so I am certain that the results reflect the changes.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446468 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:16:57 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446452 dagman52 : Haven't found what?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446452 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:14:15 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446333 NormanS : I haven't found it. Yet. Well, maybe I did. It sort of works:
Which is satisfactory, from the standpoint of getting a proper error when a domain doesn't exist. OTOH...
From the standpoint of going straight to the source, it still resolves an OpenDNS IP address, instead of the source IP address. Or am I reading that result wrong? When compared with:
When I go somewhere, I'd like to get the data from the horse' mouth, so to speak...
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446333 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:54:57 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446073 espaeth : FYI -- you can also disable OpenDNS's error correction service if you register with them. (No cost)

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19446073 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:17:23 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19444332 Maxo : Mind you, this is on Linux:



--
"Padre, nobody said war was fun now bowl!" - Sherman T Potter

»www.cafepress.com/maxolasersquad

»maxolasersquad.com/

»maxolasersquad.com/network/ My DSL Network Guide

»myspace.com/mlsquad]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19444332 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:34:36 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19444206 dagman52 : Features and Benefits

* Per-user preferences that function independent of cookies and dynamic IP addresses for opt-out and opt-in - improves subscriber experience with holistic preferences and controls integrated into the “My Account” experience

»www2.simplicita.com/product_nxd.html]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19444206 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:12:09 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443731 Maxo : If I remember when I get home tonight I'll do that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443731 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:40:13 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443641 MrMoody : Hmm, seems I was wrong. Opting out (of both options presented) returns:

Server: unknown
Address: 192.168.1.1

*** unknown can't find www.typo.con: Non-existent domain

And fixes the search from address bar. The DNS addresses did not change. Apparently the DNS server is checking accounts before returning results.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443641 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:27:24 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443621 NormanS : May I suggest that you try using 'nslookup' from a command prompt? I don't have the Embarq DNS server IP addresses (and even if I did, Embarq may obstruct access from outside of their IP network). But I can see the difference between using an error correcting DNS server and a straight, unadulterated DNS server.

Standard DNS (provided by my ISP):
Some utilities depend upon that error to function correctly.

Error-correcting DNS (using OpenDNS):
Those utilities which depend upon an error to function properly will fail to function with this result.

If you opt out of Embarq's DNS error corrections, will you get the first result, or the second when you run 'nslookup' from a command prompt. Try it and post your results. I am curious.

--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443621 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:24:57 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443615 Maxo : I didn't realise that. Thanks for the clarification. I rarely mistype URLs. I usually start typing them and then complete it from the address bars history. I'll have to mistype a URL when I get home to watch it in action.
I don't think it will have a problem tracking who has opted out, as the DSLAM does do background PPPoE with the Redback, that the user never sees, and this can easily be stored in their LDAP server, or whatever Embarq uses to store information on it's customers. I may be wrong on this point since this is a DNS level "feature." I wonder if they have their DNS servers talking to whatever servers store the customers profile.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443615 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:23:51 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443531 MrMoody : That's not the same as having a DNS server that returns an error indication when there's no such domain. Opting out just gives you a different result page with error text instead of search results. A nonexistent domain now returns the IP address of a server at customers.simplicita.com whether you opt out or not. The server checks your opt-out status (presumably by your IP address - I wonder how well it keeps up with dynamic IPs), then if you're opted out returns an error page, or if not, a search results page. Your local application has no way of knowing if the domain was invalid - all queries return an IP address.

I meant the option of separate, unadulterated DNS servers for customers to use.

Edit: Simplicita is owned by Sandvine, ugh.

Edit 2: Opting out unadulterates the DNS server.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443531 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:08:01 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443429 Maxo :
said by MrMoody See Profile :

It would be nice if Embarq would provide this as an option.
When you get redirected to Embarq's search there should be an opt-out button. There was for me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443429 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:50:36 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443351 MrMoody :
said by gg23 :

the address bar search will not work.
That's because it relies on getting a real "domain not found" error from DNS instead of just another Embarq page that LOOKS like one. The only way to fix it is switch DNS to an unadulterated server. It would be nice if Embarq would provide this as an option.

Savvy users can run their own local DNS server if they have a machine that's always on. I've done this in the past when Time Warner's DNS servers were constantly bogged down or screwed up. It makes browsing faster, too.
--
"It is a future in which globalization really does work ... and everybody winds up getting to be part of the third world." - William Gibson]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19443351 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:36:23 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19439722 anon : Just spent 40 minutes on phone with Embarq support. Ralph did not know anything about issue of address bar search failure. He spoke with Techs that are just as uninformed or will not admit they are the problem. I did Optout and my searches immediately changed from going to Embarqs Search page to "The page cannot be displayed" page, but the address bar search will not work.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19439722 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:26:43 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19437107 Maxo : I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. There was an opt-out option, which I selected.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19437107 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:16:48 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19431363 anon : Sounds like you have a toolbar or something else controlling browser behavior.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19431363 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:34:25 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19413104 anon : Bastages! It just happened to me as well. I opted out but now I'm getting redirected to »domainhelp.search.com.

Anyone seen this before?

Also, I should note this only happens when I'm using IE. If I use my Firefox browser it's not a problem.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19413104 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:34:37 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19407833 MrMoody : I just noticed this happened a few days ago. While I'm against this sort of thing in principle, it really doesn't bother me too much in this case. If it keeps my bill down and funds expansion, so be it. Just don't get the idea you can start doing more invasive tinkering.
--
"It is a future in which globalization really does work ... and everybody winds up getting to be part of the third world." - William Gibson]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19407833 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:51:46 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19406025 orph4824 : Sounds like you didn't release and renew you pc's ip/dns after you set the info in your router.
click Start
then Run
enter cmd then click ok
type the following seperately

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

That will pull a fresh ip and dns from your router, then you should no longer see Embarq's, OpenDNS has thier own mistyped url redirect also but you can opt out of it easily enough, you can even create shortcuts so for instance "dslr" can redirect you to the full dslr url.
--
Life's 3 rules: 1. Stuff happens 2. Stuff happens on a regular basis 3. Better get used to the first two... (not the actual saying but you get the drift)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19406025 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:51:10 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405972 pcbill941 : I looked at OpenDNS and put their IP's into my router and ended up right back at search.embarq.com/index.php when I entered a non URL in the address bar.

Bill]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405972 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:41:27 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405459 bctrainers : I've been using OpenDNS for the past months now. No need to worry about the DNS Search hijacking anymore. (Unless they begin to force redirect IP's within the network!) :o]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405459 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:23:53 EDT Re: EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405447 orph4824 : Haven't noticed this behavior, however I don't rely on Embarq's DNS either so that could be the reason.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405447 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:22:00 EDT EMBARQ Hijacks Browser Search Capabilities http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405161 pcbill941 : As of this morning, 11/08 here in Florida, Embarq has hijacked a persons ability to search from the address bar in Internet Explorer. They automatically re-direct you to »search.embarq.com/index.php. One has the option to opt out of “EMBARQ's non-existing domain landing service”, funny how one never opts into these things, but when you do you are left without being able to search from the address bar at all. Basically they have their servers from looking up the DNS for »auto.search.msn.com

This looks primarily as a way to shove advertising down customers throats. But I ask what’s next from ISP’s? Will they decide what we can and can’t view on the Internet?

Bill]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19405161 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:27:06 EDT