Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| Anyone else get a Comcast "DNS" letter?
Found this in the Inbox of my main e-mail account today. Since last year's DNS "fiasco" I've been using static DNS servers (Verizon's, I think). This letter is suggesting to do otherwise:
Your Action is Required!
Dear Comcast Customer:
Comcast is focused on providing the best experience for all of our customers. We recently updated the domain name server ('DNS') components in our network to help ensure that we continue to deliver the high quality service you expect from Comcast.
Over the years you may have manually configured DNS settings for a variety of reasons. If so, it is important that your PC is configured for dynamic DNS communication. To help ensure that you do not lose your internet connection, we ask that you follow the directions outlined in the following FAQ’s:
Windows Users
Please select your respective operating system from the list:
Windows 95/98
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Mac Users
Mac 10.2
To prevent any loss of Internet connectivity in the future, please take the time to make these changes to your DNS settings. We ask that you make these changes by March 12, 2006 to prevent any disruption in your Internet service.
You can find answers to your service questions instantly at Comcast.net. If you still have questions, please email our Customer Service Representatives. Our knowledgeable Representatives are available 24/7 to promptly respond to your questions.
Sincerely,
Comcast High-Speed Internet |
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owine
Premium
join:2002-08-29
Salem, MA | that makes no sense... why do they care what DNS you use... maybe they have somthing up their sleeves. |
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pokesph
It Is Almost Fast
Premium
join:2001-06-25
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| reply to Steely
didn't get one here on the west coast..
dunno how NOT using comcast's DNS servers will affect anything but guess we'll find out.
--
Webmaster Steve
- - - - - - - - - - - -
»ppnhosting.com
»sphenterprizes.com
»pokemonpalace.net |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA | reply to Steely
No, havent seen that one yet... |
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Brad B
Premium
join:2005-07-07
Everett, WA
1 edit | reply to Steely
Possible port blocking about to start happening? |
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homerdogg
join:2005-07-27
Nashville, TN | reply to Steely
Got one here in Nashville, same spiel, same drop dead date. |
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StillLearn
Premium
join:2002-03-21
Streamwood, IL | reply to owine
I assume they are saying that if you are using fixed IPs for Comcast DNS servers, things may go out on you. |
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dkeigley
join:2005-10-31
Sodus, MI | reply to Brad B
Nothing here around Lake Michigan. How would you port block only non-Comcast DNS servers? |
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cracker 52
@comcast.net | I have not received such letter here in Atlanta, at least not yet. |
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owine
Premium
join:2002-08-29
Salem, MA | reply to Steely
it makes sense that they want people on DHCP for if DNS servers go down they can update the servers given out but why the march 12th date? |
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USA Zombie
Premium
join:2002-08-22
Seattle, WA | reply to Steely
I received these letters on both my Comcast accounts. |
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NetFixer
Freedom is NOT Free
Premium
join:2004-06-24
Murfreesboro, TN
 ·Vonage
 ·AT&T Southeast
 ·Cingular Wireless
·AT&T CallVantage
1 edit | reply to Steely
The only way I can see that not using a Comcast DNS server would be a problem after the March 12, 2006 would be if Comcast is planning to block DNS queries to non-Comcast DNS servers.
I can think of no non-nefarious reason for doing that. I can foresee an aftermarket for hosts files which contain the "real" IP addresses for certain sites in order to bypass being sent to a Comcast substituted IP address.
I am glad I have an alternate network to use for external DNS queries (Which is what I already do anyway).
--
A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Test your firewall. |
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SneakyPoster
@verio.net
| reply to owine
Perhaps they are doing this to make sure you will be redirected to the "Welcome to Comcast, click here to get the install wizard" when you don't pay your bill. I am not sure, but I think that you might be able to browse in some places if you have your DNS server set to a static address that is accessable thru the registration proxy. If thats the case, you got you a nice 768/8800 pipe free. |
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Spectre_631
join:2002-03-26
Boise, ID
| because of requirements for accessing my work VPN, I did an online chat (worthless!) and then placed a call into their phone support early this AM. The word from the tech I spoke with was that the only reason the DNS change would affect your service was if you were statically pointed at one of their DNS servers whose IP will likely change as a result of the upgrade.
of course, time will tell.... |
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Fluker
join:2005-04-07
West Lafayette, IN
| reply to Steely
I wouldn't be too surprised if comcast uses dns query data to track users page requests and sell them for marketing purposes. Not that that couldn't do the same with thrid party DNS, but that using their own is the most convenient way.
Ever notice how Comcasts mail boxes quickly explode with spam? I have one that I made just for grins (random letters and numbers, unguessable by spambots) and it quickly reached 40 a day. My gmail addy's that I use for everything under the sun maybe get 3 a day - and not one has made it to my inbox.
Don't get me wrong, Comcast does a great job of providing a fast line, but everything else seems shady and unreliable. (mail, DNS, modems, cable rates, HD cable boxes etc) |
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NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| reply to dkeigley
said by dkeigley  :How would you port block only non-Comcast DNS servers? The same way that SBC, Bellsouth,Cox, et. al. block outbound port 25 to non-ISP servers, I would guess. But to what end, I can't imagine.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum |
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MrChupacabra
Premium
join:2003-03-26
Florida
·Bright House
| reply to Steely
I find this interesting. I have not heard of this email. I'll have something to check next time I go into work now.
Maybe one of these days when I get there I'll do something other than read web forums and look up stuff.
--
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction. --Albert Einstein |
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SychoSly
Love To Hate You
Premium
join:2004-01-22
Park Ridge, IL | reply to Steely
I would say it is for that welcome page you get when you don't pay your bill.
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~Sly
---
My Blog and Galleries |
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huziwhatsis
join:2004-03-11
Norwood, PA
| reply to Fluker
Could be a trivial CYA lawyer letter: 0wned peecees frequently query 0wned DNS servers to make stealing your data easy: why phish when you can transparent proxy? Heck they might be looking to actually help customers and prevent this by monitoring (not nesc blocking) foreign/remote servers.
Also, considering how DNS lookups are essential to performance and even more the perception of performance, they probably want to be sure people who bitch and moan aren't using far-away servers.
It is crazy how most BBR users appear to be paranoid and never look for the up sides. |
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MrChupacabra
Premium
join:2003-03-26
Florida
·Bright House
| reply to SychoSly
said by SychoSly :I would say it is for that welcome page you get when you don't pay your bill. No, you can specify your IP, gateway, subnet, dns, and dns suffix and we'll still knock you in walled garden(that welcome to comcast page) because we do it at the modem itself.
Behold the power of boot files!
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Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction. --Albert Einstein |
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