Most ISPs out there have now implemented some form of DNS advertising redirection, which redirects users who type in nonexistent or misspelled URLs to an ISP-branded search portal. The technology allows ISPs to create an additional revenue stream off of your lousy typing. Some ISPs have at least done a good job implementing the technology, giving users "clean" DNS servers, some extra DSL tools, and working opt-out mechanisms. Others haven't, implementing opt out solutions that are cookie-based and often just don't work very well, rushing right for the cash reward without offering consumer value.

Windstream implemented DNS redirection ads back in 2008, and only after some complaining from our users did they offer users clean DNS servers. Since then however, Windstream's DNS redirection appears to have gotten rather ambitious, and according to user posts in our Windstream forum, has started hijacking Firefox Google toolbar results -- even if users are using OpenDNS or an alternative DNS provider. Says one Windstream representative in our forums:Sure; normally, Windstream users should be able to opt out via this link, which will prevent users from hitting the search portal. Except that if a user isn't using Windstream's DNS servers -- they shouldn't be seeing this problem at all. That means that there's something particularly bizarre going on that goes well beyond traditional DNS redirections. "I would say that it not behaving as a DNS redirect should," understates one Windstream representative.

Update A Windstream employee stops by the comments below to note that a fix should be applied tonight:It goes to reason that if users are using the Google toolbar for search they'd want Google results, yes? Implementing this kind of change without informing consumers is such a bad idea, we have to assume it was an accident.

Update 2: Windstream says they've fixed the problem, though it still remains unclear whether this was a "feature" or a bug.