[Hidden-tech] Web URL hijack

[hiddentec at p98n.com]

On Nov 7, 2007, at 11:09 PM, Charles Uchu Strader wrote:

> I wonder if your URL hijack issue has to do with Verizon's new  
> "service":
>
> Verizon Overrides Internet Searches With Its Own Results

I don't think so. I just tried browsing to a non-existing domain  
(using Verizon DSL) and a Verizon/Yahoo! search page comes up.  
There's an "About this Page" link there as well, which says the  
following. Basically, they're showing you their search results (and  
ads) instead of letting your web browser show its generic "domain not  
found" message.


--------------------------------------------
About the Search Results Page

You reached the preceding search results page because Verizon is  
using specific Domain Name Service (DNS) Servers to look up domain  
names. These DNS Servers eliminate dead-end "no such name" error  
pages you can encounter as you surf the web. This search service is  
designed to make your web surfing experience more productive. No  
software was installed on your computer for this service to work.

•  What is DNS
All Web sites have an address that consists of a series of numbers  
separated by periods, such as 153.39.1.1. This is known as an IP  
address. Most Web sites also have a domain name (such as  
www.verizon.net) associated with their IP address. With DNS, users  
don't have to type the complicated IP address into their browser's  
address bar; instead, they can type the domain name. DNS then acts  
like a real-time phonebook, looking up the name entered and  
translating it into the numbers that the computer recognizes so that  
the desired Web site can be displayed.

•  Would you like to opt out of this service?
If you would like to opt out of this service and you are a FIOS  
Internet subscriber, please click here.

If you would like to opt out of this service and you are a High Speed  
Internet subscriber, please click here.