November 12, 2007
Prediction: DNS will be an ISP profit center, and a free alternative
Time Warner was recently in the news for implementing this practice, with Embarq and RCN quickly following their lead. I expect every ISP will soon be monetizing their DNS service in the near future by redirecting page not found errors to link farms and ad pages. There could be an upside. DNS servers have traditionally been the last to be upgraded at ISP’s since DNS performance has never been a marketable asset. Then again, there was no need to upgrade just to redirect page not found errors. Perhaps better and faster DNS servers will come with the change.
We mentioned last week that Time Warner Cable would be joining the growing ranks of ISPs that use DNS redirection in order to create a revenue stream out of misspelled URLs. Our users are also confirming that Embarq is at least testing the service in a few markets, redirecting users to this search portal. We’re trying to confirm with RCN that they’re testing the technology as well. (from Broadband Reports)
If this annoys you, then you’ll be happy to know there is a very easy work around. The good news is you are not locked into your ISP’s DNS. You can switch DNS from you ISP’s default to Open DNS by setting up an account at opendns.com. It’s possible to configure individual computers and most routers with easy to understand instructions, or the more tech savvy can just change to the open DNS name servers at 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Changing back is just as simple if you’re not happy with the results.
I have been using Open DNS in my residence for more than 2 years because the performance is far better plus it enables me to filter certain content I would rather no have coming into my home (visit their site for more info). Fair warning: Open DNS DOES redirect page not found to a monetized page. I am however convinced that I am getting something in return in better performance and more utility.
Taking paid website hosting such as ipowerweb costs you more particularly if your business is not giving you enough revenues. Though web server of a paid hosting is dedicated in terms of serving heavy traffic flow, but of course, from buying a domain to paying for the hosting; you’re spending on your website.
Filed under DNS, tech tips by Garry King
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Comments on Prediction: DNS will be an ISP profit center, and a free alternative »
Our readers ought to know a few additional details. By the rules of the IANA a domain registrant must provide IP addresses to 2 name servers. (Actually can be one with a spoofed second IP but it’s technically frowned on.) But an end user has no restriction. As a consequence it is possible to have 3 or more name server references listed in the name space table for either linux or Windows. Just add the the OpenDNS entries in the appropriate fields of your router or gateway. Bam! You just increased your redundancy by 100%.
Dr Dog is confusing authoritative servers for a domain registration with client DNS resolvers. OpenDNS is one option, as is just running your own local resolver. Several
of these access providers who are using these attempts at
monetizing are also still running real servers, you just
will be getting their greed-inspired ones by default. Asking
the technical support would be good.
Whatever you plan to use, at least ping or traceroute toward
them to egt an estimate of the latency to the remote servers.
Almost everything you do online requires one or more DNS lookups, so the milliseconds will add up. If you are
thinking of changing your resolvers, avoid ones that are
across a country or an ocean!
Time Warner and Road Runner Attempting to Monetize by Hijacking @ 3:09 pm
[...] we go again. Third Pipe predicted it and now it’s happening. Time Warner, is now using their Road Runner internet service, is attempting to monetize typo [...]