NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Re: DNS Redirection: The Plot Thickens
The mention of http: is very important since that's another insidious form of denial of Internet. As Esme Vos pointed out you can't use your Nintendo with "Free Wi-Fi" services because they require a browser to simply setup a connection. This is pervasive and far worse than blocking a few P2P packets - it shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the Internet and leaves you with some web access but no ability to use the Internet itself in ways that don't reflect the presumption that the Internet is just another TV channel. Once again we see the danger in depending on those who not only don't understand but are most threatened by the Internet control over our connectivity. What could be more foolish. This goes to Richard Bennett's defense of Comcast -- after all, they are protecting http against P2P because we all know ... As a related add-on to my 911 comments the Boston Globe has an article about a change to the 911 procedure -- Boston reuses the same street names in each community and often police get dispatched to the wrong instance. They will now send cars to multiple places just in case. What will it take to get people to understand rich signaling. Let's demand Internet connectivity not more of that Ole Tyme Web. -----Original Message----- From: nnsquad-bounces+nnsquad=bobf.frankston.com@nnsquad.org [mailto:nnsquad-bounces+nnsquad=bobf.frankston.com@nnsquad.org] On Behalf Of Lauren Weinstein Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 16:46 To: nnsquad@nnsquad.org Cc: lauren@vortex.com Subject: [ NNSquad ] DNS Redirection: The Plot Thickens Well, responses continue to arrive from my query regarding DNS redirection/diversion experiences. Frankly, I'm receiving enough conflicting data at this point regarding "non-standard" DNS behavior (for TW, Verizon, and now HughesNet) that really definitive statements regarding any of these will need to wait for a bit at least. A few facets seem clear though. ISPs are rapidly deploying DNS diversion "services" of various forms, sometimes as part of site filtering services, but more often clearly as a monetization tool to divert users to ISP-partnered search sites. The techniques being employed to this end seem to vary significantly, as do opt-out procedures (when the latter are available -- these sometimes involve setting a browser cookie, which of course would not be effective for non-http applications). The ability to set client DNS settings directly to effectively bypass these systems also appears to vary, and this is among the most conflicting of the reports I've received so far on this topic. ISPs also appear to vary widely in their willingness to publicize the extent to which opt-outs are available, and in some cases are seemingly providing incorrect information (e.g. Verizon, who apparently recently removed the most visible pages explaining this, and whose tech support is reportedly providing different callers with wildly different stories about the DNS situation). Also, in all cases that I've learned of so far, these "services" have been implemented on a default, rather than opt-in basis, and there are obviously many confused and upset subscribers attempting to puzzle these issues out for themselves in various public forums. More info to come, as warranted ... --Lauren-- NNSquad Moderator