Comcast & OpenDNS hijack Browse By Name
This thread has more details about Google's Browse By Name https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/790755
Every now and then I support friends/family/clients that are on Comcast or were Geek Squadded into OpenDNS. I try to keep my clients on Firefox for it's robustness and security.
There is a growing problem with both services, they hijack Firefox's Browse By Name integration and insert the query into their own search engines. Its more of a hassle/nuisance, but it just doesn't sit right with me.
I found an OpenDNS thread on this issue- http://forums.opendns.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=158
Any thoughts on how to bypass the evilness when having to work on both networks?
All Replies (4)
The only way to prevent such a DNS hijack is to change the DNS servers to ones that do not redirect automatically in case of a look up failure.
It's technically not a lookup failure, I used the word hijack because it's Comcast and Opendns stealing the Google BBN searches. I've witnessed DNS hijacking of hacked websites, it's not pretty.
Depending on where I am, it may take some time to modify DNS settings on a computer, whether it be because of admin lockdown, virus, user error, or some strange unknown bug...
Sometimes I am talking to people over the phone without visual aid from Teamviewer. So it's much easier to tell them where to go in Firefox to fix the search rather than explain in detail how to change their DNS settings.
So, how do I configure the Fox to force BBN? (no matter what DNS server I'm connected to)
If I understand you correctly, I've run into this issue myself. Fortunately, someone out there has created an add on to mitigate this situation, without altering the DNS servers:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/feeling-lucky-fixer/
If the DNS servers of your ISP automatically redirect you then that extension doesn't help you because in such a case Firefox doesn't get notified that the requested URL doesn't exist and can't try other possibilities.