Avast WEBforum
Other => General Topics => Topic started by: YoKenny on July 11, 2009, 10:41:24 AM
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Comcast Embraces URL Hijacking
Typosquatting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typosquatting, sometimes called URL Hijacking is a nefarious practice of registering a domain so that when someone makes a mistake in typing in a URL the result is a page they were not looking for. For example, if I was an unscrupulous competitor I might register the domain www.esey.com and try to sell a product different than ESET’s products. If you go to www.esey.com you will find that it is a search page. If you click on a link then someone is going to make money. Sometimes people register these domains to try to sell to companies, and sometimes it is to install malicious software when you type wrong. It is important to check your spelling in the URL! There is one very old example of typosquatting I absolutely love. The web site www.untied.com is a site with complaints about United Airlines. I found it when I typed untied instead of united. I always appreciated finding that site!
http://www.eset.com/threat-center/blog/?p=1300
If you aren't already, switch your Comcast (and any others, for those of you not with Comcast) DNS servers to OpenDNS;
www.opendns.com
Yes OpenDNS also redirect 404's, but the difference is, they're up front about it, and you can turn it off with the unticking of a box (they're also not charging you for using their services).
http://hphosts.blogspot.com/2009/07/comcast-using-unethical-tactics-to.html
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Comcast is pushing this crapp like crazy. I've already told them to stop spamming me.
Most customers probably think Comcast is doing them a favor. >:(