So, odd thing happening on my computer today. When I type a site that I can’t get to, I don’t get my ordinary IE ‘page not found’ bullcrap. No. I get a search page from my service provider, with suggestions and a search box. Now, I’m set up with my connection feeding through a couple of routers and then I’ve got a software firewall on this box, plus auto-updating is turned off. How the fuck did they manage this?
Two words: Proxy Server. Same principle as what happens in a hotel room – you navigate somewhere but are presented with the login screen for the hotel. Your ISP is simpy capturing all search traffic bound for Google and aiming it at their own page.
Ah. Thanks. Now it makes sense…technically. Still, pisses me off a mite ethically, tho.