Comcast playing favorites – redirecting DNS traffic back home?

If you like to tinker around with DNS servers and use ones other than your ISP’s default and happen to have Comcast as your ISP of choice, you may be running into some problems.  Comcast is being accused of playing favorites and intercepting DNS requests for servers other than their own in attempts to quell other providers from picking up any extra traffic.  Apparently Comcast is getting all blocky with UDP traffic bound for port 53 and redirecting to their very own meaning users who like to go it alone with either a 3rd party DNS server or even their very own will get absolutely no where.

While DNS hijacks are common for instances when users misspell URL’s, doing so simply to redirect traffic and is an unfortunate policy if it proves to be true.  Net Neutrality advocates obviously aren’t very happy as such practices are hardly in the best interests of consumers.  Not surprisingly, Comcast has so far ignored requests for comment on the matter signaling that they are in fact doing something shady.  While most users don’t care or mess with custom DNS servers, I’m sure that those who do just developed a lesser view of Comcast and their policies.  Oh well, speak with your wallet folks.

Source: Electronista, Slashdot, Image Source