ISPs secretly hijacking search traffic to profit off customers

[Mousey]

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In a study released by a UC Berkeley research group, a group of Internet service providers in the United States are watching the keywords that a user types into a search engine and redirecting those users to the brand page to rack up affiliate revenue. While Charter claims to have stopped this behavior, companies involved include Frontier, Hughes, Insight Broadband, XO Communication, Cincinnati Bell, Megapath, Cavalier, DirecPC, Paetec, Cogent, RCN and Wide Open West. The study also identified a company called PaxFire that’s the middle man for this operation.

PaxFire watches and collects the search keywords that users type into search engines. Based off typical user behavior, they redirect the user to a brand page. For instance, if a user searches ......

 

[ksech]

Hmmmm, no wonder my Hughes bill is so expensive. It has to pay for someone to track my websurfing when I'm lucky enough to HAVE service...

 

[Mousey]

Hmmmm, no wonder my Hughes bill is so expensive. It has to pay for someone to track my websurfing when I'm lucky enough to HAVE service...

These ISPs (like Hughes) are affiliates so they get paid for you going to pages they bring up during searches. Maybe write to them and tell them you want a cut? LOL

 

[ksech]

Actually, better service would be more agreeable. Overcast skies, rain and snow wreak havoc on a satellite connection LOL You should see me in the winter in my bathrobe, boots and mittens on my 6 foot ladder with a broom taped to a 5 foot pole brushing the snow out of the dish so I can visit my favorite sites (I always provide the neighborhood entertainment!)
And they haven't invented cable where I live yet so DSL is out of the question.