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We're having a wierd thing going on here at work. We have 25 or so
computers (PCs and Macs). Nobody can log onto msn.com. We get
redirected to a page that lists a bunch of insurance company web sites.
We've checked for viruses, but nothing. And it doesn't make any
difference if you're on a Mac or PC. Any thoughts?
Craig S.

Can you get to the correct page from home?

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Hi Pat,
I didn't try, but one of the other employees tried at home with the same
result. It appears to be tied to Google's AdSense program that's supposed
to boost on line ad traffic, but I can't confirm that. It seems others are
complaining about this too. I clearly don't know enough about any of this
to figure out what's going on.

It seems your computers have been hijacked. Try running your anti virus and anti spyware programs in safe mode (restart the computer and keep hitting F8 until you get a list of start options). You will probably have to try several different anti spyware programs. I use Ad-Aware, Spybot SD and Windows defender. This only works for the PCs. I'm not sure about the Macs...you do have anti virus on those, right?

I just tried msn.com and had no problems, so it must be something local to you.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Thanks Joe. This should be fun!!!!!!
Craig

I just tried and no problems from Montana. Could be something wrong with one of the Domain Name Servers in your area...

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
OR
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Thanks Mark,
You're on the right track -- DNS. The problem is now solved for the PCs. I
changed network settings from having the DNS server(s) address
manually entered to "find DNS servers automatically" and once again I can
log onto MSN and a couple of other sites (like hotmail) that couldn't be
accessed before. I can't seem to resolve it on the Mac side. OS X doesn't
have a similar setting and requires a DNS address be present, otherwise I
can't access anything at all. I need to call my network guru friend to bail
me out on this one.

Craig,

Macs don't require DNS addresses either, though I seem to have better luck if I do specify addresses.

Here's how to set it to automatic.
System Preferences
   Network
     Built-in Ethernet
        Configure Button
                TCP/IP
About 2/3 of the way down the TCP/IP page you'll see a window titled "DNS Servers". Clear out the address or addresses there. Click the Apply Now button in the lower right corner. You're done.

edit: The above is for 10.4. I don't recall, but 10.3 might be a little different. Let me know and I can look at a 10.3 Mac at work today.

edit: 10.3 is the same.burbank38930.5512037037

_________________
now known around here as Pat Foster
_________________
http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks Pat,
but that's exactly where the problem lies. If I don't have any DNS IP
address specified neither the browser nor the mail program will work. I'm
now thinking something else is influencing it -- like our firewall? I guess I
need to dig into the bowels of the firewall again. Ugh!
Thanks again,
Craig S.

Craig,

Yeah, must be something on your network, since mine works fine here at the university where I work, without specified addresses.

_________________
now known around here as Pat Foster
_________________
http://www.patfosterguitars.com