Web Address Assistance Trial
Karoo has implemented a DNS system for error traffic that re-directs some error traffic to a search engine results page. This Web Address Assistance service helps you find what you are looking for more effectively. No software is installed on your computer for this service to work.
When you type an unknown website address into your address bar and KC’s DNS servers cannot resolve the error, we re-direct the traffic to a search engine results page, so that you can find what you are looking for more easily.
If you typed an unknown website address (URL) you would have got an error message like this:
With the new service you will receive results like this, when you mistype a website address that does not exist:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the trial changed search providers?
The 1st phase of the trial was with ‘ASK’® and we are now trialling with ‘infospace’® . We expect that the ‘infospace’® results will provide more useful information when redirecting customer queries.
What software are you using for the service?
Nominum® have been providing us with a CNS product for a number of years. Nominum® have recently extended the functionality of their CNS product to provide web error redirection. The new product is called Nominum Vantio NXR.
How does it work?
When a browser issues a DNS request for a mistyped domain and the authoritative servers return an NXDOMAIN error, DNS redirects the user to a provider-hosted search site. The objective of Web error redirection is to send the user to a helpful page with relevant information that helps them reach intended Web destinations quickly and easily. Before redirecting any NXDOMAIN errors, our DNS applies configurable filters allowing complete control over redirection behaviour.
What is and isn’t being redirected?
The software is designed to re-direct non-existent website addresses without disrupting non-web applications. The service does not interfere with anti-spam blacklist databases or non-web based applications like FTP. The table below lists examples of different types of traffic that may generate NXDOMAIN errors.
Traffic type Example Is this re-directed?
| Types other than A, AAA, ANY | SOA, TXT,MX, PTR, etc | No |
| Anti-spam blacklist databases | 186.64.200.81.sbl.spamhaus.org | No |
| Non-Web and non-mail applications | FTP | No |
| Errors from non-existent domains | www.eeebbbay.co.uk | Yes |
Can I opt-out of the service?
Yes. All you need to do is change your default DNS settings. We have provided DNS servers without this service. The alternative DNS addresses are: 212.50.160.38 & 213.249.130.101
DNS Assistance Opt-Out Guide:
If you are using a Router, please choose your instructions from the list below:
For the Netgear router click here.
For the Zyxel router click here.
If you are using a modem, please choose your instructions from the list below:
For Windows Vista click here.
For Windows XP click here.
For Windows 2000 click here.
For Windows MAC OSX click here.
