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Sean Kelly

Any AT&T fiber/DSL/etc. users out there?

HELP!

How do you turn off "DNS Error Assist"?

It's off according to the website, but made-up DNS names resolve to “143.244.220.150” and browsers end up at "dnserrorassist.att.net"

@nutjob4life I would start by looking at what DNS server the DSL/fiber modem is using (assuming you have access) and changing it to one of the alternate DNS servers. Unfortunately the only one I know off the top of my head is 8.8.8.8 which is Google (ugh)

If you -don't- have control over your modem because you're "renting" theirs, I'd get their list of compatible ones and buy your own.

Or I suppose the nuclear option is set up a pi-hole and sink any traffic to 143.244.220.150.

@wheeljack the DHCP lease from the fiber "modem" lists itself as the DNS resolver.

Switching to 1.1.1.1 and 9.9.9.9 (Cloudflare and Quad9) solves the problem for now.

However, @cadusilva mentioned DNS over several other transports that look interesting!

@nutjob4life I would bypass their DNS server. I know you can do this in macOS or any *nix—in your network settings just punch in 9.9.9.9 (Quad9) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

Better yet, if you have a router separate from your AT&T modem you can configure the DNS servers there (or point to a local caching server if you want to set that up).

@autolycus Thanks, that solved it.

The thing is, with their "DNS Error Assist" set to OFF, it was indeed off for a few days … and then it took effect again, today :blobcatshrug: