404 redirect "service"

thanks for nothing

[jo1ene]

I just discovered that my hosting service is selling the 404 redirects from their clients (eg. my clients and ME). I wouldn't be so offended except the way that I found out was not because of a 404.

I was checking files that I just uploaded for a potential client, when I just happened to be gazing at the status bar. It flashed "Transferring data from www.gottabeawidget.com". What a creepy feeling. No it was not a 404!

Besides the fact it's delaying my pages from loading by a about 5 seconds, I have to think they're collectiing some sort of information.

There's got to be a legal issue here. Waddya think?

[edited by: trillianjedi at 2:06 pm (utc) on Dec. 13, 2004]
[edit reason] Widgetized [/edit]

[Krapulator]

Demand that they cease this immediately. Otherwise, change hosts.

[jo1ene]

I'm definately changing hosts! Is this a popular behavior of hosting companies? Does anyone else think this is unscrupulous? Do any of you hosting folks out there do this?

[Romeo]

Have you checked for sure that this behavior is implemented on the server and not some spyware on your browser's side?

Regards,
R.

[jo1ene]

I checked by going to the "service's" web site to verify that they do indeed advertise such a "relationship" for web hosts. Then my husband checked it from a client's machine. It's definately the host.

[ritch_b]

If it's definitely the host, they need to resolve things very, very quickly. If they can't (or won't) then it's time to walk.

R.

[SEOMike]

I can't believe a host would have the audacity to do something like that. If it were me, I wouldn't ask a single question! I'd just walk. If they asked why, then I'd give them an earfull.

Even if they drop the 404 advertisements, would you want to keep doing business with a company that would do that in the first place?! Not me!