Gentlemen:
Apologies for taking so long to get back...
Yes, the aliases "service.spynet.com"
and "download.spynet.com" (actual name is
ad.spynet.microsoft.akadns.net) resolve to address
207.46.236.25. However, I *was* getting "server not
found" messages when downloading MS AntiSpyware definition
updates. 216.32./14 is blocked. I did the following to
enable MS AntiSpyware definition downloads:
1. Through this forum, found out that MS AntiSpyware uses
spynet (it is *not* obvious within the MS AntiSpyware
program the source of the definition download).
2. Did a nslookup for spynet.com - which yeilds
216.32.240.29
3. Put a white pass for "ip host 216.32.240.29"
I could then successfully download MS AntiSpyware
definition updates.
CONCLUSIONS:
A block of 216.32./14 affects the latest verion of MS
AntiSpyware's definition download. If your service
provider, personal firewall, or company blocks this domain
you will experience download problems.
Also note that Savvis owns the the IP block 216.32./14 -
and spynet.com rents space within... and yes, MS has a
history of cooperating with data miner spyware companies
in the gathering of user information (Alexia and the IE6
refresh for example) - information which is sold at a
profit to SPAMMERS, et Al. - which more than offsets the
cost of (and in my opinion, very good) "free" software.
-MikeR
-----Original Message-----
MikeR said:
The spynet.com domain is part of Savvis - which often
hosts SPAM, et Al. spynet.com's address is: 216.32.240.29.
How big is the spynet.com domain?
Is it just 216.32.240.29?
service.spynet.com and download.spynet.com (where all the updates come from)
translate to 207.46.236.25 which is registered to Microsoft.
--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
(e-mail address removed)
.