Why is ping resolving to an IP 198.105.254.228 for any random hostname that i type?
Solution 1:
Because your ISP is hijacking your DNS queries.
They are trying to be "helpful" by redirecting requests for nonexistent domains to a white label service that provides search results and advertising, from which everyone but you gets a cut of the revenue.
Fortunately they do have a preferences page where you can supposedly turn it off.