BT goes after Rogue Diallers Again

Paul K · 15-03-2005, 17:11

Quote:

BT is trying yet again to crack down on rogue diallers by introducing new software that will stop computers from dialling premium rate numbers. It's commissioned a small UK-based independent software company to develop a system to prevent PCs from dialling expensive numbers.

Although BT won't reveal the name of the company, the UK phone giant says trials of the Modem Protection software in Northern Ireland have proved successful. Now it intends to make the software available for free to all of its punters by May - regardless of which ISP they use.

BT Modem Protection will block PCs from dialling costly premium rate or international numbers - even if rogue dialler software is installed on machines. Punters will also be warned if their modem begins to dial any number other than a list of approved numbers, such as those used by their ISP. Another idea BT has up its sleeve is to notify punters if it spots spikes in phone charges that could signify that they're the target of phone fraud.

Wonder how long before someone takes them to court for infringing their human rights to earn a living

__________________

Oh and there's more info Here

Quote:

BT is introducing two initiatives to help beat rogue dialler scams, which can cost dial-up net users thousands.

From May, dial-up net users will be able to download free software to stop computers using numbers not on a user's "pre-approved list".

Inadvertently downloaded by surfers, rogue diallers are programs which hijack modems and dial up a premium rate number when users log on.

Thousands of UK dial-up users are believed to have been hit by the scam.

Some people have faced phone bills of up to ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£2,000.

BT's Modem Protection program will check numbers that are dialled by a computer and will block them if they have not been pre-approved, such as national and net service provider numbers.

danielf · 15-03-2005, 17:14

A good move by BT imo. I just wonder how long it will take before diallers start emerging that disable the software...

The last suggestion (notify customers if the bill increases) sounds like the best option to me.

Paul K · 15-03-2005, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

A good move by BT imo. I just wonder how long it will take before diallers start emerging that disable the software...

The last suggestion (notify customers if the bill increases) sounds like the best option to me.

Anything that causes problems for these freeloading scammers is good in my book. Maybe if it cost them money now and then they would think twice before doing it again.

Stuart · 15-03-2005, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Wonder how long before someone takes them to court for infringing their human rights to earn a living

Opera Telecom (hopefully no relation to the browser) is already doing that... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/22/bt_court_case/

Good move on BT's part. Having said that, I have found the best protection against premium rate dialler software is to not use a modem.

15-03-2005, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

Opera Telecom (hopefully no relation to the browser) is already doing that... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/22/bt_court_case/

Doesn't surprise me from Opera Telecom:

http://www.icstis.org.uk/icstis2002/...node=74&id=160

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/bulletins/co...w_768/?a=87101

But they certainly seem to have their fingers in MANY pies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

Good move on BT's part. Having said that, I have found the best protection against premium rate dialler software is to not use a modem.

The uptake of broandband must eventually make this kind of business unattractive. Wonder what they'll move on to then.

deadite66 · 15-03-2005, 19:11

the government should do something usefull with our money for a change and run some adverts telling ppl to keep patched up and run antivirus and firewalls

15-03-2005, 20:47

Not usually a Microsoft Fanboy.... but -

http://www.microsoft.com/spyware

I have found this to be really good, my mate at work was gonna reformat his hdd and reload everything because his pc was running way slow, he ran this and it removed all the spyware / diallers etc and now it runs ok...

It's free as well...

Paul K · 15-03-2005, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Not usually a Microsoft Fanboy.... but -

http://www.microsoft.com/spyware

I have found this to be really good, my mate at work was gonna reformat his hdd and reload everything because his pc was running way slow, he ran this and it removed all the spyware / diallers etc and now it runs ok...

It's free as well...

We know, the beta syware tool and the new malware removal tool are both listed on the forum

The anti-spyware seems to work well
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...32&postcount=1
and the virus removal tool is useful if you have to try and sort an infected system out
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...04&postcount=1

15-03-2005, 22:37

Glad to hear *everyone* already knew about it...

scrotnig · 15-03-2005, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

The last suggestion (notify customers if the bill increases) sounds like the best option to me.

ntl already do this via the so-named 'high toll' team.

if an account 'spikes' like that, they call the customer, if they can't get hold of them they block the account as a precaution, this usually prompts a call in, at which the situation is explained.

Most people understand and are grateful for the diligence.

If it turns out the spike is genuine and the customer is aware, the service is restored, though if it's an absolutely massive amount they may ask for a part payment first.

Paul K · 15-03-2005, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Glad to hear *everyone* already knew about it...

We do try and be informative

Those that miss the announcements normally get pointed in the right direction at some point

We're nice like that

15-03-2005, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

We do try and be informative

Those that miss the announcements normally get pointed in the right direction at some point

We're nice like that

Sorry, new around here... (posting anyway...) not looking for trouble...

Paul K · 15-03-2005, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

We do try and be informative

Those that miss the announcements normally get pointed in the right direction at some point

We're nice like that

Sorry, new around here... (posting anyway...) not looking for trouble...

That's ok

Just pulling ya leg

We don't mind those sort of posts as it reminds those that missed the release first time round. Better safe than sorry

15-03-2005, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

That's ok

Just pulling ya leg

We don't mind those sort of posts as it reminds those that missed the release first time round. Better safe than sorry

And there was me thinking I had p***** you all off...

Now THAT would be something new!!!

Paul K · 15-03-2005, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

That's ok

Just pulling ya leg

We don't mind those sort of posts as it reminds those that missed the release first time round. Better safe than sorry

And there was me thinking I had p***** you all off...

Now THAT would be something new!!!

Nah, you'd need asbestos trousers if you had P'd us off

We'd rather people get gentle reminders on a regular basis that those tools (and others) are out there instead of having to try and repair the damage after the fact

Spyware, trojans, diallers etc all suck and we do as much as possible to raise peoples awareness of the importance of being as well protected as possible on the net.