BT is giving protection against fraudsters who hijack dial-up Internet connections and redirect them to premium rate telephone numbers.
The telco announced on Tuesday that is giving away a software application to combat the problem of rogue diallers, which has already cost UK computer users hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The software, called BT Modem Protection, will stop a PC from dialling a premium rate telephone number unless the number has been included it in a list of 'approved numbers'. This should stop dialler software, which can be secretly installed on a PC and used to connect to the Web via premium numbers rather than their ISP's dial-up number. Often the user will only discover the problem when their next bill from BT arrives.
BT is also launching an early-warning system that will alert customers if an unusually expensive call is made from their number, or if calls are made to parts of the world notorious for operating the dialler scam.
BT's move has been welcomed by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS), which regulates commercial telephone services.
"This is really good news," said an ICSTIS spokeswoman. "We’ve been pushing for this for quite some time."
A BT spokesman confirmed that the software will be available to all of its phone customers, even if they use an ISP other than BT Retail. Broadband users who do not have a dial-up modem connected are not affected by rogue diallers.
Talkback
big deal, these people should be given incentives to upgrade to broadband where this stuff doesn't happen
I got burned by a dialer soon after my first internet connection went online. That was BT but I haven't had any of the same problems with Tiscali.
OK sounds good so where do I get it from - no sign on the bt.com site?
Is this really a problem that needs another application? Although I only use a PC when I have to, doesn't Windows allow the DUN config to be set to require user input to dial? You can then just check the number before initiating connection.
Its very easy and doesn't need anything special at all - or do these dialler apps actually overide that as wel?
From memory modifying DUN is very difficult, as MS doesn't allow developers access to DUN via and API to do really useful things like add a dial list for international roaming with Compuserve, AOL or a corporate VPN - keeping this for proprietary advantage?
Brian
Nothing's for free...but don't blame BT.
They want you online as often and as long as possible.
It's made easy for the lowest common denominator to spend money.
We are all now suffering on their behalf.
Brian's right - "It's very easy"
From IExplorer...Tools/Options/Connections "Never dial a connection"
This should stop most auto-dial software and allows you to check the number being dialled.
If you can't be bothered, then pay up AND shut up.
The internet is a playground and bullies WILL nick your sweets.
If it looks too good to be true, it probably aint.
Please, resist the urge to press every pretty button in sight.
You may be safer and our bills would be lower.
That option change in Internet Explorer won't work. Most of these things include their own dialling software. In fact, it's holes in Internet Explorer that allow these things to get on your computer.
If you want real protection, not just from dialers but other trojans and spyware, get a firewall - www.zonealarm.com for a free one and STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER! Go to www.mozilla.org and download Firefox, also for free. It's faster, smaller, fuller-featured, more standard-compliant and safer.
Nice if you live in an area where broadband is even enabled. Or maybe you think that is a "big deal" too and we should all simply move house? Try to get out a bit more, Samuel.
I went to BT.com and typed 'rogue dialler' into the search engine and got this http://www.bt.com/btprivacyonline/
How difficult is that exactly?
I got burned by the new breed of 0871 dialers! Not quite as expensive as thier 09 big brothers but still a bit of a stinger! However, I have contacted BT who have frozen all payments and have vowed to investigate this problem before insisting on any payment.
It seemed to make a difference by 'knowing what I was talking about'.
Make sure you insist that you have fallen victim to a 'rogue dialler'.
Heres hoping.....