The software warns customers if their computer connects to a ‘rogue’ dialer where their modem is redialed from their local ISP number to an international or premium number costing the individual or business more money.
This happens without the customer’s knowledge, and with 400,000 consumers and businesses in Ireland using dialup Internet connection, modem hijacking is a serious risk.
Since BT tested the software initiative in Northern Ireland in May, the number of reported incidents to BT has dropped from 500 a month to 60 a month. Currently, up to 2000 customers a day are downloading the software in the North and the UK.
BT Modem Protection alerts customers if their dial up modem begins to dial any number other than that on a list of ‘approved numbers’. When a website, changes the dialup number without the users knowledge, an alert will follow.
Some legitimate websites use alternate dialup numbers as a form of payment for access to their site’s contents instead of paying by credit card. The software will not stop people from accessing these sites as it only acts as a warning system.
The offenders are not easily tracked because of the nature of the countries they operate from like the South Pacific Islands. They buy up a range of numbers and reroute the call so it looks like it came from Europe. When people connect, they are charged international rates to these far away countries with the extra money ending up in the culprit’s pockets.
Modem hijacking is not new but has become more of a problem in the past two years. Last year, ComReg, the EU electronic communications regulator, worked with operators from different countries to find a solution. At the end of the year, they had compiled a list of the highest ascending countries and asked fixed line operators to ban dialling to those countries. People or businesses wishing to call these countries had to make a specific request.
The level of modem hijacking dropped, but because of various complaints, the idea was dropped two months later although ComReg was happy with the new level of consumer awareness, a key factor in the fight against this sort of fraud.
BT are continuing the fight and will continued develop software to combat unwanted dialling.
“There is a distinct possibility that there will be an improved version, I would hope, within the next six to nine months which will actually cease the call,” said Ian Cloran, Revenue Assurance Manager at BT Ireland.
Eircom receive about 30 complaints a month in relation to modem hijacking and recommend a variety of software and hardware package but do not offer any software themselves.
BT Modem Protection is available to all consumers (not only BT customers), for free at www.btireland.ie/modemprotection
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