Rogue Diallers: BT Solution

Rogue dialers are programs that can unknowingly be downloaded from websites to your computer and may result in your dial-up number being changed to a premium rate number, giving you far higher phone bills.

BT has released a program that will help protect your computer from such scams while you are using your dial-up connection. It is free and can be obtained from http://www.bt.com/btprivacyonline/

The software will automatically launch each time you start your computer. It will monitor the Internet dial-up connection and alert you when unauthorised users attempt to dial restricted numbers. Note: the BT software does not stop the call.

The scam does not apply to users with Broadband connections, except if you have converted your original telephone line into a Broadband connection and have not disconnected your old modem. (Calls can still be made through the old modem and telephone line.)