Computer Warning

[billybandit]

just had this come from my isp:

ntl would like to warn all customers about the risk of inadvertently loading premium rate phone dialler software onto your computer. This software could reconfigure your computer to dial a premium rate number to connect you to the internet, or cause your computer to dial other premium rate numbers without your permission, resulting in large phone bills.

This problem mainly affects dial-up internet customers, but can also affect broadband customers if you leave your phone line plugged into your computer.

Whilst there are legitimate uses for dialler software applications, many are designed to be downloaded and installed without your consent and to connect to premium rate telephone services, sometimes costing as much as £1.50 per minute, without your knowledge.

How to tell if you are affected

You should thoroughly check your phone bill for any 09 premium rate numbers, and check your dialler settings to make sure there are no unrecognised dial-ups set up. These can be found by going into Internet Options on your Control Panel, and clicking on the "Connections" tab or by searching for "Dial-up Networking" in Windows Help.

[cheekyfutch]

You can also go to www.lavasoft.de and download 'Ad-aware' which basically scans your HD for any known spyware stuff including diallers and so forth. Good piece of software.

Oh, and if you're on broadband, you need to get some firewall software. ZoneAlarm Personal is free and is probably your best bet.

[LennyLexus]

Cheers Al, works a treat :D

[cheekyfutch]

Good thing about it is that even with the free version, you can update it to include any new variations of spyware/diallers that are created. If you decide to purchase the product, it then upgrades it so that it runs in the background and stops the rogue cookies/diallers/spyware from even saving to your PC in the first place. :D