Security: Rouge Diallers

A rouge dialler is a dialup internet connection - which changes your dialup connection without your knowledge. Sometimes, these connections can connect to the internet without you knowing. In most cases the rogue dialler will connect you to the Internet on Premium or International rate numbers with very high call charges.
BT has developed a free piece of software helping to stop these rouge diallers - more information is available on BT's website.

How do I stop a rouge dialler?

Rouge diallers are either installed in secret when you visit a particular website, or get infected with a virus. Sometimes they are installed by the internet user.
Some companies ask you to download diallers in order to access premium rate or restricted content, such as sports highlights, music downloads or sexually explicit material. After you have downloaded and run the dialler, it will disconnect your dial-up connection and re-connect your computer to a premium rate number.

You should always be suspicious of new download or installation requests if they are not expected, for example if you are just browsing web pages when a download request appears.

Because a rouge dialer requires access to your telephone line, they are only a concern if you access the Internet using a dial-up connection, such as a pay as you go, or unmetered connection. Broadband users do not need to use a dialup modem to access the internet, and should remove any cables connected to a telephone point. However, if you do still use dialup - you should make sure that when connecting to our service on pay as you go, the dialled number begins 0845, whilst unmetered users should look for 0808.

What else can I do?

You can also prevent rouge diallers from operating by making sure that you keep your anti virus program kept up to date.

If you have a BT phone line, you can activate a Call Barring service by calling 150 from your phone. The feature allows you to block International and Premium rate numbers from your phone by entering a unique pin number. When Call Barring is enabled, requests from potential rogue diallers to connect to the Internet using premium rate numbers will be blocked. BT may charge for this service.

BT has also developed a free piece of software helping to stop these rouge diallers - more information is available on BT's website


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