If you're concerned about Premium Diallers (or Dialers), here's our quick guide to what they are, how to avoid them and where to get help.
What's A Premium Dialler?
Premium Diallers are bits of software that install on your PC, often without your knowledge, then dial premium rate or international phone numbers to connect to the internet.
They were originally developed by website publishers as a way of making money online. Premium Diallers are prevalent on adult sites and sites carrying pirated material such as music, films and software.
Premium Diallers only affect computers that have a dial-up modem connected to a phone line. Broadband users are therefore safe, unless they also have a dial-up modem connected to the phone line.
If you don't take precautions, you may only realise you've got a Premium Dialler infection when your phone bill arrives (check it closely for 09 numbers).
How Do I Prevent Them?
There are several key practices to help avoid you falling foul of the Premium Dialler scammers.
- Be vigilant. If you visit seedy-looking websites, even by accident, be wary of any pop-ups or requests to install software. Pressing the Ctrl + W keys is the safest way to close unwanted windows. If you're in doubt, you can close your browser down immediately by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del, select Task Manager, Applications, highlight your browser program and click End Task.
- Install security software and keep it up to date – you'll find links to free anti-virus, firewall, pop-up blocker and anti-spyware software here.
- If you use Windows, keep it up to date by visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Windows XP users should download Service Pack 2 from Microsoft immediately. You should also keep your web browser security levels at their default settings.
- Contact your telephone provider and ask them to put a bar on premium rate numbers. BT bars premium rate numbers for free, but charges £1.50 a month to also ban international calls. A flexible service, where you can override the ban with a PIN number is available from BT for £1.75 a month. Telewest and NTL offer similar services.
I'm A Victim, What Can I Do About It?
Here's what you can do if a Premium Dialler has infected your computer:
- Contact ICSTIS (www.icstis.org or call 0800 500 212 Mon-Fri 09:00 to 16:00) and report your phone number to them. From here they will investigate your claim for you.
- Get in touch with your phone provider and let them know. They may still require you to pay the phone bill, but may give you more time to pay. You could ask them to bar premium numbers or to temporarily suspend your account to stop any further problems.
Welcome to Web User magazine's online home, where you'll find
news, reviews and a buzzing forum.
For the best websites, practical advice and the latest music and film downloads every fortnight, get Web User,
the UK’s best selling internet magazine.
Web User Essential Guide: Premium Diallers
What's A Premium Dialler?
RSS Feed
Claire Woffenden, Editor
