Modem hijacking, Modem Dialers, Internet Damping
Modem hijacking occurs when a hijacker's Web site invites you to follow simple instructions to access their information. Once you accept the Web site's Terms and Conditions, a computer file accesses the communications software on your computer and sets up dial-up access on your modem to redial phone numbers that you didn't intend to call. These phone numbers are often located in foreign countries, resulting in long distance charges and/or connection fees being billed to the victim.
Tips to help protect you from modem hijacking:
Carefully read the disclaimers (dialogue boxes), the Terms and Conditions and any warnings within those Terms and Conditions, before downloading information from the Web. This may save you from incurring unanticipated long distance charges.
If you have a high-speed Internet (e.g. ADSL, Cable Modem) modem and/or a fax modem, disconnect (unplug) your Internet and/or fax modem if you do not need it.
If you have dial-up Internet using a second line, have TELUS add full toll restrictions to your line.
Take extreme caution when downloading or entering unknown Web sites.
Review your network and dial-up connections and remove any connections that you are not familiar with, and verify the phone numbers that are being called.
If you have multiple login IDs on your computer (e.g. parents and children), apply restrictions based on those login IDs (e.g. deny children access to installing and downloading software without your permission).
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