| Quick Question about spyware dialers Can people with broadband be affected by dialers? |
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| You can be "infected", but it won't do much since it'll need a dialup modem to execute. And if you have a modem connected to a phone line even for emergency purposes, then you can be infected and the dialer will execute. For me, having a Satellite connection, I do have a modem connected to the phone, even with a 2-WAY system, in case of emergencies, when I need to use my modem to connect to the Net during times when Satellite goes out or if I need to download software that requires a static public IP address.
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Earthlink/Direcway SRS - DW4000 | ver. 4.2.1.10 | Proxy/Port 83 | G4R | 970 | Dell Dimension 4550 - WinXP Pro SP1 - 768MB Ram |ZA+ 4.5 | AVG 7.0 - Resident | Bit Defender 7.1 Free - On-Demand |TDS-3 | Ad-Aware | SpyBot S&D | MailWasher Pro |
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| reply to GiantCow
excuse me butting in on this thread, but am I right in thinking that with a broadband connection if did get hijacked to a premium rate website there is noway you can be charged because broadband is totaly seperate from your phone bill.....or am I wrong......yet again
this is the same question I asked yesterday I was told I could`nt be charged, it is on page4 of this security forum,
but maybe some one else could confirm this |
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| reply to anthrorules
when you say a modem you mean a dial up modem, if you only have a router nothing can happen....am I thinking right. |
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| reply to GiantCow
That's the way that I understand it ... however, if you have a modem connected to the phone system, in order to provide backup for when the ADSL isn't working, then if you are so unlucky as to get a dialler, it can dial out - even if you are using the ADSL connection ... So, if you can, keep one end of the modem unplugged (which ever is the easiest to reach  ) |
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| I only have a router, I was offered dial up as well by my isp but did`nt load it and have no modem installed. |
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 philfnaPremium
join:2003-12-30
Wisconsin | reply to GiantCow
Then I wouldn't worry about dialers they are looking for an old analog modem not DSL or CABLE modem... |
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| reply to GiantCow
I don't have a 56k modem on my computer but I do have a phone line for my fax machine but it usually isn't plugged in. So dialers won't affect me at all? |
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| reply to GiantCow
If you have a fax modem or if you use ISDN (virtual modem) dialers can be a problem for you, too. |
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 SnowymIRC unix.ro UnderNetPremium
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI
kudos:5 | reply to poacherrtd
Correct, with a broadband connection a Dialer couldn't affect your phone bill anymore than it could affect your gas or electric bill.
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Dave said "By the way, 4294967295 is just another way to write -1". |
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 EGeezerSummertimePremium
join:2002-08-04
Midwest
kudos:7
 ·Callcentric
| reply to GiantCow
Surreptitious dialers in general - Summarizing,
A (spyware/porn/scam) dialer is a program that looks for a modem on the PC then tries to use that modem to connect to a particular site using a particular phone number. The program runs silently, without any tray icon and contains instructions to shut off the speaker so you won't hear it dial out.
The idea is to (usually) use a 900 number or one of those Caribbean high-rate-per minute phone numbers so they can bill you exorbitant rates through your phone bill. I have heard of some using 800 numbers that reconnect to toll numbers, but have not verified that.
In order for this to work, the PC
1) must have a modem capable of dialing a phone number. It could be a data, data/fax or just a fax modem. Some scammers don't even care if you get a screen, he just wants your PC to dial, connect and stay connected so he can reap the phone charges.
2) The modem must be connected to a phone line that is active. The more sophisticated ones will try straight out, dial 8, dial 9, dial 80, etc to get out of a centrex or internal phone system to utility dial tone.
I don't know of dialers yet that hijack Vonage or other internet phne services, but I suppose it's just a matter of time until that happens. 
HTH
EG
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Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Robert A. Heinlein |
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SnowymIRC unix.ro UnderNetPremium
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI
kudos:5 Reviews:
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·Clearwire Wireless
| Exactly, a Broadband connection doesn't make a user immune to dialers "regardless" of any other available possible means of connection. If a modem & phoneline is available, a dialer will succesfully use it. No modem/phoneline, no dialer.
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Dave said "By the way, 4294967295 is just another way to write -1". |
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nonymousPremium
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ Reviews:
·Callcentric
| reply to GiantCow
Re: Quick Question about spyware dialers said by GiantCow:
I don't have a 56k modem on my computer but I do have a phone line for my fax machine but it usually isn't plugged in. So dialers won't affect me at all?
Then yes you have a modem for a phone line so keep unplugged and do check your computer for dialers. It is a modem. Period. |
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