This article will explain what Dialer Software is and how it is used to steal money from a user by taking over their Dial-Up internet. The article will also give details of simple ways to prevent or monitor fraudulent dialing behaviors.
Dialer software is a computer program designed to connect to the internet or to another computer network. The software makes its internet connection through a dialup analog telephone network. Many computers already contain programs that allow for internet connections through point to point protocol, or PPP.
Unfortunately, some people use dialer software to connect to expensive or premium rate numbers. This is done by fraudulent dialers, who look for security holes in operating systems installed on the victim’s computer. The fraudulent dialers exploit the security holes to gain access to the computer and set up the computers to dial through the fraudulent numbers. This way, the fraudulent dialers are able to make money through the phone calls via the dialup software.
This is the most common way of installing fraudulent dialer software and stealing money through taking over the dialup internet connection. However, there are other ways fraudulent dialup software can be installed that you should be aware of. There are some dialers that will actually tell the user of what they intend to do with their computers. However, they will promise things they do not intend to provide (special or bonus content), and contend that the content is available only when the special number is dialed. This is deception. In these cases, examples of special content offered by fraudulent dialers include illegal software, trojans that pretend to be MP3 files, trojans that pretend to be pornography, or pirating software such as keygens and cracks. It does not cost much money to set up such a service for a fraudulent dialer, which is why this is such a common scam. People who are not aware of it can wind up with very high phone bills.
There are a few simple ways to prevent or monitor behavior involving fraudulent use of dialer software. Typically, when a malicious piece of dialer software has been installed, download popups will open up when opening certain websites. Typically, the website will only contain a small hint at the most about the price of phonecalls. Such sites will often initiate downloads that begin even after you have clicked cancellation buttons. Dialers might also install themselves as your default methods of connection without telling you. At this point, dialer software might begin to create connections you don’t want all by itself and without any input from the user. Additionally, the dialer will not show any information about the price of calls it is making before it makes the calls. When the calls are made, the high prices required to make the connections will not be shown while the connections are made. Finally, it is often difficult or impossible to install a fraudulent dialer; it is often necessary to reinstall the operating system to remove all traces of the dialer.
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