Support

Support area with useful infomation and other related materials.

Internet Diallers

What is an Internet Dialler?

An Internet Dialler (also known as ‘modem dialling’, Internet Dumping’, ‘Modem Jacking’, and Trojan Dialling’) is a small piece of software that is automatically downloaded to your computer when you visit certain websites. These pieces of software force your modem to dial another number, usually long distance at hefty overseas prices, to get access to ‘free’ or ‘premium’ material online.

If you visit a website that contains an Internet Dialler it can download itself automatically to your computer, stop your connection to your Internet Provider and then reconnect to another Internet Provider via a 0900 or international toll number. As 0900 and toll numbers are often expensive, the end result can be a nasty shock when you receive your telephone bill.

How Does an Internet Dialler get onto my computer?

Diallers can be downloaded by clicking on pop-up ads that appear, offering free or premium services or via emails, so be careful of email attachments from unknown sources. Certain websites are more risky than others to visit and are more likely to place you at risk of getting an Internet Dialler. Ones to watch out for are adult, gambling and gaming websites and chat rooms.

How do Internet Diallers Work?

If you visit a website that has Internet dialler software hidden on it, the software can be downloaded in the background without any warning. This can happen automatically and you may not notice it happening. Some Diallers start up at the same time as the computer they are installed on, automatically establishing a dial-up connection, they will stay online as long as the computer is running. Others wait until the computer is idle before dialling out, or even configure the computer to turn on automatically and dial at times people are normally asleep, and not likely to discover that their computer is active. Other Diallers can install themselves on your computer, reset your homepage and run automatically every time the computer starts up.

How can I protect myself against Internet Diallers?

To Avoid getting an Internet Dialler…
- Avoid going to certain websites, some are riskier than others i.e. adult, gaming, gambling and peer to peer.
- Be careful what you are agreeing to when a web page or program is prompting you to press ‘ok’, ‘yes’ or ‘accept’ buttons.
- Keep your antivirus software up to date. You can use firewall software that will warn you if a Dialler is trying to load. Check out our software page for Firewalls.
- Have your telephone line provider put a 0900 bar and/or toll bar with a pin access code on your phone to stop unwanted calls being made.
- Install and run Internet security software and pop-up blocking software.
- Increase your browser security.
- Turn off your computer and unplug the phone connection when you are not using it or are away from home. To get rid of an Internet Dialler once you already have one…
- Download software that will scan for Diallers, Trojans and Viruses. Check out our software page for information on what software will be appropriate.
- Check your add/remove programs control panel for any suspicious programs and remove any that you find. This is particularly important to do if you regularly visit websites containing high risk content.

To do this…
1. Open you Control Panel
2. Open Add/Remove Programs control panel
3. Select the web site Dialler from your list of installed programs
4. Click Remove button. You may be prompted to reboot your PC.

What effect do Internet Diallers have on my Phone account?

The charges from accessing 0900 services using Internet Diallers will appear on your phone bill. If you have received a charge on your bill of this nature, either you or someone using your computer has accessed this content on the internet.

WorldxChange Policy on Internet Diallers

If you have received a charge on your bill that looks suspicious you should contact WorldxChange as soon as possible. We will credit you for 50% of the first bill, send out information to you on how to avoid Internet Diallers and block the numbers from your phone so that the numbers cannot be dialled again. If you still incur charges of this nature after the first bill you are responsible for the cost of the calls.