A colleague of mine got a big phone bill.
 

Please excuse my computer illiteracy. I can just about switch the thing on, obtain the notams, check the weather, and oh yes, doss about on PPRUNE.

A colleague has just been telling me that he recieved a £400 telephone bill, after what he described, as a problem with his internet connection. Apparently, he kept getting diconnected, and when he tried to re-connect, it was via some "rip off" server. Is there a simple way of checking my own connection to ensure all is kosher?

Thanks.

Check out the faq's on the sticky in here.

If you haven't time, just install 'Spybot' - that will get rid of most 'diallers' - rogue programs that connect you to the internet via a premium rate phone number.

Spybot can be downloaded from here -> http://spybot.zone-x.com/spybotsd13.exe

If using Windows XP you will see "DSO Exploit - 5 entries" reported.

So long as you are up to date with Windows Updates this is a "feature" which is harmless, and whilst reported will not be fixed by Spybot (more here).

RC

Call your phone company and put a block on premium-rate numbers...the Internet scam diallers can't then call the expensive lines from your phone connection.

You have been hijacked by a auto dialer prog. Along with the other blocking suggestions, block international calls as well.

Have a look at some of the other questions regarding hijacks, you will find a wealth of information out there.

You might be interested to note that last week the virus sweep from Norton Systemworks 2005 picked up an auto-dialler. They have obviously started to include them with the virus definitions.

cheers chaps, I will try out your suggestions.