The Link Between Call Recording and Fighting Phreaking
Phreaking (or dial-through fraud) is a worry for a lot of companies. This is because it causes companies in the UK alone 1.2 billion pounds in losses annually, according to recent figures reported by the BBC. Such losses come from illegal calls done by hackers and scammers using a said firm’s telephone network. Listed here are things you you must know about this, and how you could fight the problem.
What is phreaking?
Phreaking occurs when hackers enter a telephone network through a weakness in the system. These are typically carried out with the purposes of either enjoying long-distance calls for free, getting free phone services, taking control of lines, tapping into another’s calls, and more recently making money.
There are several ways hackers can gain access to your phone network. One of those is through an unsecure voicemail account either with no password, or a password that’s very easy to remember. Another is by using remote diagnostic access – used particularly if you got a system of changing voicemail passwords. These are only two of many ways. What makes this troubling is because they can be hard to trace as they may use a network of hacked telephone systems to break into yours.
How do I know if my phone has been phreaked?
You can tell if you’ve been hacked if the phone bill is far higher than usual. Let’s say your firm’s telephones are recording 500-600pounds a month on the bill on average, but you receive recent bills that cost many times that. Other indicators you have to be cautious about include details that report calls being made through your system during times outside business hours, weekends, or holidays. Unfortunately, as far as your phone service provider is concerned, your phone network was the one getting used so you will need to pay the charges even though you or your employees did not make the calls.
The ways you can fight it
There are lots of ways you can combat phone phreaking. Among these ways include developing a voicemail password policy that sets parameters on how frequently passwords must be changed, and the requirement of the use of more complicated passwords. Other means include rigging your network to lock out telephone system access attempts after a specific number of tries, the use of call detail logging and accounting rules in your company, or the locking of remote direct inward system access just to name a few.
Another way is through employing technologies such as anti-fraud systems. What these systems do is monitor calls dialled through your network, and digitally disconnect pre-set unauthorised numbers. A good anti-fraud system lets you set the guidelines on how it runs – like how many calls can go out at once, and the like. You can use it either alone, or better yet, as part of a call recording and management system that not only can curb phreaking, but also identify fraudulent activities, and manage and report legitimate call activities among others.
If you’re having problems with phreaking, don’t panic! However, study the options carefully, whether or not you are looking at changing policies regarding access to voicemail or your overall phone network, or intending to install anti-fraud systems that enhance your call recording/telephone recording and management system. And seek professional help if you are unsure about certain things so they can help you comprehend and solve your issues.
Michael Spats is a telecommunications consultant who’s peddled call recording as well as other similar services. For additional information on how these could protect your company from phreaking, read up about telephone recording.
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