premium rate diallers

[caramba22242]

I use dial up modem to access the internet and believe that spyware programs can redial me to a premium phone line without me knowing. Is this true??? and if so what could happen if I switch to broadband???? 

[Closer]

Yes this is true, try running "SPYBOT search and destroy" and Ad-Aware to check (and remove) any problem files (and connections), It's not a problem with broadband since you won't be using your dial up modem anymore.

[Kev_UK]

Hi boboliver

 

If you are on a dial-up connection some websites (adult sites in particular) will install a dialer on your pc. This will drop the connection to your ISP and dial a premium rate number. You will hear the modem redialing a connection as they are noisy things.

You do not get this problem with ADSL or Cable.

[LeMarchand]

Actually, you can get this problem if you use Broadband if you still keep your dial-up modem and leave it connected (say for fax usage).

[mrs.pudding]

I discovered this was happening to me - very expensive.  I rang BT and they will put a block on ALL premium rate calls from your number, free of charge.  They do, however, manage to make you feel like the nastiest sort of perv!  However much you protest that you haven't been ringing sordid s*x lines, they obviously don't believe you!  Still, small price to pay to solve the problem.

[Pinotage]

Its good idea to turn your computer off when not using it. We had this problem on our son's computer and it seemed to dial the premium rate number at times he wasn't there