Security precautions on your computer and data systems are a fact of life. We know about the risks of giving unauthorised users easy ways to hack into computers and networks, and are comfortable living behind a firewall. But is your telephone system just as secure?
How do I avoid fraud?
Alternative Networks helps thousands of companies to stay safe. And phone fraud is something that concerns more and more of them.
The crimes can take many different forms, but the most common is hackers gaining access to telephone systems – normally via voicemail – and then placing expensive calls to premium-rate numbers, international mobiles, or UK premium-rate numbers.
Such schemes have resulted in many companies receiving bills for which they are liable, even though they didn’t make the calls.
There are several ways, however, to bolster your security and make sure that you do not fall victim to these sophisticated scams. Here we list our top four recommendations for staying secure.
Tip one – least cost route barring
If you use Least Cost Routing on your system, we strongly recommend that you wherever possible choose call-barring to premium-rate numbers, international mobiles or UK premium-rate numbers.
Tip two – more complex voicemail passwords
It’s very important that passwords such as 0000, 1234, or an extension number, are avoided at all costs. These are easily hacked and offer very limited protection. To optimise your security, choose a six digit number sequence that is not easily guessed.
Tip three – call bar on voicemail ports
If you never use your voicemail to divert calls to an external numbers, we strongly recommend that you bar all of the voicemail ports on your system from making external calls. At the very least you should ensure that they can only make calls to numbers specifically listed on your speed dial list.
Tip four – call the experts
Call Alternative Networks’ Technical Support team for a full security check on your telephone system. We can update the internal route selection list, check voicemail resilience, offer advice on passwords and give a fuller demonstration of general security measures that can be adopted.
To find out more, please get in touch using our information request form. Alternatively, call 0800 316 8866, or arrange for a free call back.
