BT Home Highway and premium rate dialler hell!

[Chris KJ]

Sorry if this isn't the correct newsgroup to post this query to.

We're using BT Home-highway ISDN 64k with Demon Internet and a BT
Ignition Pro terminal adapter.

My brother, who is new to using the Internet, managed to install dialler
software on his windows-ME PC which used his dial-up connection to
phone a premium rate number. 75UK Pounds of calls later I luckily saw
what had happened and removed the dialler manually. It was actually
noted
by EZ Trust firewall when downloaded and there was a dial-up entry for
it in
windows too. It wasn't that hard to find but I'll reinstall windows to
make sure it's gone.

So, after searching other newsgroups I found that the common way to stop
diallers dialling premium rate numbers seems to be to get BT to ban
outgoing premium rate numbers. However, when we contacted BT they
said that this free facility was only available on the two Home Highway
analogue numbers and not the digital number e.g. the isdn ports. The
monthly 'call barring' service doesn't work either. Unfortunately the
ISDN
port is the Internet line and the line where the premium rate numbers
were
charged to.

Can Demon set up call barring of premium rate numbers on an ISDN line,
as BT couldn't?

Would the best solution be to use the Internet via the analogue socket
(which call barring does work with) with a standard modem?

Can windows ME or XP restrict dialling access to one valid number only,
even though the premium rate dialler might bypass them anyway? Or can
a similar restriction be set up on the modem itself?

Can anyone recommend a virus and firewall combination that is sure to
stop premium rate diallers. However, in our case I think my brother
actually
allowed EZ firewall to let the dialler become a new dial-up connection,
he
had no idea what he was doing...

I might have a go at configuring an old pc into a router as a last
resort.

Any help is gratefully accepted since I don't think my Dad, whose name
is
on the phone bill, could take any more premium rate numbers appearing
on the bill. My brother did accept responsibility and paid his share. I
think
we were very lucky that it wasn't for more money...

Thanks for your help,

[Dave Liquorice]

However, when we contacted BT they said that this free facility was
only available on the two Home Highway analogue numbers and not the
digital number e.g. the isdn ports.

TBH I am surprised, I thought they *had* to provide it for free on all
for all "lines" when asked. Try again, don't mention highway, digital,
isdn, data etc just ask for Premium Rate Call Barring on xxxx number.
Then if they can't do it start, politely complaining and escalate up
the chain of command... Oh and don't forget to test it when they say
they have done it...

Can Demon set up call barring of premium rate numbers on an ISDN
line, as BT couldn't?

No, your computer or the telphone network is not under the control of
Demon.

Would the best solution be to use the Internet via the analogue
socket (which call barring does work with) with a standard modem?

Well it is a work around but you'd take a speed hit.

Can anyone recommend a virus and firewall combination that is sure
to stop premium rate diallers. However, in our case I think my
brother actually allowed EZ firewall to let the dialler become a new
dial-up connection, he had no idea what he was doing...

You can't protect people from themselves...

[Phil McKerracher]

However, when we contacted BT they said that this free facility was
only available on the two Home Highway analogue numbers and not the
digital number e.g. the isdn ports.

TBH I am surprised...

I think that's correct - call barring is not available on digital
lines but they're working on it.

...Can anyone recommend a virus and firewall combination that is sure
to stop premium rate diallers. However, in our case I think my
brother actually allowed EZ firewall to let the dialler become a new
dial-up connection, he had no idea what he was doing...

You can't protect people from themselves...

True. Now he's aware of the problem it probably won't happen again
though.

[Brian {Hamilton Kelly}]

On Tuesday, in article

Post by Chris KJ
Sorry if this isn't the correct newsgroup to post this query to.

Well, it's MUCH better than the separate posting that you made to
demon.ip.support.pc, because your brother is obviously using Windoze, yet
that group is for those using plain DOS-based programs for Internet
connectivity.

However, this is also bad, in the sense that you've made separate
postings, whereas you should have posted to all the groups
simultaneously, with a cross-post. That way, misinformation provided in
one forum could be corrected by those that know the true situation in
another.

Post by Chris KJ
We're using BT Home-highway ISDN 64k with Demon Internet and a BT
Ignition Pro terminal adapter.

Good God! I didn't know that anyone had ever persevered with that heap
of hybrid shite from BT; I'm amazed that it works with HH, since that is
based upon proper ISDN2e, since the Ignition is a badly cobbled-together
variant of a North American 56kb/s TA, created hastily for BT back in the
days of their own proprietary BRI implementation.

[Please forget the above if the "Ignition Pro" is some other product;
Peter Strangman used to wax lyrical about the inadequacies of the BT
Ignition (per se).]

Post by Chris KJ
My brother, who is new to using the Internet, managed to install dialler
software on his windows-ME PC which used his dial-up connection to
phone a premium rate number. 75UK Pounds of calls later I luckily saw
what had happened and removed the dialler manually. It was actually
noted
by EZ Trust firewall when downloaded and there was a dial-up entry for
it in
windows too. It wasn't that hard to find but I'll reinstall windows to
make sure it's gone.

Your brother is a connoisseur of pr0n, I presume?

Post by Chris KJ
Can Demon set up call barring of premium rate numbers on an ISDN line,
as BT couldn't?

Hardly; if you dial a premium-rate number, Demon have absolutely no
possibility of involvement in the call setup process!

Post by Chris KJ
Would the best solution be to use the Internet via the analogue socket
(which call barring does work with) with a standard modem?

Since you've got a TA (well, if that's not applying an "illegal trades
description") that's capable of handling analogue ports for your
telephone needs, and proper MSN, etc., one solution might be to upgrade
HH to proper ISDN2e, and plug your analogue phones into the outputs of
the Ignition. Premium-rate call-barring would certainly be available
there, for a single fee for the entire line (as opposed to per number).

However, the proper solution is part social (teach your brother never to
download a dialler program) and partly technical (install software that
will detect AND prevent installation of such diallers: Spybot Search &
Destroy has already been mentioned in a reply in dis.pc).

[Cross-posted to uk.telecom as well, since you've probably separately
multi-posted there too.]

[Martin Rich]

Post by Brian {Hamilton Kelly}
Since you've got a TA (well, if that's not applying an "illegal trades
description") that's capable of handling analogue ports for your
telephone needs, and proper MSN, etc., one solution might be to upgrade
HH to proper ISDN2e, and plug your analogue phones into the outputs of
the Ignition. Premium-rate call-barring would certainly be available
there, for a single fee for the entire line (as opposed to per number).

BT tell me that they have put premium rate barring on my home highway
digital line: this could of course be BT customer service being
clueless and I really don't want to find out the hard way...

Post by Brian {Hamilton Kelly}
However, the proper solution is part social (teach your brother never to
download a dialler program) and partly technical (install software that
will detect AND prevent installation of such diallers: Spybot Search &
Destroy has already been mentioned in a reply in dis.pc).

Sadly more the latter than the former, as premium-rate diallers aren't
necessarily nice courteous pieces of software which obey ICSTIS rules,
and the dialler could well have downloaded without the original
poster's brother's knowledge

Martin

[Dave Liquorice]

Post by Martin Rich
BT tell me that they have put premium rate barring on my home
highway digital line: this could of course be BT customer service
being clueless and I really don't want to find out the hard way...

Well the obvious thing to do is try it manually with a phone. Pick a
number that charges by the second rather than £5/call and see if you
get connected. If you do hang up quick and complain to BT, if you
don't all well and good.

[Rev Adrian Kennard]

Post by Dave Liquorice

Post by Martin Rich
BT tell me that they have put premium rate barring on my home
highway digital line: this could of course be BT customer service
being clueless and I really don't want to find out the hard way...

Well the obvious thing to do is try it manually with a phone. Pick a
number that charges by the second rather than £5/call and see if you
get connected. If you do hang up quick and complain to BT, if you
don't all well and good.

Does it matter if it is a £5/call one. If BT claim to have barred it,
you wont have to pay, surely?

[Dave Liquorice]

Post by Rev Adrian Kennard
Does it matter if it is a £5/call one. If BT claim to have barred
it, you wont have to pay, surely?

I guess not if your prepared to argue...

[Brian {Hamilton Kelly}]

On Thursday, in article

Post by Dave Liquorice

Post by Martin Rich
BT tell me that they have put premium rate barring on my home
highway digital line: this could of course be BT customer service
being clueless and I really don't want to find out the hard way...

Well the obvious thing to do is try it manually with a phone. Pick a
number that charges by the second rather than £5/call and see if you
get connected. If you do hang up quick and complain to BT, if you
don't all well and good.

OK, now perform that feat using the *digital line* of Home Highway.
Hint: an ordinary telephone will be of no use (however, hyperterm or
similar could do it through the Ignition[1])

[1] Actually, the fact that the OP has got an Ignition might actually be
helpful here, if he can plug an ordinary phone into one of the POTS
sockets thereon.

[Dave Liquorice]

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 01:47:17 +0100 (BST), Brian {Hamilton Kelly}

Post by Brian {Hamilton Kelly}

Post by Dave Liquorice
Well the obvious thing to do is try it manually with a phone.

OK, now perform that feat using the *digital line* of Home Highway.

Oh bum, quite correct. I'd forgotten we were talking highway I'm so
used to having proper ISDN and iPABX with analogue ports here...

[Brian {Hamilton Kelly}]

On Friday, in article

Post by Dave Liquorice
Oh bum, quite correct. I'd forgotten we were talking highway I'm so
used to having proper ISDN and iPABX with analogue ports here...

:-)

Talking of which, is that iPABX (aka iSPBX) still an ISTEC? Because I
have finally discovered how to get day/night service, via the control of
the pmISTEC program under OS/2. E-mail me off-group if you're interested
in the details.

[David Quinton]

On Tue, 1 Jun 2004 11:09:48 +0100, Chris KJ

Post by Chris KJ
Sorry if this isn't the correct newsgroup to post this query to.
We're using BT Home-highway ISDN 64k with Demon Internet and a BT
Ignition Pro terminal adapter.
So, after searching other newsgroups I found that the common way to stop
diallers dialling premium rate numbers seems to be to get BT to ban
outgoing premium rate numbers. However, when we contacted BT they
said that this free facility was only available on the two Home Highway
analogue numbers and not the digital number e.g. the isdn ports. The
monthly 'call barring' service doesn't work either. Unfortunately the
ISDN
port is the Internet line and the line where the premium rate numbers
were
charged to.

If you get a Router (£10 from EBay if you time it right) rather than a
TA, then you can get rid of your modem totally. You may also find some
increase in performance.

You could then, if you so wish, have your analogue modem running off
one of the analogue ports (which can have the BT services you
describe).

[Ben Newsam]

David Quinton <***@REMOVETHISBITbizorg.co.uk> writes,
despite their Organization header saying ''

Post by David Quinton
If you get a Router (£10 from EBay if you time it right) rather than a
TA, then you can get rid of your modem totally. You may also find some
increase in performance.

*Anything* (I use an internal ISDN card) will show an increase in
performance over a BT Ignition going in through the serial port as it
does. I had several Ignitions that went wrong in quick succession, and
BT replaced them, and actually asked for the broken ones back. They had
new customers waiting, one might presume. Anyway, one of the broken ones
that got forgotten is still doing service providing two analogue ports
for good old fashioned phones.

[Chris KJ]

Post by Ben Newsam
despite their Organization header saying ''

Post by David Quinton
If you get a Router (£10 from EBay if you time it right) rather than a
TA, then you can get rid of your modem totally. You may also find some
increase in performance.

*Anything* (I use an internal ISDN card) will show an increase in
performance over a BT Ignition going in through the serial port as it
does. I had several Ignitions that went wrong in quick succession, and
BT replaced them, and actually asked for the broken ones back. They had
new customers waiting, one might presume. Anyway, one of the broken
ones that got forgotten is still doing service providing two analogue
ports for good old fashioned phones.

The Ignition Pro we've got isn't too bad at all. I initially set it up
via the serial port and that /was/ a disaster. However, mine has a usb
port too and luckily it runs very well over that. I purchased it, for
roughly the same price as an analogue USB modem, from eBay so I'm not
complaining.

The computer with the dialler problem was a 2nd PC (used as a backup)
it's an old compaq p3-500. It's basically cobbled together of components
accumulated over the years and was never intended for speed. It's using
windows ME. The only reason I haven't cannibalised it, is that it's
perfectly adequate for surfing the web, and word-processing, on an
occasional basis. Letting my brother loose on this spare PC was a
disaster waiting to happen... He was tempted by pop-up windows offering
free pictures of nude celebrities I think, but he's not really admitting
exactly what he did just playing ignorance. The EZ trust firewall alerts
were confusing him too. In a way adult material isn't the problem, if he
want's to subscribe to a legitimate adult site that's up to him - he's
over 18. Being charged 1pound 50pence per minute by a dialler and not
knowing about it is the thing. We're just learning from our mistakes and
trying to make sure a similar thing never happens again, were it to
happen through negligence or choice.

In the meantime I'll have a go at configuring Spybot to block diallers.
The PC my brother was using already had Pestpatrol on it for blocking
cookies, some adware, and suchlike. Would that interfere with Spybot or
can I ditch Pestpatrol for Spybot? Putting explorer's web content
restrictions may help a little too.

I have an AMD-500 PC gathering dust and saw an interesting how-to from a
Web forum regarding using such a redundant PC as a router via free
routing software with it's own custom o/s. I have no idea, however, how
using a bought or home made router could allow me to stop using my
modem/TA. Can anyone explain this in simple terms please. How would the
router/router PC be connected to the Home Highway ISDN box?

If BT offered premium number barring on ISDN lines that would have been
the easiest solution to make web surfing a bit safer as far as huge
phone bills go... Up until now our Internet phone bills with bt
surftime have always been a pleasing zero value.

[Dave Liquorice]

I have no idea, however, how using a bought or home made router
could allow me to stop using my modem/TA.

It doesn't it uses them to connect to the internet, you then have a
LAN to share that connection with other PCs. A PC based
router/firewall will almost certainly be running some form of Linux,
far more secure than doze and not susceptable to having diallers
installed by click happy users...

Up until now our Internet phone bills with bt surftime have always
been a pleasing zero value.

But you are paying BT at least £7/month for the "free" calls and
presumably Demon at least another £11.75/month as your ISP. This is
more than other providers for less service.

My demon account is now dormant, bit sad after being a founder member.
I've shifted over to OneTels anytime package. £13.99/month 24/7 access
from any BT line (POTS or 64k ISDN), no monthly download limit,
maximum call length is 2hrs but you can call straight back, sometimes
your IP address doesn't change on the call back. When I switched I
noticed an improvement in through put as well.

The equivalent 24/7 "free" access via BT Surftime and Demon is
£19.99/month to Demon and £25/month to BT.