BT Ireland launches anti-hijacking modem software

BT Ireland today launched a new initiative to tackle modem hijacking problems and to help customers protect themselves.

The initiative is designed to warn customers if their computer connects to a "rogue" dialler which will change dial up connections to premium-rate or international numbers.

BT Modem Protection is a free software download which will stop a computer dialling higher-cost premium rate or international numbers, even if rogue dialler software is present.

Customers will be alerted if their dial up modem begins to dial any number other than a list of "approved numbers", such as their Internet Service Provider's national call or freefone access number.

"We are leading the fight to tackle this industry problem," said Bill Murphy, CEO BT Ireland.

BT in Ireland is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, and a fully integrated division of BT Global Services. With over 900 employees, the company is headquartered in Dublin with offices in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.