Protecting Your Services

Protect Yourself Against Telecommunications Fraud

With the advancement of technology in the telecommunications industry moving us towards a global electronic community, the prevalence of fraud and in particular telecommunications fraud is becoming more and more common place.

Telecommunications fraud may include the use of any electronic communication medium such as telephones, mobile phones and computers to commit instances of deliberate dishonesty for personal gain or to damage another individual or organisation.

With proper planning and the implementation of some basic precautions, it is possible to limit the likelihood of becoming a victim of telecommunications fraud. Below are some quick tips that are recommended to help protect you.

Protecting your engin Mobile Service

With the increasing use of smart phones more and more of our personal information is being stored on these ‘mobile computers’. It is important to protect your mobile phone as you would your home computer.

Tips to consider:

  • Put a password on your phone
  • Ensure your SIM card has a PIN
  • Switch on Auto-Lock features
  • Encrypt your stored data
  • Install security software
  • Check you are using reputable websites and applications
  • Don’t allow third party applications to access your personal information
  • Don’t click on unexpected links
  • Regularly check your bill for any strange calls or charges
  • Ensure your software is up to date
  • Back up your phone
  • Report any lost or stolen handsets immediately to the 24 hotline

Protecting your engin VoIP Service

Moving voice onto the data network means users must consider the security risks inherent in all data applications. As the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services becomes more prevalent, there is the increasing likelihood of users being targeted. The monitoring and implementation of a few basic security measures can allow customers to reap the benefits of VoIP without compromising on security.

Tips to consider:

  • Ensure your home or office network security software is up to date
  • Use complex passwords for your router and change them regularly
  • Ensure you have anti-virus and anti-malware installed on your computers
  • Protect your site with a hardware based firewall
  • Minimise access to your PBX or Voice Box
  • Never place your device in a De-Militarised Zone (DMZ) of your router
  • Keep an eye on call logs for any strange patterns in calls or calls to strange destinations
  • Done give out sensitive information such as usernames and passwords
  • Stay informed about developments and improvements in VOIP security options

Protecting your engin Broadband Service

With advances in the way we access our broadband connection such as wireless networks there are additional safety precautions we need to consider rather than the physical security of your modem.

Tips to consider:

  • Disable any remote access on your modem/router
  • Regularly change your routers username and passwords (particularly once you have set up for the first time)
  • Ensure your passwords are something that only you will know and use a combination of characters such as upper case, lower case, symbols and numbers
  • Disable broadcasting the name of your connection
  • Only allow specific devices that you have authorised connect to your internet
  • If you are going away or not using your internet connection for an extended period of time switch off your router
  • Ensure all you anti-virus software is up to date
  • Have a firewall installed on your modem/router
  • Install an Ad-Ware application to protect your computer against malicious software
  • Before opening any email attachment ensure you are familiar with their source
  • Understand the dangers of pirated software and file sharing
  • Stay informed about the current techniques of cyber criminals and the latest scams

For further information about online security and safety visit the Stay Smart Online website.

Protecting your engin Home Phone/PSTN service

It may not be as widely spread as the others but it can occur so customers need to be aware and monitor usage.

Tips to consider

  • Check your bills regularly for any unfamiliar numbers or strange calling times when you know you were not using your service
  • Make use of any security features on your handset such as pin codes for making outgoing calls
  • Ask your provider to switch off calls to international numbers or mobiles if you don’t make these types of calls often