IP, SIP, DATA, PHONE SYSTEM, AND OTHER SECURITY ITEMS YOU NEED TO DO
Toll Fraud-the theft of your long distance services-is a growing concern regardless of what phone system you have or types of lines. We are here to help you minimize your risk, knowing that toll fraud can come from internal sources or external hacks.
For system security we ask you simply call our office and we can help ensure you have our recommended list of phone numbers blocked on all your extensions. These are mostly international and paid area codes.
Next, realize that both phone and non-phone devices can be hacked. All in one printer/fax machines can potentially be accessed through your internet connection, hacked through your network, and call out over a fax line. If your wireless alarm system has a landline back up, or more advanced heating systems have a land line hook up, these devices can be hacked as well. Additionally, cleaning staff or even people breaking in to your office can make long distance, international, or 900 type calls.
Therefore we urge you to contact the company that provides your dial tone and your long distance. This will help protect against hacking of current or future devices outside your actual telephone system like networked printer/fax machines, and also help if your phone restrictions get over ridden some way. Please call your dial tone provider (if it is CenturyLink call 800-603-6000) and request:
1. A “PIC Freeze”. This prevents your long distance from changing without your written authorization.
2. A “1010” block which will prevent hackers and inside users from accessing alternative and often expensive long distance services. This is critical!
3. A “3rd Party Billing Block” which prevents unneeded and often unwanted charges crammed onto your bill.
4. An “international call block” as most hackers try to call internationally. If you do need to call internationally we recommend blocking your service and buying an inexpensive calling card on line where you dial 1800 to access that service.
5. Require all your internal users that have voice mail change their passwords regularly – we recommend monthly.
6. Ask your dial to provider to disallow any 3rd party charges. This keeps people in prisons and others from charging calls to your number.
7. On a regular basis please check with your dial tone and long distance provider for any updates or suggested prevention techniques. There might be some new hack in the future which could be a side door hack or some other intrusion not even dealing with your actual phone equipment. Others exploits might be through a remote phone off your system or through a mobile smart phone application.
Other
We also strongly recommend you have your IT professional verify your internet router is secure and ports are closed as they recommend. We also recommend your IT provide a managed firewall. Also if an employee leaves employment, immediately change all passwords for that user. Also, we ask you to regularly require employees to change their passwords on their voice mail and on their phone extensions if they have one.
We ask you print this page and keep it on file and document the date when you made these seven changes listed above with your carrier and completed our recommendations for your phone system just for your future reference.
If you ever notice ANY suspicious activity on your phones (most common are lights for lines are lit up, calls ring and no one is there, etc.) call local law enforcement first, then call us ASAP, and also call the Fraud Department at your dial tone provider. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on line. We appreciate your business and are pleased to provide this information to you.
The Staff of Business Phone Specialists, Inc.
208-523-0006, 208-232-2224 or 307-733-8700