As mobile phones get more sophisticated, hi-tech criminals are dusting off some old tricks.
IT Companies and Security companies have noticed a rise in trojans known as diallers that used to be popular during the days of dial-up net access.
On a smartphone the diallers are being used to call premium rate lines leaving victims with a big bill.
IT Experts say the diallers are proving popular as a quick way for criminals to cash in.
Diallers were widely used during the days of dial-up net access when most people connected via computer modem.
Many diallers lurked on porn sites and, once they snared a victim, disconnected their modem and then placed a long distance call. Many victims were left with huge phone bills.
The economics of international calls meant that some of the cash spent on the call would be shared with the criminals. Some diallers were very sneaky in that they muted the speaker on a modem so victims could not spot when the overseas call was being placed.
Now, the security wing of IT Company CA has said it is seeing a rise in diallers for smartphones. This time, instead of calling international numbers, the diallers call premium rate lines and land victims with the bill.
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