Businesses warned of phone hacking

AS PART of National Fraud Week, Telstra issued a list of security steps businesses can take to reduce the risk of their phone systems being hacked.

Telstra Business has taken the step of sending warnings out to its one million clients, following an increase in cases where hackers have gained unauthorised access to business phone systems.

Telstra Corporate Security and Investigation director Darren Kane said Private Automated Branch Exchange units and voicemail systems were the most common fraud targets.

"Clients have been shocked to without warning find themselves liable for debts worth tens of thousands of dollars - this is on top of the hassle and disruption to business these attacks can cause," Mr Kane said.

The risk of cyber-security

"During most businesses are aware of the risk of cyber-security and have taken measures to protect their business, the potential for a security breach of telephone equipment is often not considered.

"Unfortunately there are scammers who use all sorts of means to steal other people's property including telephone access, so customers as a matter of fact need to be thinking smart about ensuring their security measures are up to date.

"As with most equipment, the phone systems people use relies on PINs and passwords, and if they are not up to date or regularly changed, it's like leaving the key in the door for a thief."

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