The danger signs...

Typical signs of a modem hijack

- You hear your modem disconnecting and dialling up again.

- You receive an unexpectedly high telephone bill, which lists unknown international telephone numbers or premium rate numbers.

- You receive a bill from a telephone company other than your normal provider.

- An unfamiliar short-cut icon appears on your desktop.

- You are online and cannot send e-mails.

Ways to protect yourself

- Be cautious when entering any unknown websites or when clicking pop-up boxes.

- Regularly view your internet settings and check the number you are dialling.

- Turn up the volume on your modem so you can hear whether your modem has disconnected and is attempting to dial up again.

- Turn off your computer and modem when it is not in use.

- Set up password protection for access to your computer.

What to do if you are hijacked

- Disconnect your PC from the internet immediately.

- Change the dial-up internet settings on your PC to the telephone number of your usual internet service provider.

- Run a test for spyware and adware installed on your PC.

- Install software to prevent modem hijacking in the future.

Useful websites on hijacking

- http://eshots.btireland. ie/modem/modem_protection.htm

- http://home.eircom. net/safesurfing/diallers/

- www.telepathic.nl

- www.pandasoftware.com

- www.spyware-cop.com

- www.stopdial.com

- www.paretologic.com

- www.emsisoft.com

- www.norton.com

- www.drsolomon.com