What are Dialers?

A dialer (US) or dialler (UK) is an electronic device that is connected to a telephone line in order to monitor the dialed numbers and alter them to seamlessly provide services that otherwise require lengthy access codes to be dialed. A dialer automatically inserts and modifies the numbers depending on the time of day, country or area code dialed allowing the user to subscribe to the service providers who offer the best rates.

Dialers are necessary to connect to the internet (at least for non-broadband connections) but some dialers are designed to connect to premium-rate numbers. The providers of such dialers often search for security holes that may be present in the operating system installed on the user’s computer and use them to change the computer to dial up through their number, pocketing the additional money for themselves. Alternatively, some dialers inform the user what it is that they are doing with the promise of special content, accessible only via the special number.

Users with DSLs (or similar broadband connections) are usually not affected. A dialer can be downloaded and installed, but dialing in is not possible as there are no regular phone numbers in the DSL network and users will not typically have their dial-up modem, if any, connected to a phone line. However, if an ISDN adapter or additional analog modem is installed, the dialer might still be able to get a connection.

Malicious dialers can be identified by the following characteristics:

• A download pop-up opens when opening a website.
• On the website there is only a small hint, if any, about the price.
• The download starts even if the cancel button has been clicked.
• The dialer installs as default connection without any notice.
• The dialer creates unwanted connections by itself and without user interaction.
• The dialer does not show any notice about the price (only few do) before dialing in.
• The high price of the connection is not being shown while connected.
• The dialer normally cannot be uninstalled, only with serious effort.

List of Dialers Parasites:

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» MasterDialer
MasterDialer is a dialer program that may be maliciously used to dial high rate numbers by obtaining control of the user's connected modem. MasterDialer is often installed without the knowledge or consent of the user. MasterDialer invades the user's computer when visiting dubious or insecure websites.... ...
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» Desire Dialer
Desire Dialer is a dialer application that may be used to take control of the user's PC modem and phone high cost international or other high rate telephone numbers; then install pornographic content onto the user's PC. The application usually becomes installed when the user visits ...
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» Taskmgr
Taskmgr is a porn dialer, which by operating the user's modem, may connect to pornographic websites. When calling its servers and dialing, Taskmgr will result in exorbitant rates for the user's phone line. Taskmgr also has the ability to download additional malware and adware onto ...
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» InstantAccess
InstantAccess is a porn dialer which, by exploiting the user's modem, connects to pornographic servers. InstantAccess automatically launches on every startup and reboot. This will result in the user's phone line being charged high rates. Additional malware may also be installed by InstantAccess....
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» Mainpean Stardialer
Mainpean Stardialer is a dialer that may use the modem of the user's PC to obtain access to pornographic websites. These dials are at high-cost rates. Installation of Mainpean Stardialer is often without the knowledge or consent of the user....
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» <!--:en-->Dialer.Tibs<!--:-->
Dialer.Tibs is a malignant dialer program often used by cyber criminals to dial premium phone numbers at a victim's expense. Dialer.Tibs propagates as an attachment in unsolicited e-mails or via freeware. Once inside a system, Dialer.Tibs will change the standard rate local number that a victim's ...
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