SMALL business operators are being warned to protect internet phone systems.
Technology crime detectives said users should ensure security software was installed after one hacker recently made more than 11,000 international calls in 46 hours after accessing a business’ system.
Detective Sergeant Jamie McDonald said thieves were targeting older style PBX systems and exploiting the call forwarding function.
“This business was alerted to the crime when they received an invoice from their service provider that was in excess of $120,000,” he said
He said a major concern was the emerging trend of unauthorised users hacking into modern VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone systems.
He said the incident was a timely reminder for businesses to change passwords on a regular basis and to know exactly what services were enabled.
“Business operators should invest in appropriate security software to protect their communication systems,” he said. “Most businesses are prepared to install firewalls on their computers but fail to extend that level of security to their phone systems.”