Beware of ‘free' downloads: scamsters prowling Net

Internet subscribers in the UAE and the region are being warned by ISPs against a novel trick. As you surf the web, you may come across an entertainment site that claims to offer content for ‘free' and doesn't require a credit card number for access, all you have to do is download a ‘viewer' or ‘dialer' programme, and since you're at the site to view content, downloading a ‘viewer' programme might make sense. The Emirates Internet & Multimedia (EIM) has warned subscribers against the trick: once the programme is downloaded on to your computer, it disconnects the local Internet connection and reconnects to an international long-distance phone number, at rates up to Dh25 a minute. The subscriber could end up with a phone bill for hundreds of dirhams for the calls to places like Chile, Guyana, Sierra Leone or even Vanuatu in the Southwest Pacific.

Officials said as these scams are so lucrative for the operators, it may be only a matter of time before they appear on sites that feature games, psychics, information and other services.

The EIM, sending warning messages to its subscribers in the UAE, gave hints on how one can minimise chances of downloading a ‘viewer' or ‘dialer' programme that could turn a ‘free' content into an expensive mistake. "Be cautious when you see opportunities to view ‘free' content on the web. Free doesn't always mean free. Clicking ‘OK' isn't always okay. Don't click ‘OK' unless you know exactly what you're agreeing to. Read online disclosures carefully. They may be hidden in very inconspicuous parts of the site and of small print.

Beware of any programme that enables your modem to re-dial to connect to the Internet. If you see a dialog box on your computer indicating that it is dialing when you didn't direct it to, cancel the connection and hang up. Check the number you are dialing and continue only if it is a local call.

As an additional safety measure, utilise your ‘00' barring on your telephone line before connecting to the Internet in order to make sure that a dialer will not be able to dial an international number through your telephone."