N.Y. Lawmakers Target Modem Hijacking

Guardian

Tuesday April 5, 2005 2:01 PM


By MICHAEL GORMLEY

Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y (AP) - State lawmakers unveiled a bill Monday that is believed to be the first in the nation to target modem hijacking, a practice in which thieves tap into people's computer modems to make international phone calls.

If passed, the law would allow telephone companies and the state attorney general to bring lawsuits against modem hijackers and their accomplices. The bill is expected to face a vote by the end of June.

The hijackers tap into people's modems by luring computer users to specific Web sites - sometimes through e-mails - where pop-up windows emerge inviting the user to click on them. The windows authorize the downloading of modem software that is then remotely accessed to make international calls that are charged back to the user.

``This is a new kind of thievery and it takes new kinds of law to deal with them,'' said Democratic Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, one of the bill's sponsors.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4914847,00.html

This is to make sure phone companies don't lose $$ made to look like it is protecting the average citizen. Consummers get protection only when it suits corporations.