Kiwi rugby rats warned to keep eye on the hacker ball

New Zealand business owners gripped by Rugby World Cup fever have been warned to keep an eye on their PBXs during festivities.

The New Zealand Telecommunication Carriers Forum (TCF) claims that the incidence of PBX fraud has increased four-fold during 2010, with around 30 to 40 New Zealand companies getting hit by international PABX fraudsters every month.

The security breach occurs relatively easily when someone hacks into an unsecured voicemail system that allows incoming callers to dial extensions directly. The hackers then redirect internal DDI calls to an external international number.

The hacksters have jacked in and racked up international telephone calls worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the TCF.

TCF CEO David Stone says that there is a real danger that the incidence of PBX fraud will increase during the Rugby World Cup.

“With so many tourists expected to visit New Zealand, international fraudsters may take the opportunity to target New Zealand for PBX hacking during this time,” he says.

He warns that securing a PBX is just as important as password-encrypting your PC. ®