Dialler
Malware that uses modems to dial expensive numbers
Diallers are trojan programs that attempt to dial out of a system using a modem.
In many cases calls are made to premium-rate telephone numbers via an infected system's modem. The high cost of these calls thus makes money for the group behind the malware. Diallers may also be used to allow malware to establish contact with its creator or controller, to pass back harvested data in the case of keyloggers and similar malware, or to request further instructions or establish a backdoor.
Diallers are particularly prevalent in Germany, see the article linked below.
Related web links
This month's VB100 test saw some major changes and a radical overhaul of the VB100 test methodology - for the first time allowing products to use their 'cloud' look-up systems. John Hawes has all the details.