Lucent Technologies 5 manual Security Risks Associated with the Remote Access Feature

MERLIN LEGEND Communications System Release 5.0	Issue 1
System Manager’s Guide 555-650-118	June 1997

ACustomer Support Information

Toll Fraud Prevention Page A-14

be taken if the RCF feature is active for MERLIN LEGEND Communications System extensions whether or not it is accessed by an Automated Attendant menu.

Security Risks Associated with the Remote
Access Feature	1

Remote Access allows the MERLIN LEGEND Communications System owner to access the system from a remote telephone and make an outgoing call or perform system administration, using the network facilities (lines/trunks) connected to the MERLIN LEGEND Communications System. Hackers, scanning the public switched network by randomly dialing numbers with war dialers (a device that randomly dials telephone numbers, including 800 numbers, until a modem or dial tone is obtained), can find this feature, which will return a dial tone to them. They can even employ war dialers to attempt to discover barrier codes.

Preventive Measures 1

Take the following preventive measures to limit the risk of unauthorized use of the MERLIN LEGEND Communications System Remote Access feature by hackers:

■The Remote Access feature can be abused by criminal toll fraud hackers, if it is not properly administered. Therefore, this feature should not be used unless there is a strong business need.

■It is strongly recommended that customers invest in security adjuncts, which typically use one-time passcode algorithms. These security adjuncts discourage hackers. Since a secure use of the Remote Access feature generally offers savings over credit-card calling, the break-even period can make the investment in security adjuncts worthwhile.

■If a customer chooses to use the Remote Access feature without a security adjunct, then multiple barrier codes should be employed, with one per user if the system permits. The MERLIN LEGEND Communications System permits a maximum of 16 barrier codes.

■The maximum length should be used for each barrier code, and should be changed periodically. Barrier codes, like passwords, should consist of a random, hard-to-guess sequence of digits. While MERLIN LEGEND Communications System Release 3.0 permits a barrier code of up to 11 digits, systems prior to Release 3.0 permit barrier codes of up to only four digits.

If Remote Access is used, an upgrade to MERLIN LEGEND Communications

System Release 3.0 is encouraged to take advantage of the longer barrier code.