Appendix A: Customer Support Information
Security Risks Associated with the Remote
Access Feature
Remote Access allows the MERLIN MAGIX Integrated 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 MAGIX Integrated
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
Take the following preventive measures to limit the risk of unauthorized use
of the MERLIN MAGIX Integrated System Remote Access feature:
- 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 MAGIX Integrated 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. The MERLIN MAGIX Integrated System permits
a barrier code of up to 11 digits.
