British ISP TalkTalk Blacklists TeamViewer to Protect Customers from Scammers

[CrAKeN]

 

TalkTalk takes a controversial step to protect users

 

British ISP TalkTalk has decided to block desktop management tool TeamViewer from its network due to scammers using the software to defraud people. 

 

TeamViewer isn't the only one that was blocked on the network, a spokeswoman told The Register. In fact, they've stopped access to a number of sites and applications in order to better protect users from phishing and scamming activities.

 

TalkTalk said it was working with TeamViewer and other third parties to add some extra security measures. If all goes according to plan, they'll likely get whitelisted again.

 

A scammer's dream tool

It was recently revealed that TeamViewer was being used by hundreds of scammers attempting to defraud people across the Internet, including TalkTalk customers, after gaining remote access to their computers.

 

A recent campaign signaled by security company Heimdal saw the TeamViewer app used as an espionage tool with the help of TeamSpy malware. This particular attack involved a keylogger and a VPN tool.

 

This is an issue TeamViewer has been working on for some time now, condemning the use of the tool to subvert systems and gain unauthorized access to private data.

 

As one would expect, the news got mixed reactions. On one hand, some users are happy for the change, while others are already looking into switching ISPs.

 

People are complaining on TalkTalk's forums about the issues they've encountered, and all the time they've spent trying to fix the issue, when, in reality, the TeamViewer app was blocked by the ISP.

 

In its defense, TalkTalk notes that it has received a lot of complaints from customers regarding these tools and the fraudulent purposes they've been used for.

 

"We constantly monitor for potentially malicious Internet traffic, so that we can protect our customers from phishing and scamming activities. As part of this work we have recently blocked a number of sites and applications from our network, and we're working hard to minimize the impact on our customers," a spokesperson said.
 

Source

[Bausch]

Dangerous move in the wrong direction. I can only see this as a beginning for something too horrible.

 

I think there are many other more viable alternatives than blocking sites and services to protect clients. While in this particular case there might be some validity to their claim. It also sets a trend for future not so helpful blockades. Big brother at work here, not so good for the end user in general.

[straycat19]

8 hours ago, Bausch said:

 

Dangerous move in the wrong direction. I can only see this as a beginning for something too horrible.

 

 

Actually it is about time that these Remote Desktop tools started getting blocked.  The solution to the entire scamming problem with RDA tools is either for Microsoft or the individual computer manufacturers to start their own desktop support which would give people a reliable source of help.  Anyone who allows someone they don't know to access their computer remotely is the biggest fool on earth.  Another solution would be to have Microsoft certify companies that can provide remote access help and if you use a company that isn't certified then caveat emptor.  And I haven't even addressed those tools that will allow remote computer access without requiring the individual to do anything or even have any knowledge that their system is being accessed.  The only thing that will stop that is to never connect your computer to a network of any type.  The good news is those tools are not accessible by the general public, yet.  Anyone who doesn't think security is important, not only for the user but for all users of the internet is a fool.  Botnets are the best examples of a user creating a threat to thousands.  There has been research into dividing the internet into tiers that would only be available based upon a persons certification.  In other words, if you like to visit dangerous sites, have no certified security software bought and installed, and no certified knowledge of your operating system,  then your level of access would be on the bottom tier. Those security professionals and highly knowledgeable certified people employing all security measures would have top tier access.  The difference would be the bottom tier can only visit web pages and not download or install anything, while the top tier would have unfettered access.  The only reason it hasn't been implemented is because of the complexity of doing so.  The reason to do it is obvious every day of the week.  I have always advocated a licensing system for computer users just like the license to drive a car, it would be a privilege not a right, and if you can't pass the test and your computer system isn't certified then you don't have internet access.  18 years ago we started a mandatory new employee computer training class lasting two weeks, after which an employee candidate must pass a computer test, if they don't pass they don't get hired.