3-472 Remote Access Features - AT&T MERLIN LEGEND Release 2.0 System Programming Manual

Programming Procedures
Remote Access Features
The following Remote Access features are available:
Remote Access Trunk Assignment
Remote Access Automatic Callback
Remote Access without Barrier Codes
Remote Access Barrier Codes
Remote Access with Barrier Codes
Security of Your System—Preventing Toll Fraud
As a customer of a new telephone system, you should be aware that there
exists an increasing problem of telephone toll fraud. Telephone toll fraud can
occur in many forms, despite the numerous efforts of telephone companies and
telephone equipment manufacturers to control it. Some individuals use
electronic devices to prevent or falsify records of these calls. Others charge
calls to someone else's number by illegally using lost or stolen calling cards,
billing innocent parties, clipping on to someone else's line, and breaking into
someone else's telephone equipment physically or electronically. In certain
instances, unauthorized individuals make connections to the telephone network
through the use of remote access features.
The Remote Access feature of your system, if you choose to use it, permits off-
premises callers to access the system from a remote telephone by using an 800
number or a 7- or 10-digit telephone number. The system returns an
acknowledgement signaling the user to key in his or her authorization code,
which is selected and administered by the system manager. After the
authorization code is accepted, the system returns dial tone to the user. If you
do not program specific egress restrictions, the user will be able to place any
call normally dialed from a telephone associated with the system. Such an off-
premises network call is originated at, and will be billed from the system
location.
The Remote Access feature, as designed, helps the customer, through proper
administration, to minimize the ability of unauthorized persons to gain access to
the network. Most commonly, phone numbers and codes are compromised
when overheard in a public location, through theft of a wallet or purse
containing access information, or through carelessness (writing codes on a
piece of paper and improperly discarding it). Additionally, hackers may use a
computer to dial an access code and then publish the information to other
hackers. Enormous charges can be run up quickly. It is the customer's
responsibility to take the appropriate steps to properly implement the features,
evaluate and administer the various restriction levels, protect access codes,
and distribute access codes only to individuals who have been fully advised of
the sensitive nature of the access information.

3-472 Remote Access Features