Technique for detecting modem devices to enhance computer network security

摘要

In a technique for the identification of unauthorized modems operating within a particular telecommunications environment a telecommunications switch is adapted to monitor the use of modems on the individual telephone lines emanating from a particular premise. The telecommunications switch detects certain characteristics indicative of modem communications across telephone lines by identifying certain signals used, for example, in standard modem communications. For example, such signals could be those as established by industry data communications standards which specify standard signals, tones, handshaking, or other protocols for initiating, continuing and ending communications between modems. Advantageously, a telecommunications service provider uses their telecommunications equipment to generate, for example, periodic reports which identify those telephone numbers from particular customer premises which exhibit modem communications. Thus, the telecommunications and computer system administrators of the customer can readily determine, directly from the report, which telephone numbers have unauthorized modem connections which pose potential computer network security risks.