Password protect your voicemail

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
I just talked about adding a password to your voicemail in this thread specifically this post.

Well, today I just seen someone call my house on my computer that monitors and blocks calls using a program called Phone Tray. The phone number that showed up in the caller ID data was my phone number. Which means they were trying to gain entry to my voicemail. If you spoof the caller ID data to make it appear that the call is coming from your own phone all you have to do is press # at the voicemail promp and listen to that persons voice mail.

Since this has happened I have blocked calls with caller ID data being my phone number. Not like they can access my voice mail with the password, but I blocked it anyway.

So make sure you have a password on your voicemail. If you are using an answering machine the modern ones may have an option to set a password. Don't chose a password that is easily derived from social engineering like your address or last four of your SSN. Chose something that only you would know.

Also, since caller ID is easily spoofed if you get a call from the IRS or FBI, etc and they ask for your personal info. over the phone never hand that out over the phone! Kinda common sense.

See this video on a hacker hacking answering machines and voice mail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq6aV0Cxhl0
 

WilliamM2

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2012
3,031
897
136
Hacking my voicemail? Have at it, it's probably the MIL with some task she needs done.

I don't think I have ever had a voicemail I would consider a security risk if some stranger heard it.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
I consider Voicemail a PITA, and have therefore had it disabled. Good luck with that, hackers! If the caller is not blocked, he/she can leave a message on my answering machine. I block all calls from 800 service numbers as well as any call that CID does not display a person's name. Silence is bliss!
 
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Chiefcrowe

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2008
5,056
199
116
Just curious, how do you block the 800 numbers and no CID calls?


I consider Voicemail a PITA, and have therefore had it disabled. Good luck with that, hackers! If the caller is not blocked, he/she can leave a message on my answering machine. I block all calls from 800 service numbers as well as any call that CID does not display a person's name. Silence is bliss!
 

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
I consider Voicemail a PITA, and have therefore had it disabled. Good luck with that, hackers! If the caller is not blocked, he/she can leave a message on my answering machine. I block all calls from 800 service numbers as well as any call that CID does not display a person's name. Silence is bliss!


I have a land line and block these with the aforementioned Phone Tray software on my netbook that is on 24/7 connected to the phone line.
 

Dude111

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2010
1,497
7
81
John Connor said:
If you spoof the caller ID data to make it appear that the call is coming from your own phone all you have to do is press # at the voicemail promp and listen to that persons voice mail.
Yes this used to work on cell phones also but alot of carriers have found ways around it...... (Not allowing open access to voicemail,etc)
 

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
Um, I was able to access my voice mail from out of state and I used to call my home number at home to access voice mail prior to me finding out I could just dial *99.
 

Dude111

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2010
1,497
7
81
No what i mean is THEY WONT LET YOU INTO YOUR VOIEMAIL W/O ENTERING A PASSWORD (Even from your mobile) That stops this from being possible.....