A rapidly increasing number of Internet users are getting bilked by overseas connection charges, particularly for sites that contain quizzes, horoscopes or pornography, Tokyo government officials said
I think those are in the wrong order.
The trouble often occurs when a user clicks a hyperlink. The action automatically downloads a program that switches the user's Internet access point to one overseas
For Kamome's benefit: these programs are called "ActiveX controls", and they only download automatically if you haven't updated your Windows OS to the latest service packs or you have your security turned down too low.
One official said there is speculation that the people who set up the Web sites are behind the unwarranted phone bills. But he said it was not clear who was responsible or how the system works
The system is simple. An ActiveX control is downloaded, and it then configures your built-in modem to dialout to a certain international number.
I wonder if the Japanese government would pay me to fix this?
