Enabling Spam Protection Features¶

In the telecommunications sector, spam calls have been a recurrent problem that annoys customers and poses a risk of harm.

These undesirable calls frequently entail fraud and schemes that intend to trick victims into divulging personal information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers.

Thus, it becomes essential to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect oneself from falling victim to scams.

ConnexCS helps block these spam and scam calls.

1. Block Calls based on Dial Strings¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Basic > Dial String.
Enter the Prefix phone code for the country you wish to block calls from.

2. Block Calls based on Dial String Prefix Set in Routing¶

Go to Setup > Advanced > Prefix Set to create a Prefix Set. The Prefix Set defines a list of pre-defined numbers. Click here to follow the steps for configuring the Prefix Set.
After configuring the Prefix Set, go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Basic > Dial String Prefix Set.
Click on the drop-down menu to select the configured Prefix Set.

2.1. Block Calls based on Dial String Prefix Set for Everyone (Global Block)¶

Global blocking lets you block calls for everyone.

You can enable Global Blocking while configuring the Prefix Set.

In the Flags field, you can either select Global Dialled Number Blacklist or Global CLI Blacklist.

3. Block Calls based on Price Limits¶

3.1 Setting Capped Rate¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Price Limits > Capped Rate.
You can specify an amount and prevent callers from making calls above the specified amount.

3.2 Setting Block Connect Cost¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Price Limits > Blocked Connect Cost.
You can either Enable or Disable this option. It helps you block calls with connection costs.

3.3 Setting the FTC DNC Report ANI Block (USA)¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Price Limits > FTC DNC Report ANI Block (USA).
You can either Enable or Disable this option. It's a list of phone numbers provided by the FTC reported as spam.

3.4 Setting the DNO¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Price Limits > DNO.
You can either Enable or Disable this option. These are the number ranges that don't exist.

Click here to checkout the DNO blocking ConnexCS DNO requirements.

4. Performance (ASR+) based Call Blocking¶

The Performance-based call blocking option will let you block calls if certain ASR+ low, or high etc.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Capacity Limits > ASR+.
Click on the drop-down menu to select from multiple options like ASR+ (low), ASR+ (high), ASR? etc.

5. Block Calls using ScriptForge¶

You can create a script on ScriptForge under the Developer section.

Click here to follow the steps for writing the script.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > ScriptForge > ScriptForge.
Click on the drop-down menu to select from the list of configured scripts.

6. Block Calls using Locks¶

6.1 Setting a Lock¶

Using Locks for call blocking is a Strategic Call Blocking method.

Here, we're blocking a particular route on a Carrier Rate Card.

You can lock into a particular Carrier.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Locks > Lock.
Click on the dropdown menu to select from available Carrier Rate Cards.

6.2 Using a DNC List¶

Blocking calls with DNC Lists is a User Database based blocking.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Locks > DNC List.
Click on the dropdown menu to select from the available DNC lists.

Click here to follow the steps for creating a DNC List.

6.3 Using Block Destination Type¶

Blocking calls according to their destination is considered Strategic-based blocking.

For example, if your customer only dials landline numbers, then you can block all other destination types like Mobile, Satellite etc.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Locks > Block Destination Type.
Click on the dropdown menu to select the destination types like Mobile, Fixed, Satellite, VoIP etc.

6.4 Using Spam Scout Scoring¶

Click here to learn more about Spam Scout Scoring.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Locks > Spam Scout Scoring.
You can use the slider to choose from options like Block All, Allow All etc.

6. Block Calls using Strategy¶

Blocking calls using the Strategy method allows you to select a Prefix set, and then you can select Drop to block that particular CLI list.

Click here to learn more about Strategy.

7. Block Calls using Fraud Profiles¶

You can block calls using Fraud Profiles.

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > Locks > Fraud.
Select the newly created Fraud Profile. Click here to follow the steps to setup the fraud profile.
Click the Fraud Mode dropdown menu to select from 3 options: Disabled, Low or High.

8. Using RTP Block¶

RTP call blocking methods block the IP addresses.

Go to Setup > Advanced > RTP Block.
Click on the blue + button to add the IP address you wish to block.

Click here to learn more about the RTP Block at ConnexCS.

8. Using Firewall for Call Blocking¶

The firewall blocks the IP Addresses along with the attackers.

Go to Setup > Advanced > RTP Block.
Click on the blue + button to add the IP address you wish to block.

Click here to learn more about the Firewall at ConnexCS.

9. Using SIP Authentication IP Whitelist¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Auth > Basic > IP Whitelist.
Using this method, you are only allowing certain IP addresses and blocking the rest of them.

10. Using CLIs¶

10.1 CLI- Whole Number / Regex¶

Go to Management > Customer > Customer [Name] > Routing > CLI.
You can enter a number that the callers are allowed to use.

Click here to learn more about Regex Patterns.

10.2 CLI- Allow Type¶

In the Allow Type field, you can select the allowed destinations like Paging, Mobile, Fixed, VoIP, etc.

Also, it will block the remaining destination options.

10.3 CLI- Use DID¶

By implementing Use DID you are only allowed to make calls with the numbers available in the DID database.

11. Using Rate Cards¶

Another option you can use to block calls is with Rate Cards.

11.1 Customer Rate Cards¶

You can consider this blocking to preserve security and prevent financial losses.

For example, if a number range begins with ^449, which is an expensive range of numbers, and you don't want your customers to make calls to these numbers. Thus, you can block specific ranges.

Go to Management > Rate Card > Customer Rate Cards > Customer [Name] > Profits.
Click on the blue + button.
Mention the number string in the Match field which you wish to block.
In the Basic tab, select the Status field as Blocked.

11.2 Provider Rate Cards¶

Go to Management > Rate Card > Provider Rate Cards > Customer [Name] . Properties > Advanced.
Block calls using various options:
- CLI Restrict: Enter the CLI you wish to restrict.
- PAID Restrict: Enter the PAID you wish to restrict.
- Capped Rate: Specify an amount and prevent callers from making calls above the specified amount.
- Block Destination Type: Select the call destinations you wish to block from the drop-down menu.
- Block Connect Cost: Block the calls that levy connection costs.
- Database Based: Block calls by uploading the phone number, DIDs, CLIs, and PAID as a database.

Information

We can classify the above methods of blocking in some ways, listed below:

Commercial Blocking: It helps in blocking calls based on the prices, for example, block a call if the amount is less or greater than the specified amount.
Strategic Blocking: You can apply Strategic blocking when you block calls when the carrier is unavailable or you want to drop a specific CLI List.
Performace-based Blocking: It helps in blocking calls if a parameter is under-performing or over-performing.
Security Blocking: It helps block malicious calls and reduces the attack surface.
Regulatory Blocking: It helps in blocking calls that are reported by government regulatory authorities.

Methods of Blocking	Blocking Type	What does it block?	Where you can block?
Dial Strings	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	Destination	Route
Prefix Set in Routing	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	Destination	Route, Shared
Prefix set Global Block	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	Destination, CLI	Globally
Max Connection Cost	Commercial, Security	Destination	Route, Carrier Card
Capped Rate	Commercial, Security	Destination	Route, Carrier Card
Block Destination Type	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	Destination	Route, Carrier Card
FTC DNC Reported ANI Block (USA)	Regulatory	CLI	Route
DNO - No Not Originate	Regulatory	CLI	Route
ScriptForge	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based, Database	Destination, CLI, Route, IP, Carrier	Route, Shared
Custom DNC List	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based, Database	Destination	Route, Shared
US Federal DNC	Regulatory	Destination	Route
Spam Scout Scoring	Regulatory	CLI	Route
Strategy	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	Destination	Route, Shared
Fraud Detection	Security	Destination, CLI, Route, IP, Carrier	Route, Shared
RTP Block	Security, Strategic, Regulatory	IP	Globally
Firewall	Security	IP	Globally
SIP Auth IP Whitelist	Security	IP	SIP User
CLI Whole Number / RegEx	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	CLI	Customer
PAID Restrict	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	CLI	Customer, Carrier Card
CLI - Allow Type	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	CLI	Customer
CLI - DID Only	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based, Database	CLI	Customer
Block Destination in Rate Card	Commercial, Security	Destination	Customer Card
Carrier Card, CLI and PAID Restrict	Security, Commercial, Regulatory, Strategic, Performance based	CLI	Carrier Card.