| ==Phrack Inc.== |
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| Volume Two, Issue Eleven, Phile #4 of 12 |
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| +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ |
| +=+ Hacking Voice Mail Systems +=+ |
| +=+ Written for Phrack XI +=+ |
| +=+ by:-> Black Knight from 713 +=+ |
| +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ |
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| Voice Mail is a relatively new concept and not much has been said about it. |
| It is a very useful tool for the business person and the phreak. The way it |
| works is that somebody wishing to get in touch with you calls a number, |
| usually a 1-800, and punches in on his touch-pad your mailbox number and then |
| he is able to leave a message for you. Business experts report that this |
| almost totally eliminates telephone tag. When a person wishes to pick up his |
| message all he needs to do is call the number enter a certain code and he can |
| hear his messages, transfer them, and do other misc. mailbox utilities. |
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| Most VMSs are similar in the way they work. There are a few different ways |
| the VMSs store the voice. One way is that the voice is recorded digitally and |
| compressed and when heard it is reproduced back into the voice that recorded |
| it. Another method that is slower and uses more space, but costs less, stores |
| the voice on magnetic tape, the same type that is used to store data on a |
| computer, and then runs the tape at a slow speed. Using this method the voice |
| does not need to be reproduced in any way and will sound normal as long as the |
| tape is running at a constant speed. On some of the newer VMSs the voice is |
| digitally recorded and is transformed from the magnetic tape at about 2400 |
| bits per second. |
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| There are many different types and versions of voice mail systems. Some of |
| the best and easiest to get on will be discussed. |
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| Centagram |
| --------- |
| These are direct dial (you don't have to enter a box number). To get on one |
| of these, first have a number to any box on the system. All of the other |
| boxes will be on the same prefix; just start scanning them until you find one |
| that has a message saying that person you are calling is not available. This |
| usually means that the box has not been assigned to anybody yet. Before the |
| nice lady's voice tells you to leave the message, hit #. You will then be |
| prompted for your password. The password will usually be the same as the last |
| four digits of the box's number or a simple number like 1000, 2000, etc. Once |
| you get on, they are very user friendly and will prompt you with a menu of |
| options. If you can't find any empty boxes or want to do more, you can hack |
| but the system administrators box, which will usually be 9999 on the same |
| prefix as the other boxes, will allow you to hear anybody's messages and |
| create and delete boxes. |
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| Sperry Link |
| ----------- |
| These systems are very nice. They will usually be found on an 800 number. |
| These are one of the hardest to get a box on because you must hack out a user |
| ID (different from the person's box number) and a password. When it answers, |
| if it says, "This is a Sperry Link voice station. Please enter your user ID," |
| you will have to start trying to find a valid user ID. On most Sperrys it |
| will be a five digit number. If it answers and says, "This is an X answering |
| service," you first have to hit *# to get the user number prompt. Once you |
| get a valid user number will have to guess the password on most systems, it |
| will be 4 digits. Once you get in, these are also very user friendly and have |
| many different options available. |
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| RSVP |
| ---- |
| This is probably one of the worst VMSs but it is by far the easiest to get |
| yourself a box. When it answers you can hit * for a directory of the boxes on |
| it (it will only hold 23). If you hit # you will be given a menu of options |
| and when you choose an option you will then be prompted for your ID number. |
| The ID number on an RSVP system will just about always be the same as the |
| mailbox number, which are always only 2 digits. |
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| A.S.P.E.N. |
| ---------- |
| The Aspen voice message systems made by Octel Telecommunications is in my |
| opinion the BEST VMS made. To get a box on an Aspen, you need to find an |
| empty box. To find an empty box, scan the box numbers and if one says, "You |
| entered XXXX. Please leave a message at the tone," then this is an empty box. |
| You next just press # and when prompted for your box number enter the number |
| of the empty box and friendly voice of the nice lady will guide you through |
| all of the steps of setting up your box. She first tells you what you can do |
| with the box and then will prompt you with, "Please enter the temporary |
| password assigned to you by your system manager." This password will usually |
| be 4 digits long and the same as the box number like 1000, etc. Once you get |
| on their are many things you can do. You can make a distribution list where |
| if you want to leave a certain message to more than one person, you can enter |
| the list number and all of the boxes on the list will get the message. You can |
| also have the system call you and notify you that you have new messages. These |
| systems also have what they call "Information center mailboxes" that are |
| listen only and can also have a password on them so the person calling has to |
| enter the password before he hears the greeting message. Aspen VMSs have a |
| system managers mailbox that will just about give you total control of the |
| whole system and let you listen to people's mail, create and delete boxes, and |
| many other things. |
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| Thank you for reading this file and if you would like to get in touch with me |
| VIA VOICE MAIL call 1-800-222-0311 and hit *2155. |
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| //--Black Knight from 713--\\ |
| | for PHRACK XI (1987) | |
| \\--++--++--++--++--++--++-// |
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