A circuit (16) is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a remote device such as a computer (10) over a communications system such as a telephone network (12). A remote computer terminal (13) is connected to the telephone network (12) through a conventional modem (14). At the remote location of computer (10), circuit (16) is connected between computer (10) and another modem (15). Circuit (16) is also connected to the telephone network (12) to receive a signal therefrom which connects modem (15) through circuit (16) to computer (10) to temporarily access the same. The connection, however, is disconnected after a predetermined time period unless circuit (16) receives a second signal from the telephone network (12) before the expiration of that predetermined time period.