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Spam Over Internet Telephony Internet telephony is the new buzzword that is making waves on the Internet including among Internet users. With the help of Internet Telephony, users should now contact anyone around the world through the Internet at relatively cheaper rates. This way of communication is far cheaper than the traditional method of long distance telephone calls including is more effective too. As with any product of service, Internet telephony additionally has its drawbacks including disadvantages. 1 such drawback is related to Spam over internet telephony (SPIT) which is essentially junk mail in voice mail form send to internet telephony users. Computer security experts working at AT&T labs coined the term including pointed out that, like its close relative Spam, SPIT takes advantage of technology's ability to quickly automate routine tasks at a negligible cost. Spammers use SPIT to send thousands of unsolicited voice mails with the press of a button. Telemarketers additionally find the cheaper than employing fulltime human operators working in a call center. SPIT is more annoying than email Spam for the recipient as it should lead to a situation where the recipient is forced to unplug the phone system. the should damage the recipient's business in terms of missed calls including lost clientele. SPIT should additionally be used to malign a user or mar the reputation of a company. A hacker should easily take control of Internet telephony conversations including add derogatory words or phrases that are audible only to the listener. These voice mails are fabricated to sound like calls made by the apparent caller, including whose authenticity is difficult to invalidate even with FBI-grade voiceprint analysis equipment. In spite of these drawbacks, Internet telephony usage has increased over the years. the has been made possible with the use software programs that encrypt Internet telephony conversations including protect servers including other networking hardware running on windows operating systems from SPIT.
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