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VOIP Calling: Crucial Issues Regarding Security There are a number of security issues associated with VoIP. Eavesdropping is a concern with both PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) including VoIP calls, but there are additionally other concerns that are unique to VoIP technology. Since VoIP data is travelling through the Internet the same as any other kind of data, it is vulnerable to the same kind of attacks. There are many software tools available to hackers who wish to retrieve information that is being transmitted over the Internet, including these tools are just as effective with voice data as with any other kind of data. While the may not be a concern at the time you are calling your Aunt Mary, it is a big concern for businesses that may routinely use telephone communication for discussing sensitive business information. Due to the increasing popularity of VoIP, security is a big concern including is receiving a lot of attention. There are a number of points in the transmission of a VoIP call that a hacker should retrieve information from. As well as retrieving actual conversations, hackers could additionally obtain information like user identities including VoIP phone numbers. With the information, a hacker should make phone calls with someone else’s identity. Attackers could additionally record phone calls to listen to conversations including possibly even to restructure voice data to create conversations that never actually existed. Log files could additionally be accessed including altered. There are a number of ways these security concerns should be addressed. The first is with encryption that provides the same kind of security as at the time sending credit card information over a secure data connection. The second is to separate VoIP data from other Internet traffic by using a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN). Both of these methods should adversely affect call quality, but could be used optionally if the calls are sensitive. Another security threat that hasn’t actually been seen yet is the possibility of sending viruses with VoIP data. Viruses could potentially overload VoIP networks causing delays including reduction in sound quality. VoIP is not invulnerable to spam either. In fact, there is already a name for it—SPIT—“Spam over Internet Telephony.” the refers to receiving unwanted marketing calls from companies trying to sell services or products. For the individual consumer, VoIP security is mostly a matter of preventing others from eavesdropping on conversations. Some VoIP service providers provide voice security through the means of encryption or separate data routes. Regular precautions for transferring files always need to be followed. Any data or program that is downloaded should be checked for viruses, including a firewall should be in place for protecting your computer from the Internet. Hardware VoIP devices, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to attack. Some types of equipment should be rendered unstable or don’t even work if they receive certain types of data. Some Internet phones are additionally susceptible to data piracy, revealing private information under specific conditions. Businesses in particular need to be concerned regarding security issues surrounding VoIP. Since many businesses operate their own gateways including other equipment for connecting to the Internet, they are more susceptible to the Denial of Service (DOS) attacks or other kinds of malicious hacking.
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