What is voice over internet protocol (VoIP)?
Voice
over internet protocol (VoIP), also known as IP telephony, allows you
to use your internet connection to make telephone calls. Instead of
relying on an analog line like traditional telephones, VoIP uses digital
technology and requires a high-speed broadband connection such as DSL
or cable. There are a variety of providers who offer VoIP, and they
offer different services. The most common application of VoIP for
personal or home use is internet-based phone services that rely on a
telephone switch. With this application, you will still have a phone
number, will still dial phone numbers, and will usually have an adapter
that allows you to use a regular telephone. The person you are calling
will not likely notice a difference from a traditional phone call. Some
service providers also offer the ability to use your VoIP adapter any
place you have a high-speed internet connection, allowing you to take it
with you when you travel.
What are the security implications of VoIP?
Because
VoIP relies on your internet connection, it may be vulnerable to many
of the same problems that face your computer and even some that are
specific to VoIP technology. Attackers may be able to perform activities
such as intercepting your communications, eavesdropping, taking control
of your phone, making fraudulent calls from your account, conducting
effective phishing attacks by manipulating your caller ID, and causing
your service to crash. Activities that consume a large amount of network
resources, like large file downloads, online gaming, and streaming
multimedia, may affect your VoIP service.
There
are also inherent problems to routing your telephone over your
broadband connection. Unlike traditional telephone lines, which operate
despite an electrical outage, if you lose power, your VoIP may be
unavailable.
How can you protect yourself?
- Keep software up to date - If the vendor releases updates for the software operating your device, install them as soon as possible. Installing them will prevent attackers from being able to take advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities.
- Use and maintain anti-virus software - Anti-virus software recognizes and protects your computer against most known viruses. However, attackers are continually writing new viruses, so it is important to keep your anti-virus software current.
- Take advantage of security options - Some service providers may offer encryption as one of their services. If you are concerned about privacy and confidentiality, you may want to consider this and other available options.
- Install or enable a firewall - Firewalls may be able to prevent some types of infection by blocking malicious traffic before it can enter your computer. Some operating systems actually include a firewall, but you need to make sure it is enabled.
- Evaluate your security settings - Both your computer and your VoIP equipment/software offer a variety of features that you can tailor to meet your needs and requirements. However, enabling certain features may leave you more vulnerable to being attacked, so disable any unnecessary features. Examine your settings, particularly the security settings, and select options that meet your needs without putting you at increased risk.
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