| For individuals, VOIP security is primarily a matter | | | | data is traveling across the internet just like any |
| of preventing others from eavesdropping on their | | | | other kind of data, it is vulnerable to the same |
| conversations. Some VOIP service providers | | | | types of attacks. Hackers have countless |
| offer voice security through encryption or | | | | software tools available to them to retrieve |
| separate data routes.Regular precautions for | | | | information being transmitted over the internet. |
| transferring files should, of course, always be | | | | These tools are as effective with voice data as |
| followed. A firewall should be in place for | | | | with any other kind of data.Another security |
| protecting your computer from the internet and | | | | threat is the possibility of sending viruses with |
| any data or program that is downloaded should | | | | VOIP data. This hasn't surfaced yet, but viruses |
| be checked for viruses.But users should reealize | | | | could potentially overload VOIP networks, reduced |
| that VOIP hardware devices are inherently more | | | | sound quality and create delays.VOIP isn't secure |
| vulnerable to attack. Some types of equipment | | | | against spam either. This refers to receiving |
| can be made unstable or inoperable when they | | | | unsolicited marketing calls from companies selling |
| receive certain types of data. Some internet | | | | their goods and services.There are several points |
| phones are also susceptible to data piracy, | | | | in the transmission of VOIP calls that hackers can |
| revealing private information under certain | | | | use to recover information. In additin to retrieving |
| conditions.While this probably won't be of much | | | | actual conversations, they can also access critical |
| concern when you're calling Uncle Tim, it is a huge | | | | information such as user identities and VOIP |
| concern for businesses that consistently use | | | | phone numbers. With this information, a hacker |
| telephone communication for discussing sensitive | | | | can place phone calls using someone else's |
| business information. As VOIP popularity | | | | identity.Attackers could also record phone calls |
| increases, security is becoming a growing concern | | | | while eavesdropping on conversations and even |
| and is now receiving widespread attention.Security | | | | potentially restructure voice data to create |
| IssuesIt's mainly businesses that need to be | | | | discussions that never actually existed! Log files |
| concerned with security issues related to VOIP. | | | | could also be accessed and altered.There are |
| They are more susceptible to the Denial of | | | | ways currently available that address such |
| Service (DOS) attacks and other forms of | | | | security issues. The first is with encryption that |
| obnoxious hacking because many businesses | | | | provides the same sort of security used in |
| operate personal gateways and other equipment | | | | sending credit card information over a secure |
| for connecting to the internet.There are several | | | | data connection. The second is to separate VOIP |
| security issues associated with VOIP. | | | | data from other internet traffic by using a Virtual |
| Eavesdropping is an understandable fear with both | | | | Local Area Network (VLAN). Both methods can |
| regular and VOIP calls, but there are additional | | | | degrade call quality, but they present an |
| concerns unique to this technology. Since VOIP | | | | alternative for sensitive calls. |