| VoIP services are the new rage in the realm of | | | | to a class of security threat that is perhaps even more |
| telecommunication. However as every new | | | | devastating than any worm or Trojan. The threat |
| technology is accompanied by its pros and cons; the | | | | works to devastate an organization's VoIP network by |
| same holds true for VoIP. VoIP security is currently | | | | forcing disconnection of the phone lines. As a result the |
| one of the most talked about issues. Unlike the email | | | | phone lines experience long periods of busy signals |
| and web services; VoIP operates on a unique system | | | | and reconnection is delayed. |
| that works by translating the voice signals into data | | | | Another type of security threat associated with VoIP |
| packets. These data packets can then be sent easily | | | | networks is that of Eavesdropping. Generally as voice |
| via an Internet service to the receiving end. At the | | | | signal (in the form of data packets) is being transmitted |
| destination, the data packet is then again converted | | | | over an Internet connection, hackers can tap into this |
| into voice signal. Because VoIP makes use of | | | | connection and steal valuable information. What's more |
| high-speed Internet connection for efficient packet | | | | is that once a hacker is capable of snooping into your |
| transfer, hackers can easily tap into this information. | | | | network he has the undue advantage of causing |
| Even though VoIP networks provide businesses of all | | | | further damage by introducing DoS attacks. For |
| types with a cost effective solution to their | | | | network administrators and computer addicts the |
| communication needs; a great many network | | | | age-old scam of phishing is not a new one. When it |
| administrators are unaware of the network threats | | | | comes to Voice over Internet Protocol, the crime is |
| they might be exposed to. VoIP security needs to be | | | | renamed as Vising. The target of such crimes is |
| paid close attention to for it is one of the greatest | | | | generally financial data and its unlawful pursuit and use. |
| drawbacks of this technology. A typical VoIP network | | | | In addition, it often becomes difficult to track such |
| may be treated as a traditional LAN or WAN where | | | | criminals owing to a strategy named as caller id |
| every computer of the network is prone to security | | | | spoofing. |
| threats and breaches. | | | | One of the best ways to provide efficient VoIP |
| Some of the most alarming security threats faced by | | | | security is to make use of encryption. Encryption can |
| VoIP networks have been listed as under. Every | | | | be imposed by installing an encryption hardware that |
| network administrator should be well aware of these | | | | prevents a hacker's access to your voice data. |
| attacks and breaches for a single negligence on the | | | | Furthermore be alive to password thefts and make |
| administrator's part may lead to valuable information | | | | sure that all manufacturer passwords are changed |
| and confidential data being stolen. | | | | with minimal delay. |
| DoS attacks or the Denial of Service Attacks belong | | | | |