VoIP
Security
VoIP Security - Against What?
As
VoIP is a part of the internet, VoIP is vulnerable to the same risks
that are associated with it - viruses, identity theft, phishing,
spam, spyware.
When you are using VoIP, your VoIP security is dependent upon the
security measures of your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and VoIP
server as well as yourself.
If there is any loophole somewhere along the line, an intruder could
...
-
Listen to your
conversation
-
Use your VoIP
account password to make calls
-
Listen to your
voicemail
-
Send you spam in the
form of telemarketer calls
-
Disable your VoIP
system by dos attacks
-
Infest
your computer with viruses, trojans and other undesirable bugs
Sounds
scary? But before you swear off VoIP for good, let me tell you that
this is the worst case scenario. In fact, there is little probability
of happening all this to you or any most VoIP users.
This
is because most VoIP service providers have become very security
conscious, with the result that measures like encryption of data and
strong database security are becoming the normal features of their
service. So there is little chance that your VoIP provider's server
could be hacked easily. But your pc could - if you don't do your bit of
raising your
fences.
What To
Do For VoIP Security
Here
are a few things that you could do to enhance your VoIP security:
Secure Your Browser
Your browser is the first point of entry for whatever
comes to your pc like the border checkpoint between two countries.
Allow everyone and you are in for trouble - viruses, spyware, trojans,
adware and hacking software. This is why you need to set the security
level of your browser to control who comes in and who turned off.
Use
A Firewall
Your browser will not keep off all the intruders so as a second line of
defense, use a firewall and an antivirus on your pc - a good idea even
if you don't use VoIP. An internet firewall can be hardware or
software-based for keeping out hackers, worms, viruses and other
undesirables from your pc. While there are a number of firewalls
available on the market,
Zone
Alarm could be a good choice as it is free and quite
effective. Turn on your firewall and antivirus before you access the
internet.
Use Strong Passwords
Your passwords are the first targets of hackers and data thieves. If
somebody gets your passwords that person can do everything that you can
do - make calls on your VoIP account, withdraw money from your online
bank account or apply for credit card in your name. Therefore it is
highly essential that you use passwords that are hard to hack.
Click
here for tips on making strong passwords.
When you have created strong passwords, it is equally essential to
protect these passwords. We are often told not to write down our
passwords and most of us don't. But most of us don't think twice before
storing our passwords online. Of course this way we can easily retrieve
them. So can the data thieves once they get access to your pc. So don't
say yes when your computer asks you whether you want it to 'remember'
your password. It is better to store your passwords offline and devise
a way to keep them in a safe place.
Another
common practice to avoid is to use the same password for various online
accounts - if your one password is compromised all of your accounts are
at risk.
Use An Adapter
If you are using VoIP to make business calls or to exchange sensitive
information, it is advisable not to use your pc to make phones because
a trojan on your computer could record your phone calls.
Instead use an adapter to connect your phone directly with the internet
bypassing your pc. This is what the internet phones do as they are
connected with adapters which are often supplied by the
internet
phone providers when you sign up with them though in some
cases you may have to buy your own device.
Remain
Alert - Always
All these VoIP security precautions should keep your VoIP phone safe.
But security is a never-ending process. It is not like
do-this-and-you-are-safe kind of thing You have to be on your toes -
develop sort of a security consciousness to keep abreast of new
developments. Both on the new threats that emerge and the ways to
combat them.
This is true not only of VoIP security but
any kind of security including fraud
protection.
Learn more
about Home Computer Security
Related
Reviews:
ZoneAlarm
VoIP
Security
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Protection
