VOIP : No time before in the annals of telecommunications has a more important warning been required for current and potential VoIP (computer phone) users who’ve joined, or will be joining, in the inevitable paradigm shift from telephone to VoIP. Watch out for VoIP online sites providers that operate on industry standard codec and industry standard protocols since they’re PUBLICLY OPEN and INTERPRETABLE! And also this includes, but is not limited to, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. In plain terms, what this means is, if you subscribe to, or considering subscribing to a VoIP internet solution provider who operates on these industry standards – and over 90% do — you’ve inadvertently made yourself at risk of the criminal activities of hackers. Regardless of type of anti virus software you’ve on your computer, the publicly accessible industry standards supply a pathway by which these criminals can access your personal computer to plant viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and/or steal your identity.
How Does VOIP Work?
Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, unscrupulous criminal hackers view systems operating on these industry standards as their personal “Cash Cow” due to the ease by which they can access your personal computer and gather your information to offer to other criminals. Did you understand that some hacker-friendly providers offer processor chips which are only sold on the Internet? Did you understand that hacker-friendly providers actually offer hacker software that allows these criminals to deliberately disable security on computers, access your personal and confidential information, as well as inject their viruses, worms, and/or Trojan horses?
For example, “Vomit” is really a download free software that has been made to convert VoIP phone conversations into a trend file which may be played with standard sound players. Hackers gleefully interpret this as something they can utilize to attack unsuspecting victims. Hacker manuals will also be easily accessible via the Internet. One of these brilliant manuals shows how exactly to DoS other sites. DoSing (Disruption of Service) involves gaining unauthorized access to the “command prompt” on your computer and deploying it to tie up your vital Internet services.
VOIP Advantages and Disadvantages
Whenever a hacker invades one’s body, they may then delete or create files and emails, modify security features, and plant viruses or time bombs on your computer. “Sniff” is another tool (originally designed to help telecommunication professionals detect and solve problems) that criminal hackers use to tamper with the protocol and “sniff out” data. When hackers sniff out a data packet from Internet traffic, they reconstruct it to intercept conversations. This enables them to eavesdrop on conversations, gather information, and sell it to other unprincipled criminal entities.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is probably the most sinister of vulnerabilities you are able to inadvertently be subjected to. Identity theft is defined by the Department of Justice as. “…the wrongful obtaining and ultizing of somebody else’s private data somewhat which involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.” Identity theft is definitely the by-product of unscrupulous criminal individuals obtaining your ssn (including the ones from your better half and children), your banking accounts, your plastic card information, etc. Your details is sold for some other criminal entities for profit. Using your details, these criminals can then:
- Access your banking accounts funds
- Create new banking accounts with your details
- Create driver’s licenses
- Create passports
Attorney General Ashcroft stated that, “Identity theft carries a heavy price, within the harm to opportunity seekers whose identities are stolen and also the enormous cost to America’s businesses.” Do not be naïve enough to consider it will not happen or couldn’t take place! Friends hosting an internet site . called shadowcrew.com was indicted on conspiracy charges for stealing plastic card numbers and identity documents, then selling them online. Of course this group allegedly trafficked $1.7 million in stolen plastic card numbers, additionally they caused losses well over $4 million.
VOIP Service Providers
According to a Press Release from the Department of Justice on February 28, 2005, a hacker was convicted of several counts of fraud, one inch which “…he fraudulently possessed more than 15 computer passwords owned by other persons for accessing their bank and financial services accounts, opening online banking accounts in what they are called of the people persons, and transferring funds to unauthorized accounts.” The use of a VoIP isp and do not want to be a victim of Identity Theft, then take step one to safeguard yourself — avoid the use of VoIP the internet providers operating on industry standard codec and industry standard protocols.
Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses
On January 28, 2005, a press Release issued by the Department of Justice reported that any 19 yr old was convicted for his criminal activity by “…creating and unleashing a variant of the MS Blaster computer worm.” Christopher Wray, Attorney General – Criminal Division stated that, “This … malicious attack in the information superhighway caused an economic and technological disruption who was felt in the world.” On February 11, 2005, within the Press Release issued by the Department of Justice, reported that another criminal was sentenced for circulating a worm. This worm,
VOIP Free
“Directed the infected computers to launch a distributed denial and services information (DOS) attack against Microsoft’s main internet site causing the blog to shutdown therefore became inaccessible in the public for about four hours.” March 7, 2005, Symantec.com posted discovery of a worm named “W32.Serflog.B” that spread through file-sharing networks and MSN Messenger – networks that operate publicly open and interpretable industry standard codec and protocols, including P2P systems, in addition to Instant Messaging systems—none of which are safe, no matter the antivirus software within your computer. The W32.Serflog.B worm also lowers security settings and seems as a blank message window in the MSN Messenger.
If you don’t want to work next victim of the devastation involving worms, STOP using services that operate industry standard codec and protocols, and/or services that incorporate P2P systems. Antivirus software fails to incorporate protection for Instant Messaging services. In addition, Instant Messaging services, in in addition to themselves, you should not include protection regarding users. If you are into the capability of text chatting via Instant Messaging, then employ a VoIP internet service provider that has the Instant Messaging feature — one it does not necessarily operate industry standard codec or industry standard protocols who are publicly open and accessible.
VOIP Phone
Optimally secure VoIP companies that incorporate a secure Instant Messaging feature, operate from ones own proprietary quality encryption codec on patented technology that may be hosted in a specialist facility. In other words, if your VoIP internet service provider operates on optimally secure platforms, the Instant Messaging feature in the VoIP softphone, will also be protected using their technology. A Trojan is a program that internet criminals use to get rid of and interfere utilizing your security software and produces the next results :
- Terminates processes
- Removes registry entries
- Stops services
- Delete files
Hackers, who may have gained use of your laptop or computer, with the programs and software as mentioned above, are receiving an area day incorporating this nasty little program within arsenal of weapons. As recently as March 4, 2005, a new Trojan was discovered that modified settings in Internet Explorer. Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP were the reported systems which can be affected.
Here’s Underline
For those who are currently by using a VoIP internet solution provider that runs using industry standard codec and industry standard protocols which have been publicly open and interpretable, it’s good to come to a decision:
- Continue enticing criminal hackers and remain on their service, or
- Take immediate corrective action.
- For those who are currently using Instant Messaging of any sort, it’s good to come to a decision
- Continue enticing criminal hackers and remain as a person of their total service, or
- Take immediate corrective action.
- Would like to take immediate corrective action:
- Locate a VoIP internet solution provider containing their unique proprietary high end encryption codec
- Locate a VoIP internet solution provider containing their unique proprietary patented technology
- Locate a VoIP internet solution provider that hosts their proprietary patented technology in a reliable facility
- Locate a VoIP internet solution provider these include the Instant Messaging feature in their proprietary patented technology
Here is a place you look to see exactly what a VoIP internet solution provider looks doing this operates automatically proprietary high end encryption codec making use of their own proprietary patented technology hosted in a reliable facility, AND that incorporates the Instant Messaging feature.
