VoIP And Security
The Internet is a vast, public network and unprotected VoIP traffic is just as susceptible to attack and interception as any other kind of data.
Eavesdropping is, of course, possible on a traditional telephone network. Although it is unlikely to be too great a concern for personal calls, business users discussing sensitive information want to know they're not being overheard.
Call encryption is possible, and business users can opt for virtual private network (VPN) connections to their offices to ensure privacy, although such systems put pressure on bandwidth. Users of WiFi connections or WiFi phones should ensure they use either the WEP or WPA standards to secure their traffic.
As some VoIP and messaging services need to open ports on a network's firewall, it is important to keep computer operating systems, anti-virus and other security software up to date.
Security software that monitors the data packets themselves will give maximum protection. Some businesses also place their VoIP hardware in an isolated part of the network so that if an attack did come in through a VoIP port, their computers would not be exposed.
Finally, unfortunately, VoIP isn't immune from spam either; indeed it has its own acronym - SPIT (Spam over Internet Telephony). As with email spam this can be a nuisance, although service providers do take measures to protect their users.
