VoIP

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is a term used for transmission technologies that deliver voice communications over the Internet. These transmission technologies normally interface with regular telephone networks called public switched telephone networks.

The benefits of VoIP over traditional telephone service can include the ability to add an extra line at home at little cost and encrypt home telephone calls. Extra features that traditional telephone companies normally charge for — such as conferencing, call-waiting, caller-ID, and call-forwarding — can be a lot less expensive, also. While these benefits are availablel, not all VoIP vendors provide them.

There are security concerns with VoIP because a hacker can easily intercept calls using a packet sniffer and even change the call’s content. Additionally, if VoIP networks are not protected properly by a secure VLAN, denial of service (DOS) attacks could be launched against them. 

VoIP has also made it easier (International reach, cheap cost) to set up telemarketing fraud operations and other types of scams involving spoofed telephone calls. A new term called “Vishing,” which is essentially Phishing (tricking people into giving up personal and financial details) by telephone, has been credited as being enabled by VoIP.

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Latest blogosphere posts tagged “VoIP”

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• Google Buys VoIP Company

  
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• Google Voice Gets New Free VoIP Service

  
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• Google officially “welcomes” Gizmo5 by halting new user sign ups

  
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• Google officially “welcomes” Gizmo5 by halting new user sign ups

  
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• What Google gets with Gizmo5

  
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