When choosing an Internet phone service provider. You should be aware that there are some issues to ask about.
If you're an individual, your first question may be about security, i.e., keeping other people from eavesdropping on your conversations. Ask your Internet phone service provider if they offer any kind of voice security using encryption or separate data routes. For example, it's possible to break your conversation into multiple pieces and send it out over multiple pathways. The person you are calling will not notice any difference; but anyone try to eavesdrop will only get part of the conversation at any given time. Problem solved.
Eavesdropping isn't the only security issue to be concerned with. Remember, you're using an Internet infrastructure to send and receive calls. So you are more vulnerable to the sorts of attacks that your PC can be a target for. Fact is, viruses and spyware can disrupt your phone service just as easily as they can disrupt your local area network. So if you're using your broadband Internet connection for Internet phone service, data files coming across the line should be checked for viruses. And you should make sure you use a firewall as well.
If you're in business and you're using your Internet phone service to discuss private business information, you need to be on guard. Ask your Internet phone service provider what they can offer you in the way of security against some of the following risks.
One common way that Internet communications are disrupted is through what is called the Denial of Service (DoS) attack. A hacker or intruder can crash your phone system by bombarding it with a nearly infinite number of information requests in a very short time. Make sure your Internet phone service provider can protect you adequately against this possibility.
Eavesdropping is another very real risk with Internet phone service users. An intruder could record phone calls that you make. They could restructure your voice, data and create conversations that never occurred. But the damage from eavesdropping can include nonvoice communications, too. Hackers have an infinite number of ways to get information that you're sending over the Internet such as sensitive business files.
Viruses and spyware can be sent with voice data. And although this hasn't happened on a widespread basis yet, it is possible that your system can be compromised or brought down. VoIP can also be subject to message-spam in much the same way that fax machines are targets for spam-faxes.
And while we're talking about hackers, be aware that they can access information like phone numbers and user identities from your network. Imagine what could happen: a hacker could make phone calls using your identity.
There are solutions to these problems. Earlier, I mentioned in encryption. This uses a technology very similar to what is used when credit card information is sent over a secure data connection. Another method of protecting voice conversations is to send the data separate from other Internet traffic using what is called a virtual Local Area Network (VLAN). The voice quality is not the greatest, but the security is much better.
Conclusion
I hope this gives you enough information to begin to make an informed decision about Internet phone service in your home or your business.
Ara Rubyan is not a part of the VoIP industry, nor does he sell VoIP services, nor does he pretend to be a guru of any kind. Instead, he is like you: a consumer, a business owner, and someone who has been researching the industry so that he could make an informed decision about the best VoIP service for his needs. Now, he's put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he's sharing it with you, no strings attached.
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