| Simply put: VoIP is a term used when referring to | | | | may be compromised. A good security measure |
| Voice over Internet Protocol, popularly known as | | | | in this case would be to split the voice and data |
| voice over IP. This system employs a protocol to | | | | networks and implementing firewalls accordingly. |
| transmit sound waves as data packets over a | | | | In the United States of America regulations which |
| network, in this case the biggest of them all, the | | | | directly preempt 'privacy policies' in exchange for |
| internet. In any case, this data network can be | | | | national security have become effective. Such is |
| the already mentioned or a smaller home internal | | | | the case of CALEA also known as 'The |
| network. As expected from an evolving | | | | Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement |
| technology many VOIP products are not | | | | Act of 1994) which grants the government |
| completely understood or worse, their purpose is | | | | access to 'phone conversations' regardless being |
| not understood at all!, that is why we must | | | | landlines or IP managed communications. |
| comprehend all the acronyms, features, | | | | This doesn't directly affect a great percentage of |
| advantages and disadvantages that come with | | | | users unless they are involved in some sort of |
| this new technology. | | | | illegal activity, of course!. But in order to assure |
| With the creation of this new technology, many | | | | 'privacy' to it's users, IP companies are developing |
| questions and issues have come to light, for | | | | security features which will be built into phone |
| example, are our VOIP calls being recorded or | | | | sets. Currently, companies such as Skype |
| monitored by third parties, which directly violates | | | | encrypts all the communication transmitted |
| our privacy?. The fact is that the probability of | | | | through the internet between users from start to |
| being wiretapped by using a VOIP line is almost | | | | finish. |
| the same as using a normal phone. Some have | | | | Another software technology which is yet to be |
| made 'traditional phone communication' sound like | | | | implemented in phone sets is ZRTP which is an |
| they have some sort of secret security features, | | | | extension to real time transport protocol that |
| when in reality this is not true. | | | | works by initiating a cryptographic key agreement |
| This discussion started because VOIP systems | | | | between the two parties engaged in a |
| transform sound waves into data packets which | | | | conversation. While this sounds like geeky |
| are then transmitted through the internet to it's | | | | "mombo jombo", all the user needs to do to |
| destination, so just like a data network, a voice | | | | make sure a third party is not eavesdropping in |
| over IP network can be attacked if proper | | | | their conversation is to compare a 'keyword' with |
| security measures aren't taken. This is especially | | | | the other person running the same software. |
| relevant to business owners who want to | | | | These programs have yet to be fully |
| establish an internal PBX (Private Business | | | | implemented in handsets, so Voice over IP |
| Exchange System) along with VOIP and a data | | | | companies recommended to: update your |
| network. | | | | Operating System, change factory passwords on |
| In the scenario described above, if the VOIP | | | | your equipment, etc. The truth is that internet |
| network which is linked to the data and internal | | | | phone users who do not handle 'sensitive |
| communications network is bridged, then all | | | | information' through these lines shouldn't worry as |
| communication may be lost and important data | | | | much as business owners. |