Are Voice-over-Internet phones ‘safer’ than land lines?
As the quality of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone systems improve to more closely match the sound of the land-line-based telephone system, more attention is being given to security questions. VoIP systems are vulnerable to many of the same impersonation-based attacks “phreakers” or hackers attempt against traditional telephone and cellular services. Their goals may range from harmless curiosity to identity theft, information theft and toll fraud. Those exploiting the system for illegal and unethical gain are picking up new ways to gain access to the emerging technology. “In some ways, VoIP is more secure than traditional phone service,” says John Curry, owner of Curry IP Solutions. “It is relatively easy for the thief to gain access to the hard-wires of the traditional phone service by tapping into the junction box outside the building or the network of wires in the basement. The important thing is to be aware of the vulnerabilities and develop ways to prevent intrusions
