Six VoIP Security Recommendations

Before you begin to implement VoIP across your organization, there are several things you should consider. Security is extremely important these days and it is best to think before than act after an attack. Some vendors are building security solutions within their products others are not, leaving it up to the user to implement these measures.

1. Make sure your network and security infrastructure, including firewalls routers, VPNs, etc., are voice-optimized and capable of supporting the advanced security requirements for VoIP. More importantly, bandwidth, latency and quality of service become critical requirements for network and security infrastructure.

2. Your IP PBX is at the core of your VoIP infrastructure. Depending on the software you are using, especially windows servers, ensure that the base operating system of your IP PBX, as well as network infrastructure, are always updated and patched for the latest security vulnerabilities. Vendors that provide proprietary operating systems are a lot less vulnerable.

3. It is important to be proactive in conducting regular security assessments of your VoIP infrastructure. Being aware of such security flaws will help to avoid attacks and prevent system outages.

4. Manage your remote access ports and system backdoors. Default login and administrator passwords on such devices are a very common entry for attacks. Disable any insecure remote access features, such as FTP and Telnet, and disable local administration and management features.

5. Structure your network to use VLANs to separate voice and data devices and its corresponding traffic. Deploying VoIP devices on separate VLANs permits isolating data traffic from voice and signaling traffic, as well as utilizing Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities. VLAN separation does not ensure a robust security practice but having separate VLANs will help in isolating the traffic.

6. If your VoIP traffic goes over the Internet, use encryption technologies like IPsec tunnels to secure the VoIP traffic. While many of the VoIP protocols include capabilities for encryption and authentication, most of them are optional. Ensure your vendor has a security policy within the product itself.

John Leonardelli, President, Gale Force Communications. John brings 20 years of voice, data and wireless telecommunications experience in various sales, management and operational roles. John is a Certified IP Telephony Expert where his expertise has been focused on IP Telephony, Contact Centre and complex technical solutions. John has a degree in Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications and Sales Management.

Understanding Voice Over Internet Protocol (voip).

Internet Voice, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.

The calls are made over a data network like the internet. VoIP converts the voice to a digital signal that can travel over the internet then converts it back to voice once it reaches the other end. This enables you to speak to anyone with a regular phone number. When placing a VoIP call using a phone with an adapter, you'll hear a dial tone and dial just as you always have. VoIP may also allow you to make a call directly from a computer using a conventional telephone or a microphone.

Placing a Call

All VoIP Services are a bit different in the way you place a call. If you have an adapter connected to your internet Connection you can-just pick up your phone and dial the number. The call goes through your local phone company to a VoIP provider. The call proceeds over the internet to the called party?s local telephone company and the call is completed. You can also plug a microphone headset into your computer, this is a good option it you have a slow (dial-up) connection as it cuts out some of the echo commonly heard in slow connections. Utilizing a headset, the number is dialed using a keyboard & routed through your cable modem.

Equipment Needed for VoIP

High-Speed Broadband connection, IP Phones (Softphones will require PC) or Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs) and VoIP Service Provider, currently there are 505 in the U.S. alone, the best known probably being Vonage.

When you looking for a VoIP provider be sure to check what the they offer, some companies allow you to make calls only to other subscribers of their service. But most companies will allow you to call anyone, land line, cellular, local, long distance and some companies even allow you to talk to more than one person at a time.

Many people today use their cell phone as their primary phone, with VoIP you could eliminate your landline phone altogether. You can call anyone, any where in the world and talk along as you want. VoIP calls do not have to pay toll or distance charges so the possibilties for consumers and small business to save money are the most attractive feature of Voice over Internet Proticol.

Christine is the owner of http://onlinevoipinfo.com/ which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP. The site includes a comprehensive information on VoIP.

Using A VoIP Phone Service Can Cost You Your Life

VoIP Phones are all the rage. These Internet phones are becoming increasingly popular with the general public as well as among the technologically gifted avant-garde i.e. geeksRus. Chances are high you know someone who uses one or you may even use one yourself.

But did you know it can cost you your life?

We will get to this life-threatening issue later but first you should have a basic understanding of what a VoIP phone is and how it works. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. These phones are also commonly referred to as Voice over IP or Voice over Internet. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol is a way of using analog audio signals, like on your regular phone, and turning these signals into digital data that's transmitted over the Internet instead of over conventional phone lines.

How does it Work?

A Voip Phone Service can work on any computer that has broadband connectivity. If you have a headset/microphone, along with a Voip phone system set-up or software program installed on your computer, you can place calls from your computer or laptop to anywhere in the broadband-connected world. Assuming that your friends have the same software set-up or have a Voip Phone Service from many of the commercial providers, you should be able to communicate, i.e. talk to each other.

It basically works by sending small packets of data from one computer to another over the Internet. And since it uses the Internet, the route these data transfers take is as varied and as wide as the Internet itself. You call a phone number and the data is sent to your VoIP company's call processor. The call processor connects you to your friend's phone and a session is formed between your computer and your friend's computer. Your call can now be handled as if it were an e-mail or a web page but each system must have the same protocol in order for you to communicate or talk.

This may be over-simplifying things a bit, but this method is less expensive than a conventional phone system.

Many VoIP companies offer many services that a traditional phone company will charge you an arm or leg for! These include: Caller ID, Call transfer, Call waiting, Return call, Repeat dial, and Three-way calling. And because it is over the Internet you can check your voicemail via the Web - you may even attach messages that's sent to your computer or handheld.

VoIP Phone Services have many advantages over the traditional system, mainly its cheap price and availability or access. As the broadband world increases, VoIP phones may become even more popular.

So what's the Problem with using VoIP Phones?

There are some major hurdles Voip Phone users should be aware of and it is where the life saving advice comes in.

The VoIP Phone is only as good as the Internet system or computer you're using. There may be down times, for example, if you lose your power - a Voip phone will not work, whereas a regular wall phone or conventional phone will. In many natural disasters, be it a blizzard, tornado or hurricane, the power is sometimes the first utility that fails. Communications often become critical in these situations and being stuck with only a powerless VoIP phone may pose a problem. Assuming, of course, you don't have your VoIP Phone hooked up to a portable Wi-Fi battery operated laptop!

You must also keep in mind that your laptop or computer must be able to handle the phone calls, other programs running on your system may disrupt or distort your voip signals if your computer is overloaded or not powerful enough.

Next, perhaps the most important concern, Emergency 911 calls are a real challenge with VoIP. VoIP phones uses IP-addressed phone numbers and not NANP phone numbers. There's no way to tell the geographic location with an IP address; thus routing the emergency call may pose a problem for 911 operators. Obviously, this is not good in an emergency of any kind!

No doubt this hurdle will be fixed in the very near future as Voip Phones become more commonplace and integrated neatly in the wireless Wi-Fi systems/networks around the world. But for now, it is something every VOIP Phone user should be made aware of and prepare for in the case your VOIP phone becomes your only lifeline.

Another challenge, as more and more voip phones come online - there is no world-wide standard in place. This would include hardware and protocols that would make this system work anywhere in the world.

Despite these hurdles and challenges, many believe VoIP Phone Services will eventually replace the traditional phone lines over time. But the revolution is just starting! According to the Forrester Research Group only 5 million U.S. households will be using VoIP phones by the end of 2006.

However, it doesn't take a Crystal Ball or even the Forrester Research Group to tell us we are becoming more and more of a 'wireless world'. VoIP Phones will find themselves 'center stage' in our ever increasing technologically enhanced universe. No doubt, neatly blended into some fully loaded portable, Video/VoIP Phone, XM radio, Search Engine, Wi-Fi, GPS Emergency Beacon, Computer Handheld Contraction. As long as we can keep our 'heads attached' until this technotopia item comes along - we should be ok.

Hey, when Google finally decides to build that Google Box, maybe someone should suggest they load it up with a few extra goodies. Can we talk?

The author runs a modest website on Bizware and Business Solutions - including a section on VoIP Phone Services. VoIP Phone Services
Get a few Free Marketing Tools for your business. Titus Hoskins Copyright ? 2006. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
 

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - All the Information You Need

VoIP technology is revolutionary in that it combines internet access with telephone service therefore utilizing the same technology for two very different things. Now, instead of having a traditional phone connection, VoIP technology enables you to use your internet broadband connection to make telephone calls.

1) So how does a VoIP phone work?

Firstly, you need a broadband connection and a router. This device works by allowing you to take phone calls as before. However, with a VoIP phone, the connection is now digital instead of through a phone line. A VoIP phone also has a gateway that connects you to a network. Your voice is then converted to a digital sound and this information can be sent in packets enabling you to have great sound and connection to people with and without the VoIP service.

2) What do you need to get started? Of course, you need a broadband internet connection. Although VoIP can work with other internet service providers, the voice reception quality will not be as it would be with broadband.

3) What are the benefits of a VoIP phone? The main benefit is that the VoIP phone costs much less that the traditional phone lines. This applies whether you use a cell phone or home phone service. Unlike home phone services, regular long distance callers really notice the benefits of a VoIP phone. The more long distance calls you make the more you save since with a VoIP phone the location of the caller and the person receiving the call is not important. Since you are also able to take you adapter with you, this service is perfect for the travelers among you. VoIP phones are also cost effective if you wish to add to your service. For example, instead of the normal fee of adding a phone line to your traditional home service, you need only pay a minimal amount since those with VoIP phones need to install any additional equipment.

4) Are there any disadvantages of switching to a VoIP phone? Although there are some disadvantages, however these are minor. Poor voice quality can occur when the reception is poor. However, this is something we already have to contend with cell phones. Also, since a VoIP phone is connected to a broadband connection, if the company supplying you with this connection has any problem with its power supply, then your call will automatically be cut off. This may also occur when there is poor signal in an area.

5) What are the future applications? Presently, the majority of companies allow you to be online at the same time as making calls. There are no limitations to this service and in this area can only grow and progress in the future. VoIP phone use will become more and more common and easier to use, as digital phones will be made. This means that a customer no longer needs a router and this will lead to VoIP phones becoming more popular than the traditional phone line.

Seymour Brown writes articles for http://www.voip-basics.com

VoIP Technology For The Little Guy....

Michael Lemm

Not everyone in the world has sufficient internet access capability to take advantage of the benefits from VoIP. Shoot....most folks are lucky to have 1 phone line for that matter. This dose of reality kinda puts the dampers on the "VoIP will take over the world" conspiracy theory.

Not everyone in the world has sufficient internet access capability to take advantage of the benefits from VoIP. Shoot....most folks are lucky to have 1 phone line for that matter. This dose of reality kinda puts the dampers on the "VoIP will take over the world" conspiracy theory.

But hold on there Junior....the little guy may just have found a hero.

Mail2speak, a US-based company, is offering users cut-throat rates to place international calls. But wait until you learn how they do it....read on.

For example......

• You can call the US and UK from South Africa for R1.35 a minute. Telkom charges between double and triple the price for these calls. Calls to Australia from SA are also about 50% cheaper.
• You can call anywhere in the United States and most of Europe from Malaysia for just 45 sen per minute compared to 98 sen per minute at present charged by a local company using land lines. For mobile phones, the calls will be 68 sen per minute as opposed to 98 sen. A call to China costs 50 sen per minute on a fixed line compared to 1.98 RM by fixed line charged by a local company.
• You can call anywhere in the United States and much of Europe from Brazil for around 0.33 BRL.
• You can call Japan from Italy for 0.11 EUR......the US for 0.08 EUR.
• You can call India from UAE for 2.63 AED.......the UK for 1.74 AED.

Those are just a small sample of what is available.

How?

What makes the service unique is that unlike other Internet telephony applications, mail2speak does not require a microphone, a software download or a dedicated broadband connection with special equipment. All that is required to use the service is access to the website and an open phone line or cellphone to receive a call. You can place an international call from any phone or mobile/PDA at super low rates.

The process is simple. Just visit mail2speak and fill out a few registration details. After that enter the overseas number you wish to call and within seconds your phone will ring. The call will have been placed for you and you can talk to your loved ones....or business contacts.... at a ridiculously low rate.

The service is available to and from 280 countries around the world. Your relatives and business contacts overseas can also use this service to contact you and pay in their local currency.

If, as in many international homes with Internet connections, there is only one phone line available, Mail2speak will automatically call you again in one minute to give you time to end the Internet connection and receive the call. They do this because calls to cellphones cost more in some countries.

For business people who make frequent international calls, mail2speak is especially convenient because it allows you to store the numbers that are called and simply click on them to be connected automatically.

** In addition, if you do not need to have a two-way chat there is another great service that is offered.

You can use your telephone to leave a message for as many overseas friends as you want for just 63 cents a minute. This message will be e-mailed as an Internet sound file (voice email).

All in all....pretty cool solution for the average Joe around the globe. VoIP technology for the little guy. Gotta love it.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications http://ld.net/mscprez and http://DS3-Bandwidth.com .......delivering choices to both residential and business consumers worldwide for voice and data broadband services. Michael also authors BroadBand Nation http://BroadBand-Nation.blogspot.com where you're always welcome to to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, and ramblings for the masses.