4 Common VoIP Security Threats

VoIP is the most versatile communication tool in the world. However, the fact that it operates over the internet also means that it is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This is why every technician your business consults will encourage you to prioritise VoIP security.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect your system from intrusion, techniques that can safeguard your company’s communication infrastructure. That being said, nothing is perfect. Security threats are always growing stronger and more cunning. Your organisation’s VoIP security must evolve accordingly if it is to contend with the ingenuity of most hackers.

It isn’t enough to stay vigilant. You must also expand your understanding of those security threats that normally target VoIP systems, with the most common including:

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks targeting VoIP are quite common these days. Hackers will tempt the curiosity of your company’s employees by sending them dubious links, messages, and phone numbers. They know that it doesn’t take much these days to compel an internet user to provide sensitive personal and financial information, especially if they think that they are averting some sort of disaster in the process.

Some of them will go so far as to pretend that they represent an important service provider such as a bank or school. Some organisations make every effort possible to discourage their workers from clicking links and opening messages sent by strangers.

They also encourage employees to consult the company’s security experts whenever they suspect a phishing attack. Unfortunately, human beings are still the most vulnerable component of every VoIP system and it only takes one careless employee to expose your company to danger.

Hijacking

There are security measures in place to protect VoIP calls made using your company’s network. However, the same cannot be said for calls made using a Wi-Fi hotspot. Hackers have the tools and the means to hijack such calls, stealing your company’s information in the process. 

Interference

People think that hackers only invade VoIP systems whenever they need to steal sensitive information or if it can benefit them financially in the long run. However, some hackers are only interested in being a nuisance.

This is why some of them will add noise packets to your data stream with the express intention of causing the quality of your call to deteriorate. They do not benefit as a result. However, such interference can still hurt your business.

Malware

Every internet-enabled system has to contend with malware and viruses and VoIP is no different. Some viruses are designed to steal data. Others will open a back door to the system, giving hackers additional access. You also have those viruses whose only purpose is wreak havoc. Unfortunately, any employee in your organisation that connects to your system with an internet-enabled device could introduce a virus.

There is also Denial of Service attacks to consider, not to mention ID spoofing and Audio Spam, to mention but a few. This probably makes VoIP sound like a risky system to adopt but that is true of every system.

Your computer is vulnerable to malware attacks but that hasn’t stopped you from using it. The objective of pointing all these threats out isn’t to scare you. Rather, the easiest way to protect your VoIP system is to find out all the ways hackers might attack you. Only then can you hope to mount an effective defence.

Need help? At voiper, we value your security and provide the best VoIP experience. Simply reach out to any of our trusted agents and get the help you need today!