VOIP Security?

[imported_haris]

I'm thinking about switching to VOIP with Vonage. I've started to do some basic research, but I started thinking about my calls being transmitted over the internet. I haven't heard or seen anything about VOIP being secure (ie something like a VPN connection). Should I be concerned with private information going out over the internet via VOIP?

Thanks in advance.

 

[vi edit]

Unless you are some sort of an encrypted link, there IS NO secure voice. Over IP or over POTS. Both of them have some privacy issues.

With POTS you can have your cordless phone being scanned by somebody else in the area. You could have somebody clip a buttset to your line outside your home.

Cell phones have their own issues.

So does VOIP.

There's always the possibility of somebody intercepting it...it's just a question of how bad do they want to.

 

[imported_haris]

I still think security with POTS is much better than VOIP. Someone would have to physically be near my home to tap into the line or scan for a wireless handset and it requires some type of specialized hardware. Any hacker that knows networking protocols can intercept packets. All it would take is a little know-how and maybe some software to listen to VOIP.

I'd like to assume that the packets are at least encrypted, but I've seen alot of stupid executive decisions in my day so I'm looking for more info from someone that knows about how VOIP security works.

 

[spidey07]

There is no security with voice over IP. If somebody can get the packets then can listen to the call.

Simlar to telephone lines - all it takes is somebody with a butt set anywhere along the call to listen in.