What’s Your IQ on Basic PC Phone (VoIP) Knowledge
April 5th, 2008
Short T/F quiz
1.T / F You can save a significant amount of money using VoIP
rather than traditional telephone/cell phone calling methods.
2.T / F The minimum requirement for VoIP is a broadband (high
speed) connection. 3.T / F VoIP security is not an issue to be
concerned about because most computers are protected with
firewalls. 4.T / F Over 75% of the world will be using VoIP for
communication within the next 3-4 years. 5.T / F You can make
all your phone calls anywhere in the world from your computer.
6.T / F Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are perfectly safe to use,
especially if your computer is protected with firewalls.
Answers
1.The answer is True. In fact, it is the tremendous savings of
up to 80% off traditional phone calling that makes VoIP
attractive to consumers and businesses. The only equipment
needed for VoIP is your PC and a microphone (if one is not built
into your PC). Beware of VoIP service providers that require you
to purchase additional equipment and/or sign contracts.
2.The answer is False. Although the public has been fed a steady
diet that the minimum requirement for VoIP is a high speed
(broadband) connection, this is absolutely false.
Over 90% of the VoIP providers have used this false premise as a
smokescreen to take your focus off the fact that their priority
was and is to line their own pockets rather than expend the
time, effort, and funds to develop technology that incorporates
dial up capability.
The technology required for dial up connections to use VoIP
involves the ability to compress data packets down to a minimum
size of 8 kbps prior to traveling over the Internet.
3.The answer is False. Security should be the most important
feature of any VoIP solution provider. Firewalls do not
incorporate protection for VoIP. VoIP security should
incorporate protection against identity theft, Trojan horses,
viruses, and worms.
Craig Pollard of Siemens advised that “Voice must be protected
like any other application”. He further stated that, “Along with
IT directors and telecom managers, a number of financial
directors came to our road shows, which may not be surprising
considering the damaging potential of VoIP threats if a network
is not properly protected.”
Over 90% of VoIP solution providers do not operate on secure
lines. These providers, in order to save a few dollars at your
expense, operate on industry standard codec (encryption codes)
and industry standard protocols which are publicly open and
interpretable. Hacker friendly providers offer hacker manuals,
software, programs, and even processor chips that makes
accessibility to your computer from these industry standards -
as enticing as chum is to sharks in a feeding frenzy.
When a computer hacker gains unauthorized access to your
computer, their sole purpose is to steal your identity and sell
your personal and confidential information to other criminal
entities. In addition, they often plant Trojan horses, viruses,
and worms into your computer.
4.The answer is True. Industry insiders such AT&T says, “VoIP
traffic is projected to account for approximately 75% of the
world’s voice traffic by 2007″. This suggests a major paradigm
shift in communication.
5.The answer is True. Not only can you make all your phone calls
anywhere in the world from your computer, you can also travel
with your computer phone. Simply by bringing your unique number
and password, you can download your phone with your entire
contact list. Of course, PC to PC is usually free between
subscribers. PC to telephones and cell phones typically involves
fees at drastically reduced rates when compared to traditional
calling rates.
6.The answer is False. P2P networks use industry standard codec
(encryption codes) and industry standard protocols which are
publicly open and interpretable.
John Ashcroft, Attorney General, in remarks at the High
Technology Crime Investigation Association 2004 International
Training Conference held on September 13, 2004 stated, “We have
seen worms and viruses attack…disrupting basic services…And with
the increased use of the Internet and especially peer-to-peer
networking, we have seen malicious code spread more quickly and
infect more personal computers than ever before. The cost of
these worms, viruses, and denial-of-service attacks…reaches into
the billions of dollars.”
P2P networks such as Skype operate by taking bandwidth
(information carrying capacity) from customers on their service
to assist other customers using their service - analogous to a
symbiotic relationship. The tools that enable them to accomplish
this are bundled in the software their customers agree to in
order to download and access their VoIP service.
Another grave concern for both individuals and businesses when
using P2P systems is unknowingly having your computer used as a
supernode. A supernode occurs when your computer is arbitrarily
assigned as a hub.
When you are running the software for P2P services, your
computer’s disk space, bandwidth, and processing power are used
to help other users on the same system operate their software
more efficiently because of their own network or firewall
constraints.
We as consumers still have a lot to learn about VoIP, as this
technology is the new era of communication and is continuously
being changed.
All VoIP service providers need to incorporate the protection,
needs, and desires of its customers, as well as address security
and dial up capability.
All VoIP service providers should invest in developing a
proprietary patented technology that incorporates compression of
data packets so that their VoIP can be used on dial up
connections, as well as cable, satellite, and wireless.
All VoIP service providers should develop and create their own
proprietary high end encryption codec with patented technology,
simply because they do not want their customers to be victims of
viruses, worms, Trojan horses, or have their identity stolen as
a result of using their VoIP service.
Simply put, all VoIP service providers should place the
protection, security, and needs of their customers FIRST. Of
course, they are in business to earn profits, but it should not
be at the expense of exposing their customers to unscrupulous
entities.
Want to hear and experience what exceptional sound quality on
optimally secure lines sounds like? Download a 7 day free trial
at http://www.free-pc-phone.com and see for yourself.
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