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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.
By Dee Scrip © All Rights Reserved.
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