VoIP users 'must keep an eye on security'

Firms that employ VoIP services can enjoy significant cost savings, but they must not lose sight of security, it has been claimed.

In an article for Fox Business, Joshua Daymont revealed the number of hacker attacks on IP telephony systems has grown over the past 12 months and companies must make sure they protect their sensitive data.

Top of the list of safety measures is changing the default password, as is this is left dangerously unchanged all too often, he noted.

Encryption is another crucial tool, Mr Daymont continued, which prevents people listening into conversations and stops hackers using a VoIP connection to make calls of their own.

Planning for denial of service attacks - when hackers clog up the line with multiple requests - is also vital, as is separating the connection points for internet access and VoIP services, he added.

Finally, the expert concluded, businesses must be aware of fraudulent calls, known as VoIP 'phishing'.

Earlier this month, chief executive officer of South African technology firm O-Tel Telecom Mohammad Patel recommended a robust firewall and good anti-virus software to maintain network security.