We all know how VoIP (Voice over IP) has changed our lives and why everyone is going crazy about using VoIP service all the time. The speed at which VoIP has taken over the telecommunication market is very commendable and time is not far when more advanced technology will take over VoIP and revolutionize the industry which another magic product.

The product however, is not a one hundred percent and there are security avoid which can cause major disruptions in your network when it's breached and altered by a hacker. We are going to discuss 5 top such loop holes which every enterprise should watch out and identify them.

1. Toll Frauds: These days Toll frauds have increased on larger scale and it all happens right here in your enterprise. Take an example for a VoIP company whose employee starts a Toll FREE service in collaboration with an outsider and charges the customer cheap for a call generation. The actual company or provider doesn't get anything out of it as the employee would route the entire call originated from a Toll Free number, through provider's phone system.
2. Playing with the Message: message interception has also a major security risk which companies are slowly recognizing. If a user is able to intercept a message which was sent to another user, he would be able to extract your SIP Number and other relevant information using which he can do wonders and blunders.
3. Enumerating user information: make sure you are not sending random information about the registered server to any third part service allowing them to get a list of all registered users. There are those programs like a spyware or malware which could enter your system without your knowledge to collect user ID or passwords etc. do not attempt to open a unrecognized email or software pop-up.
4. Denial of Service: The DoS attacks are another major threats that could enter into your system through an open port and can manipulate system information. Once the hacker has identified an open port all he needs to do is to attempt to connect on that open port. Therefore, it becomes the system administrator's responsibility to make sure only specific ports are open and not all. Place some PIX or checkpoint or ISA firewall in front of your VoIP system.
5. Virus or Trojan or worm attack: Keep an anti virus scanner running all the time to identify and disinfect a found Virus or Worm or any form of malicious software from entering into your VoIP system.

So it depends upon the knowledge and education level of the employees to identify what internet resources to access and its administrator's job to make sure they don't install any unauthorized software on their machines. Prevention is better that cure and its always better to remain secure from such threats.

Home users can follow some simple guidelines to protect their own computer at home to avoid such attacks but not 100% guaranteed.

1. Stop accepting calls from strangers. Get them on some form of chat and then talk to them if need be.
2. Use only secure VoIP clients software's whether you don't like them over your favorite ones. Try Zfone as it would encrypt your call all the time.
3. And make sure your Anti-Virus software is up to date.