Voice over Internet Protocol or the VoIP, is basically the process of sending voice through internet protocol, making it convenient for a consumer to make phone calls at cheaper price. VoIP is used not only when using the internet protocol to send or receive calls, but it is also useful when you want to avail the service of traditional phone lines that guarantee better quality & allow bigger space for calls.
When the quality of audio and frequency in VoIP is high, it is very hard for customers to notice the difference between it and a normal telephone. Even the person who is receiving the calls from a VoIP will not be able to guess that the calls are made from a VoIP Network. Transferring PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to VoIP/SIP Session Initiation Protocol) allows VoIP users to send and receive phone calls as done in ordinary phone lines.
Now, enough about VoIP from the scientific point of view. Let us now proceed to the benefits of using VoIP compared to using conventional phone lines. Basically, consumers care mostly about the rates so they would like to know how much can be saved when you purchase a VoIP service. This is one of the advantages of VoIP. It became popular because of its cheap call rates as compared to any conventional phones. It gives you the ability to make unlimited phone calls, long distance calls and low international calls charges with low monthly subscription rate. This is value added service for any consumer.
VoIP can be used in different ways. One possible way is through ATA or Analog Telephone Adapter. ATA is connected between a telephone jack that is already existent and an IP network in order to provide VoIP service. This type of service is generally offered by broadband internet providers such as cable companies and telephone companies.
Simply check the company that provides you with internet cable service or the company that provides your home phone service to see if they offer this service. If you want an easier way, just check the internet out for low rates companies. There are a lot of new companies that are just providing this service and they are concerned about giving the best service with lower rates.
Finally, a VoIP is a better & more economical way of making long distance as well as short distance calls by simply using an internet connection. You can use it for local, nationwide and international calls. You can even make calls to residential phones or cell phones.
By Joanne Greco
Saturday, October 3, 2009
VoIP Security - Why VoIP Providers Are More Secure
Up until recently, the issue of security for VoIP hasn't been one that has received a great deal of attention. However, as the growth of 'verbal emails' continues and VoIP becomes increasingly popular particularly amongst business users, it is an issue that has to be addressed.
Using a VoIP provider gives you more of a measure of security than relying on freeware systems available on the Internet. The primary defence mechanism of any computer is the firewall. Providing a barrier between your computer or network and security threats such as hackers and viruses, a firewall offers a degree of protection that filters data going in and out of your network. As VoIP works by breaking voice messages into digital data, a standard firewall installed in your PC may not be enough to offer you full protection. VoIP providers have much more stringent firewalls installed on their main servers, which protects the entire network and all machines linked into that network. This is one of the primary reasons why, if you're serious about using VoIP on a regular basis, it's best to sign up with a bona fide VoIP provider.
Passwords are an essential part of Internet life, and VoIP should be considered as no different to any other secure operation you carry out on your computer. Authentication is the best way to ensure that those using the system are authorised to do so and that you don't have any unauthorised access to your system. Unfortunately, very few VoIP providers actually have this facility, so it's best to hunt around for providers that do offer you this additional layer of protection.
You should also inquire if your VoIP provider offers an encryption service. If a data packet (the broken down information that flies across the ether) is intercepted by a third party, it is of no use whatsoever to them if they can't read it. An encryption facility secures the data by changing it into an unintelligible form which is translated or decrypted at the receiving end, making sure that your VoIP call is as secure as possible. Again, your VoIP provider should be able to tell you if they offer an encryption service to paying customers.
Without a rethink and some serious security protocol implementations, VoIP will find it difficult to make inroads into the lucrative commercial market. It is this aspect that VoIP providers are now focusing their efforts on, rather than the clarity of calls, for example. VoIP security needs to be addressed as part of the overall context of Internet security. At present, private branch exchanges (PBX) are replaced by server-based IP PBXs running on the ubiquitous Microsoft Windows operating system. This system has shown itself to be vulnerable to attack from hackers and an attack on a VoIP server could result in the loss of potentially sensitive data. Therefore, it is important that equipment is properly protected, and the best way for the individual user to have this assurance is to use a legitimate VoIP provider.
VoIP gateways are potentially one of the weakest links in the chain. When VoIP is used on an external network, gateway technology converts the data package from the IP network into voice before sending them over a public telephone network. The concern is that at this point, VoIP can be hacked by unscrupulous users to gain access to free calls. The trick to prevent this lies, once again, through password protection and making sure that the gateway is configured in such a way as to ensure that only people with the correct access codes are permitted to make and receive VoIP calls.
All of these weaknesses within the system are best addressed by using a dedicated VoIP provider who has the appropriate firewalls, authorisation and encryption facilities to make sure your data is as well protected as possible. There will always be a number of determined hackers who may attempt to access VoIP calls, but minimising the possibility by placing your trust in an experienced and professional provider is the best way to thwart all but the most determined of attacks.
By Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK.
Using a VoIP provider gives you more of a measure of security than relying on freeware systems available on the Internet. The primary defence mechanism of any computer is the firewall. Providing a barrier between your computer or network and security threats such as hackers and viruses, a firewall offers a degree of protection that filters data going in and out of your network. As VoIP works by breaking voice messages into digital data, a standard firewall installed in your PC may not be enough to offer you full protection. VoIP providers have much more stringent firewalls installed on their main servers, which protects the entire network and all machines linked into that network. This is one of the primary reasons why, if you're serious about using VoIP on a regular basis, it's best to sign up with a bona fide VoIP provider.
Passwords are an essential part of Internet life, and VoIP should be considered as no different to any other secure operation you carry out on your computer. Authentication is the best way to ensure that those using the system are authorised to do so and that you don't have any unauthorised access to your system. Unfortunately, very few VoIP providers actually have this facility, so it's best to hunt around for providers that do offer you this additional layer of protection.
You should also inquire if your VoIP provider offers an encryption service. If a data packet (the broken down information that flies across the ether) is intercepted by a third party, it is of no use whatsoever to them if they can't read it. An encryption facility secures the data by changing it into an unintelligible form which is translated or decrypted at the receiving end, making sure that your VoIP call is as secure as possible. Again, your VoIP provider should be able to tell you if they offer an encryption service to paying customers.
Without a rethink and some serious security protocol implementations, VoIP will find it difficult to make inroads into the lucrative commercial market. It is this aspect that VoIP providers are now focusing their efforts on, rather than the clarity of calls, for example. VoIP security needs to be addressed as part of the overall context of Internet security. At present, private branch exchanges (PBX) are replaced by server-based IP PBXs running on the ubiquitous Microsoft Windows operating system. This system has shown itself to be vulnerable to attack from hackers and an attack on a VoIP server could result in the loss of potentially sensitive data. Therefore, it is important that equipment is properly protected, and the best way for the individual user to have this assurance is to use a legitimate VoIP provider.
VoIP gateways are potentially one of the weakest links in the chain. When VoIP is used on an external network, gateway technology converts the data package from the IP network into voice before sending them over a public telephone network. The concern is that at this point, VoIP can be hacked by unscrupulous users to gain access to free calls. The trick to prevent this lies, once again, through password protection and making sure that the gateway is configured in such a way as to ensure that only people with the correct access codes are permitted to make and receive VoIP calls.
All of these weaknesses within the system are best addressed by using a dedicated VoIP provider who has the appropriate firewalls, authorisation and encryption facilities to make sure your data is as well protected as possible. There will always be a number of determined hackers who may attempt to access VoIP calls, but minimising the possibility by placing your trust in an experienced and professional provider is the best way to thwart all but the most determined of attacks.
By Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK.
VOIP Service and Emergency Phone Numbers
The general assumption about VOIP service was that you could not call emergency numbers using internet phone service. This was considered to be a draw back of VOIP but if you had visited Axvoice site, you would have to change your mind.
VOIP service is already winning great appreciation from its customers spread all around the world. The amazing features offered by Axvoice at a real low cost prove that they understand the user needs and requirements far better than others.
Internet phone service not only provides unlimited local, international calls at remarkably low rates, but also provides its customers with E911 service. Whenever you need to call a police station or fire brigade, all you need is an internet connection and a VOIP service provider.
Now comes the question how they made this possible. The simple story is that when you dial 911 using your Axvoice internet phone service, the call is instantly, routed through our system to emergency response services. Your up-to-date registered information, which includes your full name and address, is already stored in their database, against the number you are calling from, while, emergency operators, with access to your information, send help right away and call back in case of further assistance, if necessary. When a user signs up with them, they dutifully forward that information to the emergency help centers, so that emergency responders reach you at that address, in times of need.
I have observed that Axvoice is the most user-friendly cost effective service both for residential and business users. As a user of this service I can assure you that a non-techno-savvy person can also enjoy it without a twinge.
By Stefen Clark
Working As Asterisk Engineer in Axvoice
VOIP service is already winning great appreciation from its customers spread all around the world. The amazing features offered by Axvoice at a real low cost prove that they understand the user needs and requirements far better than others.
Internet phone service not only provides unlimited local, international calls at remarkably low rates, but also provides its customers with E911 service. Whenever you need to call a police station or fire brigade, all you need is an internet connection and a VOIP service provider.
Now comes the question how they made this possible. The simple story is that when you dial 911 using your Axvoice internet phone service, the call is instantly, routed through our system to emergency response services. Your up-to-date registered information, which includes your full name and address, is already stored in their database, against the number you are calling from, while, emergency operators, with access to your information, send help right away and call back in case of further assistance, if necessary. When a user signs up with them, they dutifully forward that information to the emergency help centers, so that emergency responders reach you at that address, in times of need.
I have observed that Axvoice is the most user-friendly cost effective service both for residential and business users. As a user of this service I can assure you that a non-techno-savvy person can also enjoy it without a twinge.
By Stefen Clark
Working As Asterisk Engineer in Axvoice
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