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Internet Phone Calls at Risk For ID Theft?

by Will Safer on May 15, 2008 at 11:16 AM



The next target for identity theft has been identified.

Voice-over-IP communication is growing in popularity as it allows people to make free or low-cost calls to friends and family around the world – and like any other service that requires a user name and password, it is a target for hackers who have nefarious plans for your personal information.

The upside is that most of us don't yet use this kind of service, so as a matter of numbers, the problem is not large but that doesn't make security experts any more comfortable with the potential for security problems.

Voice over IP – or VoIP, as those in the know call it – allows a user to make a phone call over the internet. People who use public networks or unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots could be broadcasting their user information to anyone intent on "listening in." VoIP service has been popularized mostly by Skype, which enables free computer-to-computer calls, as well as inexpensive computer-to-phone calls, and even phone-to-phone calls with specially designed handsets.

Interestingly enough, the folks at Skype say the security threat need not be a problem, since data encryption is possible with their service already. It's other less robust services that seem to be most at risk. Even so, some analysts say the idea of a threat is overblown, since relatively few people are using this type of service. It's likely as VoIP calling grows in popularity the need for security will be recognized.

And now a question for you loyal Switched readers: Do you use Skype or another VoIP calling service? [Source: BBC News].

Tags: breaking news, BreakingNews, hacker, identity theft, IdentityTheft, security, Skype, VoIP

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