Category: VoIP

VoIP

Recognizing Signs of VoIP System Hacking and How to Respond

Post author By blankadm
Post date February 15, 2023
No Comments on Recognizing Signs of VoIP System Hacking and How to Respond

In today’s digital age, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems have become an indispensable means of communication for businesses. While VoIP offers numerous benefits, it is also vulnerable to hacking. Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in VoIP systems to gain unauthorized access to sensitive business data or leverage the system for nefarious purposes. In this article, we will highlight five indicators that your VoIP system may be under attack and provide guidance on what you can do to address these issues.

Irregular Call Patterns

One sign of VoIP system hacking is an unusual call pattern. Hackers may utilize your system to place calls to premium rate or international numbers, leading to higher than normal bills. Typically, these calls are made during non-business hours when they are less likely to be noticed.

What to do: Monitor your call logs frequently and be on the lookout for any unusual call patterns. Consider setting up call restrictions to prevent unauthorized calls.

Deteriorated Call Quality

VoIP system hacking can also result in low-quality calls. Hackers may use your system to initiate spam calls, leading to issues like dropped calls, echoes, or background noise.

What to do: Implement spam filters to block unsolicited calls. Ensure that your system software is up-to-date with the latest security features.

Unauthorized Access

Hackers may try to access your VoIP system by exploiting vulnerabilities, guessing passwords, or using phishing attacks to gain access to user credentials.

What to do: Use robust passwords and enable two-factor authentication to reduce unauthorized access to your system. Train your staff on the dangers of phishing attacks and provide guidance on how to detect and avoid them.

Unusual Network Activity

Hackers may use your VoIP system as a stepping stone to access other network resources. This can lead to unusual network behavior, such as abnormal data usage, atypical traffic patterns, or unauthorized access to other systems.

What to do: Monitor your network activity closely and investigate any signs of unusual behavior. Implement firewalls and other security measures to prevent unauthorized access to your network.

Changes in System Configuration

VoIP system hacking may involve changes to your system settings, including voicemail, call forwarding, or auto-attendant settings.

What to do: Regularly check your system settings to ensure that they remain unchanged. Enable access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications.

VoIP systems are vital to modern business operations, but they pose security risks. By keeping an eye out for the indicators of hacking and deploying effective security measures, you can safeguard your company from the dangers of VoIP system attacks. Be vigilant, be proactive, and stay secure!

Tags VoIP, voip security

VoIP

Best Practices Checklist for Securing Your VoIP Phone System

Post author By blankadm
Post date January 15, 2023
No Comments on Best Practices Checklist for Securing Your VoIP Phone System

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems have become an essential communication tool for businesses of all sizes. However, they are also vulnerable to cyber threats. In order to keep your VoIP security, wallet, and reputation protected from bad actors on the internet, it’s important to implement the following 12 best practices:

Secure User Credentials with a Strong Password and Two-Factor Authentication: Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to your phone system.
Perform Regular Call Log Reviews: Regularly review your call logs to identify unusual call activity and investigate any outliers that may indicate that your system has been compromised.
Disable International Calling or Enable Geo-Fencing: To prevent toll fraud, consider disabling international calling or implementing geo-fencing to block unwanted calls from specific countries or phone numbers.
Utilize SaaS for VoIP Calls: Consider outsourcing your VoIP infrastructure to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider who can provide robust features, a user-friendly interface, and built-in security measures to protect your account from fraudulent activity.
Stay Up to Date on Security Patches: Ensure that your VoIP phones are running the latest firmware updates to fix any security vulnerabilities.
Use a Router with a Firewall: Always use a router with a firewall to block suspicious traffic and prevent unauthorized access to your phone system.
Limit Physical Access to Networking Equipment: Store your networking equipment in a locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized access, and implement security cameras and access logs to monitor access.
Restrict User Permissions: Limit user access to the phone system to prevent unauthorized configuration changes and potential security breaches.
Ensure Data Encryption: Partner with a VoIP provider that uses end-to-end encryption to protect your call processing data from being intercepted by hackers.
Educate Users: Train your users on best practices for securing their user credentials, identifying fraudulent activity, and preventing the disclosure of sensitive information during calls.
Prevent Ghost Calls: Use the setting on your IP phone that only allows incoming calls from the server it is connected to, to prevent ghost calls caused by port scanning.
Implement Intrusion Prevention Systems: Use intrusion prevention systems to detect abnormal activity and protect your network from distributed denial-of-service attacks.

By implementing these best practices, you can ensure that your VoIP phone system is secure, reliable, and protected from cyber threats. At TSC VoIP, we currently offer a full complement of VoIP and UCaaS services. We are also pleased to offer no-cost, no-obligation quotes for business class phone systems and service. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business!

Tags VoIP, voip security

VoIP

5 Quick Tips for Smooth Online Conference Calls

Post author By blankadm
Post date December 15, 2022
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Online conference call meetings can be a great way for businesses to stay connected and productive, even when team members are working remotely or in different locations. However, there are a few key things you can do to ensure that your online conference call goes smoothly and is as effective as possible. Here are five tips to help you make the most of your voip conference call meetings:

Test your equipment and connection in advance:

Before the conference call begins, make sure that your microphone, speakers, and internet connection are all working properly. This will help you avoid any technical issues during the call and ensure that you can communicate clearly with your team.

Use a high-quality voip service:

Choosing a reliable, high-quality voip service is key to having a smooth conference call experience. Look for a service that offers clear audio and video quality, as well as features like call recording, screen sharing, and the ability to host large meetings.

Mute yourself when you’re not speaking:

One of the biggest distractions during an online conference call is background noise from other participants. To avoid this, make sure to mute yourself when you’re not speaking or actively participating in the conversation. This will help to reduce distractions and make it easier for everyone to focus on the discussion at hand.

Establish clear guidelines for participation:

It’s important to establish clear guidelines for participation and communication during the conference call to ensure that everyone is able to contribute and be heard. For example, you might want to designate a facilitator to keep the conversation on track, or set up a schedule for who will speak and when.

Follow up with a summary or action plan:

After the conference call is over, be sure to follow up with a summary of what was discussed and any action items that were agreed upon. This will help to keep everyone on the same page and ensure that any tasks are completed in a timely manner.

By following these five tips, you can help ensure that your online conference call meetings are smooth and productive, and that your business stays connected and efficient even when team members are working remotely.

At TSC VoIP, we currently offer a full complement of VoIP and UCaaS services. We are also pleased to offer no-cost, no-obligation quotes for business class phone systems and service. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business!

Tags VoIP, voip services

VoIP

Does Every VoiP Provider Have the Same Quality of Service?

Post author By blankadm
Post date November 15, 2022
No Comments on Does Every VoiP Provider Have the Same Quality of Service?

Unified Communications, or UC, platforms have been adopted by many organizations in recent years. A UC is the integration of all digital communications traffic, data and VoIP for businesses, over a single physical network. This is made possible by various software applications.

IT must carefully manage traffic response times, especially for real-time voice and video applications, to ensure an optimal experience for all users. This is usually accomplished through the creation and management of Quality of Service protocols.

What is Quality of Service?

Quality of Service, typically shortened to QoS, is the assessment of a network service’s complete performance. Oftentimes, it is gauged from the end-user’s perspective and how they feel about the level of service they are receiving.

What is Measured?

The opinions of users is the most important metric. If VoIP calls are constantly breaking up and having gaps, then that’s an issue. Poor VoIP performance can be caused by packet loss, latency, and jitter during periods of high network traffic.

Packet Loss

Packet loss is when some packets don’t make it to the intended destination. In VoIP, speech is digitized and put into packets for transmission over a network connection between speakers. If any of these transmissions are lost, the receiver won’t get the message as intended.

Latency

Latency is the amount of time a packet takes to travel from the sender to the receiver. Low latency and equal latency for all packets is essential for good QoS. Because different packets can take different routes, this can be difficult to achieve, and many QoS devices such as switches buffer VoIP packets to maintain the order of the packets.

Jitter

To maintain a good level of voice quality, VoIP packets need to be sent in an unbroken stream from the sender to the receiver. If there is congestion at any point on the network, it can cause gaps or Interruptions in this stream which affects audio quality – this is Jitter.

VoIP Service Suppliers and QoS

It’s crucial to comprehend that not all VoIP service providers are created equal. They offer various levels of services at diverse price points and have distinct methods of handling customer QoS issues. In other words, the answer to the question “Is QoS the Same in Every VoIP Provider” is no.

The agreement between you and the service supplier should stipulate regular review meetings to discuss recent performance, identify any issues (present or future), and agree on steps for resolution. VoIP infrastructure updates (both software and hardware) are inevitable from time to time; these need to be planned in advance.

Another crucial thing to remember is that not every device is VoIP-compatible and will still require a connection to the old network. If it’s not configured correctly, your voIP could have issues. To put it simply, VoIP for business should be seen as a high-quality way of networking that is integral to your company’s strategy. Because first impressions are key, lackluster performance from VOIP can reflect poorly on your organization as a whole.

Tags VoIP, voip services

VoIP

3 Common VoIP Issues and How to Fix Them

Post author By blankadm
Post date October 15, 2022
No Comments on 3 Common VoIP Issues and How to Fix Them

Many organizations have moved to an Integrated Communications Strategy, which usually includes VoIP. The benefits of this voice-over internet protocol usually include cheaper long-distance and international calling rates, improved customer relations, and better performance in the workplace.

Although VoIP comes with a range of benefits, it must be properly implemented and managed to avoid problems. Here are some common issues you may come across if VoIP isn’t used correctly.

Routers and Switches

If your VoIP system isn’t working properly, it could be due to a problem with your router or switch. Make sure that they’re configured correctly to support VoIP, and check for any updates that might have affected the configuration. Also, make sure that the ports on your switch are configured to support VLANs.

Older routers that are not up-to-date with the latest software might cause compatibility problems and decreased performance. If you’re experiencing VoIP issues, try resetting your router. There’s no guarantee it will work, but it’s worth a shot.

Bandwidth

If you want optimal VoIP performance, then you need to have enough bandwidth. Try to avoid having continuous network congestion. If the problem only happens sometimes, see which application or service requires a lot of bandwidth during those times.

You should have bandwidth monitoring on your normal network management tasklist, so issues with insufficient or poor quality connectivity can be identified and dealt with quickly. However, sometimes a network issue is beyond your control – it might be caused by factors at your ISP (Internet Service Provider), for example.

Desktop Problems

Echo — This is one of the most common VoIP issues. It’s created when the handset volume is set too high and the microphone hears the incoming call from the earpiece, and then rebroadcasts it.

The most common solution is to lower the volume on both ends. However, this doesn’t always work, and another option is to use a headset. But even headsets have their own set of problems, like ergonomics since they can be worn for long periods of time.

Training — A possibility is that the problem lies in user training—or lack thereof. “It’s just a phone” has been used as an reason to skimp on training budget, but VoIP systems are complex and comprehensive solutions. Therefore, proper education is key to taking advantage of all benefits.

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VoIP

How Can Schools and Universities Benefit from VoIP?

Post author By blankadm
Post date September 15, 2022
No Comments on How Can Schools and Universities Benefit from VoIP?

VoIP Solutions have been widely embraced by both individuals and businesses. It’s because for certain consumers, switching from a tolled PSTN network to toll-free internet connections can save a lot of money. Of course, there are additional advantages in terms of improved operational processes and customer care standards.

Many people are curious about whether VoIP Solutions make a beneficial impact, especially in the educational sector. The answer is an unequivocal YES, and it’s not just for education. They will benefit any campus that contains several structures or locations.

VoIP on Campuses

With an HR department, financial team, procurement officials, and other vital business functions, schools and universities are managed in the same manner as any other company. These teams are aided by education-specific features such as curriculum development and student administration. Other services that may be provided include postgraduate help; housekeeping; meal reservations; and so on.

Call Management

The success of every educational institution relies on its students. To accommodate both old and new students, VoIP offers many benefits:

When it comes to calling/hunting groups, timeliness is critical in handling incoming calls. Pickup also allows unattended desk staff to take calls when the called party is unavailable.
With SIP technology, VoIP conversations can be made through a smart device app, which is useful when you’re on the go and need to be contacted. This system allows staff to remain reachable at all times if they are within campus WiFi range.
Sometimes, an event has to be shown in several places simultaneously. A good example is when a graduation ceremony that’s happening on one campus is streamed to all the other campuses. For graduations completed remotely, this is increasingly important.

Collaboration

Many students now use social media to connect with their e-learning courses and materials. Being able to access these tools via smart devices is increasingly becoming essential for many students’ education.
WhatsApp and other similar platforms have become popular among professors for communicating with students. In addition, online submissions and social media collaboration are becoming more common for assignments.
Using VoIP and video conferencing, educational networks in many countries make it easy for primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities to interact with each other on both a one-on-one and group basis.

Safety and Security

Students and personnel can utilize an emergency contact on their smart device if SIP/VoIP is linked to a WiFi network. This number is available for them to call for assistance if they require it.VoIP Solutions are not only affordable for educational institutions, but also improve communication among staff and students while creating opportunities to partner with other schools. At TSC VoIP, we currently offer a full complement of VoIP and UCaaS services.

We are also pleased to offer no-cost, no-obligation quotes for business class phone systems and service. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business!

Tags VoIP

VoIP

The Difference Between VoIP and IP Telephony

Post author By blankadm
Post date August 15, 2022
No Comments on The Difference Between VoIP and IP Telephony

VoIP allows domestic customers to communicate over long distances with and see far-flung family and friends on their smart devices using VoIP apps like Skype and WhatsApp. There aren’t any more costly international calls.

VoIP and IP Telephony are frequently interchanged to refer to digitally based communications. Are they the same thing, or are there technical and non-technical distinctions?

IP Telephony

Simply stated, IP telephony is the use of digital concepts with communications systems in order to take advantage of the hardware and software environment that comes with it, as well as an Internet connection. VoIP is a term often used to describe using the Internet instead of the local PSTN for low-cost or toll-free calls.

VoIP

At a technical level, VoIP is a standards-based method for moving voice traffic in a digital communications ecosystem. The network might be private for internal communication. Inter-branch and international long-distance and worldwide communications can be added via an Internet connection. As a result, VoIP may be classified as one of the variants of IP telephony.

The most frequent type of VoIP at a domestic level is the use of smart devices to operate programs like Skype and Whatsapp. They are used to provide non-toll-free calling alternatives in place of regular PSTN/cellular phone calls.

Implementing IP Telephony and VoIP

It may appear that IP telephony has a lot more to do than just voice communications and conventional phone equipment. Even though the handsets are VoIP telephones and VoIP is the protocol that manages the voice traffic, IP telephony covers a much larger area than simply voice communications. Because of these differences, installation requirements are different.

The process of converting a communications network to IP Telephony is known as digitizing it. This, like any other business-based endeavor, entails first defining what you want to accomplish and what you anticipate to gain by going digital. You can’t know if you’ve succeeded or not if you don’t define the goals.

For a basic VoIP setup, all you need is a smartphone or desktop computer with the right software installed. Simply download an app like Skype or Whatsapp to a smart device or PC, set up an Internet connection, and you’re ready to go.

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VoIP

The Difference Between VoIP Hard Phones and Softphones

Post author By blankadm
Post date July 15, 2022
No Comments on The Difference Between VoIP Hard Phones and Softphones

VoIP has become increasingly popular in recent years, both at work and as a personal communications tool. The advantages are such that switching to VoIP is a no-brainer for both individuals and businesses, particularly owing to the substantial reductions in long-distance communication costs.

Here’s what you should know about VoIP hard phones and softphones:

VoIP Hard Phones vs. Softphones

Hard Phones

A hard phone is a physical device that connects to a home or company network and resembles an old-fashioned dial phone. It has the same buttons and handheld receiver as the traditional analog phone, but a graphical display or touchscreen is becoming increasingly popular. Desktop computers or specialized forms for particular workplaces, such as large form ruggedized handsets in a factory floor setting for workers wearing gloves, are available.

A hard phone, in fact, is a tiny microcomputer that runs software to provide its core functionalities. The full range of functions may be accessed via network connections with VoIP systems.

Softphones

A softphone is a kind of smart device that uses software to replicate the functions and features of a hard phone, usually utilizing a visual display that resembles that of a hard phone.

It will undoubtedly have voice support, and it’s possible that video will also be supported. Some workplaces, such as call centers, may need headsets. If the smart device is a mobile smart device, SIP compatibility is required.

The Difference

Both hard and softphones have similar capabilities, with the exception of mobility. Hard phones are fixed in place, whereas softphones may be mobile if they’re linked to a mobile smart device.

Depending on location and usage, one type of phone is superior to the other. For staff who aren’t required to move around frequently, static hard phones are ideal since they provide a similar feel and appearance as regular phones. Staff that require VoIP connectivity at all times, whether inside or outside the workplace, should use mobile platforms instead.

Tags hard phones, softphones, VoIP

Phones VoIP

5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Phone Technology

Post author By blankadm
Post date June 15, 2022
No Comments on 5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Phone Technology

Many organizations have switched to a work from home and remote access model as a result of the pandemic. This in turn has promoted many changes in internal corporate structures as they implement VoIP or Cloud Phone systems. Here’s why it might be time to upgrade your old phone technology.

WFH and Remote Access

Your business is transitioning to a digital environment, most likely e-commerce, but you’re already seeing an increase in the number of work from home jobs. You’ll also need to make sure that your clients have access to some core systems. Your existing infrastructure is resource-intensive and costly to maintain.

Costly Equipment Upgrades Are Needed

The WFH and remote access connections require new and improved security software and hardware to regulate them. Perhaps your company’s website requires an overhaul in order to increase its online presence. They have both financial and resource implications.

Using an MSP will pass on the equipment and software expenses, as well as their assistance when it comes to preparing for the Cloud migration.

Support Resources Are Needed Elsewhere

You need tools to remodel the website and help you transition to the new CaaS system. They might be supplied on-site, but they are presently supporting the old VoIP and apps environment.

If you wish to use a MSP to implement your new CaaS systems, you may do so without disrupting your existing operations.

Updated Disaster Planning

There is a high risk to company stability if the online systems fail for any reason, as well as a significant chance that your Internet connection will be lost. A transition to the Cloud implies that services will be available at all times. It’s also necessary to have backup connections with your MSP.

Future-Proofing

The transition to an online existence is, in most cases, only the beginning of a number of business transformations that will take place over the next several years. Moving to the Cloud now will allow you to tackle those future problems without requiring major changes in your internal infrastructure.

Tags VoIP, VoIP Phones

Phones VoIP

The Pros and Cons of VoIP

Post author By blankadm
Post date May 15, 2022
No Comments on The Pros and Cons of VoIP

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, has several benefits, especially for a company that wants to reduce costs and improve call quality. However every piece of technology has its limitations. Here are some pros and cons to VoIP:

Advantages of VoIP

Reduced Cost

VoIP systems can help businesses save a significant amount of money. By more than 50%, for example, adopting VoIP systems may help you save on your phone bills. The cost savings will vary depending on the VoIP service you pick and your company’s requirements.

PBX Cost

PBX, or a private branch exchange, is a costly on-site, physical piece of equipment that connects landline phones inside an organization. By utilizing a broadband connection, VoIP phone systems help eliminate the need for extra hardware.

Remote Work Savings

VoIP enables staff to work from anywhere by connecting them to the company’s phone system. It also includes a variety of mobile capabilities that traditional phones do not have, such as auto-attendant, call waiting, group calling, and real-time video conferencing.

Scalability

VoIP has the capacity to support high-quality, large-scale conference calls. When necessary, you may add or remove users. VoIP is ideal for startups searching for a phone system that can grow with them as they expand.

Disadvantages of VoIP

Latency

Calls made through a VoIP phone system can be affected by latency. When there’s a bad internet connection with little bandwidth, latency problems arise. To operate smoothly and give voice traffic precedence over data, a VoIP router requires a specific VoIP router that has been specifically designed for this purpose.

Relies on Internet Access

A reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth to operate VoIP services is critical. Poor internet connectivity can significantly reduce the quality of calls as well as the overall VoIP service. In addition, the quantity of simultaneous calls will influence your business’s bandwidth requirements.

Security Issues

VoIP has its own unique set of security risks, including phishing, identity and service theft, spam, and viruses and malware. However, you can safeguard your VoIP communications by applying IP technology such as encryption and enhanced identification management.

The advantages of VoIP greatly outweigh the disadvantages. At TSC VoIP, we currently offer a full complement of VoIP and UCaaS services. We are also pleased to offer no-cost, no-obligation quotes for business class phone systems and service. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business!

Tags VoIP, VoIP Phones