Most businesses today switched from their traditional telephone lines to VoIP solutions. No wonder – VoIP offers a lot of advantages to be gained – especially from a business viewpoint. It gives a modern, cloud-based system that’s flexible, scalable, and tends to be much more cost-effective than traditional telephony solutions.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks associated with VoIP if not properly implemented and managed. Same with other devices that use internet connection, VoIP systems are not exempt from being exploited by cyber criminals for financial gain and other criminal activities. VoIP call can be easy to hack by eavesdropping on a phone call, stealing personal and sensitive information about your business and your customers.
How secure is your phone system from potential threats stealing your critical data? Luckily, there are five specific ways to detect if your VoIP phone system has been hacked:
1. Redirection to unwanted/malicious sites
It’s usually an indication that your VoIP system may be under attack when your internet searches are redirected to unwanted websites. Another sign is that extensions and toolbars are being added or installed in your browser without your approval. Just a reminder, make sure you only approve extensions that you trust.
2. Irregularities in call history
One of the indicators is that your phone system is being compromised – you may notice irregularities in your call history. Check if there are multiple calls being made or coming from unfamiliar locations and unknown numbers – mostly to and from international numbers. Ask for a detailed copy of your call logs from your service provider so you can identify calling patterns that will allow you to pinpoint any irregularities. Geo limits enable you to avoid fraudulent calls as well as monitor abnormal call patterns.
3. Fake antivirus message are popping up
Another sign of a VoIP hack is when your employees suddenly receive pop-ups for antivirus software that say the system is infected and needs to be scanned while your VoIP is on – Do not click those messages. Since VoIP uses your Internet network to connect to devices, hackers utilize this to create phishing notifications on a corporate computer. Most of these are scareware – malicious programs that trick you into downloading malware through pop-up ads. To identify the source of the pop-ups and scan your system for any malware, it is best to notify your VoIP provider and disconnect your VoIP system from the internet or much better to shut down the system.
4. Automatic activation of microphones and webcams
Using microphones and webcams – One of the highlighted features in VoIP system that allows you to send documents, images, and videos all while simultaneously engaging in a conversation. So, you can seamlessly hold more integrated meetings with clients or staff from other corners of the globe. However, cyber criminals can use these features to infiltrate your network to steal critical data. Cyber criminals are abusing the massive growth in the use of webcams to discreetly take remote control of the device. This basically facilitates the hacker’s ability to spy on you without your knowledge, including capturing photos and videos, recording your conversations, and eavesdropping on phone calls to steal important data use for financial gain and other criminal activities. If you notice strange activations on your VoIP phone’s webcam and microphone activated, report it immediately to your managed IT services provider (MSP) to see if your VoIP system is being breached by a cybercriminal.
5. Telephone bill shock
Businesses considered adopting VoIP phone system because of it’s great feature that offers unlimited calls every day without worrying about racking up costs. So if you see a sudden spike in your monthly bill, it’s probably a sign that your VoIP system has been hacked. Hackers who break into your VoIP system can abuse it by making unauthorized phone calls, mostly coming to and from international countries. Hackers also use an auto-dialing tool to have multiple phones access a premium rate link resulting in a sudden rise in your phone bills. Immediately inform your VoIP provider or MSP to avoid further spike of your monthly bill and it’s important to scrutinize your call history regularly.
VoIP system from potential threats is preventable
To ensure VoIP system prevents potential threats, everyone should follow VoIP security best practices. Security should be a prime concern when choosing a VoIP Service Provider. So, it’s important to Invest in the Right VoIP Service – here at LG Talk, we implement stringent security protocols that protect everything you’ve worked for! LG Talk VoIP behaves like a traditional business phone system, but is built and maintained in a secure cloud environment.
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