| Never before in the history of telecommunications has | | | | unauthorized accounts." |
| a more important warning been needed for current | | | | If you are using a VoIP internet service provider and |
| and potential VoIP (computer phone) users who have | | | | do not want to be a victim of Identity Theft, then take |
| joined, or will be joining, in the inevitable paradigm shift | | | | the first step to protect yourself -- don't use VoIP |
| from telephone to VoIP. | | | | internet service providers operating on industry |
| Warning! Warning! Warning! | | | | standard codec and industry standard protocols. |
| Beware of VoIP internet service providers that | | | | Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses |
| operate on industry standard codec and industry | | | | On January 28, 2005, a press Release issued by the |
| standard protocols because they are PUBLICLY | | | | Department of Justice reported that a 19 year old was |
| OPEN and INTERPRETABLE! This also includes, but is | | | | convicted for his criminal activity by "...creating and |
| not limited to, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. | | | | unleashing a variant of the MS Blaster computer |
| In plain terms, this means, if you subscribe to, or | | | | worm." Christopher Wray, Attorney General - Criminal |
| considering subscribing to a VoIP internet solution | | | | Division stated that, |
| provider who operates on these industry standards - | | | | "This ... malicious attack on the information |
| and over 90% do -- you have inadvertently made | | | | superhighway caused an economic and technological |
| yourself vulnerable to the criminal activities of hackers. | | | | disruption that was felt around the world." |
| Regardless of the type of anti virus software you | | | | On February 11, 2005, in a Press Release issued by |
| have on your computer, the publicly accessible industry | | | | the Department of Justice, reported that another |
| standards provide a pathway by which these criminals | | | | criminal was sentenced for circulating a worm. This |
| can access your computer to plant viruses, worms, | | | | worm, |
| Trojan horses, and/or steal your identity. | | | | "directed the infected computers to launch a distributed |
| Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, unscrupulous criminal | | | | denial of service (DOS) attack against Microsoft's main |
| hackers view systems operating on these industry | | | | web site causing the site to shutdown and thus |
| standards as their personal "Cash Cow" because of | | | | became inaccessible to the public for approximately |
| the ease by which they can access your computer | | | | four hours." |
| and gather your information to sell to other criminals. | | | | March 7, 2005, posted discovery of a worm named |
| Did you know that some hacker-friendly providers | | | | "W32.Serflog.B" that spread through file-sharing |
| offer processor chips that are only sold on the | | | | networks and MSN Messenger - networks that |
| Internet? | | | | operate on publicly open and interpretable industry |
| Did you know that hacker-friendly providers actually | | | | standard codec and protocols, including P2P systems, |
| offer hacker software that enables these criminals to | | | | as well as Instant Messaging systems-none of which |
| deliberately disable security on computers, access | | | | are protected, regardless of the anti virus software on |
| your personal and confidential information, as well as | | | | your computer. The W32.Serflog.B worm also lowers |
| inject their viruses, worms, and/or Trojan horses? | | | | security settings and appears as a blank message |
| For instance, "Vomit" is a free download software that | | | | window on the MSN Messenger. |
| was designed to convert VoIP phone conversations | | | | If you don't want to be the next victim of the |
| into a wave file which could be played with standard | | | | devastation created by worms, STOP using services |
| sound players. Hackers gleefully interpret this as a tool | | | | that operate on industry standard codec and protocols, |
| they can utilize to attack unsuspecting victims. | | | | and/or services that incorporate P2P systems. |
| Hacker manuals are also easily accessible via the | | | | Anti virus software does not incorporate protection for |
| Internet. One of these manuals shows how to DoS | | | | Instant Messaging services. In addition, Instant |
| other sites. DoSing (Disruption of Service) involves | | | | Messaging services, in and of themselves, do not |
| gaining unauthorized access to the "command prompt" | | | | include protection for their users. |
| on your computer and using it to tie up your vital | | | | If you like the convenience of text chatting via Instant |
| Internet services. When a hacker invades your | | | | Messaging, then use a VoIP internet service provider |
| system, they can then delete or create files and | | | | that includes the Instant Messaging feature -- one that |
| emails, modify security features, and plant viruses or | | | | does not operate on industry standard codec or |
| time bombs onto your computer. | | | | industry standard protocols that are publicly open and |
| "Sniff" is another tool (originally intended to help | | | | accessible. |
| telecommunication professionals detect and solve | | | | Optimally secure VoIP service providers that |
| problems) that criminal hackers use to tamper with the | | | | incorporate a secure Instant Messaging feature, |
| protocol and "sniff out" data. When hackers sniff out a | | | | operate from their own proprietary high end encryption |
| data packet from Internet traffic, they reconstruct it to | | | | codec on patented technology that is hosted in a |
| intercept conversations. This enables them to | | | | professional facility. Simply put, when a VoIP internet |
| eavesdrop on conversations, gather information, and | | | | service provider operates on optimally secure |
| sell it to other unprincipled criminal entities. | | | | platforms, the Instant Messaging feature on the VoIP |
| Identity Theft | | | | softphone, is also protected with their technology. |
| Identity theft is one of the most sinister of vulnerabilities | | | | A Trojan horse is a program that internet criminals use |
| you can inadvertently be subjected to. Identity theft is | | | | to interrupt and interfere with your security software |
| defined by the Department of Justice as | | | | and produces the following results |
| "...the wrongful obtaining and using of someone else's | | | | ·Terminates processes |
| personal data in some way that involves fraud or | | | | ·Removes registry entries |
| deception, typically for economic gain." | | | | ·Stops services |
| Identity theft is the by-product of unscrupulous criminal | | | | ·Delete files |
| individuals obtaining your social security number | | | | Hackers, who have gained access to your computer, |
| (including those of your spouse and children), your bank | | | | because of the programs and software as mentioned |
| account, your credit card information, etc. Your | | | | above, are having a field day incorporating this nasty |
| information is then sold to other criminal entities for | | | | little program into their arsenal of weapons. |
| profit. Using your information, these criminals can then: | | | | As recently as March 4, 2005, a new Trojan horse |
| ·access your bank account funds | | | | was discovered that modified settings in Internet |
| ·create new bank accounts with your information | | | | Explorer. Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, |
| ·create driver's licenses | | | | Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, |
| ·create passports | | | | and Windows XP were the reported systems that |
| Attorney General Ashcroft stated that, | | | | could be affected. |
| "Identity theft carries a heavy price, both in the | | | | Here's the bottom line. |
| damage to individuals whose identities are stolen and | | | | 1.If you are currently using a VoIP internet solution |
| the enormous cost to America's businesses." | | | | provider that operates on industry standard codec and |
| Don't be naïve enough to think it won't happen or | | | | industry standard protocols that are publicly open and |
| couldn't happen to you! | | | | interpretable, you need to make a decision:a. Continue |
| A group hosting a website known as was indicted on | | | | enticing criminal hackers and remain on their service, |
| conspiracy charges for stealing credit card numbers | | | | orb.Take immediate corrective action. |
| and identity documents, then selling them online. While | | | | 2.If you are currently using Instant Messaging of any |
| this group allegedly trafficked $1.7 million in stolen credit | | | | sort, you need to make a decisiona. Continue enticing |
| card numbers, they also caused losses in excess of | | | | criminal hackers and remain as a user of their service, |
| $4 million. | | | | orb.Take immediate corrective action. |
| According to a Press Release issued by the | | | | If you decide to take immediate corrective action: |
| Department of Justice on February 28, 2005, a hacker | | | | 1.Find a VoIP internet solution provider that has their |
| was convicted of several counts of fraud, one in | | | | own proprietary high end encryption codec |
| which | | | | 2.Find a VoIP internet solution provider that has their |
| "...he fraudulently possessed more than 15 computer | | | | own proprietary patented technology |
| usernames and passwords belonging to other persons | | | | 3.Find a VoIP internet solution provider that hosts their |
| for the purpose of accessing their bank and financial | | | | proprietary patented technology in a professional |
| services accounts, opening online bank accounts in the | | | | facility |
| names of those persons, and transferring funds to | | | | 4. |