How Secure Is Skype?

Posted on January 12, 2007 
Filed Under Skype

As with any new technology, there are always security concerns. How long did it take you to use your credit card on line? Most skeptics took a very long time to decide whether it was safe to even type ones name and address on line, let along add credit cards to sites. With online banking, shopping, auctions and the like, it is a well known fact that security is not 100%, by any means.

The same holds true with VoIP. Just as the data we send every day is vulnerable to malicious attacks, so too are the calls made by large corporations or small business owners. The kinds of attacks used with VoIP service may be akin to wire-tapping strategies used by the FBI or CIA. If hackers want information, they certainly know how to obtain it. Being able to intercept calls may allow a hacker to obtain vital information such as your identity or phone number. So too, while some corporations record conversations for their own files, these conversations can easily be accessed by intruders.

Regarding the privacy issue, Skype has infused encryption tools to prevent intruders. However as stated earlier, if a hacker wants information, he or she will use whatever resources are available to obtain it. It should also be noted that while Skype does not record or log conversations, it does have the capability to record instant messaging conversations. In addition, Skype users can determine if other Skype users are logged in.

Additional security concerns are viruses and spamming. Although these are a daily concerns among most internet users, they are not to be taken lightly. Anti-virus software and firewalls should protect you from such intruders. However, a more dangerous area of attack is on your phone itself. For example, if corrupted data is sent via the internet phone, it could render your phoe useless.

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