A few weeks ago, we wrote about how VoIP could benefit your company. VoIP offers a wholly different way of making calls with an internet connection rather than over telephone lines. There are many benefits to VoIP, but the potential for hacking is higher. In order to combat attacks and take advantage of VoIP capabilities, you should understand how to prevent VoIP hacking.
What is VoIP Hacking?
Everything is moving online—even your vocal communications. When you make customer calls, VoIP allows you easier storage and other convenient perks of operating in the cloud. But, this also opens you up to attacks that attempt to infiltrate your business’ phone system and access your customers’ information.
When it comes to VoIP systems, there are five common types of hacking that often use social engineering techniques to work.
Unauthorized Use Attacks
If hackers gain access to your workplace phone system, they can use robocalling or auto-dialing to reach out to a contacts list. People hear a pre-recorded message that asks them to enter a credit card or confirm account details. The hacker gleans this information, typically undetected by DIY VoIP users.
Toll Fraud Charges
Hackers try to steal information to use your VoIP lines to make expensive international calls. Your employee accidentally gives out information and then, suddenly, your company is footing a very large long-distance call log.
Caller ID Spoofing
Using a fake caller ID can make a hacker really convincing. Attackers can use fake IDs to leverage with a social engineering attack designed to steal information or break into the system.
Eavesdropping
If any sensitive information occurs over the phone (payment processing or private customer data), your company is at risk from an eavesdropping attack. Hackers listen in and steal information about your business or customers.
Social Engineering
Nearly all (97%) malware attacks are caused by social engineering scams. And, research shows that 62% of businesses were attacked by social engineering methods in 2018. Hackers know employees tend to be the biggest security threat, so they capitalize on the tendencies of people rather than battling the technology. Social engineering techniques include:
- Phishing: Attempting to grab usernames, passwords, card numbers and other details by pretending to be a trusted source (often requiring “immediate action” and threatening a closed account).
- Pretexting: Utilizing some knowledge (SSN or birthdate), a scammer might try to coax out more information by leveraging what they do know to sound authentic.
- Baiting: Dangling an offer (like porn or a controversial leak) that is really a malicious file to infect the computer and take over the network.
- Spear Phishing: Thoroughly researching a key target in an attempt to penetrate their defenses.
- Diversion Theft: Tricking a company into making a delivery or providing services to the wrong location as part of a con.
- Rogue Anti-Malware: Fake malware removal software that scams people into paying for its services.
- Tailgating: A hacker watching to slip in when a user opens and passes through a secure entry.’
How to Prevent VoIP Hacking
Now that you know the most common attacks, it’s crucial you protect yourself. On average, US companies pay $242 for each record stolen in a breach. Attacks will hurt your business by damaging your reputation and costing quite a bit to recover from. The best practices for VoIP include:
Choose a Secure VoIP Provider
Make sure your VoIP provider is HIPAA compliant and holding relevant certificates for the accreditations required by your industry. They should help with tracking traffic and alerting you about suspicious activity. Your VoIP provider should offer a solid disaster recovery plan and data security.
Require Secure VPN for Remote
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will encrypt phone calls for security. Your remote employees can have VPNs installed right onto their work devices—even cell phones. This enables a stronger connection directly to your company.
Filter Endpoint Access
Require those VPNs to filter endpoints and limit connectivity to specific sites that could prove malicious. Endpoint filtering will block harmful sites that may be trying to take information or attack the device.
Control Admin Access
Don’t give away control to everyone. Only give admin privileges to top employees, trained to spot scams and avoid social engineering attacks.
Regularly Check Your System
Don’t just set it and leave it. Check in regularly and test your system. Administrators should be evaluating the system enough to catch odd usage or inactive accounts.
Monitor Call Logs for Anomalies
As you are checking the system, watch for odd calls after business hours or unusual usage that might show you have a breach. Watching the logs will help you spot abnormal activity.
Require Employee Security Training
Untrained employees and human errors are the leading cause of security breaches. Keep them up-to-date with required training for compliance and VoIP best practices.
Prepare for Breach
Plan ahead in case a breach does occur. Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” As you prepare for a potential disaster, you can often improve your system. Work to have a plan in case of data loss, hacked systems, compromised accounts and more.
Do you want help with integrating VoIP into your workplace? We can help with VoIP security and services. Call us today and talk to an expert!
