VoIP systems offer businesses an affordable and efficient way to stay connected. Alarmingly, the risk of VoIP theft is growing as attackers hijack services and threaten business operations. Understanding this threat and how to protect your network is crucial for avoiding costly disruptions.

VoIP theft of service: What it is and how it works

VoIP theft of service refers to unauthorized access to and usage of a business’s Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. It occurs when cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities within a business’s communication systems to make calls, send messages, and perform other actions without the business owner’s knowledge or consent. They use various ways to gain unauthorized access, from session hijacking and toll fraud to identity spoofing and call pumping.

The consequences of VoIP theft of service

Your business may face the following consequences as a result of falling victim to this type of attack:

Financial strain

With VoIP theft of service, cybercriminals can run up enormous bills by making international calls, committing toll fraud, or using your network to conduct illicit activities. These inflated charges can lead to crippling costs that affect your business’s financial stability and disrupt its operations.

Legal liabilities and compliance issues

Unauthorized use of communication services is illegal, and you may find your business legally liable for the actions taken by cybercriminals who use your VoIP infrastructure. Legal fees and potential fines add further strain to the already dire situation, along with the risk of compliance violations in case of a data breach.

Damage to reputation and trust

If a cybercriminal uses your VoIP system to make calls to clients, it can cause irreparable damage to your reputation. That’s mainly because your customers, partners, and investors may lose faith in your ability to protect their data and communications. What’s more, such incidents can quickly spread across media outlets, further tarnishing your brand.

Operational disruptions and downtime

Cybercriminals often consume bandwidth and resources, which can degrade the quality of legitimate calls or cause complete system failure. Some of the consequences include missed opportunities, delayed responses, and general operational inefficiencies.

Exposed data and privacy breaches

Cybercriminals can intercept and eavesdrop on sensitive communications, gaining access to private data. This can lead to severe privacy breaches, especially if confidential information such as customer details or business strategies is compromised.

How to safeguard your business from VoIP theft of service

The good news is that VoIP theft of service is preventable with the right security measures and the following best practices:

• Use strong and unique passwords – Strengthen your security by creating complex, unique passwords that are hard to guess. Consider using passphrases for added protection.
• Keep your VoIP devices and apps up to date with the latest security patches – Software updates frequently contain fixes for vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. You can reduce the risk of cybercriminals hacking into your system by maintaining up-to-date firmware.
• Monitor call logs and system activity – Unusual activity such as spikes in call volume, calls made outside normal hours, or connections to unfamiliar numbers should raise red flags. If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately to your VoIP provider for investigation and resolution.
• Implement encryption to protect data – Encryption is a key tool in preventing unauthorized access to your VoIP communications. It converts data, including voice calls into an unreadable format so only authorized parties can decode it, minimizing the risk of eavesdropping and data breaches.
• Educate your employees on security protocols – Train your team on the importance of VoIP security, such as recognizing phishing emails, using strong passwords, and adhering to best practices for data protection. Regular training will equip them to identify potential threats and prevent security breaches.

For further assistance in safeguarding your VoIP infrastructure, reach out to our security experts for tailored solutions.