Voice Over IP Under Threat?

An anonymous reader writes "The IT Observer is discussing the possible scary future of Voice over IP targeted viruses, and what that could mean for the consumer. The article discusses the likelihood that VoIP is going to become even more popular, and the damage that a targeted 'flash virus' could perpetrate in a very short amount of time. From the article: 'Let's imagine a scenario that could become commonplace in the near future: A user has an IP telephony system on his computer (both at home and at work). In his address book on the computer there is an entry, under the name Bank, with the number 123-45-67. Now, a hacker launches a mass-mailing attack on thousands or millions of email addresses using code that simply enters users' address books and modifies any entry under the name Bank to 987-65-43. ... If any of these users receives a message saying that there is a problem in their account, and asking them to call their bank (a typical phishing strategy), they may not be suspicious, as they are not clicking on a link in an email ... If they use their VoIP system to call the bank, they will be calling the modified number, where a friendly automated system will record all their details. ' "

The problem of telephony + the Internet...

[Ingolfke]

is that people will call you up during your dinner to tell you that you're long lost uncle's oil wealth is available to you in Madagascar or about the wonders of this new herbal male health pill.

Dr. Weird had it right after all

[Sneakernets]

"Steve... send the PHONE SPIDERS."

Re:And that's why...

[Metaphorically]

Yes, I'm following the same strategy with email...

I'll take VOIP...

[weeboo0104]

viruses over a virus from a public pay phone anyday!

Those shankers hurt!

Re:The problem of telephony + the Internet...

[tehcyder]

Perhaps even some form of voice recognition (recognising people's voices in your address book, or, controversially, an Indian accent) might become common.

So you'd set up a filter especially to recognise and let through any caller with an Indian accent? That's a fine example of multi-cultural tolerance, it makes such a change from the usual racism on slashdot. Well done sir!