Voice Over IP Under Threat? 148
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. ' "
Not Unique to VOIP (Score:4, Informative)
Changing phone numbers in an address book isn't unique to VOIP. A virus could scan Outlook and other common address book systems and change phone numbers, whether VOIP or not. Since most people don't have their bank phone numbers memorized, they'll assume that the address book entry is correct. Even if they use a non-VOIP phone, the phishing attack can work.
Now, a VOIP system might have an integrated address-book/speed-dial system that could also be attacked. But otherwise, I don't see where this is unique to VOIP.
Re:The problem of telephony + the Internet... (Score:0, Informative)
Re:The problem of telephony + the Internet... (Score:2, Informative)
It's "it's your uncle" and not "its your uncle", and now you're no longer in need of correction, either. :)