Spam over Internet Telephony
Spam over Internet Telephony
(also SPIT, VoIP Spam)
Spam over Internet Telephony definition
Spam over Internet Telephony is the unwanted distribution of unsolicited voice messages using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. It resembles email spam but involves unwanted voice communication, often inundating users with pre-recorded messages, advertisements, or phishing attempts via VoIP channels.
See also: VoIP caller ID, Spamming
Risks of Spam over Internet Telephony
- Privacy invasion. SPIT poses a significant risk to user privacy by inundating individuals with unsolicited and potentially intrusive voice messages.
- Resource drain. SPIT consumes network resources and bandwidth, leading to network congestion and reduced service quality.
- Loss of productivity. SPIT disrupts users’ daily activities by bombarding them with unwanted calls and messages.
Protective tools against Spam over Internet Telephony
- SPIT Filters. They are software tools implemented by VoIP service providers to detect and block SPIT calls and messages. They analyze incoming traffic and assess various parameters, such as call frequency, caller reputation, and content analysis.
- Call authentication protocols. VoIP systems can employ call authentication protocols like Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) to verify the legitimacy of incoming calls.
- Whitelisting and blacklisting. VoIP users can employ whitelisting and blacklisting features to control incoming calls. Whitelisting allows calls only from pre-approved contacts, while blacklisting blocks calls from specific numbers or sources.