What you need to know about VoIP
- Tips
Overview
Skype is a commonly used internet voice calling application that allows for voice and video calls to be made over the internet, rather than traditional telephone lines. Other commonly used VoIP applications include Zoom, WhatsApp, and others. These applications are widely used globally because they offer lower costs, greater flexibility, convenience, and higher quality audio communication services. So what is VoIP? VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol" , which is the technology of transmitting voice and other media content via the internet protocol (IP).
Contents
How VoIP works
When you use a VoIP application, your voice is digitized and converted into a data stream , which is then sent over the internet. The receiving application converts the data stream back into sound and plays it. Compared to traditional telephone services, VoIP takes advantage of the high bandwidth, low latency, and packet-switching technology of the internet to deliver a higher-quality communication experience.
Advantages of VoIP
① Lower cost
VoIP calls can be made using existing internet connections without the need to invest in building a telephone network, making them typically cheaper than traditional phone services.
② Portability
Since VoIP is internet-based, you can use it anywhere with an internet connection, meaning you can make phone calls anytime, anywhere around the world.
③ Feature-rich
VoIP supports everything from simple voice calls to complex video conferences, can handle multiple types of media files, and doesn't require any additional hardware or software. Most VoIP services come bundled with instant messaging capabilities, while landlines remain just landlines.
Disadvantages of VoIP
① Dependence on the network
VoIP requires a high-quality network connection, including bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss. If the network quality is poor, call quality will suffer.
② Security
VoIP communications may pose security risks. Because VoIP provides services via the internet, it may be subject to attacks from the internet, such as eavesdropping, fraud, and malicious software attacks. Therefore, some security measures must be taken to ensure communication security and confidentiality.
To address these issues, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) can be used to protect the security and stability of VoIP calls . MetroVPN is a VPN service that can encrypt your VoIP calls and provide a more stable internet connection. Using MetroVPN provides the following security protections for your VoIP calls:
① Data encryption
MetroVPN uses encryption algorithms to protect your data, including voice and video information transmitted during VoIP calls. This means that your phone content cannot be read or listened to by unauthorized people.
② IP address hiding
When using MetroVPN, your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the IP address of the VPN server. This protects your location, identity, and browsing history, ensuring your privacy and anonymity.
③ Prevention of traffic analysis
By routing all your network traffic through the VPN server, to some extent, it can prevent unidentified third parties from conducting traffic analysis, thereby protecting your communication content from monitoring and attack.
While there are differences between VoIP and traditional telephony in some aspects, VoIP is becoming an increasingly common mode of communication that is gaining popularity with more and more people as technology continues to evolve. To ensure the security of your VoIP calls, we recommend using MetroVPN for VoIP communication.
