Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Eavesdropping on Internet Calls Is Easy

Researchers find potential encryption security problems

By Laila Weir, Newser User

Posted Jun 17, 2008 7:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Not only are most Internet phone calls not encrypted, but a bandwidth-saving technique could undermine encryption once it’s implemented. Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that a compression method called variable-bit-rate encoding makes it possible for eavesdroppers to identify given phrases in an encrypted VoIP... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

MIT Technology Review (Source Grid »)

The lead researcher's site
cs.jhu.edu/~cwright/

Technology

VoIP • eavesdropping • Internet phone • encryption

More Newser Stories

Skype Rolls Out New Biz Service

Internet calling company aims to boost revenue

(NEWSER) - Internet calling company Skype is introducing new software for businesses that lets workers on corporate phone systems make calls using regular office phones instead of computer headsets, the Wall Street Journal reports. Domestic and international calls to cellphones and landlines will start at 2.1 cents a minute, and computer- to-Skype-network calls will be free, as they are in the company's consumer service. More»

UK: Web Phone Service Gives Criminals Edge

Authorities want to expand their online snooping powers

(NEWSER) - Criminals and terrorists are using VoIP services like Skype to evade law enforcement, sources tell the Times of London, and officials are lobbying for increased access. Police often rely on phone records as evidence, but online calls often leave no trace. “Communications data forms an important element of prosecution evidence in 95% of serious crime cases,” said a security source. More»

T-Mobile Launching Net Phone Price War

New plan follows hard on news of wireless price war

(NEWSER) - T-Mobile is giving an extra push to the millions contemplating ditching their landlines. The low-cost wireless carrier is launching a new dirt-cheap VoIP service, which lets T-Mobile customers hook up traditional phones to an Internet router and make unlimited local and long distance calls for $10 a month, the Wall Street Journal reports. Vonage, the most prominent VoIP provider, charges $25 per month. More»

Skype Blames Crash on Windows

Millions of updates, reboots fried VOIP service, company says

(NEWSER) - Skype's mysterious failure last week was caused by a routine Windows update, the company says. Millions of users downloaded the new software, rebooted their computers, and tried to log into Skype at the same time, crashing the net phone service, PC World reports. It's still unclear why previous Windows updates didn't do the same thing, however. More»

Saints Deny New Charge: Spying on Opposing Coaches

GM Mickey Loomis allegedly eavesdropped from Superdome suite

(NEWSER) - First the bounty scandal —and now eavesdropping? New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has been accused of listening in on visiting coaches for almost three years using an electronic device in his Superdome suite, ESPN reports. The US Attorney's Office in eastern Louisiana confirmed the accusation today, but said that "anything beyond that I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to comment." A Saints rep called the allegation "1,000% false. This is 1,000% inaccurate." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Eavesdropping on Internet Calls Is Easy

Researchers find potential encryption security problems

VoIP • eavesdropping • Internet phone • encryption

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Skype Rolls Out New Biz Service

Internet calling company aims to boost revenue

UK: Web Phone Service Gives Criminals Edge

Authorities want to expand their online snooping powers

T-Mobile Launching Net Phone Price War

New plan follows hard on news of wireless price war

Skype Blames Crash on Windows

Millions of updates, reboots fried VOIP service, company says

Saints Deny New Charge: Spying on Opposing Coaches

GM Mickey Loomis allegedly eavesdropped from Superdome suite

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?