VoIP: Telephone Network, A Virtual Conversation?
This telephone network is called VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol. Basically, you purchase a few pieces of hardware and/or software and you have turned you computer into a telephone as well. The hardware and/or software can be as simple as an earpiece and a microphone. Decide who you want to provide you service and then ask them the requirements. They will surely be more than happy to assist you in the setup and acquiring the needed hardware and/or software.
Creating a telephone network is relatively easy to understand. Most computers are ready to have a network card inserted the moment you purchase one. You can purchase a network card at any computer hardware equipment store. This card will be inserted in you computer and you will run a network cable to the other computers and to the modem. From there you can begin using a telephone network to connect to the other computers in the network that you created with the assistance of a software system that you can find free.
If you have internet access, you can take this a step further. Once you have created a network, you can use your internet connection and use your software to connect to anyone that has a phone or an internet access and talk to them. The greatest thing about this is that long distance is free.
One thing you should consider before attempting a telephone network is whether you think you are capable of operating one. These are not all that difficult, but a computer connection is not as easy as picking up the phone and dialing the numbers. People who are not used to computers often find themselves frustrated with telephone networks. However, there are companies that offer these services using a regular telephone setup.
When you are picking a service provider, make sure you research it completely. There are hundreds of articles out there that give you reviews on different companies that provide telephone network services or VoIP. Read all of them carefully and go with the one that sounds the best to you. If that one doesn’t work for you, you can switch to a different one at any time.
Make sure you choose an internet service provider that does not offer a connection using an industry standard codec and industry standard protocols. These allow hackers to gain access to any information that you access, even the secure ones.
Thought your bank accounts, credit card information, etc. is all safe while you are on the internet, not if you are using this type of internet service provider. The United States Government is currently trying to stop fraud due to criminals gaining access illegally to other peoples’ accounts and personal information.
Even if you do not end up being a victim of a criminal stealing your identity, you are still at a major risk for other problems, like viruses and worms. These are problematic because some of them are very difficult to get rid of. If you don’t personally know how to get rid of them, you will be charged an arm and a leg by a computer consultant to get rid of them. Their fees are very expensive. You would almost have to take out a second mortgage on your home to erase some of the modern viruses or worms, if that gives you any idea.
Hackers can also access hard drive information through your telephone network service provider. They can delete files that you have saved. They can access almost anything you have anywhere on your computer.
Another great thing about telephone networks (VoIP's) is that you still get all of the features that are available with a regular telephone service provider. You can still have caller ID, call transfer, etc.
Many people like the services that they are currently receiving from their telephone service provider, but do not realize the advantages of using telephone networks. They have never tried them and are not sure that they want to. I hope that this article will help people realize the VoIP is not that bad. It has many advantages as long as you know who to get service with. |
