Security, Privacy, Reliability Among Risks Of VoIP
After four years of pondering, Bruce Stevens is finally ready to buy a service for making phone calls cheaply over the Internet. The New Orleans graphics designer just isn't ready yet to rely on it as his sole means of communications: He'll keep his cell phone, even if it means an extra $60 a month.
``Since it's all brand new, there are always unexpected things, things you never would have dreamed would be a problem,'' Stevens said. ``You could mark me down as having a slight fear of the unknown.''
A computer virus, for instance, could knock out Internet service -- and with it the phone line. An Internet service provider that happens to be the local phone company might decide to cripple the technology entirely. Or 911 might not work properly _ something callers wouldn't think to check until they need it most. Eventually, eavesdropping could also be a serious concern.
Cheap as they may be, Internet-based phones carry risks not encountered with conventional landline and cell phone services.
