When you think of phone calls, you probably think of the traditional way. This involved picking up the phone, punching in a number and having a conversation either through a mobile network or a landline.
But in reality, more calls are taking place online. Think WhatsApp calling, meetings on Zoom or Microsoft Teams and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls.
While the concept of making a call over an Internet connection still makes some people feel uneasy, it’s actually much more secure than you may think.
What Is Digital Calling?
Simply put, digital calling is when you make a call over the Internet and not traditional phone lines. If you have ever used FaceTime on your iPhone or sat in on a Teams meeting at work, then you have made a digital call.
With digital calling, your voice doesn’t carry through copper wires or phone towers. Instead, it’s converted into digital packets and sent through the Internet. Your voice is then reassembled on the receiving end.
Why It’s More Secure Than You Think
Some people may be sceptical of the Internet because you often hear horror stories about hacked accounts and data breaches. It’s natural then to wonder if it’s even safe to call over the Internet.
But in reality, these platforms are built with security in mind right from the start. Of course there is no system that is 100% foolproof but their security measures are much more advanced compared to traditional phone calling.
End-To-End Encryption
Most digital calling platforms, including WhatsApp and FaceTime, provide end-to-end encryption. This means that a conversation between you and another person can only be accessed by you two. Not even the app itself can listen in.
It works by coding your voice as you speak and only the recipient’s device can decrypt it. So if someone were to try intercept, they wouldn’t be able to hear what was being said.
Most traditional phone lines don’t have this level of encryption, leaving calls open to be tapped into by third parties.
Built-In Protections
A lot of VoIP systems come with features like caller ID verification and packet authentication. These make it much harder for hackers to imitate people you know or gain access to your call.
The more advanced platforms typically use Secure Real-Time Protocol (SRTP) to add an additional layer of security.
Regular Updates With Security Fixes
VoIP service providers and digital calling platforms have cybersecurity teams that are tasked with constantly monitoring their systems. Each time a potential threat is detected, they implement security updates.
Unfortunately with traditional systems, once the infrastructure has been built it is rarely updated as often as it should be. And when technology is outdated, it’s much easier for hackers to find its weak spots.
More User Control
When you use a digital calling platform, you can generally see who you are talking to and manage access to calls. This is done through two-factor authentication to secure your account and prevent unauthorised access.
With these controls, you get way more transparency than with a traditional phone line where you wouldn’t even know who was listening in.
No Centralised Switching Systems
With older phone systems, calls had to be routed through central locations so that your call could be connected to someone else’s. The problem with this is that calls could be monitored or recorded at these points without your knowledge.
Fortunately, digital calls don’t require these central systems and travel across various Internet paths. This makes it much harder to intercept or locate.
Is Digital Calling Completely Risk-Free?
As impressive as this kind of technology is, it’s not completely invincible. But in the case of digital calling, the biggest risks are usually associated with having weak passwords, using unsecured Wi-Fi networks and not updating your software regularly.
These are all a pretty easy fix and by taking the necessary precautions like using unique passwords, updating apps and avoiding public Wi-Fi for confidential calls, you can significantly reduce the risk of having any issues.
