I'm seriously considering a Skype (or other VOIP) connection for dealing with the boss (we both work remotely and often have long calls) once a certain ISP gets off its

Been using it for quite a while now, and not heard/seen any problems with the system. Also use VOIP at work, between our office and one just down the road - no probs there either, and I know that wouldn't have been chosen if there were any unanswered security questions. Slightly OT, but the basic architecture is the same.

Not used any of the proper handsets designed for Skype yet, though.

Steve

apparently you can get free calls to landlines on skype - how does this work?

i installed it last week

Skype work wells...although you will have to pay for making call to a land line as it has to go through the BT PSTN ....but pc to pc will be free.

It is a proprietry system but will only work between Skype users.

Other VoIP providers using the SIP standard and usually work fine inter providers but there's still alot of arrangment to do between themselves.

I use a Platronics USB headset and it works very well....audio quality is much better than the normal PSTN.

I'm not sure this answers the question you're asking, but clients like these (Skype, MSN etc etc) pose quite a large theoretical security risk. The problem is that if an unpatched vulnerability is exploited then it could spread *very* quickly because:

1) Your contact list is a neat list of 20 or so people who are virtually guaranteed to be running the same vulnerable software

2) There's no firewall protection - by definition these clients are connected to other computers the entire time they're running. Unless you have very clever application-aware firewalls (and their definitions are updated quickly enough) the traffic to exploit the client software will pass straight through.

Having said that, I wouldn't worry any more about people listening to your call over Skype than I would about someone sticking a pair of croc clips on your BT line.

:bump:

Go for it Graham

TWK, Quite right, I had a quick poke round and found a number security issues, currently exploitable, however their are probably easier ways or cracking someones computer.

Right to be a bit cautious though. With any new technology coming through to the main stream there always seems to be a period of stabalisation. With time security will improve.

Its a bit like broadband, every one is getting broadband and installing themselves, often wireless but the majority dont know how to secure it. A quick check round the local area and over 70% of AP's are totally open. Give it a while people will learn and likewise for voice over ip.

Im sure at some point home PC firewalls will include protocol decodes for Skype an other similar applications.

Ive been using it for about 18months, sometimes upto 8/9 hours a day. Whilst Pc to Pc is free, the prices to landlines are very good.

In terms of security if you mean the security of what you are saying then it is second to none.

If you do a bit of digging you will find lots of stuff about how secure it is, including the US government thinking of legislation to force Skype to allow them access, as they couldnt hack/listen to calls via the system......

Bit of a numpty on this…

My sister is moving to Germany and would like to stay in touch, could I download this program (and she download it) and then use my DECT phone to speak to her through skype, how would you connect your dect phone to your computer :confused:

Bit of a numpty on this

Bit of a numpty on this

Bit of a numpty on this

Nope, at least 3 of us have been using it constantly for about 18 months, no one has had any problems with viruses or hackers....

Have you heard of Voipbuster, they are like Skype but call to landlines are FREE.

http://www.voipbuster.com/en/index.html

Check their website out, it has been recommended to me by a mate in Belgium.

the Gadget show last monday compared 3 VOIP's with respect to free fone calls, they were all the same in respect to making PC to landlines as regards to cost, but pc to pc Skype appereard to be the best, PC to mobile /Landline, the BT version was best .

Work that one out.