Benefits of a VPN for VoIP Communication

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become an essential tool in modern communication. It allows every Internet user to make voice and video calls over the Internet, offering cost-effective and flexible alternatives to traditional phone systems, which cost money for each minute used. With the Internet, you can pay a specific bill and enjoy talking seamlessly as long as you want. 

However, as VoIP communication relies on the Internet, it can be vulnerable to various security and privacy risks. One effective way to address these concerns is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This article will explain the benefits of a VPN and why you need it as a VoIP service user. But before that, let us learn what VoIP services are in more detail. 

What Is a VoIP Service And How Does It Work?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol as previously mentioned, is a technology that enables voice and multimedia communication over the Internet. Instead of traditional circuit-switched networks, VoIP changes your voice signals into digital data packets, which are transmitted over the Internet and reassembled into audio at the recipient’s end. These packets are reassembled into audio signals at the receiving end, providing a seamless voice communication experience. This process relies heavily on internet infrastructure and connectivity. This technology has gained immense popularity for its cost-effectiveness and versatility, allowing people to make voice calls and video calls, send messages, and share files over the Internet. The most common examples include Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype and Instagram. These are some of the most used platforms worldwide, with users cumulatively crossing 3 billion. 

Why Do You Need a VPN For a VoIP Application?

Even though you use Internet-based applications, they can be risky for your personal data. This is why you need a VPN service. If you do not know a VPN service, here is a small description of what you need to know. 

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that makes your internet connection safe and secure and routes it through secure servers, typically in different locations worldwide. 

Using VoIP apps without a VPN can be dangerous since it exposes you to several dangers. VoIP transmission is vulnerable to interception without VPN encryption, making it easier for hackers and leeches to keep an eye on your chats or steal important information. Your IP address is also disclosed, which could allow them to determine your location and identity. 

Furthermore, in areas where VoIP services are prohibited or blocked, utilizing them without a VPN can result in legal cases or service outages. Furthermore, without VPN protection, your VoIP data could be throttled by your internet service provider (ISP), resulting in poor call quality and disruptions. Using a top-ranked VPN to get through these unintended dangers and ensure a safe and private experience is highly advised.

Benefits of a VPN

Since we are advising you to use a VPN service, we want you to know the benefits of a VPN in complete detail. So, let’s dive right into it.

Enhanced Security

One of the primary benefits of using a VPN for VoIP communication is enhanced security. Like any other data transmitted over the Internet, VoIP calls can be vulnerable to cyber threats, including eavesdropping, hacking, and data interception. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it extremely difficult for hackers to understand and break down VoIP calls. There are different ways through which the VPN helps you secure your data more while using a VoIP service. 

Encryption: A VPN uses robust encryption protocols to scramble your internet traffic, ensuring that even if someone intercepts it, they won’t be able to understand the content. The encryption protocols include an AES-256 military-grade encryption system, which is good for users as it has never been hacked.

Secure Tunnels: VPNs establish secure tunnels between your device and their servers. This prevents third parties from monitoring or altering your VoIP data packets.

Anonymity: VPNs can hide your IP address, making it challenging for attackers to pinpoint your location or identity. VPNs alter your original IP address to something that is unrecognizable by anyone who is trying to access your files or data, hence preventing them from stealing anything. By masking your IP address with that of the VPN server, you can maintain anonymity during VoIP calls.

Preventing Call Tracking: VPNs make tracking your VoIP call history and preferences challenging for advertisers and third parties. Since they are altering your IP address, those hackers won’t be able to bypass these.

No Data Logging: Reputable VPN providers do not log your internet activity, ensuring your VoIP communication remains private.

Protection on Public Wi-Fi: When using VoIP on public Wi-Fi networks, which are often less secure, a VPN provides an extra layer of protection against potential threats. This is done because public Wi-Fi, such as libraries, cafés, hotels, and even university Wi-Fi networks, is open to anyone and easily accessible. To simplify, it means that hackers know and can find out who is using that network and can then steal as much data as they can and want. 

Bypassing Geo-Block

Due to legal, licensing, or censorship reasons, some VoIP services and content may be limited or inaccessible in certain locations. In Middle Eastern countries, one cannot use a VoIP connection because it is strictly restricted there, and in China, these applications themselves are not available, which makes it difficult for users to use these apps and communicate outside. 

But a VPN helps you to use it no matter where you are. By hiding your true location and connecting you to a server in a country where the service is available, a VPN allows you to circumvent these geo-restrictions. When you are connecting your device to a VPN service, you get a list of servers to connect to from different locations. So, you choose the one that you desire, and that’s it! You are ready to use your chosen VoIP services without restriction, even if they are blocked in your area.

Improved Quality 

Voice and video quality are crucial factors in VoIP communication. To ensure a smooth and uninterrupted conversation, it’s essential to maintain a consistent and high-quality internet connection. VPNs can help achieve this in several ways:

Traffic Prioritization: VPNs can prioritize VoIP traffic, ensuring that it gets the necessary bandwidth and is not affected by other data-intensive activities on your network.

Reduced Packet Loss: VPNs can help minimize packet loss, which can reduce latency in audio and video during VoIP calls.

Bypassing Throttling: Some ISPs may throttle VoIP traffic to manage network congestion. A VPN can circumvent such throttling, ensuring a stable VoIP experience.

Protection Against DDoS Attacks

Hampered Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can disrupt VoIP services, causing call drops and network instability. VPNs can act as a shield against DDoS attacks by distributing the attack traffic across their servers, preventing it from overwhelming your network.

Choosing the Right VPN for VoIP

Not all VPNs are created for the same purpose, and some VPNs do have more upgraded features than others; hence, selecting the right VPN service is crucial when it comes to VoIP communication. Here are some of the points to consider when choosing a VPN for VoIP:

Encryption: Ensure the VPN uses strong encryption protocols like AES-256 to protect your VoIP traffic.

Server Locations: Choose a VPN with many servers in multiple regions where VoIP services may be blocked or restricted if you need to bypass geo-blocks.

Network Speed: Latency can be annoying, so to avoid that, a fast VPN is essential for VoIP to maintain call quality. Look for VPNs with minimal impact on your internet speed. 

No-Logs Policy: Opt for a VPN provider that has a strict no-logs policy to ensure your privacy. There are usually providers who promise that they are not taking logs of their customers, which can be leaked outside and compromise their customers’ data, so we need to be careful before choosing the one VPN for us.

Compatibility: Ensure the VPN is compatible with the devices and operating systems you plan to use for VoIP calls. The operating systems include Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android TV. 

Customer Support: Reliable customer support is essential for addressing any issues or questions you may have while using the VPN for VoIP. If you are facing a problem but do not have proper active customer support, it could drive you away from the VPN, and you will meet the hassle of choosing a new VPN all over again. 

Our Recommendation

We have found our Symlex VPN is the perfect solution for VoIP users. Symlex VPN has the most solid market in UAE, middle-eastern nations, China and Uzbekistan. They have the most prominent set of protocols, including OpenConnect and Shadowshocks. Its 5-device simultaneous connection and 24-hour customer service is its most favourable highlight. 

Symlex VPN is adorned with over 120 servers across more than 75 locations. It is the most popular VPN service for VoIP users and can also unblock any geo-restricted websites or applications anywhere. With the additionality of Kill-switch and Split-tunneling, Symlex VPN is our choice. 

Conclusion

VoIP communication has transformed the way we communicate with one another by providing cost-effective and flexible choices for voice and video calls. It does, however, raise security and privacy problems, which can be ignored by using a VPN, so why wait? Grab your favourite VPN deal right away.