NEC to Fight IP Phone SPAM

NEC Has Announced VoIP SEAL(TM)

VoIP SEAL is a new technology for the prevention of Spam over Internet Telephony or SPIT.

The main features of VoIP SEAL(TM) are as follows:

• (1) Calls arising from spam-generating-software and calls from real individuals are separated by a Turing test. Before connecting the call, VoIP SEAL(TM) detects and blocks the unauthorized access based on the communication pattern observed during a call. This enables the detection and blocking of SPIT and prevents the user’s phone from ringing unnecessarily.
• (2) By adopting a module structure, VoIP SEAL(TM) enables rapid response to new kinds of SPIT attacks, without adjusting the system, by adding and updating modules to respond to new and different kinds of SPIT.
• (3) The adoption of a module structure also realizes response to a broad range of applications by enabling flexible and easy customization of systems to meet the needs of a variety of hardware, such as SIP servers, SBC[2], home network equipment and terminal equipment.

With the rapid adoption of VoIP worldwide it is only a matter of time before SPIT becomes a real problem. It is exciting to see manistream players like NEC taking a proactive approach to fighting what will be an emerging menance to all VoIP users.