In U.A.E (Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi), the main ISP has blocked VOIP calls. While one can use a tool like H O T – S P O T – S H I E L D, to connect using a tunnel and make calls, some friends have warned me that the ISP can still track users, who connect through H O T – S P O T – S H I E L D and catch them if they make VOIP calls. The ISP has already found a technique to block VOIP clients from connecting even through U L T R A – S U R F.
Another solution is to have a VPN but even in that case, the ISP can track that a user is onnecting to the VPN server through an encrypted layer of information (What he does after connecting to the VPN server, the ISP won't come to know). But if they find out that the destination to which the user is connecting through an encrypted layer belongs to a VPN provider, they may still catch the user!
The question is: How to escape? Is it safe to connect using a VPN and being assured that the ISP here won't find out that I am making VOIP calls? Will the ISP know that I am connecting to a VPN server?
Please provide an explanation (please do not ask me to use a VPN or tunelling, as I already know that solution and it's expensive)
Tags: Vpn Voip
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All I can tell you is my experience. I use a VPN appliance to connect my IP phone into it's Ethernet port. I also use a Personal VPN on my laptop for my softphone while traveling. The appliance is always connected to the VPN. Etilsat knows I am connected to a VPN but they don't know what the traffic is. For all they know I'm connecting to my business servers overseas. I've been doing this for 2+ years with no problem.
My understanding is that a true VPN encrypts all ports and connections so nothing can leak by and reveal what you are doing. This is common with Java applications which will connect outside of proxy programs.
So based on experience I'd say get the VPN and don't sweat it.