Skype user reports protocol hack

July 17, 2006
Skype

A Chinese company says it has reverse-engineered the Skype protocol, allowing it to place calls over Skype's Voice over Internet Protocol network.

A poster on the VoIPWiki blog, Charlie Paglee, said he received a Skype call originating in a Chinese company, according to a report by vnunet.com.

"The first time we talked there was a noticeable echo on my end. The second time the voice quality was crystal clear," Paglee said via the report.

"Right now every computer with Skype installed can be used as a relay to carry data between two other computers when both of those computers are only allowed to make outgoing Transmission Control Protocol calls," Paglee wrote.

"This means that very soon Skype users will have an alternative client which will not hijack their computer.

"This could eventually have a very negative effect on the Skype network if too many people choose not to act as Skype Supernodes and the network starts to deteriorate."

The company currently only supports peer-to-peer calling but plans to add instant messaging and user status information in the near future, according to the report.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

2.2 /5 (31 votes)  

Rank 2.2 /5 (31 votes)
Tags

Relevant PhysicsForums posts
  • A way to send and receive wireless data
    created4 hours ago
  • Tabletop Cold Fusion Reactor
    created6 hours ago
  • Calling function with no input argument
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • Force free body diagram problem on gym equipment
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • Empirical data regarding shower heads and water
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • feed hold button on CNC lathe
    createdFeb 09, 2012
  • More from Physics Forums - General Engineering

More news stories

Walney offshore wind farm is world's biggest (for now)

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Walney wind farm on the Irish Sea--characterized by high tides, waves and windy weather--officially opened this week. The farm is treated in the press as a very big deal as the Walney ...

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created 7 hours ago | popularity 3.4 / 5 (7) | comments 20 | with audio podcast weblog

GPS court ruling leaves US phone tracking unclear

A US Supreme Court decision requiring a warrant to place a GPS device on the car of a criminal suspect leaves unresolved the bigger issue of police tracking using mobile phones, legal experts say.

Technology / Telecom

created 8 hours ago | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Netflix settlement trims 14 pct off 4Q earnings

(AP) -- Netflix pressed the rewind button on its fourth-quarter earnings after settling allegations that the video subscription service violated a consumer-privacy law.

Technology / Business

created 8 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Europeans protest controversial Internet pact

Tens of thousands of people marched in protests in more than a dozen European cities Saturday against a controversial anti-online piracy pact that critics say could curtail Internet freedom.

Technology / Internet

created 4 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Google users warned of threat to smartphone wallets

Users of Google smartphone wallets were being warned on Friday that there is a way to crack pass codes intended to thwart thieves from going on illicit shopping sprees.

Technology / Internet

created 23 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0


Study finds that anti-diabetic medication can prevent the long-term effects of maternal obesity

In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting, in Dallas, Texas, researchers will report findings that show that short therapy with the anti-diabetic medication ...

Europe stakes billion-dollar bet on new rocket

A pencil-slim rocket is scheduled to lift into space from South America on Monday, carrying a billion-dollar bet that Europe can grab a juicy slice of the market to place satellites in low orbit.

Steroid injections prove effective in treatment of lumbar disc herniations

The use of epidural steroid injections may be a more efficient treatment option for lumbar disc herniations, according to research presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in ...

Amateur football players not always keen on returning to play after ACL injuries

Despite the known success rates of reconstructive Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery, the number of high school and collegiate football players returning to play may not be as high as anticipated, say researchers presenting ...

Study finds elevated levels of cell-free DNA in first trimester do not predict preeclampsia

In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting, in Dallas, Texas, researchers will report findings that indicate that elevated levels of cell-free DNA in ...

PRP treatment aids healing of elbow injuries say researchers

As elbow injuries continue to rise, especially in pitchers, procedures to help treat and get players back in the game quickly have been difficult to come by. However, a newer treatment called platelet rich plasma (PRP) may ...