Allworx, a Windstream company, has announced new security practices in response to recent Hacking Issues. 

Suggested Security Best Practices

Overview

One of the primary advantages of the Allworx family of products is its flexibility in configuration and settings in a way that is easy to understand. Security is an important consideration, and we are constantly striving to improve our systems to protect our customers.

We are investigating reported instances and have seen fraudulent SIP registration attacks that search public IP addresses and gain access to either an Allworx server or, most recently, to remote Allworx handsets not installed behind a firewall. We have also received reports of recent toll fraud incidents in which fraudulent attacks take over the SIP registration of an Allworx handset attached to a public network. This document summarizes the security best practices to prevent security compromises.

What You Should Do

• Update Allworx server to the most recent patch level of  7.6 . These patches change each Allworx phone SIP registration passwords during the phone reboot.
• Install the server behind a firewall or connect it to the public internet using the WAN port. DO NOT connect the Allworx LAN port directly onto the public internet.
• Disable Allworx WAN services (ports) not in use.
• Change voicemail ports (SMTP and IMAP) to non-standard port numbers.
• Change all server admin, phone admin, and user passwords from the default values.
• Use strong passwords for server and phone administration pages. DO NOT use simple passwords such as “1234″ or “Allworx”.
• Verify that there is no exposure of the Admin Page (Port 8080) to the Public network. DO NOT port forward directly to the LAN port of an Allworx server from the customer’s router. For remote maintenance, use the Allworx VPN. Navigate to Home > Network > VPN > modify to configure the VPN settings.

For more information about Allworx please contact Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229

Upgrade Your Allworx Phone System Against Hacking

We received several calls from customers this past week looking for support on their Merlin phone system stating they had received letters from Avaya announcing the end of support for their Merlin phone systems. We decided to check on the Avaya web site for End of Support and found that they had in fact ended support.   Since the Mid 80s there have been millions of Merlin phone system installed including Merlin 410, 820, 10/30, Merlin II, Merlin legend, and Merlin Magix systems.  There are still thousands of system deployed providing companies with reliable service.  Since 1996  Telcom & Data has been providing service and maintenance support on older phone system and carry a large inventory of refurbished Merlin phone system components and phones. We also still have original and PDF versions of all of the Merlin programming manuals.

Telephone Maintenance Support provides a company with budgeted phone costs. In case of a system failure parts and labored are covered protecting a company from large unforeseen expenses.  Maintenance agreements also include service level agreements so in the event of a system failure your business wont be down longer then required to change out a part often times in two hours or less.

If your company had maintenance and would like to have a plan that fully protects your phone system call Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229 or fax a copy of your last maintenance bill to 414-744-5804 or visit us at http://www.telcom-data.com/phone-maintenance.aspx.

About Telcom & Data: Founded in 1996, Telcom & Data Inc. helps companies boost their bottom line through telecommunications technology. Thousands of businesses worldwide have benefited from our services, and we can provide a tailor-made solution for businesses.  Telcom & Data Inc. asks the questions that target your toughest business challenges. We provide complete telecommunications analysis based on your company’s vision, needs, growth, and budget. Our customized solutions will measurably improve your business.

After 8 years of battling and a 6 month court hearing ,  a U.S. District Court in Camden, New Jersey jury has found that telecom manufacturer Avaya violated federal antitrust laws.  What that means to Avaya customers worldwide that use Avaya support services is that they do not have to purchase post support maintenance services from the manufacturer and can purchase telephone maintenance services from a third party.  Avaya manufacturers telecommunications equipment including IP Office, Communications Manager,  Audix Voice Mail ,  as well as Northern Telecom BCM and CS1000 PBX Phone systems.

All of this is great news for Avaya customers that want to shop for more competitive maintenance service providers. Phone system maintenance is crucial to any business that depends on its phones. Telecommunications drives the economy of most companies from sales to customer service to phone orders. Whether your company is a bricks and mortar company or web based, a solid reliable phone system is the vehicle for communications.

Chances are if your phone system is passed it’s prime Avaya may have discontinued or limited the scope of Maintenance Services for your phone system. Once Avaya has declared "end of life," "end of service," "end of support," "manufacture discontinue" or similar designation ("End of Support") you were pretty much out of luck in getting your system serviced by Avaya. However you can still receive expert support from Telcom & Data. Telcom & Data offers maintenance services for most AVAYA end of support products.

Telcom & Data offers complete phone system maintenance, upgrades, and repairs in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Telcom & Data provides Signature Service Maintenance and Support covers all parts and labor on all Avaya. Nortel, and Lucent branded telephone systems . For more information call 800-335-0229

Has your company received an "end of life," "end of service," "end of support," "manufacturer discontinue," or similar notification from Avaya? These designations are known as Avaya's "End of Support." Avaya will no longer service a system for companies who have received such a notification. Companies who have not yet received an "End of Support" notification from Avaya will soon.

Companies of all sizes need a dependable phone system and maintenance plan. Phone system maintenance is crucial for the pro-

Telcom & Data Signature Service Maintenance and Support

ductivity and profitability of every business. When a phone system fails, a company appears unprofessional and incompetent. A company shouldn't risk missing their next customer’s call, and needs to protect themselves from costly system failures and outages by having a phone system maintenance plan.

Telcom & Data's Signature Service Maintenance & Support is a great alternative to Avaya support. New Signature Service Maintenance &

Support customers typically see a 30% savings from their previous maintenance plan. Additionally, customers receive peace of mind, knowing that their system is covered, maintained, and costly repairs are prevented. A phone system maintenance service agreement ensures consistent performance, so companies can concentrate on running their business and taking care of their customers. Telcom & Data also provides a free spare parts kit to large systems, free help desk support, and so much more. See complete details here.

When asked about his satisfaction and savings with Telcom & Data's Signature Service Maintenance and Support, John Blake, Environmental Services Manager of Rogers Memorial Hospital and long-time Telcom & Data customer, said, “Telcom & Data has

been providing 24 hour mission critical services for over 13 years. They were able to reduce our annual phone maintenance costs by $13,000.00 a year.”

Telcom & Data provides Avaya support to the following phone systems: Definity, Merlin Legend, Merlin Magix, Spirit, Audix, and Intuity. Signature Service Maintenance and Support customers also receive 10% off the purchase of a new phone system.

Get a free business phone maintenance quote now and start saving today!

ABOUT Telcom & Data: Since 1996 Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunication solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1500 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee and Miami.