Skype allows users to make international phone calls over the internet at an economical rate, with calls between Skype users free. Calls made between regular telephone numbers and other Skype users incur fees; but vice versa.
To call someone, click their name. A chat window opens where you can view their profile photo.
Calls are free
Calls made between computers and devices running Skype are free. Calls made to landlines or mobiles will incur fees depending on where they’re based in the world; PayPal, Western Union and Alipay provide several payment methods; it’s even possible to purchase Skype credit in bundles; plus Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans include 60 minutes per month!
To use Skype to call someone, you first must add them as a contact in your list of contacts or use the search bar at the top. From here you can either click on their phone icon in your list of contacts or use the search bar at the top to locate them, after which either a video camera icon or phone icon can be selected to initiate the call; choosing either option will start the conversation so that you can see and hear who is speaking.
By sharing screens during a Skype call, the person being called can see exactly what you are working on – this can be especially useful when troubleshooting computer issues. Once finished with your call, simply end it by clicking the red button at the bottom of your screen.
Skype makes group calling possible with its Group Call feature, perfect for conferences and meetings. To use Group Calls effectively, all contacts who you wish to talk to must already exist on your account – simply use the search box or type their Skype name/email address into it to add them as contacts.
Once you click on a contact, a window will pop-up containing all the ways they can be reached – such as their profile picture and phone/video camera icons – making connecting easier than ever. To call them directly, just click on their preferred mode of connection icon; to mute microphone calls while calling friends you may also wish to choose this option.
Calls are secure
Skype makes calls secure due to its encryption technology. Calls, text chats and file transfers between user devices and Skype servers are encrypted; however, the part of a call that traverses PSTN networks isn’t. For increased protection you may wish to utilize VPN software instead.
Skype is a voice-over-IP application that enables users to make free video calls over the internet from mobile phones, landline phones, and tablets. Furthermore, this application features online chat functions and also provides instant messaging and file transfer features.
Signing up for Skype requires providing either an email address or phone number that can be verified, along with creating your own username and password, or login using Facebook or Google accounts. Skype lets you make calls using either computer microphones or webcams – though subscribing will require payment.
Skype ensures its conversations are secure by using a 256-bit session key generated at user registration and stored on Microsoft servers alongside hashes of passwords hashed at that time. A verification code is then distributed to each user so as to verify he or she is an actual Skype user and not an impostor calling from another source.
Software provides secure connections with servers that store user data. This is accomplished using a combination of RSA public-key encryption, ISO 9796-2 signature padding and the RC4 stream cipher; additionally RSA encryption binds session keys directly to users accounts that are then verified with their private keys by servers.
Microsoft collects an abundance of personal data from Skype users, using it for targeted advertising, personalization and research and development. Microsoft shares this data with affiliates, subsidiaries and vendors; additionally it may hand it over as per legal request. In order to protect your privacy properly you should read the Skype Privacy Policy thoroughly as well as adjusting privacy settings or using VPN services if available.
Calls are easy
If you have ever used Skype to make video or voice calls, then the process is fairly straightforward. All that’s needed to get going is an internet connection and the Skype application installed on either a computer, smartphone, or tablet device – and once they do that you can begin talking!
To start a call, select your contact from your contacts list, click either the phone icon for voice calls or camera icon for video calls, use dial pad or dial pad plus dial pad + landline/mobile number from dial pad (you may also make international calls through it), end call via red phone icon on bottom screen if required or use red button in bottom screen with phone icon (to end call).
Skype allows you to call anyone around the world at an extremely reasonable cost, provided you have enough Skype Credit in your account – you can buy this online or by logging in and selecting “Buy credits”.
As well as making calls, Skype allows you to send messages and share files with your contacts. The file sharing feature of Skype enables you to send any type of file – documents, images, music and presentations alike – while their recipient can download them simply by clicking on a link in their chat window.
Skype allows you to share your screen with the other party during a call, which can be particularly beneficial when working remotely on projects with team members who don’t reside near you. Just keep in mind that sharing only works if both parties possess Skype on their respective devices.
Skype can also be used for collecting calls. Through its SkypeIn service, users have a local number they can dial from conventional phones in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy Japan New Zealand Norway Russia South Africa Spain Sweden United States. When dialing collect numbers first add the country code followed by the toll-free number.
Calls are convenient
Skype is an incredible way to make phone calls or video chats with users who use its service, from desktop computers running Windows, Mac OS X, Linux or mobile phones running Android, iOS or Windows operating systems. In addition to phone and video calling features, Skype also provides many other products and services: you can call landlines and mobile phones at low rates; get local phone numbers in 26 regions around the world; send SMS text messages directly from your account; etc.
To initiate a call, select your target from your Contacts list and click either the phone or camera icon to initiate. Alternatively, add them into a group call. Note that their Skype account must exist for them to receive your call; when finished simply end it by pressing the red button at the bottom of your screen.
Skype’s ringtone is easily audible and does not interfere with conversations, while video quality is exceptional. Furthermore, you can customize the background color of your video call to fit in with any environment – or blurring it so other participants’ faces are more noticeable – so its video call feature is particularly handy whether trying to make an impressionful professional statement or just connecting with friends.
If you’re using Skype for business, the dial pad allows you to make calls directly. All phone numbers that have been added to your company’s Skype for Business account and meet certain criteria must have valid country codes before being eligible to use this feature. Furthermore, instant messaging (IM) functionality can also be added directly into a call using its button.
Skype provides superb business communication options for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to multinational corporations. Choose from various telephony plans offering unlimited incoming and outgoing calls worldwide, conference calling, instant messaging, screen sharing and screen capturing capabilities and more!