![]() ![]() ![]() Additionally, the application-level protocols used by the platform should be well-documented and described so that independent security researchers have the best opportunity to assess the strength and correctness of the system in question. Ideally, the application itself should be open source to allow for independent, third-party vetting. Third, the application should utilize well-known and vetted cryptographic libraries. This means that every conversation needs to be encrypted the entire time data is transiting between two devices, such that not even the provider of the service is able to decrypt the transmission in order to read your messages or listen in on your calls. The second requirement is that the application needs to provide end-to-end encryption. A good user experience (UX) and cross-platform support go a long way toward fueling adoption, especially among the less technically inclined people in your life. This may or may not be a major issue for some people, however, if you’re protecting some communications more heavily than others then those ones stand out as more important and worthy of dedicated resources to attack. It takes two (or more) to communicate, after all, and if no one else is on the platform you select, or the barrier to entry is too high, then you’re not going to have too many people to talk to. The first, most general requirement is if it’s something that you can easily get other people to adopt. Some of these relate directly to the security and safety of the app itself, but some are more general. There are many factors that go into a selection of an application for communications security (COMSEC). In this article, I’ll explore criteria for evaluating a “secure” communications app, describe a few of my favorites, and briefly cover findings discussed in a leaked FBI assessment regarding the challenges posed by many popular encrypted chat apps to law enforcement and the intelligence community. ![]() Big promises, right? However, not all apps are created equal.Ībove: Cell phones are not just a modern convenience, but a powerful tool for communication in a variety of scenarios. Thanks to secure messaging apps such as Signal, users can send secure text messages, share files, or even have voice or video calls - all encrypted and, ostensibly, impervious to eavesdropping from unwanted third parties. These applications take advantage of the adoption of digital, packet-based communication standards for cellular systems (i.e., LTE) or wired/wireless internet connection to provide a plethora of communications functions. However, in recent years, there has been a proliferation of encrypted communications applications available for computers and mobile phones. All in all, is has fewer security features than Signal.“Is this line secure?” - Well, for most of us, the answer to that has traditionally been “no” - at least outside of work. Telegram copies your address book to its servers, and does not thoroughly encrypt all metadata. Like Signal, you can also sent self-destructing messages which will disappear after a set amount of time. Messages sent through secret chat can only be read on the device you sent them to. However, it also has a secret chat option, which is encrypted. This means Telegram can gain access to your messages. ![]() Its default cloud chat messaging system is not end-to-end encrypted, with chats stored on Telegram’s servers and backed up to a cloud. Telegram uses its own end-to-end encryption service called MTProto. There is also a setting which allows you to receive “sealed” messages from non-contacts with whom you have not shared your profile, an option that hides your IP address, and a self-destructing messages option that disappear completely after a set time. Your chats do not get backed up by default, but you can choose to back them up to a secure cloud if you wish. ![]()
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