Computer User Corner: Secret of Correspondence
WhatsApp application, being the most widespread “rewriting” in the world, is inferior in security and functionality to other similar systems, in particular Telegram and Signal.
One of the most important differences between Telegram and Signal (which previously existed on Android in the form of two separate applications - RedPhone and TextSecure) until recently was support for end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption differs from non-end-to-end in that in the second case, the data is decrypted on the server upon receipt from the sender and again encrypted, sent to the recipient, while through, the data remains encrypted along its entire path. The disadvantage of end-to-end encryption is the fact that text messages transmitted in this way still could not be synchronized to other user devices, although this problemsuccessfully resolved in iMessage . The April 5 WhatsApp update leveled up all three services: WhatsApp introduced end-to-end encryption for all messages and audio calls using the Signal protocol .
The functionality of Telegram, expanding its scope beyond the scope of text messaging, along with the possibility of end-to-end encryption, make this system the most attractive for a wide range of computer users. However, while the Signal encryption protocol is not satisfactory , the Telegram protocol leaves much to be desired . However, both applications meet all security criteria.nominated by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. A distinctive feature of end-to-end encryption for Signal and WhatsApp (as well as for iMessage) is that you do not need to wait for the user to whom they are addressed to send messages.
Centralization and attachment to a phone number with all the ensuing consequences are the drawbacks of all three systems, however, in the case of Signal, registration is possible not only with a mobile phone number, but also with a landline phone number, Google Voice or VoIP . They are deprived of the promising Tox , through which you can also make video calls, and the already recognized XMPP protocol , which in conjunction with OTRIt is another recognized encryption standard. However, applications running on them are not convenient enough to use at present in order to be widely used among non-advanced computer users, that is, the majority, and for this reason are not included in the table.
Notes to the table:
Update as of 19/04: Changed the table and text in accordance with the update in WhatsApp encryption technology.
See also:
Computer user corner: melatonin and screens
Computer user corner: civic activism
One of the most important differences between Telegram and Signal (which previously existed on Android in the form of two separate applications - RedPhone and TextSecure) until recently was support for end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption differs from non-end-to-end in that in the second case, the data is decrypted on the server upon receipt from the sender and again encrypted, sent to the recipient, while through, the data remains encrypted along its entire path. The disadvantage of end-to-end encryption is the fact that text messages transmitted in this way still could not be synchronized to other user devices, although this problemsuccessfully resolved in iMessage . The April 5 WhatsApp update leveled up all three services: WhatsApp introduced end-to-end encryption for all messages and audio calls using the Signal protocol .
The functionality of Telegram, expanding its scope beyond the scope of text messaging, along with the possibility of end-to-end encryption, make this system the most attractive for a wide range of computer users. However, while the Signal encryption protocol is not satisfactory , the Telegram protocol leaves much to be desired . However, both applications meet all security criteria.nominated by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. A distinctive feature of end-to-end encryption for Signal and WhatsApp (as well as for iMessage) is that you do not need to wait for the user to whom they are addressed to send messages.
Centralization and attachment to a phone number with all the ensuing consequences are the drawbacks of all three systems, however, in the case of Signal, registration is possible not only with a mobile phone number, but also with a landline phone number, Google Voice or VoIP . They are deprived of the promising Tox , through which you can also make video calls, and the already recognized XMPP protocol , which in conjunction with OTRIt is another recognized encryption standard. However, applications running on them are not convenient enough to use at present in order to be widely used among non-advanced computer users, that is, the majority, and for this reason are not included in the table.
Notes to the table:
- Telegram : End-to-end encryption is not used by default, but only in 'secret chat', as well as self-destruction of messages. Applications do not have a translation into Russian in the initial state, which is explained by one of the developers that “ translation into Russian cannot be performed grammatically correctly ”, and the head of the company - that translation into Russian is a waste of time .
- WhatsApp : There are clients for desktop computers, but they are created by third-party developers and are shells for a web application. The file transfer limit can be increased up to 2 GB when hacking the OS.
- Signal : Desktop applications are developed and run using the Chrome browser. Those who wish can try their beta versions , but for the time being this option is available only to Android users. The largest possible number of users for the current time is given.
Update as of 19/04: Changed the table and text in accordance with the update in WhatsApp encryption technology.
See also:
Computer user corner: melatonin and screens
Computer user corner: civic activism