Nowadays users look for simple, user-friendly and secure communication tools.
This issue related to the securing of personal data is no longer confined to authoritarian or dictatorial regimes. Since the Snowden case and scandals related to mass espionage, the situation has changed. More and more people are aware of data security.
If you are looking for more information on the tools that exist to protect your privacy on the internet,
we recommend this book of Mish Slade: Protect Your Tech: Your geek-free guide to a secure and private digital life
As more and more users are asking for stronger security and personal data protection, their popularity is decreasing.
To meet their needs, new players have entered the game, one of them being Signal Private Messenger.
What is Signal messenger?
Signal is the tool we use and we advise our customers to protect their communications (messages and calls).
For email communications we recommend the Protonmail anonyme and secure mail client.
For financial transactions we strongly recommend the use of decentralized cryptocurrency type Bitcoin.
1. Functionalities
Signal is a free, open-source, instant messaging application, with the latest cryptographic innovations.
3 things to know about Signal :
- You can send encrypted and secure messages
- You can communicate with other users via secure voice calls
- You can delete all communications
Signal is the tool we use and we advise our customers to protect their communications (messages and calls). For email communications we recommend the Protonmail secure mail client. For financial transactions we strongly recommend the use of decentralized cryptocurrency type Bitcoin.
2. How Signal works
Signal private messenger is an instant messaging service, available on smartphones, PC for Windows, Android and iOS (Apple).Use Signal daily for simple and secure communications.
Signal Private Messenger allows users to make voice calls to other Signal users, with a security level next to military communications. Signal is very convenient as you can also send text messages, files, voice notes and pictures.
3. The technology behind Signal messenger
The protocol on which Signal Messenger is based on is very safe.
This technology is used by all instant messaging applications (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Google Allo), no critical fault has been detected so far.
Super easy to install and set up, you only need a phone number. The complete source code of the Signal clients for Android, iOS and desktop is available on GitHub under a free software license. Famous personalities - Edward Snowden - and organizations defending individual rights and liberties like ACLU and EFF have recommended Signal.
Why is Signal the best secure communication solution?
Let's compare the level of security of Signal Private Messenger against its competitors:
1. Signal versus WhatsApp
WhatsApp was founded in California in 2009 by two former Yahoo engineers, Jan Koum and Brian Acton.
It is now the most popular mobile messaging app, with over a billion users in 2017, and was bought
by Facebook in 2014 for $ 19 billion.
Nevertheless, some security deficiencies and an agressive personal data collection policy have been highlighted along the years.
Without directly spying on your messages, WhatsApp collects tons of metadata. The app can access all your contact details and data about you and your communication habits.
Messages are stored directly on the user's smartphone or on the spaces used to perform backups.
Decryption keys for reading your messages can be provided to justice upon request.
What type of data is collected by WhatsApp:
- communication habits: when, where, how and with whom have you been in contact with ?
- basic information linked to your smartphone: phone number, model, operating sytem, IP adress and telephone system.
2. Signal vs Telegram
Telegram was founded in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov. The latter is also the founder of VKontakte, an equivalent to Facebook in Russia. Originally created in Russia, today Telegram is based in Berlin.
Telegram differs from the other messaging app thanks to a proper protocol. Unlike Signal, the code is
semi open source (so not totally transparent) and a copy of the messages
is made on its server (except activation of the secret chat).
What type of data is collected by Telegram:
- Your messages and documents are encrypted and stored on their servers.
- Like Facebook or WhatsApp, Telegram has access to your contact list. This list is also stored on its servers.
Suspicions of agreement with the intelligence services have hovered over the application for some time. Since the code is not fully audible, backdoors (secret doors) could be set up by the intelligence services.
3. The specificities of Signal
The only data that Signal retains are:
- the phone number with which you registered.
- the date of your last connection to their servers.
Your data is guaranteed not to be commercially exploited or resold.
Lingot Swiss encourages you to continue your search on internet.
If you find any inconsistencies, inaccuracies in this article or
want additional information, do not hesitate to write to us: lingotswiss@protonmail.ch
- You can support the Signal Foundation by making a donation by clicking here
- The source code of Signal is open source and available on GitHub.
- Metals bar and pure jewellery are available on the site: Lingot-swiss.com
