Sometimes, you just want to have a private conversation. If you are talking to someone in person, you can only get into a room or another area where you are both alone. But things are a little different if you chat online or through texts. Unless your messages are encrypted from end to end, they can potentially be accessed by malicious actors, the government or the carrier of mobile services services. An easy step that anyone can take to better protect is the download of the encrypted messaging signal.
The signal was released more than a decade ago in 2014, and more than 40 million people used the 2022 encrypted messaging application. BBC.
The app gained much popularity in January 2021 after WhatsApp, another encrypted messaging app owned by Facebook's parent company, changed its privacy policy. On the eve of this change, people gathered to signal, causing new users and A. temporary interruption to the application. The Application Tracking Company reported that the signal was downloaded for 1.3 million times A few days after changing politics.
If you are new to signaling, or want to find out about the application without downloading it, here's what you need to know about the encrypted application application.
What is a signal?
Signal is an open source application, encrypted messages. Available on Android And iOS Devices, and free of charge for download and use. You can express or video call to others through the application and you can send payments through the application using the cryptocurrency Mobilecoin.
Is the signal safe?
Signal use End -to -end encryption To protect your messages and calls, which means that only your intended recipient can read your messages and receive your call. Thus, third parties or government entity cannot intercept your message. But nothing is absolutely safe.
In 2023, A group of researchers Found a way to find out the location of the signal user by measuring the time between sending a message and receiving a notification that a message was delivered. The method had an overall accuracy of about 82%and can be used to spy on someone's location.
Does my contact need a signal for the application to work?
Yes, you both need to use a signal for the application to work. For example, you cannot use a signal to order WhatsApp.
Does the signal send my number to others?
Don't have to. The app does not send your phone number to other unless you change the setting so that others can see your number. Here's how to change this setting.
1. Open signal.
2. Tap your profile in the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Tap Telephone number.
Under Who can see my numberyou can tap or All or Nobody.
From this menu, you can also allow anyone who has your number to see that you are on the signal or hide that you are on the application. Under Who can find me by numberTap All or Nobody.
Should I use my real name or nickname for greater privacy?
You can use your real name or nickname. According to the signal, your profile – the name and photo attached to your number – is encrypted, and because of that signal does not know what name or photography you have chosen.
“The information about your profile is encrypted from end to end with a unique profile key, which is securely shared through the same messaging channel for a signal protocol that already protects your conversations and calls”, “” Signal wrote online.
Keep in mind that using photography and surname in your profile are optional. The signal wrote that a first name is needed, but that first name may be your name, nickname, unique character or emotions.
Can I send or receive messages for SMS/MMS with a signal?
No. Signal used to support SMS/MMS messages in its Android application, but that functionality was removed in 2022. The company at the time wrote that it removed this opportunity to prioritize security and privacy, to ensure that people find us unexpected messages and create a clear user experience for all signal users.
Can I use a work signal or travel?
Yes and yes.
If you are using A work signalJust know that each phone must register with a different number to work. And if you are TripThe application uses the Internet to order and call others. So, as long as you are connected to the Internet, you can use the application instead of your own mobile phone service and potentially exceed roaming fees.
What are the security numbers and are they important?
Security numbers are assigned to one-on-one in signal, and these allow you to confirm the security of your calls and contact messages. Confirming security numbers is a good way to make sure you are talking to whom you intend to talk about. Once this number is confirmed, changes in the number must be approved manually to send another message.
The signal will notify you when someone changes a security number. According to the signal, this can only be a person who uses a new phone or reinstalling a signal, but if you find that the security number is changing a lot, there may be other problems.
Here's how to see the security number confirm.
1. Open signal.
2. Go to conversation.
3. Tap on the chat header or the recipient's name through the top of the conversation.
4. Tap View the security number.
Then, either scan the QR -code of your contact displayed on their screen, or compare the numeric sequence shown under the QR -code. If the sequence matches both your and phones on your contact, you can touch each Mark as confirmed Through the bottom of your screens. If the sequences are different, something is wrong.
Do signals keep or sell my data?
“The signal is designed to never collect or store sensitive information,” “,” Signal wrote online.
All your data is stored locally on your device, and since everything in the application is encrypted from end to end, the signal service cannot access that data. And since the signal cannot access that data, it cannot sell or earn your data.
How do I request and download data for my account?
1. Open signal.
2. Tap your profile in the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Account.
5. Tap Yours Account data.
You can either export your data as an easy-to-read text file like a TXT-or file that can be read on the machine-export like JSON. Tap which type of file you want to export your data as then tap Export Report.
For more about privacy, check CNET Best services for VPN, Best Password Managers And The best antivirus software.