![]() ![]() In addition, the app for Android and iOS platforms takes care to never back up conversation histories into the corresponding cloud service (Google Drive and iCloud respectively). What makes it different to many every other instant messaging app on the market is the fact that Signal never syncs conversations with the cloud. Just like Telegram, Skype and WhatsApp, Signal protects communications with secure point-to-point encryption. Without that key one can only extract attachments (pictures, documents, voice messages etc.) Why Signal Is Secure The key is then stored in the keychain, protected with a high protection class. The encryption key is generated the first time the user signs in to Signal on the device. Unlike all of those other messengers, Signal encrypts its working databases. WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram and iMessage databases are stored in plain SQLite format they are never encrypted (other than using the system’s full-disk encryption feature). Signal does not allow its conversation histories or encryption keys in local backups, even those that are protected with a password.Įxtracting a working database always works. It can be hit or miss with other messengers. While stand-alone backups are encrypted, one can decrypt them using Elcomsoft eXplorer for WhatsApp. ![]() We haven’t seen Telegram conversations backed up, but WhatsApp allows its database in the iCloud backup and also in its own stand-alone backup in iCloud Drive for iOS or Google Drive for Android. ![]() For example, iMessages can be extracted from password-protected backups if (and only if) the Messages in iCloud option is not enabled in the device settings. Some messengers do keep their conversation histories in backups and some don’t. There is nothing to request (except some metadata, may be) and there is nothing to access even if one signs in with the user’s credentials. Signal does not store messages, conversation histories or encryption keys in the cloud, period. We’ve been able to do the latter for iMessages while difficult it’s not impossible. With cloud storage readily available, one can access the user’s conversation histories by either serving a legal request or by logging in with the user’s account credentials. (Apple does not as the company allegedly does not have access to the encryption keys this didn’t stop us from accessing cloud messages anyway.) While all of those companies tell users their data is stored securely encrypted, all but Apple readily provide data to the law enforcement when served with a legal request. Apple syncs iMessages through iCloud, Microsoft keeps Skype conversations in the user’s Microsoft Account, Telegram has its own cloud service to sync all but private chats, and so on. Signal implements special protection measures against MITM attacks, making certificate spoofing useless and complicating malware-based attacks.įortunately for the law enforcement, most instant messengers sync and store communications using their own cloud service. If the other party is compromised, all your communications with that party will be compromised as well. It is very important to understand that even if your iPhone is secure, the other party’s device running the iOS, Android or desktop app (which is much easier to break) might be compromised. While technically the traffic can be intercepted, decrypting it will require a malicious app installed on the end-user device (such as the infamous NSO Group spyware). Without direct government intervention or proposed encryption backdoors one can hardly ever intercept messaging with a MITM attack. ![]() This in turn is very difficult as everyone is touting point-to-point encryption. One can attempt to intercept conversations in transit. What exactly makes Signal so difficult to crack? Let us first look at how one can gain access to users’ communications occurring in other instant messengers. Elcomsoft Phone Viewer can now decrypt Signal databases extracted from the iPhone via physical (well, file system) acquisition, and that was a tough nut to crack. With emphasis on security, there is no wonder that Signal is frequently picked as a communication tool by those who have something to hide. With over half a million users, Signal is an incredibly secure cross-platform instant messaging app. ![]()
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