November 21, 2014

Service WhatsApp messaging security against eavesdropping

The updated version of the application WhatsApp for Android now has a "pass-through» (end-to-end) encryption, which protects the default messages from being intercepted and read by unauthorized persons. This was reported in the company's blog partner WhatsApp to provide this function Open WhisperSystems.

The idea of "through" encryption that the message is encoded in the time of shipment and can only be decrypted by the user who it is intended. Thus, even if unauthorized persons will be able to intercept traffic WhatsApp, then the message will get to them in encrypted form. Moreover, decrypt messages and can not formally representatives themselves WhatsApp, because they will not be available to encryption keys, and because they can not disclose the content of correspondence, even by the court.


Similarly, the method of end-to-end encryption are now a number of other messengers, including Cryptocat, Silent Text and Telegram. However, WhatsApp with an audience of 600 million users has become the largest platform using "through" message encryption. In particular, support Facebook Messenger, also owned by Facebook, as long as such protection does not provide its users.

Company Open WhisperSystems, whose technology used WhatsApp, known for developing applications with the same encryption method Traffic Signal, Redphone and TextSecure. WhatsApp developers are most interested in security protocol traffic TextSecure, which received many positive reviews from experts in infobezopasnosti. One of its features - in the generation of a separate encryption key for each message in correspondence, whereas many other services use the same key for the entire conversation between two users.

"Pass" message encryption yet be available only to users WhatsApp on Android-powered devices, the launch date of the same function on iOS and other platforms are not specified. Even on Android coding end-to-end is not yet provided for in group chats and when sending media content, but the developers promise in the near future to correct this deficiency.

Last month, FBI Director James Comey criticized Apple for enhanced encryption of messages on the platform iMessage. According Komi, because this technology his department "does not always have access to the evidence required to punish crimes and prevent terrorist attacks." He called Apple, Google and other companies refuse to encrypt your personal data.

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