Use a secure messaging app - Revision history

Kristin1: /* Recommendation: Use Signal */ updates on signal features

2025-01-15T19:56:22Z

Recommendation: Use Signal: updates on signal features

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 15 January 2025
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	== Recommendation: ~~Use~~ Signal ==		== Tool Recommendation: Signal ==
	If you are trying to decide between using Signal, WhatsApp or Telegram, most sources would say that Signal has a better reputation for security then the others. Here are a few reasons to choose Signal (source: [https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-secure-messaging-apps The Best Secure Messaging Apps for 2024] PC Mag)		If you are trying to decide between using Signal, WhatsApp or Telegram, most sources would say that Signal has a better reputation for security then the others. Here are a few reasons to choose Signal (source: [https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-secure-messaging-apps The Best Secure Messaging Apps for 2024] PC Mag)

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	# The underlying technology of Signal is so successful it has been implemented by Google and Meta.		# The underlying technology of Signal is so successful it has been implemented by Google and Meta.

	== Reasons to avoid using WhatsApp ==		=== Reasons to avoid using WhatsApp ===

	* '''Requires phone number''' and contacts list to function (However, there are [https://www.wikihow.com/Use-WhatsApp-Without-a-Phone-Number ways around] using your actual phone number)		* '''Requires phone number''' and contacts list to function (However, there are [https://www.wikihow.com/Use-WhatsApp-Without-a-Phone-Number ways around] using your actual phone number)
	* '''Backups (especially iCloud) may be vulnerable to surveillance''' (Source: [https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/icloud-security/#:~:text=If%20not%20encrypted%2C%20law%20enforcement,case%20showing%20subpoenaed%20WhatsApp%20messages. Freedom of the Press Foundation])		* '''Backups (especially iCloud) may be vulnerable to surveillance''' (Source: [https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/icloud-security/#:~:text=If%20not%20encrypted%2C%20law%20enforcement,case%20showing%20subpoenaed%20WhatsApp%20messages. Freedom of the Press Foundation])
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	* '''Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp'''. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].		* '''Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp'''. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].

	== Tip: ~~use~~ automatic disappearing messages ==		== Tip: Configure your privacy settings ==
			Here are features to make your phone number more private on Signal (source: [https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6712070553754-Phone-Number-Privacy-and-Usernames Signal Support]):

			# As a new default, your phone number will no longer be visible to everyone in Signal. You can [https://support.signal.org/hc/articles/6712070553754#see_me opt to display your phone number]. However, people who have your number saved in their phone’s contacts will still see your phone number, regardless of your settings, since they already know it.
			# Limit [https://support.signal.org/hc/articles/6712070553754#find_me who can connect with you] on Signal via your phone number.
			# Create a [https://support.signal.org/hc/articles/6712070553754#username username] to share instead of or in addition to using your phone number to connect on Signal.

			=== More on Signal usernames ===
			Usernames in Signal do not function like usernames on social media platforms. Signal usernames are not logins or handles that you’ll be known by on the app – they’re simply a quick way to connect without sharing a phone number. Your profile name remains whatever you set it to. Your username is not displayed on your Profile Details page, and people you message can’t see or find your username without your sharing it. Put another way, someone will need to know your exact unique username in order to start a chat with you on Signal. And Signal does not provide a searchable directory of usernames.

			Usernames in Signal are designed to be easily changeable. For example, you can make a username to connect with people at a conference or to plan a group trip. Then, when it’s over, change it if you want to. Just click on your username from your Profile Details page to make the changes you want. When you change your username, your Signal contacts are not notified because your username is not visible to the people you are chatting with 1-1 or in groups.

			== Tip: Use automatic disappearing messages on Signal ==
	Disappearing messages (also known as Vanish mode) is a feature that makes your messages disappear once a recipient reads them or after a certain period of time. It’s a great tool for privacy protection and chat hygiene. It's an excellent feature to use if there's a risk that your phone will be viewed by someone who may be against your human rights work.		Disappearing messages (also known as Vanish mode) is a feature that makes your messages disappear once a recipient reads them or after a certain period of time. It’s a great tool for privacy protection and chat hygiene. It's an excellent feature to use if there's a risk that your phone will be viewed by someone who may be against your human rights work.

Kristin1: /* Reasons to avoid using WhatsApp */

2024-12-18T19:09:03Z

Reasons to avoid using WhatsApp

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:09, 18 December 2024
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	== Reasons to avoid using WhatsApp ==		== Reasons to avoid using WhatsApp ==

	* Requires phone number and contacts list to function		* '''Requires phone number''' and contacts list to function (However, there are [https://www.wikihow.com/Use-WhatsApp-Without-a-Phone-Number ways around] using your actual phone number)
	* Backups (especially iCloud) may be vulnerable to surveillance		* '''Backups (especially iCloud) may be vulnerable to surveillance''' (Source: [https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/icloud-security/#:~:text=If%20not%20encrypted%2C%20law%20enforcement,case%20showing%20subpoenaed%20WhatsApp%20messages. Freedom of the Press Foundation])
	* ~~Some users may~~ not trust Meta ~~to protect~~ their ~~privacy~~		* '''Privacy of content sent via WhatsApp is questionable''', and there are reasons to not trust Meta and their contractors with your content (Source: [https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/07/whatsapp_privacy_propublica/ The Register])
	* [https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/07/whatsapp_privacy_propublica/ ~~Privacy of content is questionable~~]		* '''Hackers can break WhatsApp''' by tricking users into giving away verification codes, using spyware, sending malware as attachments, or even cloning your phone or WhatsApp account. (Source: [https://www.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/how-scammers-gain-access-and-hack-your-whatsapp-account-and-what-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself/ BitDefender blog])
	* Hackers can break WhatsApp by tricking users into giving away verification codes, using spyware, sending malware as attachments, or even cloning your phone or WhatsApp account. (Source: [https://www.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/how-scammers-gain-access-and-hack-your-whatsapp-account-and-what-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself/ BitDefender blog])		* '''Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp'''. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].
	* Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].

	== Tip: use automatic disappearing messages ==		== Tip: use automatic disappearing messages ==

Kristin1: /* Set up automatic disappearing messages on whatever app you use */

2024-05-23T15:16:01Z

Set up automatic disappearing messages on whatever app you use

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 23 May 2024
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	* Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].		* Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].

	== ~~Set up~~ automatic disappearing messages ~~on whatever app you use~~ ==		== Tip: use automatic disappearing messages ==
	Disappearing messages (also known as Vanish mode) is a feature that makes your messages disappear once a recipient reads them or after a certain period of time. It’s a great tool for privacy protection and chat hygiene. It's an excellent feature to use if there's a risk that your phone will be viewed by someone who may be against your human rights work.		Disappearing messages (also known as Vanish mode) is a feature that makes your messages disappear once a recipient reads them or after a certain period of time. It’s a great tool for privacy protection and chat hygiene. It's an excellent feature to use if there's a risk that your phone will be viewed by someone who may be against your human rights work.

Kristin1: added disappearing messages

2024-05-23T15:15:41Z

added disappearing messages

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 * Hackers can break WhatsApp by tricking users into giving away verification codes, using spyware, sending malware as attachments, or even cloning your phone or WhatsApp account. (Source: [https://www.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/how-scammers-gain-access-and-hack-your-whatsapp-account-and-what-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself/ BitDefender blog])
 * Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are almost indistinguishable from the real version of WhatsApp. Unofficial versions of WhatsApp are insecure and compromise the privacy and security of communication. Having one person using an unofficial version of WhatsApp within a group makes all group communications vulnerable. [https://faq.whatsapp.com/1293093778117781 Here's how to know if you are using the official WhatsApp program].
 == Online courses ==

Kristin1 at 19:08, 13 May 2024

2024-05-13T19:08:11Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Online courses ==
 Totem course on '''Secure messaging apps''' (available in [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_001+course/about EN], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_FR+cours/about FR], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_ES+001/about ES], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_RU+001/about RU])
@@ Line 10: / Line 25: @@
 * Disappearing messages
 </blockquote>

Kristin1: Created page with "== Online courses == Totem course on '''Secure messaging apps''' (available in [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_001+course/about EN], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_FR+cours/about FR], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_ES+001/about ES], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_RU+001/about RU]) You should walk away from this course knowing
* What..."

2024-05-13T18:38:05Z

Created page with "== Online courses == Totem course on '''Secure messaging apps''' (available in [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_001+course/about EN], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_FR+cours/about FR], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_ES+001/about ES], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_RU+001/about RU]) You should walk away from this course knowing<blockquote> * What..."

New page

== Online courses ==
Totem course on '''Secure messaging apps''' (available in [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_001+course/about EN], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_FR+cours/about FR], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_ES+001/about ES], [https://learn.totem-project.org/courses/course-v1:Totem+TP_SM_RU+001/about RU])

You should walk away from this course knowing<blockquote>
* What secure messaging actually is
* How to choose which secure messaging app is the best for you
* How to activate security measures, including:

* End-to-end encryption
* Disappearing messages
</blockquote>