If you choose a messenger for communication and do not know which of the programs meets privacy requirements, take a look at the completely private Signal, which you can download and install on your smartphone or desktop device. The application is free, without built-in ads, protected by end-to-end encryption.
What’s special about Signal
Signal is a messaging program for registered users. The application supports text and voice SMS, as well as video calls. However, it is impossible to intercept them during transmission to the servers. To read someone else’s correspondence, you will need physical access to the owner’s phone.
Chat encryption applies to all messages, calls and contacts, which has led to an audience of regular users. The messenger has won the trust of programmers, hackers, people working with classified materials.
When synchronization with the phone book is disabled, it simply will not work to calculate the account. Users are not notified about registration in the network of acquaintances and colleagues. The only way to contact a person is to send a personal invitation to a number. The contact list is created manually, so the user can be sure that the profile is anonymous.
General information
Signal appeared back in 2013, when WatsApp and Viber had already captured the Russian market segment. Well-known journalists, officials, bloggers, tired of constant surveillance and annoying communication, immediately became interested in the messenger.
In Russia, Signal was remembered after Durov’s trial, when they wanted to block Telegram. Users played it safe by registering accounts in an alternative messenger with private conversations. The choice of Signal was also supported by the fact that the developer placed the software on GitHub with open source code, which made it possible to test the privacy of correspondence in practice.
Functions:
- Private messages (text, voice, video).
- Group chats (up to 1000 people).
- Forwarding media, files.
- Video calling, voice calls.
- Private stickers.
- Group calls (up to 8 people).
- Self-destruct messages.
- Password, fingerprint lock
- Hidden notifications.
- Secured sessions.
- Block users.
Signal now supports the same features as Telegram, WatsApp or Viber. The application is available for users of mobile OS Android, iPhone, iPad, as well as desktop devices based on Windows, Mac, Linux. To register an account, only a mobile phone number is required, which acts as the only user identifier on the network.
What is the difference between Signal and Telegram
A feature of the “Signal” is end-to-end encryption, while in the “Telegram” only private conversations and calls are masked. Chat content is not stored in the system cache. Viewing correspondence is possible only after authorization in the client from a smartphone or PC.
Software developers do not have remote access to correspondence. End-to-End encryption keys simply do not exist. Data is transmitted from the sender to the recipient without the possibility of interception. Messages can be seen only by the interlocutors participating in the dialogue. The only thing that developers know about users is the phone number, the date the account was registered, and the last time they went online.
Why the messenger is popular in the USA
Internet technologies have long gone beyond the ordinary, have become a method of total propaganda and universal control. The emergence of Signal in the software market rallied Americans in the fight for freedom and independence. The private messenger was supported by most prominent figures and entrepreneurs, from Elon Musk to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. The platform is also promoted by Apple and Google through charts.
Cybersecurity experts give the following explanation for the app’s high rating. Signal does not process communications for the purpose of spying on users. The data is not scanned by government equipment and is not released to commercial agents for advertising purposes. People get the opportunity to communicate freely without waiting for the next advertising spoiler or subpoena letter.
How to use Signal privately
The built-in “Contacts” function allows you to quickly find people registered in the messenger. The search is carried out by numbers from the phone book. To limit your social circle, block the application from accessing your contacts, and also connect a Google Voice virtual number.
How to register:
- Open the Signal site.
- Select the version to install on the device.
- Click on the download button, wait for the progress to complete.
- Install the program.
- Open the messenger by clicking on the shortcut on the screen.
- Enter number.
- Confirm registration by entering the code from SMS or call.
- Enter a nickname.
- Upload an avatar.
- Set your login password.
To add a subscriber to the contact list, click on the “Invite friends” block. To send SMS, click on the pencil icon, tap on the avatar of the interlocutor, type the text of the message. To add emoticons, pictures or a voice message, click on the corresponding icons in the input field.
Signal is a private messenger that can be considered as an alternative to Telegram. The functionality of the application is standard – messaging in personal and group chats. Only a mobile number is required to register an account. To use the messenger secretly from your friends, create a profile using the Google Voice service.
