Wickr is another alternative with really tight security throughout it's app to stack.
Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
11–20 of 34 posts
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#12It all depends on the context / your threat model. Do you want to prevent a service provider from reading your messages? It's good. Do you want to be the next Snowden? Probably not. Do you trust people you talk to? Etc.
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#13Depends on what you need. EFF previously used to have a scorecard[1] for all the messaging applications, but they reconsidered the model of their recommendation and put together a good set of articles on the topic which ask questions to consider and provide privacy and tech context. Here's one: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/03/thinking-about-what-yo... The rest are linked from here[2]. [1]: https://www.eff.org/p…
[1] Out of date for archival purposes only.
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#14Rather than conspiracies theories of, depends if you are a spy or not.
Anyone want to explain where Signal fails for top level spying and Nation States are coming after you?
And what the safer alternative is?
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#15Rather than conspiracies theories of, depends if you are a spy or not. Anyone want to explain where Signal fails for top level spying and Nation States are coming after you? And what the safer alternative is?
The biggest issue with signal is the forced reveal of your phone number. There are several good alternatives. Wickr and session come to mind.
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#16Rather than conspiracies theories of, depends if you are a spy or not. Anyone want to explain where Signal fails for top level spying and Nation States are coming after you? And what the safer alternative is?
The biggest issue with signal is the forced reveal of your phone number. There are several good alternatives. Wickr and session come to mind.
If your adversary is a nation state, hiding your phone number is not an option. They already know it and might compromise a device. Perhaps another service is better or the use of a burner phone is preferred.
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#17Rather than conspiracies theories of, depends if you are a spy or not. Anyone want to explain where Signal fails for top level spying and Nation States are coming after you? And what the safer alternative is?
The biggest issue with signal is the forced reveal of your phone number. There are several good alternatives. Wickr and session come to mind.
Easily fixed by hosting your own Signal server and recompiling its phone apps, no?
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
The biggest issue with signal is the forced reveal of your phone number. There are several good alternatives. Wickr and session come to mind.
If your adversary is a nation state, hiding your phone number is not an option. They already know it and might compromise a device. Perhaps another service is better or the use of a burner phone is preferred.
How can a nation-state adversary compromise a device only knowing the phone number?
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#19Depends on what you need. EFF previously used to have a scorecard[1] for all the messaging applications, but they reconsidered the model of their recommendation and put together a good set of articles on the topic which ask questions to consider and provide privacy and tech context. Here's one: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/03/thinking-about-what-yo... The rest are linked from here[2]. [1]: https://www.eff.org/p…
[1] Out of date for archival purposes only.
Quoting my own message:
> EFF previously used to have a scorecard[1] for all the messaging applications, but they reconsidered the model of their recommendation
Re: Ask HN: Is Signal still a good app to use for encrypted messaging?
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
If your adversary is a nation state, hiding your phone number is not an option. They already know it and might compromise a device. Perhaps another service is better or the use of a burner phone is preferred.
How can a nation-state adversary compromise a device only knowing the phone number?
1. Track locations of phones in contact.
2. Rubber hose.
3. Obtain copies of your messages still retained in your contacts' phones.