WhatsApp encryption is useless

#1

Post by Enindu » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:07 PM UTC

WhatsApp encryption is useless
wccftech.com

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#2

Post by tsunamifury » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:26 PM UTC

This is offset by two factor authentication: Pin-based or email based. If you want extra security the encrypt your device and two-factor your phone number based messenger.

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#3

Post by merqurio » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:29 PM UTC

If this is true, It's really sad. Whatsapp penetration is so high around me that not using it's... very impractical. I do use other channels with some friends, but I don't think people will adopt other channels any time soon.

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#4

Post by thesimon » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:30 PM UTC

Don't have the link, but there was a better discussion and source a few days ago

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#5

Post by skrebbel » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:31 PM UTC

Why are crypto geeks always so black and white? Is there really only "perfect" or "useless" with nothing in-between?

Notably, a noted goal of WhatsApp encryption was to stop mass surveillance. I'm no expert but I dont see how these objections make mass surveillance of messages remotely as easy as it was when WhatsApp was entirely unencrypted

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#6

Post by infodroid » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:31 PM UTC

There was a fine discussion about it yesterday https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11668567

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#7

Post by mikek » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:32 PM UTC

In the case of WhatsApp, your data is only on your device and, optionally, in iCloud. So even if an attacker is able to take over your WhatsApp account, your existing data is still private unless the attacker can obtain your device password (and your device) or your iCloud password.

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#8

Post by leecarraher » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:34 PM UTC

day late and a dollar short

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#9

Post by [deleted] » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:35 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: WhatsApp encryption is useless

#10

Post by alainv » Wed, May 11, 2016, 5:37 PM UTC

merqurio wrote: post #3

If this is true, It's really sad. Whatsapp penetration is so high around me that not using it's... very impractical. I do use other channels with some friends, but I don't think people will adopt other channels any time soon.

Turn on the setting to warn you when the other party's encryption key changes and go about your business. This is non-news unless you have unusually good cause to worry about targeted attacks.