Today we'll talk about messengers: which ones are worth using, which to avoid and which messenger is suitable for what situation. At EasyByte, we have collected a lot of information about dozens of different services and systematized it so that it will be easier for you to choose a suitable application. Everything for you, dear readers, so don't forget to like and write a comment.
Criteria for choosing a messenger
First, let's consider the main criteria for choosing a messenger. We will not delve into the details of what exactly you need a messenger for, whether it's personal correspondence, business, project management or something else. Right now we are talking about security.
1. End-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption guarantees that messages can only be read by the sender and recipient. The server helps users exchange public keys so they can send each other encrypted messages, which can only be decrypted with private keys stored locally on users' devices.
2. Open source
If the application's source code is open, independent experts can audit it and identify vulnerabilities or backdoors. Closed source code leaves users only the developers' word.
3. Data collection and jurisdiction
It is important to know what data the messenger collects and in which jurisdiction its servers and the company's headquarters are located. Some countries may require developers to provide access to user data or install backdoors.
4. Political context and consequences of a leak
Pay attention to the political context and assess the potential consequences of a data leak. Ordinary communication with friends carries fewer risks than exchanging commercial secrets or sensitive information.
Messengers for everyday communication
These messengers have basic encryption and are suitable for everyday conversations:
Popular application from Meta company with closed source code. It collects a lot of data, including names, IP addresses, contact lists and profiles. Despite end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp provides US authorities with a large amount of user data. A recent data leak incident shows that the application has security problems (MIT Technology Review).
Viber
Proprietary messenger which encrypts traffic and has already refused to cooperate with Russian authorities. However, developers actively collect personal user data, which raises privacy concerns.
Telegram
Uses its own encryption protocol (MTProto). End-to-end encryption is only enabled in secret chats. Regular chats and personal messages are encrypted using the MTProto protocol, which has been criticized by security specialists. Despite this, Telegram has not been noted for serious data leaks (Accenture).
iMessage
Messenger for Apple devices that collects a significant amount of data transmitted to American authorities by court order. Although it is considered secure, its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem makes it less preferable for those who value complete privacy.
Messengers for more sensitive information
These messengers are better suited for sharing trade secrets and other important data:
Threema
Paid service with an increased level of security and end-to-end encryption by default. Does not require email or phone number for registration, which increases user anonymity. However, the source code is partially closed, which may cause doubts among the most demanding users (Home of Technology News).
Keybase
Free application with end-to-end encryption of all messages. Keybase collects minimal data and allows users to remain anonymous. This makes it a good choice for sharing sensitive information.
Messengers for maximum security
For protecting the most important and sensitive information:
Signal
This messenger is considered one of the most secure thanks to its open source code and end-to-end encryption by default. Data is transmitted using its own protocol, which is used in a number of other products. Signal has not been found to be involved in the trading of user data and transmits only minimal information to authorities, such as the account creation time and the last login time (Accenture).
Session
A decentralized messenger that uses onion routing and does not collect personal data. It provides a high level of anonymity and security, making it an ideal choice for users who want to protect their data from interception and surveillance.
SimplexChat
This messenger has no built-in ways to identify the user, which makes it unique among other applications. Communication occurs via disposable QR codes, which ensures maximum anonymity. SimplexChat uses a decentralized network for message transmission, making it difficult to intercept and tamper with.
Decentralized Messengers
Element
Runs on the decentralized Matrix network and allows you to choose a server for account registration. User data is stored only on the servers where users are registered, which ensures a high level of control over the transmission and storage of information.
Wire
Suitable for corporate use due to its high level of security and functionality. Wire provides end-to-end encryption and minimal data collection.
Briar
This messenger can work without internet access, using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to transmit messages. This makes it useful in cases where internet access is limited or blocked.
Conclusion
When choosing a messenger, it is important to consider many factors, such as security level, jurisdiction, data collection, and open-source code. For everyday communication, you can use WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram or iMessage, but for more confidential conversations, it is better to choose Keybase or Threema. For maximum security and anonymity, Signal, Session or SimplexChat are suitable.
Don't forget to share this information with your friends and family to raise their awareness of cybersecurity.