Peterborough Linux User Group (Canada) Forum

Linux & Android => Security and Privacy => Topic started by: Jason on July 17, 2018, 04:26:13 PM

Title: Encrypted text messaging
Post by: Jason on July 17, 2018, 04:26:13 PM
If you care about privacy, you should probably be encrypting your SMS communications, too (text messages). Here's a slideshow showing various apps (https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/761-best-encrypted-messaging-apps.html#s1) that do this. I'm trying out Signal (https://www.signal.org/) right now. Of course, you only get the benefit of encryption if both recipients use it. It looks like the EFF recommends Signal or WhatsApp (https://ssd.eff.org/module-categories/tool-guides) in its Surveillance Self-Defense Tool Guides.
Title: Re: Encrypted text messaging
Post by: ssfc72 on July 17, 2018, 05:34:15 PM
Good to know, thanks Jason!

I pretty much use the TextPlus app (uses the cellular Data service) to send text messages instead of  the PCMobile (pay as you go) SMS texting service, since it costs a bit for each outgoing text, that I send.

I guess these encrypted text messaging Apps probably are only for SMS texting?
Title: Re: Encrypted text messaging
Post by: Jason on July 17, 2018, 05:45:26 PM
I can't speak to all the apps since I haven't used them.

The website for Signal says it is a way around having to pay for SMS/MMS messages, too. It uses your existing phone number though, unlike TextPlus.

Not sure if this means if you can still send/receive a text without a connection so I just sent you a text to your textplus number to see if it works and it looks like you received it since I just saw your reply! Yay. So it will work without a wifi/data connection but it will use it if you have it. And you'll have the upside of the protection of encryption, at least with me :-) I assume this means you have let Signal become the default app for texting, too.

Btw, Signal is also completely Open Source.
Title: Re: Encrypted text messaging
Post by: ssfc72 on July 17, 2018, 07:07:04 PM
Quote from: Jason Wallwork on July 17, 2018, 05:45:26 PM

Oh, ok good to know.  I just assumed the apps used the SMS cellular servicice, exclusively.

The website for Signal says it is a way around having to pay for SMS/MMS messages, too. It uses your existing phone number though, unlike TextPlus. read the text

Not sure if this means if you can still send/receive a text without a connection so I just sent you a text to your textxtplus number to see if it works and it looks like you received it since I just saw your reply! Yay. So it will work without a wifi/data connection but it will use it if you have it. And you'll have the upside of the protection of encryption, at least with me :-) I assume this means you have let Signal become the default app for texting, too.

Btw, Signal is also completely Open Source.

I don't have Signal on my phone, so if you send me the text message, encrypted, I don't know how I was able to read the text???
Title: Re: Encrypted text messaging
Post by: Jason on July 18, 2018, 12:37:04 AM
Both users have to have Signal or the message is sent in plaintext.