Open-Source Encrypted Messaging Making Strides

Open-Source Encrypted Messaging Making Strides

- Alex Campbell

CHANCES ARE GOOD that you’re using crypto in your communications now. In fact, a lot of communication tools use some sort of encryption by default. That said, it never hurts to take stock of what you (and your contacts) are using and trusting every day.

Love him or hate him, Edward Snowden’s leaks spurred on the rapid adoption of private messaging and encryption platforms. And crypto isn’t just for spies, either. Whether it’s coming out to a trusted friend or engaging in activism, keeping communication safe involves trust. First, you have to trust the recipient of your message. But you also have to trust the medium.

Even without end-to-end encryption, most communications using major web applications are encrypted in transit with TLS. (If the URL you’re visiting starts with “https://” you’re using TLS.) But even with TLS, the service you’re using (such as Twitter or Facebook direct messages) is wide open to anyone who has access to your account or has a subpoena in hand. Luckily, a lot of people are using end-to-end encryption by default.