WhatsApp now has an encryption system in their conversations. The change came suddenly to users. Once the message exchange has this security system, you will see a message that looks like this:
This is what you should know about the change carried out by WhatsApp:
1. It is not a virus or a threat. Several users were alarmed by the appearance of the message mentioned in their conversations. It is no damage to the system much less of a malicious situation. Encryption means that the evidence in the exchange of messages can not be read by third parties.
2. The verification process is optional. WhatsApp invites users to verify that encryption is enabled. To do this, displays a QR code on the screen. The other user need only scan to confirm the presence of encryption. It is an optional, not mandatory for the encryption protocol procedure is activated. Only you need to update WhatsApp to enjoy this technological advance.
3. Everything indicates that this is the response of Facebook to Apple’s case against the FBI. The founders of WhatsApp, Koum and Brian Acton Jam, declared specialized online privacy should be respected and protected against all types of media monitoring. “Maybe you want to trust the government, but it should not because you do not know what direction the state will take in the future,” Koum said in an interview published by Wired. However, it can also be a chance.
4. The encryption process began in 2013. Koum and Acton began the process of data encryption WhatsApp since 2013. It was not an easy process. They redoubled their efforts in 2014, with the help of programmer and cryptographer Moxie Marlinspike, who contacted them, Wired revealed.
5. A team of 15 engineers worked on the process. The company, in its entirety, has 50 engineers. It was necessary that fifteen of them to devote themselves fully to the introduction of this technology.
6. Its launch is expected by mid-January. According to Wired, the founders of WhatsApp wanted to launch the encryption DLD conference in Munich. However, there were delays, especially in relation to video encryption.
7. WhatsApp uses the Signal protocol. is designed by Open Whisper Systems and is the basis of point to point encryption. This system is already used in other messaging platforms, one of which receives Signal name and is considered one of the safest in the world. The Signal is open source protocol. That means that all developers can contribute to its development. They can access the code in https://github.com/whispersystems/libsignal-protocol-java/
8. What does encryption point to point or end to end? This means you can only read the messages participants of the talks, the ‘keys’ to reveal the contents are sent on each phone. No third party may, in a hypothetical case, intercept communications and to read data in plain text if you do not have direct access to any of the cell involved in the exchange of messages.
9. All types of messages are encrypted. This includes chats, groups, images, videos, voice messages and files.
10. WhatsApp or employees can read the messages. WhatsApp founders clarify that there is no way to decrypt the messages. Even they themselves could do so even if a government request to launch an investigation.
technosphere
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