All you need to know about the privacy -focused correspondence application signal

Sometimes, you just want to have a private conversation. If you are talking to someone personally, you can enter a room or another area where the two are alone. But things are a little different if you are talking online or through texts. Unless your messages are comprehensive, it can be accessed by harmful actors, government or cell service company. An easy step that everyone can take to better protect themselves is to download the encrypted messaging application signal.

The reference was issued more than a decade ago in 2014, and more than 40 million people used the application for encrypted messages as of 2022, according to BBC.

The app has gained a lot of popularity in January 2021 after WhatsApp, an other encrypted messaging application owned by Facebook Pateer Meta, It changed its privacy policy. In the aftermath of this change, people flocked to sign, causing new users to increase Interruption From the application. Apptopia Apps Applications reported that the signal was downloaded 1.3 million times A few days after changing politics.

If you are new to the signal, or want to recognize the application without downloading it, here is what you need to know about the encrypted messaging application.

What is the sign?

signal It is an open source messaging application. It is available on Android and IOS Devices, which are free to download and use. You can express or call the video to others through the application, and you can send payments through the application using the encrypted currency Mobilicin.

Is the sign safe?

Signal uses Tip from end to end To protect your messages and calls, which means that the intended recipient can only read your messages and receive your call. In this way, an external entity or a government entity cannot intercept your message. But nothing is completely safe.

In 2023, A group of researchers I found a way to know the signal user’s website by measuring time between sending a message and receiving a notice that a message was delivered. The method was a total accuracy of about 82 %, and it can be used to spy on the site of someone.

Do you need my contact signal?

Yes, you have to use a signal to apply work. You cannot use a signal to WhatsApp, for example.

Do you send the signal to others?

Not necessarily. The application does not send your phone number to others unless you change the setting so that others can see your number. Here’s how to change this setting.

1. Open signal.
2. Press your profile in the left corner of the screen.
3. handle Settings.
4. handle privacy.
5. handle Phone number.

under Who can see my numberYou can click on either of them everyone or no one.

From this menu, you can also allow anyone who has your number that you see you are in a sign or hide that you are on the app. under Who can find me with the numberHandle everyone or no one.

Should I use my real name or a title for more privacy?

You can use your real name or title. According to the reference, your profile is encrypted – the name and image attached to your number – and because of this signal, the name or image you have identified is not known.

“Your personal file information is encrypted from comprehensive to finish with a unique profile key that is safely shared via the same signal correspondent channel that already protects your conversations and your calls,” I wrote an online signal.

Keep in mind that using the last name and name in your profile is optional. Signal wrote that the first name is required, but this first name may be your name, one or one or expressive name, or an expressive character.

Can I send or receive SMS/MMS messages with a signal?

no. The sign used to support SMS/MMS messages in its Android app, but this function was removed in 2022. The company wrote at that time that it was removing this possibility to determine the priorities of safety and privacy, to ensure that the unexpected correspondence bills are not faced and the creation of a user experience and its survey for all signal users.

Can I use a signal or travel signal?

Yes and yes.

If you use ReferenceJust know that every phone should be recorded with a different number of work. And if you are travelThe application uses the Internet to messages and communicate with others. As long as you are connected to the Internet, you can use the application instead of your cell service and may incur roaming fees.

What are safety numbers and are they important?

Safety numbers It is appointed to the individual chats in the signal, and this allows you to verify the safety of your calls and messages with a contact. Checking safety numbers is a good way to make sure you are talking to who you intend to talk to. Once this number checks, the number changes must be approved manually in order to send another message.

The signal will teach you when someone changes a safety number. According to reference, this may be just someone who uses a new phone or reinstall a signal, but if you see the safety number changes a lot, there may be other problems.

Here’s how to view and verify the safety number.

1. Open signal.
2. Go to chat.
3. Click on the chat head or the name of the recipient on the top of the chat.
4. handle Display the safety number.

Next, either wipe the quick response icon for your contact that is displayed on its screen, or compare the digital sequence displayed below the fast response code. If the sequence matches all of your phones and phones, you can every click A mark as verified Through the bottom of your screens. If the sequences are different, then there is something wrong.

Do you store or sell my data?

“Signal is designed to not collect or store any sensitive information,” I wrote an online signal.

All your data is stored locally on your device, and since everything in the app is from end to tip, the signal service cannot access this data. And because the signal cannot access this data, it cannot sell or liquefy your data.

How do I ask and download my account data?

1. Open signal.
2. Press your profile in the left corner of the screen.
3. handle Settings.
4. handle account.
5. handle for you Account data.

You can either export your data as an easy-to-read text file-export as a TXT-or-read file-export as Json. Click the type of file that you want to export your data and then click Export report.

To learn more about privacy, check the cnet ‘ The best VPN servicesand The best password managers and The best antivirus program.