Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Science
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Science News / Leaving WhatsApp after hack? Other chat apps aren't secure either
  • Science

    Leaving WhatsApp after hack? Other chat apps aren't secure either

    Shubham Sharma
    Written by
    Shubham Sharma
    Twitter
    Last updated on Nov 11, 2019, 02:29 pm
    Leaving WhatsApp after hack? Other chat apps aren't secure either
  • The recent WhatsApp attack that compromised private chats of as many as 1,400 people, including Indian activists and journalists, has triggered a wave of departures.

    People have started switching to apps like Telegram and Signal in hopes of more security. But according to experts, even these platforms aren't fully secure, and you would still remain vulnerable.

    Here's why.

  • In this article
    Bugs, vulnerabilities open the risk of attacks So, what makes Telegram vulnerable? Then, its server can also be hacked Server attack could compromise social information Even Telegram's secret chat data can be mined Plus, they also lack WhatsApp-like damage control
  • Risk

    Bugs, vulnerabilities open the risk of attacks

    Bugs, vulnerabilities open the risk of attacks
  • While all leading chat apps offer encryption, you should know that vulnerabilities in the system, be it in the OS or app, can let hackers steal your data.

    For instance, in the case of WhatsApp, the platform dominates as the biggest messaging app with over 1.5 billion users and offers end-to-end encryption, but despite that, NSO Group's 'Pegasus' broke in and snooped on chats.

  • Vulnerability

    So, what makes Telegram vulnerable?

  • WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption comes by default, while Telegram, which is used by 200 million people worldwide, offers the added layer of security through a manually activated 'Secret chat' option.

    However, in a recent paper, MIT researchers highlighted several flaws in the latter, noting that it employs its own messaging protocol, called "MTProto", which lacks scrutiny from outside cryptographers.

  • Issue #1

    Then, its server can also be hacked

    Then, its server can also be hacked
  • Along with this, the researchers claimed the Russian messaging service follows the old cloud-based approach for data storage.

    "This means that if an adversary is able to gain control of their server system, they will have access to (at least) unencrypted messages and definitely to all the metadata," MIT researchers Hayk Saribekyan and Akaki Margvelashvili said while detailing the risk of such a system.

  • Information

    Server attack could compromise social information

  • As Telegram uploads contact list from user devices and stores the same on their servers, a server attack could easily compromise that information, putting a "huge social network information" at risk.

  • Issue #2

    Even Telegram's secret chat data can be mined

  • Adding more to the concerns, the researchers claimed that Telegram's 'secret chat' security ecosystem can be compromised to steal data.

    "Adversaries can learn when users go online or offline with down-to-the-second accuracy," they said, adding that "Telegram does not require agreement from both parties to set up the communication between them," which essentially allows the attacker to connect and mine meta-data covertly.

  • Issue #3

    Plus, they also lack WhatsApp-like damage control

  • Many experts also argue that apps like Telegram and Signal might not be as swift as WhatsApp in taking damage control steps.

    They say WhatsApp patched the spyware bug, informed affected users, and began legal proceedings against the malware's developers, but other apps may just stop at the first step (owing to the lack of resources), which may not ensure full transparency.

  • WhatsApp
  • Security
  • Telegram
  • NSO Group
  •  
Latest News
  • Prince Harry's James Corden interview caused ''disquiet' at Buckingham Palace?
    Prince Harry's James Corden interview caused ''disquiet' at Buckingham Palace?
    Entertainment
  • Samsung Galaxy M31s becomes cheaper; now starts at Rs. 18,500
    Samsung Galaxy M31s becomes cheaper; now starts at Rs. 18,500
    Science
  • 'Baahubali' writer roped in for 'Sita - The Incarnation'
    'Baahubali' writer roped in for 'Sita - The Incarnation'
    Entertainment
  • BS6 Kawasaki Ninja 300's colors and engine details revealed
    BS6 Kawasaki Ninja 300's colors and engine details revealed
    Auto
  • La Liga, Sevilla 0-2 Barcelona: Records broken
    La Liga, Sevilla 0-2 Barcelona: Records broken
    Sports
Related Timelines
  • #BugAlert: Attackers can use Google Drive to hack your system
    #BugAlert: Attackers can use Google Drive to hack your system
    Science
  • Critical vulnerabilities risking private user data flagged in OkCupid
    Critical vulnerabilities risking private user data flagged in OkCupid
    Science
  • Millions of PCs are vulnerable to a Thunderbolt port flaw
    Millions of PCs are vulnerable to a Thunderbolt port flaw
    Science
Trending Topics
Samsung OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV Latest Gadget Launch MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ COVAXIN Latest Tech News Upcoming Mobile Phones
Next News Article
Share
Cancel

Want to share it with your friends too?

Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin
Copied

Love Science news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Science Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Science News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Bharti Airtel Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League Samsung Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma
Cricket News YouTube Hollywood News WhatsApp Bollywood News ISRO Yoga Honda Batman Football News
BMW Vaccine Reliance Jio OPPO Food News, Healthy Recipes Royal Challengers Bangalore Toyota Fashion Tips Farmers Protest Mohammed Bin Salman
Mercedes Europa League Isha Ambani India Vs England Cricket OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV Marvel Comics Avengers Neha Kakkar
Premier League Big Bang Theory X-Men TATA
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us News Reviews News Archive Topics Archive Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2021