How secure is Skype? All information
The free chat service "Skype" was considered secure against eavesdropping for a long time, but has been criticized more often since 2010 for handling user data in this country. For this reason, many users wonder how secure Skype really is. You will find the answer to this question in this practical tip.
Skype - once one of the safest chat services
Microsoft's chat service has been considered one of the most secure programs for video conferencing, IP telephony, instant messaging, file transfer and screen sharing for several years. Even today, a clear digital identity, sophisticated authentication, a spam and phising filter and double encryption algorithms make it difficult for hackers to gain access to another user's user account or user data. In addition, users can use appropriate settings to prevent unknown users from contacting them and sending them malware.
- Since Skype was taken over by Microsoft, the software has had to cut back on security in terms of its history. The US magazine "Forbes" reported that Skype acquired a patent for a controversial technology in May 2011. Although this technology accelerates the data flow of a network, it also makes it easier to use listening software.
- The conversion in the technical structure caused heated discussions on the Internet. On the news page for hackers "Ycombinator" it was discussed that eavesdropping measures were difficult to carry out before the introduction of the technology, while after the establishment of the new software components the architecture of the program became much more permeable.
- Since then, US scientists from the University of North Carolina are said to have developed a method that can be used to decrypt parts of Skype conversations.
- Furthermore, it became known that Microsoft had applied for a patent to record certain communication content and thus restricted the privacy of its users.
Safe alternatives to Skype
However, the deterioration of Skype's security mechanisms is not solely due to those responsible for Skype. More and more authorities from different countries have insisted on accessing the user information and taking legal action in this regard. It became particularly problematic for Microsoft when the European agency for coordinating cross-border criminal prosecution accused Skype that Skype was preventing eavesdropping by an encryption system. However, this allegation was withdrawn when the Skype officials offered to cooperate.
- Since this incident, it has been known that the Austrian authorities and police can eavesdrop on Skype conversations. But even in Germany, Skype calls can be listened to like a conventional telephone call. Skype eavesdropping protocols have already been used in court.
- Skype's current privacy policy reveals that the company has secured the right to share customer information. It states that Skype will not disclose user-related information without the user's consent, "unless Skype is required to do so under applicable law or required to do so by the appropriate authorities."
- Just a few years ago, the Federal Association of Medium-Sized System Houses advised against using Skype in the professional area. Skype easily bypasses central security mechanisms, tears holes in firewalls and thus leverages protection against all malware.
- Since the Skype security scandal, many alternative chat services have opened up. One of the safest software at the moment with a range of functions similar to Skype is "Tox". In contrast to Skype and WhatsApp, Tox does not need a central server and thus makes interception measures by authorities or hackers considerably more difficult. Finally, Tox uses encryption recognized in the crypto scene, which is also used by "Threema", among others.
If you get a queasy feeling when using Skype and want to prevent your user data from being passed on, you should resort to a secure alternative. While we will give you another practical tip about the best alternatives to Skype, you will find more information about the tap-proof software "Tox" in an article.