Open Whisper Releases Desktop Client for Secure Chat App Signal

Open Whisper Systems has released a desktop client for its secure chat app Signal. The client does not work standalone, but is a Chrome application that will be in the Chrome Web Store. The beta came out on Thursday.

However, the test version is not easy to install, but Open Whisper Systems requires users to sign up for the beta via the site, after which they enter a queue. In addition, users currently need to use Signal on an Android phone. Support for iOS will follow later. The source code of the desktop client is on GitHub.

Signal uses end-to-end encryption, which means that information is encrypted by the sender and can only be read by the receiver. It uses the TextSecure protocol for messages with deniability and forward secrecy. This means, among other things, that it cannot be proven that an unencrypted message exists and that a cracked key does not lead to previous messages being readable. No third party services are used.

The fact that Signal uses end-to-end encryption does not mean that communication is 100 percent secure. It is only as secure as the device used for that communication. Whistleblower Edward Snowden leaves via Twitter know that he uses Signal on a daily basis.