#textsecure

Hey there

I thought it would be a good idea to write something about an app that not many people know about: TextSecure.

It is an open source messager that works similar to WhatsApp, so once you have someone’s telephone number in your contacts, you can contact them via TextSecure.

The good thing about this app is that is has an actual encryption, your message gets encryptet right when you hit send and only the receiver can decrypt it. Main encryption is RSA, so for now it is pretty safe. Important to know: It does not give you tons of work because of the encryption. Once you start the app, it generates your key pair that is needed for encryption, so all you have to do is to wait about 30 seconds.

Extra: There is the additional app “Redphone”, that allows encrypted voice chat (It uses internet instead of actual ‘phone calls’).

It is available for free for Android TextSecure Redphone and for iOS Signal

Signal includes TextSecure AND Redphone, on Android, they will merge these two in the future, so it will be called Signal then, too.

Prospect: A desktop client is not yet finished, but it work.

Since I’m [not an apple user](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/43361/what-information-does-stock-android-send-to-google-by-default-and-how-do-i-opt). ← Perhaps when my current contract is due for renewal I will be one. ;-) Unless, I [root](http://www.howtogeek.com/115297/how-to-root-your-android-why-you-might-want-to/), and afterwards install a [custom rom](http://www.howtogeek.com/192602/8-reasons-to-install-cyanogenmod-on-your-android-device/), on my new android. ;-) Anyway as the [title implies](http://www.howtogeek.com/226535/how-and-why-to-encrypt-your-text-messages/). How, and why would I want to encrypt my private correspondence with people?

↑ Well… Unless I feel like shouting out whatever I ate, have done, or whatnot on social-media-sites, then by all means I should have the opportunity to do so, in private. ;-) And by private I don’t mean: From my secure bunker-basement shielded against co(s)mic radiation kind of tin-foil-hat paranoid private. But the closest approximation I can get to face to face communication. ← Before the Internet there were only land-lines, and those are trivial to eavesdrop. Therefore a call, almost face to face here, isn’t nearly as private as …. But they should be! :-)

Hence…

The TextSecure app from OpenWhisper systems seems more like the appropriate app to try out. Is it secure? I say: “ I trust the math. ”

I’ll be waiting by my Red Phone to answer your calls with questions regarding this post. ;-)

TextSecure Private Messenger lets You Text Securely

TextSecure Private Messenger is a simple messaging app that lets you communicate with your friends keeping the privacy in mind. Using TextSecure you can send textmessages to all your friends avoiding the SMS fees. You also get the privilege to create groups to chat in real time with your friends. The main advantage of using TextSecure is that all your messages are encrypted so that you can ensure…