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WiFi mesh networks can detect your breathing
In the world of indoor security systems, motion detection usually relies on cameras or at least dedicated sensors. Both types of solution add to hardware plus installation costs, not to mention that not everyone is comfortable with having cameras pointing at them all the time. Origin Wireless, on the other hand, found a way to make use of WiFi signals bouncing around a room to detect even the slightest movement -- down to something as subtle as a person's breathing rate. What's more, this "Time Reversal Machine" technology is essentially just some clever algorithmic work with little burden on the processor, so it can potentially be added to any existing WiFi mesh routers via a firmware update. In other words, security system vendors should take note.
Signal test uses DRM to keep your contacts private
Signal is generally viewed as the most secure encrypted communications app. So secure, that even the US Senate has approved it for staff use. And, to keep privacy experts on its side, Open Whisper Systems (the non-profit behind the app) has kept Signal open source and peer-reviewed. But, the developer is having to juggle robust privacy with all the popular features a chat app is expected to provide in this day and age. It's proven a tricky balancing act -- particularly in regards to access to user contacts. Just like its (now encrypted) rivals, Signal asks to import your phone contacts in order to tell you who's using the app. For the stricter privacy advocates, that's always been a niggling issue. But, Signal claims it has a fix. With its latest test, the app is trialling a completely private contact discovery service.
Signal adds encrypted profiles to beta chat app
Signal, the encrypted chat app preferred by the US Senate, has finally launched profiles -- but only as part of its latest beta release. You can now add a photo and a display name to make group chats less confusing. But since this is Signal we're talking about, it's not as straightforward as other apps': your photo and name, like your messages, are end-to-end encrypted.
Signal tests changes to how users verify secure contacts
Last November, Signal introduced a few changes to how it manages its safety numbers -- the unique code given to each conversation you have on the app. Safety numbers can change because someone gets a new phone and reinstalled the app or because the conversation has been compromised. Typically, whenever that code changed, those in the conversation had to manually approve the new safety number before sending or receiving any additional messages.
US Senate approves encrypted chat app Signal for staff use
The United States Senate has been taking cybersecurity more seriously than ever before, thanks to the DNC leaks and various government cyberattacks. Senate Sergeant at Arms Frank J. Larkin and his team have recently finished encrypting all Senators' websites, and it turns out he has also approved Signal for official use by Senate staff members. Sen. Ron Wyden, a privacy and encryption advocate, has revealed that Larkin's office has given one of the most secure messaging apps out there its seal of approval in a letter thanking the Sergeant at Arms for his efforts. While the letter was sent on May 9th, ZDNet says staff members were first allowed to use the app for official business back in March.
Signal's encrypted video calling is now available to all
Signal, the encrypted chat app from Open Whisper Systems, now lets anyone chat privately on video. The feature, which first launched on Android last month, has come out of beta and is now available on both Android and iOS. The company spent the relatively short beta period "collecting feedback and addressing the issues" found by beta users, it said. As with texts and calls, video is encrypted end-to-end, so nobody, including spy agencies, can eavesdrop on your business.
Republicans call for investigation into EPA use of encrypted chats
Earlier in February, Politico reported that US government workers (particularly at the EPA) were using encrypted chat apps like Signal to express dissent against President Trump's policies without the threat of retaliation. Well, House Republicans Darin LaHood and Lamar Smith aren't happy about that secrecy... and they're demanding action. The two have sent a letter to the EPA's independent overseer, the Inspector General, asking for an investigation into the claims. They're concerned that the encrypted conversations "run afoul" of government record-keeping rules and prevent the government from monitoring their on-the-job communications.
Keybase's encrypted chat works with accounts you already have
With their first release, Keybase simplified encrypted file sharing, allowing anyone to securely send data without the need for additional third-party software. Now the company wants to bring that same security and simplicity to encrypted messaging with Keybase Chat. Unlike other encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp or Signal, Keybase Chat works with public accounts and usernames you already have, so there's no need to exchange phone numbers, email addresses or encryption keys.
Signal tries its hand at encrypted video and voice calling
Open Whisper Systems' Signal app is no longer limited to keeping text chats out of the wrong hands. A beta version of the Android app now includes experimental support for video and voice calling. Both sides of a conversation will have to switch the features on in settings for this to work, but you're otherwise free to talk knowing that encryption should prevent eavesdropping.
A whole new low in government trust
Our country changed so quickly in the past week that it feels like the pod doors have been sealed shut and an antigravity switch flipped inside our borders. From the outside, it probably looks like a snowglobe scene of hell. The Doomsday Clock advanced, "thanks to Trump," and it's now only two and a half minutes to nuclear midnight, while The Economist's Democracy Index downgraded the US from "full democracy" to "flawed."
Open Whisper Systems defends Whatsapp against 'backdoor' claims
Last spring, Whatsapp announced that every message on its service is delivered with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one, not even Whatsapp, can tell what's inside. Now, a report by The Guardian cites a security researcher claiming that its implementation is open to being backdoored or hijacked by government agencies. Whatsapp, and the people who helped design the implementation for its secure messaging, state this isn't the case, and instead, reflects a user experience design decision that isn't putting users at risk. Whatsapp's secure messaging was implemented with help from Open Whisper Systems -- makers of the secure messaging app Signal -- and on its blog, the company explains how things work. Based on its Signal Protocol (also used for encrypted messaging in Google's Allo), each client is identified by a public key that's shared with other people, and a private key on the device. Because people change phones, or uninstall and reinstall apps, the pair of keys can change. Users can ensure their communication is secure by checking the security code displayed on each end, if it matches, then they can be sure their messages aren't subject to a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack by a third party.
Encrypted chat app Signal sidesteps censorship in Cuba and Oman
Signal, the messaging app that prides itself on circumventing government censorship, has a few new places where its flagship feature works. Last week it was Egypt, and now users in Cuba and Oman can send messages without fear of them being intercepted and altered by lawmakers. As VentureBeat reports, the domain fronting feature is only available on Android now, but, like the Egypt update, it should arrive on iOS shortly thereafter. Given Cuba's penchant for censoring what its citizens see, and its launch of state-sponsored home internet service, the timing is perfect.
Encrypted chat app Signal circumvents government censorship
Just days after Open Whisper Systems concluded the Egyptian government had blocked access to its encrypted messaging service, Signal, the company rolled out an update that circumvents large-scale censorship systems across Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The update also adds the ability to apply stickers, text and doodles to images, but that's just icing on the censorship-evading cake.
Egypt has blocked encrypted messaging app Signal
Egypt has blocked its residents from accessing encrypted messaging app Signal, according to the application's developer. Mada Masr, an Egypt-based media organization, reported yesterday that several users took to Twitter over the weekend to report that they could no longer send or receive messages while on Egyptian IP addresses. Open Whisper Systems, the team behind the app, told a user asking about a situation that everything was working just as intended on their end. Now that the company has confirmed that the country is blocking access to Edward Snowden's preferred messaging app, it has begun working on a way to circumvent the ban. They intend to deploy their solution over the next few weeks.
Signal makes it easier to verify the privacy of your chats
One of Signal's privacy advantages is that it not only encrypts your conversations, but gives you simple proof that those discussions are truly secret -- you just have to compare a set of digits or scan a QR code. Those safety numbers aren't always easy to use, however, and that has led to people inadvertently putting themselves at risk -- especially when they switch devices. Developer Open Whisper Systems is fixing that by altering how safety numbers work in terms of both simplicity and practicality.
Government uses gag order to keep encryption company quiet
In the first half of 2016, Open Whisper Systems (OWS) -- the maker of Signal and creator of the encryption used by Google Allo and Facebook Messenger -- was served a subpoena for information concerning two users of the service. That's not out of the ordinary. But what was odd and troubling was the gag order that accompanied the court order for information.
Magic Leap partners with messaging startup Twilio
We still don't know all that much about super-secret mixed-reality startup Magic Leap. But today we learned that it will be partnering with communications company Twilio to make chatting with holographic-looking versions of your friends and family eventually happen.
Google's extra-secure Allo chat uses familiar encryption tech
Does the extra-private messaging in Google's Allo seem familiar? Your eyes don't deceive you: You really have seen it before. Open Whisper Systems has confirmed that Allo uses its Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption when you're in Incognito Mode. Yes, that means that Google and Facebook-owned WhatsApp are sharing the same underlying security technology. Not that there's much reason to complain. The protocol is strong enough that privacy advocates like Edward Snowden approve, and its open source nature makes it relatively ubiquitous.
Cardboard Fender Stratocaster shreds without being shredded
The Signal Snowboard crew is known for its unorthodox snowboard projects. Now the team has partnered with Ernest Packaging and Fender's custom shop to create a playable cardboard Stratocaster. Except for its corrugated body and neck, the guitar is outfitted with the usual pickups, electronics, frets and knobs found on traditional wood guitar. The end result is something you can see through while shredding.
Secure messaging app Signal is coming to Chrome
Open Whisper Systems announced Wednesday that it is bringing its encrypted open-source messaging app to the desktop. The Signal app enables users to communicate privately via its end-to-end encryption scheme and the same protections are being extended to the new beta Chrome application. What's more, the desktop and Android mobile apps can be linked so that they share a single logon. The company is currently working on adding the same functionality to the mobile iOS app, though there's no word yet on when that will be ready.
