An open-source project has released the
first Chrome cast offers for the
iPhone that scrambles voice calls, which would thwart government surveillance
or eavesdropping by hackers.
Signal comes from Open Whisper Systems,
which developed Red Phone andText
Secure, both Android applications that encrypt calls and text messages.
The application is compatible with Red
Phone and eventually Red Phone and Text Secure will be combined in a single
Android application and called Signal as well
Signal is notable for two reasons. First,
it’s free. There are many voice call encryption products on the market for
various platforms, most of which are not cheap and are aimed at enterprise
users.
Second, Signal is open source code, meaning developers
can look at the code and verify its integrity. That’s important because of
concerns that software vendors have been pressured into adding “backdoors” into
their products that could assist government surveillance programs.
The beauty of Signal is its simplicity.
Setup requires verifying the device’s phone number through a one-time code that
is sent by SMS. Signal displays only the contact details of the other user who
has it installed.
It provides end-to-end encryption of voice
calls over a data connection. Signal displays two words on a screen during a
call, which are meant to be verified with the party on the other end to ensure
a man-in-the-middle attack isn’t underway.
Signal adds to a growing number of mobile
encryption offerings from software vendors. Silent Circle, based in Washington,
D.C., offers encrypted calling and texting services for a monthly subscription,
and is a partner in Geneva-based SGP Technologies which makes the Black Phone, a security minded device
released last month.
