Despite WhatsApp’s recent security decisions and changes to the messenger’s privacy policies (which were delayed due to user migration), the term end-to-end encryption is more common than ever. Is taken into consideration. But what does universal cryptography mean?

What is end-to-end cryptography?

The main purpose of this type of encryption is to ensure that the data sent by users until they reach the destination, is completely secure and sent in encrypted form. In other words, in this method of encryption, there are only two parties to the communication who have access to plain text (which is professionally referred to as Plain Text). Even then, the parent company of the app (which owns the server) could not access the simple message.

This will make users more confident because users are currently worried about the app developer selling their information to various companies, including advertising companies. End-to-end encryption, however, fixes this problem. In other words, in this type of encryption, even the application developer can not see the message of the users.

Although end-to-end encryption is not specific to messaging and can even be used in email, etc., the reality is that in messaging, two-way encryption is far more important. Other applications of this type of global encryption include password management tools that encrypt information end-to-end so that even the password management tool developer can not access the user’s passwords. . Of course, in the case of password management tools, the story is a little different, because in this case we are not related, and you are the only one who can view the data in a simple and plain way.

There are currently a number of media outlets that use such encryption methods. Among the media messages equipped with end-to-end encryption, we can mention WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, etc.

In what cases is universal cryptography incapable?

Despite the security that end-to-end encryption provides, this method has its limitations. In fact, although encryption hides all of the user’s submitted content, and even the server will not have access to the user’s message, the server certainly knows what day and time you exchanged the message. In some cases, the same can be said of hackers.

Another problem is that if someone can access your device, they can access your incoming and outgoing messages without any restrictions. Therefore, having end-to-end encryption alone is not enough, and you still need a password to access the device (for example, a PIN code or biometric authentication). This way, even if the device is stolen or can be accessed in any way, the security of the messages will not be compromised.

This problem will also exist on the other side of our relationship. In other words, if we physically secure the device ourselves, the other party may still not pay attention to this issue and cause the messages transmitted by us to be exposed.

Despite all the problems that exist, two-way encryption, or universal encryption, is now the safest way to transmit data, and this has led most services, especially media outlets, to use end-to-end encryption. Go.