rahul1117kumar
Contributor
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 10,365
- Reaction score
- 11,057
In an attempt to make its Messenger more secure, a couple of months ago, Facebook had announced that Messenger will soon receive WhatsApp-like end-to-end encryption. The rollout began last month, but it was in phases and very few got access to the feature. Now, Facebook has announced, that the rollout has been completed and is now available for all its users. It is worth noting that the end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger doesn’t exactly work like WhatsApp. Instead of the entire app being encrypted, Facebook has added a new feature called ‘Secret Conversation’, which perhaps is more similar to Snapchat’s messaging feature. With the new feature a user can choose to have a regular or a secret conversation with a particular recipient.
The Secret Conversation allows users to send messages that are end-to-end encrypted, which means that the particular conversation is accessible only to the recipient and sender, and no one else (including Facebook ). Additionally, the new feature allows users to set a timer to a particular message they send, which means that the message will self-destruct after the predefined time. So by choosing the secret conversation option, a user can engage in an encrypted chat with a particular recipient instead of a regular conversation. Here is a detailed run through of how the Secret Conversation feature works on
Facebook Messenger .
A user first needs to choose a recipient they wish to have a secret conversation with, and open their regular chat on Messenger. Then tap on the recipient’s name, which would list down multiple chat settings, among which a user would see a new feature listed, the ‘Secret Conversation’. The interface of the secret chats is different with a black and white theme and a lock appears next to the profile icon of the recipient. Also, at the top the Messenger reads a disclaimer that says ‘Secret Conversation with Blahblah. Encrypted from one device to the other’.
Other than that, next to the typing bar sits a timer icon, which allows user to set an expiration time to the sent message. For example, a user can set a timer for 10 seconds to a message, from the moment the recipient reads that particular text, the message will automatically delete after 10 seconds. Also, setting a timer is not essential with each text, a user can choose to keep those messages by switching the timer off. Further, once a user engages in a secret conversation with someone, in the Messenger list, they will see both the secret chat and the regular chat listed in the recent chat contacts. The dual listing, in my opinion, could be worked on by Facebook, as it only clutters the app and makes it more confusing.
Additionally, in order to check if your conversation is encrypted in the first place, Facebook provides users with a device key. Both people in a secret conversation can use the device key to verify that the messages are encrypted. To do that, tap on the recipient’s name on and go to the chat settings, which would show up an option called ‘Device Keys’, tapping on that will show you yours and your recipient’s key. Although, the verification process is optional, and the messages will be encrypted regardless of the device keys being compared, but here’s how you can check. In order to verify that the conversation is encrypted, compare the device key with the other person’s to ensure that they match.
Other than these additions, the secret chats have all other add-on features that the regular chats have. These include in-built camera, media sharing, stickers and emoticons, except that it does not have the instant video feature, or the option to customize the color of the chat window and the primary emoticon.
http://www.bgr.in/news/facebook-mes...-is-now-available-for-all-heres-how-it-works/
The Secret Conversation allows users to send messages that are end-to-end encrypted, which means that the particular conversation is accessible only to the recipient and sender, and no one else (including Facebook ). Additionally, the new feature allows users to set a timer to a particular message they send, which means that the message will self-destruct after the predefined time. So by choosing the secret conversation option, a user can engage in an encrypted chat with a particular recipient instead of a regular conversation. Here is a detailed run through of how the Secret Conversation feature works on
Facebook Messenger .
A user first needs to choose a recipient they wish to have a secret conversation with, and open their regular chat on Messenger. Then tap on the recipient’s name, which would list down multiple chat settings, among which a user would see a new feature listed, the ‘Secret Conversation’. The interface of the secret chats is different with a black and white theme and a lock appears next to the profile icon of the recipient. Also, at the top the Messenger reads a disclaimer that says ‘Secret Conversation with Blahblah. Encrypted from one device to the other’.
Other than that, next to the typing bar sits a timer icon, which allows user to set an expiration time to the sent message. For example, a user can set a timer for 10 seconds to a message, from the moment the recipient reads that particular text, the message will automatically delete after 10 seconds. Also, setting a timer is not essential with each text, a user can choose to keep those messages by switching the timer off. Further, once a user engages in a secret conversation with someone, in the Messenger list, they will see both the secret chat and the regular chat listed in the recent chat contacts. The dual listing, in my opinion, could be worked on by Facebook, as it only clutters the app and makes it more confusing.
Additionally, in order to check if your conversation is encrypted in the first place, Facebook provides users with a device key. Both people in a secret conversation can use the device key to verify that the messages are encrypted. To do that, tap on the recipient’s name on and go to the chat settings, which would show up an option called ‘Device Keys’, tapping on that will show you yours and your recipient’s key. Although, the verification process is optional, and the messages will be encrypted regardless of the device keys being compared, but here’s how you can check. In order to verify that the conversation is encrypted, compare the device key with the other person’s to ensure that they match.
Other than these additions, the secret chats have all other add-on features that the regular chats have. These include in-built camera, media sharing, stickers and emoticons, except that it does not have the instant video feature, or the option to customize the color of the chat window and the primary emoticon.
http://www.bgr.in/news/facebook-mes...-is-now-available-for-all-heres-how-it-works/
