diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md')
| -rw-r--r-- | content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md | 111 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 111 deletions
diff --git a/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md b/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md deleted file mode 100644 index 1b9d544..0000000 --- a/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,111 +0,0 @@ -+++ -date = 2020-03-25 -title = "Session Private Messenger" -description = "" -draft = false -+++ - -# Privacy Warning - -The company behind Session (Loki Foundation) is from Australia. If you didn't -know, Australia has introduced -[legislation](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r6195_aspassed/toc_pdf/18204b01.pdf) -mandating companies comply with government requests to build backdoor access -into applications. For more information, read my article on [AES -Encryption](./2020-01-25-aes-encryption.html). - -# About Session - -[Session](https://getsession.org) is a private, cross-platform messaging app -from the [Loki Foundation](https://loki.foundation). As someone who has spent -years looking for quality alternatives to major messaging apps, I was excited -when I first heard about Session. Reading through [Session's white -paper](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2002.04609.pdf), you can learn the technologies -behind the Session app. Part of the security of Session comes from the Signal -protocol, which was forked as the origin of Session. - -> Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that removes sensitive metadata -> collection, and is designed for people who want privacy and freedom from any -> forms of surveillance. - -In general, this app promises security through end-to-end encryption, -decentralized onion routing, and private identities. The biggest change that the -Loki Foundation has made to the Signal protocol is removing the need for a phone -number. Instead, a random identification string is generated for any session you -create. This means you can create a new session for each device if you want to, -or link new devices with your ID. - -Since Session's website and white paper describe the details of Session's -security, I'm going to focus on using the app in this post. - -# Features - -Since most people are looking for an alternative to a popular chat app, I am -going to list out the features that Session has so that you are able to -determine if the app would suit your needs: - -- Multiple device linking (via QR code or ID) -- App locking via device screen lock, password, or fingerprint -- Screenshot blocking -- Incognito keyboard -- Read receipts and typing indicators -- Mobile notification customization -- Old message deletion and conversation limit -- Backups -- Recovery phrase -- Account deletion, including ID, messages, sessions, and contacts - -# Downloads - -I have tested this app on Ubuntu 19.10, Android 10, macOS Monterey, and iOS 15. -All apps have worked well without many issues. - -Below is a brief overview of the Session app on Linux. To get this app, you'll -need to go to the [Downloads](https://getsession.org/download/) page and click -to link to the operating system you're using. - -For Linux, it will download an AppImage that you'll need to enable with the -following command: - -```sh -sudo chmod u+x session-messenger-desktop-linux-x86_64-1.0.5.AppImage -``` - -# Creating an Account - -Once you've installed the app, simply run the app and create your unique Session -ID. It will look something like this: -`05af1835afdd63c947b47705867501d6373f486aa1ae05b1f2f3fcd24570eba608`. - -You'll need to set a display name and, optionally, a password. If you set a -password, you will need to enter it every time you open the app. - -# Start Messaging - -Once you've created your account and set up your profile details, the next step -is to start messaging other people. To do so, you'll need to share your Session -ID with other people. From this point, it's fairly straightforward and acts like -any other messaging app, so I won't dive into much detail here. - -## macOS - -One key feature to note is that the desktop application now provides a helpful -pop-up box explaining the process that Session uses to hide your IP address: - -## iOS - -The mobile app is quite simple and effective, giving you all the standard mobile -messaging options you'd expect. - -# Potential Issues - -I've discovered one annoying issue that would prevent from using this app -regularly. On a mobile device, there have been issues with receiving messages on -time. Even with battery optimization disabled and no network restrictions, -Session notifications sometimes do not display until I open the app or the -conversation itself and wait a few moments. This is actually one of the reasons -I stopped using Signal (this seems fixed as of my updates in 2021/2022, so I -wouldn't worry about this issue anymore). - -Looking for another messenger instead of Session? I recommend Signal, Matrix, -and IRC. |