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diff --git a/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md b/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md index 805cbd8..c5e75c9 100644 --- a/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md +++ b/content/blog/2020-03-25-session-messenger.md @@ -7,67 +7,65 @@ draft = false # Privacy Warning -The company behind Session (Loki Foundation) is from Australia. If you -didn\'t know, Australia has introduced +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 +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](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. +> 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. +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. +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 +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. +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. +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: +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 @@ -78,12 +76,12 @@ Options](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20200325-session-private-messenger/session # 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: +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. +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.  @@ -96,42 +94,39 @@ Authentication](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20200325-session-private-messenger/ # 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. +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: +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. +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. +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. |