Anonymous Iran

jbrown998

Okay. I've been trying to find out and answer to this. I've heard that all Skype communication is encrypted. Can the government listen in to Skype calls (pc to pc skype calls)? Or record them and listen later? Is Skype a safe way to communicate for both parties? Please describe in as much detail as possible.

Twister

I have used Skype since it was a beta version. I have had no personal trouble with the service and know that all communications are encrypted.

But, given this Regime's insidiousness, I must refer to one situation where Skype security was breached and Skype itself was unaware at first. It involves China and supposedly a dissident was arrested based on use of keywords setup by filters. This happened last year.

Please know that China partnered with Skype to create its own version of the program, so I am sure that is what compromised it. But by conscience, I felt obligated to report.

NYT article

Huge System for Web Surveillance Discovered in China

and here is the Skype 'official' response to this incident, to give balance.

Skype President Addresses Chinese Privacy Breach

I am a fan of Skype; I am not trying to undermine them in any way. This is the only known incident I am aware of where Skype was compromised. There was a period of time when accounts were being hijacked, but it did not involve any communications or spying.

Hope this is of help.

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Esteghlal, Azadi, Jomhorie Irani!

jbrown998

Thanks for your response! I just want to make sure they can't listen in on the voice conversation. I'm not worried about text messages. If anyone has any other information, it would be appreciated.

patrick30

Check out the post relating to skype.

It depends how your using skype, are you using skype to contact (A) mobiles or landlines or are you using it to contact your (B)friends online?

(A) I would use a vpn in both methods of communication along with Skype.
(B) I would not use Skype and just use a software like YouSAB Community VPN Messenger|VPN service|Anonymous Surfing which has VPN VOIP and messenger built in to it. All communication over this network will be 100 percent secure!

Hope this helps

Cost effective way of using Skype

Nedjarsan

Basecally i am convinced, that all ip traffic and content via legally obtained software could be survaied by government.
Why should they not be able of hacking.

You have to differ two things here:

I: Tracing ur location.
That means that ur location can be tracked.

In my oppinion that is the easy-part; somebody only has to do some research and minor law-violating on Your skype alias.
And i know that it can be done. ( ;-} )


II: Recording conversation.

Intelligence actually record Your ongoing conversation.

Much more difficult in my oppinion.

But as always:
Computer technology is man made and there are no 100% secure programs or applications. 100% security is just a dream.

__________________
Khodahafez estebdad, Salaam azadi

CradleOfCiv

Nedjarsan, I do not know specifically what Skype uses for encryption but algorithms available today are basically impossible to break using brute force as that would require ages (literally geological ages) of computing. They can ofcourse employ more "clever" methods and we would have to ask a real cryptologist to get better information about this but my understanding is that even they are not very effective at breaking these modern encryptions and cannot be used in mass scale.

So I do not know if Skype is safe but I do know that there are safe methods available for a determined net-user. The only problem is, they may possibily be able to tell that you are hiding something. They are not going to find out what you are hiding but something. Once the government has no regard for rights, they just may find it enough grounds to come and get you...

Nedjarsan

exactly...

but u know i still put it like this:

there is no 100% burgelar safe house.
If somebody really,really wants to break in he will do.

Even if i agree that the brute-force method is quite difficult with this-time encrypting and takes a lot of time.
Anyhow u do not need a brute-force as long as You have the key

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Khodahafez estebdad, Salaam azadi

Nedjarsan

If You tell me i possibly can tell You.

If You mean the bankers: thugs seldomly robb thugs

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Khodahafez estebdad, Salaam azadi

Unregistered

skype uses arcfour obfuscation. It's hides your traffic but provides no privacy. It was attacked in 2005, and skype uses the algorithm in a most vulnerable way.
The encryption just makes it more difficult for the convo to be seen, but a moderate effort can crack the call once it's discovered.

Nedjarsan

Ty

Touche

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Khodahafez estebdad, Salaam azadi