Both Signal and WhatsApp allow users to use messaging apps to send and receive text, audio, or video messages. They also let you make voice and video phone calls. Both apps have taken various security precautions to protect their users’ privacy.
The way that they use end-to-end encryption is a key difference between these two apps. WhatsApp uses end-to–end encryption by default for all communications. This means that messages and calls sent through the app are encrypted so only the sender can see or hear them. Signal uses the same end-to-end encryption technology as WhatsApp, but it also employs a technology called “perfect Forward Secrecy” (PFS). PFS makes sure that even an attacker can’t decrypt a call or message if it is intercepted. The keys are always changing so they are never stored on the server.
The way the apps handle metadata is another difference. Metadata is information about a message, call or text, including the time it was sent and its sender and receiver, as well as the location of the sender. WhatsApp stores metadata on its servers. This means it can be accessed by hackers and governments. Signal, however, doesn’t store any metadata on its servers. This makes it more difficult for third-parties to access the information.
Ten Reasons Signal is More Secure
- Sensing confidential or sensitive information: Signal uses perfect forward secrecy and doesn’t store metadata on its servers. This makes it a safer option to send sensitive or confidential data.
- Communication with people living in countries that have restrictive governments: Signal doesn’t store metadata, making it more difficult for governments access the information and to track Signal users’ activities.
- Security against hackers: Signal uses PFS and doesn’t store metadata on its servers. This makes it more difficult for hackers intercepting and decrypting messages that are sent through the app.
- Signal’s inability to store metadata makes it harder for governments to monitor Signal users.
- Protection against corporate surveillance: Signal’s absence of metadata storage makes tracking employees’ activities more difficult.
- Cyberstalking protection: Signal doesn’t store metadata so it is harder for someone to track the activities of another person through the app.
- Security measures to protect against identity theft: Signal’s security measures make it harder for hackers to gain access to personal information.
- Signal security measures can protect you against phishing attacks. They make it harder for hackers to intercept messages or steal personal information.
- Signal security measures can be used to prevent unwanted messages and spam from reaching users.
- Security measures to protect against malware: Signal can make it harder for hackers to intercept and deliver malicious software.
Both Signal and WhatsApp have taken strong security measures to protect their users’ privacy. Signal’s use PFS and refusal to store metadata makes it slightly safer for people who are concerned about privacy. However, no messaging app is perfect and users need to be careful about what they share via any messaging app.