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Telegram (software)

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Telegram
Developer(s)Telegram LLC
Stable release
Repository
Operating systemGoogle Android, Apple iOS, Windows Phone, MS Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
Available inEnglish, Arabic, Spanish
TypeInstant messaging
LicenseGNU GPL2 (client), closed source (server)
Websitewww.telegram.org

Telegram Messenger is a free and partially open source cross-platform messenger with a focus on security. Telegram users can exchange encrypted and self-destructing messages, photos, videos and documents (all file-types supported). Telegram is officially available for Android and iOS (including tablets and no-wifi devices). Unofficial clients for Windows Phone, as well as a Web version, OS X version, Linux version and a Windows desktop client are available from independent developers using the Telegram API.[1][2]

Telegram was founded in 2013 by the brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, the founders of VK, Russia's largest social network.[3] Telegram LLC is an independent company, not connected to VK. It is based in Berlin.[4][5] Nikolai created the new MTProto protocol that the messenger is based on, while Pavel provided financial support and infrastructure through his Digital Fortress fund.[6] Similar messaging services include WhatsApp, LINE, KakaoTalk, and WeChat.

Features

  • Conversations are encrypted with the MTProto protocol developed by Telegram LLC.[7][8][non-primary source needed]
  • Messages that have not been sent using the end-to-end encryption option are saved to Telegram LLC's servers for cloud syncronization between devices.
  • Has mobile versions, desktop versions and browser extensions [9]
  • Can send photos, videos, and "documents" up to 1 GB: all file types supported
  • Groups for 200 members[citation needed]
  • Secret chats with End-to-end encryption based on the MTProto protocol developed by Telegram LLC.
  • Auto-destructing messages in secret chats (Like Snapchat)
  • Message read status: 1 check = sent, 2 checks = read (opened) [10]

Security

Telegram claims it is more secure than mass market messengers like WhatsApp and LINE. The application features two types of chats. Ordinary chats use client-server encryption and can be accessed from multiple devices. Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption and can only be accessed from the two participating devices. Telegram claims that third parties, including the Telegram administrators, cannot get access.[11] Messages and media in Secret Chats can also be set to self-destruct in a set period of time after being read. Once the time runs out, the messages disappear from both devices.[12] All chats are encrypted with the new MTProto protocol created by Nicolai Durov, regardless of type. This is based on 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, RSA 2048 encryption and Diffie–Hellman secure key exchange.[13]

On December 19, 2013, Telegram backer Pavel Durov announced that he would give $200,000 in Bitcoins to anyone able to break the messenger's encryption.[14][15][16]

Telegram's security has been criticized by numerous members of the cryptographic community.[17] These criticisms have focused mainly on the MTProto protocol developed by Telegram LLC and the cryptanalysis contest announced by Pavel Durov.[18][19][20]

On March 1, 2014 the first contest ended and Telegram published the keys necessary to decrypt traffic.[21] The contest produced no winners, although a Russian IT-community user discovered a security problem outside the scope of the contest on December 21, 2013 and was rewarded with a $100.000 USD bounty.[22] Telegram claims that challenges to break their crypto are a permanent feature of the project and announced that they are working on a new contest that would allow more active attacks.[23][24]

Open source

All official Telegram clients (and some of the unofficial clients) are open source.[25] The server code is closed, but is expected to be released in 2014.[citation needed] Pavel Durov mentioned that the server code is not free software, because Telegram requires a major redesign of architecture in order to allow independent servers to exchange data and act as a part of the unified Telegram cloud.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ List of Telegram applications, official website, February 6, 2014
  2. ^ Che cosa è Telegram, Squer.it
  3. ^ Meet Telegram, A Secure Messaging App From The Founders Of VK, Russia’s Largest Social Network, TechCrunch, October 27, 2013
  4. ^ Tweet by Telegram, Telegram official twitter account, February 21, 2014
  5. ^ Tweet by Telegram, Telegram official twitter account, February 21, 2014
  6. ^ Russia’s Zuckerberg launches Telegram, a new instant messenger service, Reuters, August 30, 2013
  7. ^ Telegram F.A.Q.: How secure is Telegram?
  8. ^ Descritpion of MTProto Mobile Protocol {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ List of Telegram applications, official website, retrieved February 23, 2014
  10. ^ Telegram F.A.Q.: What do the green ticks mean?, February 23, 2014
  11. ^ New instant messenger Telegram protected even from spy intrusions, VentureBeat, November 12, 2013
  12. ^ Telegram FAQ, retrieved February 10, 2014
  13. ^ Telegram technical FAQ for Advanced users
  14. ^ "Crypto contest announcement", Telegram official website, retrieved June 2, 2014
  15. ^ "Secure messaging app Telegram offers $200,000 to the first person who can break its encryption", The Next Web, December 19, 2013, retrieved February 6, 2014
  16. ^ "Telegram offers award to crack encryption", BBC, December 19, 2013, retrieved December 30, 2013
  17. ^ Robin Wauters (December 19, 2013). "Cracking contest: first one who breaks Telegram gets $200,000 in bitcoins (but really, nobody wins)". Tech.eu. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  18. ^ Geoffroy Couprie (December 17, 2013). "Telegram, AKA "Stand back, we have Math PhDs!"". Unhandled expression. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  19. ^ "Telegram's Cryptanalysis Contest". Crypto Fails. December 19, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  20. ^ Moxie Marlinspike (December 19, 2013). "A Crypto Challenge For The Telegram Developers". Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  21. ^ "Winter Contest Ends". Telegram blog. March 2, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  22. ^ "Crowdsourcing a More Secure Future". Telegram blog. December 21, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  23. ^ "Telegram Contest FAQ". Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  24. ^ "Winter Contest Ends". Telegram blog. March 2, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  25. ^ Telegram source code links, retrieved February 12, 2013
  26. ^ "Pavel Durov: "No application is 100% safe"", El Diario Turing, February 2, 2014, retrieved February 12, 2014

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