The Guardian and Cambridge University's Department of Computer Science unveil new secure technology to protect sources
The Guardian and Cambridge University's Department of Computer Science unveil new secure technology to protect sources
Secure Messaging is a new innovation for confidential story-sharing and source protection, underpinning the Guardian’s commitment to investigative journalism. The Guardian has published the open source code for this important tech to enable adoption by other media organisations.
Academic paper: https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/techreports/UCAM-CL-TR-999.pdf
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I saw the headline and was ready to rage about why they should just use signal instead. Then I read the article and honestly this is a fucking genius use of tech
Yeah this is insanely good
I read it and don't understand. Why is this better than Signal? Or the 500 other secure file/messaging protocols?
Jabber seemed to work perfectly for Snowden...
For one, ease of access. Say you’re trying to break a story, who are you going to message with signal? Because you’re going to need to get that contact info somehow right?
Snowden is permanently stranded in Russia. That’s not exactly a great example of an anonymous source.
Say you’re trying to break a story, who are you going to message with signal?
...The Guardian?
Because you’re going to need to get that contact info somehow right?
Use your browser? These are strange questions.
Snowden is permanently stranded in Russia. That’s not exactly a great example of an anonymous source.
Did you notice that I used the past tense?
Because analysing network traffic wouldn't allow an adversary to see what you're sending with Signal, but they could still tell you're sendig a secure message.
What the Guardian is doing is hiding that secure chat traffic inside the Guardian app, so packet sniffing would only show you're accessing news.
I downloaded the guardian app and couldn't find the option.
analysing network traffic wouldn't allow an adversary to see what you're sending with Signal
How are they analyzing network traffic with Signal? It's encrypted. And why does it matter if they know you're sending a message? Literally everyone using Signal is sending a message.
How are they analyzing network traffic with Signal? It's encrypted
Not my specialty, but signals end to end encryption is akin to sealing a letter. Nobody but the sender and the recipient can open that letter.
But you still gotta send it through the mail. That's the network traffic analysis that can be used.
Here's an example of why that could be bad.
Using an encrypted messaging app could itself be a red flag, using a news app is normal behavior.
It isn't.
It's a red flag to those who think you're going to share internal info.
Or it's just a perfectly normal thing that billions of people do every day?
Except that signal is blocked by many companies Mobile Device Management. The one that don’t can typically see who has the app installed. This provides a new clever way to maybe whistleblow
Use a different device? Use Molly? Use any number of other apps? What's to stop the MDM from blocking The Guardian app?
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/2023/06/05/criminalization-of-encryption-the-8-december-case/
For France, Your a terroriste if you use signal
Then you're also a terrorist if you use The Guardian 🤷♂️
I dont' know, do you have sources about this ? Or are you imagining thing and deciding it is true ?
Sources for what, exactly? What is "fantasming"? The title of the article you posted is "Criminalization of encryption". The Guardian is using encryption to send messages, so why would they be exempt? In fact, why would any internet use at all not be criminalized? It's all encrypted.
So you read the title and you know everything. There is a liste of what they are accusing and their is no mention of internet
The elements of the investigation that have been communicated to us are staggering. Here are just some of the practices that are being misused as evidence of terrorist behavior6:
– the use of applications such as Signal, WhatsApp, Wire, Silence or ProtonMail to encrypt communications ;
– using Internet privacy tools such as VPN, Tor or Tails7 ;
– protecting ourselves against the exploitation of our personal data by GAFAM via services such as /e/OS, LineageOS, F-Droid ;
– encrypting digital media;
– organizing and participating in digital hygiene training sessions;
– simple possession of technical documentation.
But continue to invent reality. What are fact if not debatable point of view ? That the end for me. Have a great day.
Timing of messages. They can't tell what you send, but can tell when
No they can't.
E: if someone wants to provide evidence to the contrary instead of just downvoting and moving on, please, go ahead.
Here's a relevant stack exchange question. Regarding what an ISP can learn. Of note, everybody is ceding that the ISP can tell you're using signal, and they've moved on to whether or not they'd be able to fingerprint your usage patterns.
It's called traffic analysis
It's called encryption
Packet data has headers that can identify where it's coming from and where it's going to. The contents of the packet can be securely encrypted, but destination is not. So long as you know which IPs Signal's servers use (which is public information), it's trivial to know when a device is sending/receiving messages with Signal.
This is also why something like Tor manages to circumvent packet sniffing, it's impossible to know the actual destination because that's part of the encrypted payload that a different node will decrypt and forward.
Packet data has headers that can identify where it's coming from and where it's going to
Wouldn't you have to have some sort of MITM to be able to inspect that traffic?
This is also why something like Tor manages to circumvent packet sniffing
TOR is what their already-existing tip tool uses.
Wouldn’t you have to have some sort of MITM to be able to inspect that traffic?
That, or a court order telling your ISP or mobile operator to allow the sniffing. Or just the police wanting to snoop your stuff because they can. Not every country cares about individual or human rights, you know
TOR is what their already-existing tip tool uses.
Yes, but tor can be blocked at a firewall level, its packets are easy to identify. "Nations like China, Iran, Belarus, North Korea, and Russia have implemented measures to block or penalize Tor usage"
Wouldn't you have to have some sort of MITM to be able to inspect that traffic?
You mean like your workplace wifi that you're blowing the whistle at?
How exactly do you think encryption prevents the analysis of seeing when an encrypted message is sent? It feels like you're trying to hand-waive away by saying "encryption means you're good!"
Cyber security is not my thing, but my understanding is that you'd still see network traffic - you just wouldn't know what it says.
I run a cryptography forum
Encryption doesn't hide data sizes unless you take extra steps
Messaging protocols already resemble the frameworks that come out from time to time. And their effectiveness is due to the fact that they require a certain quota of users.
It's just a secure messaging app with a direct line to Guardian journalists. How to use 911 or special numbers when you're not feeling well.