Viber on Tuesday announced that it has begun the deployment of end-to-end encryption for all devices of the 711 million users of its messaging app.
The app provides a better security in any voice or video call, message, video and photos, both in group and one-to-one messages, the company said.
Moreover, Viber launched Hidden chats, a feature that allows users to hide specific chats from the main screen, so that only she knows that chats exist. Hidden Chats can only be accessed by a four-digit PIN.
Automatic protection
Every users of the app will be protected by encryption automatically once they download the latest app Viber. Those using Viber on an iPad, Android tablet or desktop will be prompted to connect again with their smartphone using a QR code.
A color-coded lock on the right side of the screen of the device will provide application level security.
The icon will turn gray during the end-to-end encrypted calls. Tapping on the icon tooltip will inform a user that the messages are sent encrypted to give.
Users can manually verified contacts by selecting them as trusted contacts. A green padlock indicates authentication key of the selected contact will be monitored for future changes, so users can rest assured that they are communicating with the right person at all times. Tapping on the green icon displays a tooltip informing users that are exchanged are encrypted messages and the contact is verified.
The icon turns red if there is a problem with the authentication key from a trusted user. That might indicate that the user's primary phone has changed or that a man-in-the-middle attack is launched.
Tapping the red icon will show a tooltip which Viber number of the other party can not verify displayed. In order to solve the problem, the user must be reauthenticated as trusted.
The features of private Chats
Users can hide a call by tapping the screen with information for that chat. They will then be asked for a four-digit PIN. Users of IOS devices will be paid to the possibility of providing a fingerprint instead.
Users are notified of a message in a secret conversation, but what the message is or who it comes from does not appear on the screen of the device.
The function is one-way - if one user hides the call, there will be no changes are made at the end of the other party.
"People are increasingly wary about having monitored their conversations," said Craig Kensek, security expert at Last Line and "Viber seems to be trying to take advantage of a market opportunity."
A four-digit PIN "appears to be fairly weak, especially when they mean four digits and not four characters," he told TechNewsWorld.
Following WhatsApp's Lead
Viber is in imitation of WhatsApp, which earlier this month announced it was introducing end-to-end encryption for all communications via the app.
"Viber was one of the apps that no special features private encrypted chats," noted Andrew Komarov, chief intelligence officer atInfoArmor.
"WhatsApp has enabled encryption for all their customers, and that is the reason why other famous mobile apps focus on encryption," he told TechNewsWorld. "They also want to remain competitive, as privacy is a serious problem for many users."
The Option of Privacy
A 2014 US Supreme Court ruling held that the police mobile phone of a suspect can not search during an arrest without a warrant.
However, the National Security Agency allegedly sharing information from its surveillance activities with the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS, in fact allowing warrantless searches.
Despite the weaknesses in his approach, Viber's move "will offer buyers another layer of privacy," said Kensek.
Other companies are likely to follow, he added. "The percentage of people drink it 'I must encode all my communications' Kool-Aid is difficult to predict, but easy on the market off of.
Moreover, Viber launched Hidden chats, a feature that allows users to hide specific chats from the main screen, so that only she knows that chats exist. Hidden Chats can only be accessed by a four-digit PIN.
Automatic protection
Every users of the app will be protected by encryption automatically once they download the latest app Viber. Those using Viber on an iPad, Android tablet or desktop will be prompted to connect again with their smartphone using a QR code.
A color-coded lock on the right side of the screen of the device will provide application level security.
The icon will turn gray during the end-to-end encrypted calls. Tapping on the icon tooltip will inform a user that the messages are sent encrypted to give.
Users can manually verified contacts by selecting them as trusted contacts. A green padlock indicates authentication key of the selected contact will be monitored for future changes, so users can rest assured that they are communicating with the right person at all times. Tapping on the green icon displays a tooltip informing users that are exchanged are encrypted messages and the contact is verified.
The icon turns red if there is a problem with the authentication key from a trusted user. That might indicate that the user's primary phone has changed or that a man-in-the-middle attack is launched.
Tapping the red icon will show a tooltip which Viber number of the other party can not verify displayed. In order to solve the problem, the user must be reauthenticated as trusted.
The features of private Chats
Users can hide a call by tapping the screen with information for that chat. They will then be asked for a four-digit PIN. Users of IOS devices will be paid to the possibility of providing a fingerprint instead.
Users are notified of a message in a secret conversation, but what the message is or who it comes from does not appear on the screen of the device.
The function is one-way - if one user hides the call, there will be no changes are made at the end of the other party.
"People are increasingly wary about having monitored their conversations," said Craig Kensek, security expert at Last Line and "Viber seems to be trying to take advantage of a market opportunity."
A four-digit PIN "appears to be fairly weak, especially when they mean four digits and not four characters," he told TechNewsWorld.
Following WhatsApp's Lead
Viber is in imitation of WhatsApp, which earlier this month announced it was introducing end-to-end encryption for all communications via the app.
"Viber was one of the apps that no special features private encrypted chats," noted Andrew Komarov, chief intelligence officer atInfoArmor.
"WhatsApp has enabled encryption for all their customers, and that is the reason why other famous mobile apps focus on encryption," he told TechNewsWorld. "They also want to remain competitive, as privacy is a serious problem for many users."
The Option of Privacy
A 2014 US Supreme Court ruling held that the police mobile phone of a suspect can not search during an arrest without a warrant.
However, the National Security Agency allegedly sharing information from its surveillance activities with the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS, in fact allowing warrantless searches.
Despite the weaknesses in his approach, Viber's move "will offer buyers another layer of privacy," said Kensek.
Other companies are likely to follow, he added. "The percentage of people drink it 'I must encode all my communications' Kool-Aid is difficult to predict, but easy on the market off of.
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