What Secret Conversation Is (and Isn’t)
Facebook has finally gotten with the times and rolled out device-to-device encrypted communication to all of the billion Facebook Messenger users. The new secret conversation mode feature on Facebook mobile messenger App allows conversations between two chat partners to be encrypted using a protocol known as "Open Whisper Systems peer-reviewed Signal protocol"
Here’s how to turn it on, and why you should start using it now.
While that’s all super awesome, the whole thing isn’t without a few shortcomings. First of all, it requires the Facebook Messenger app–this feature isn’t available on the desktop version of Facebook.
In addition, while the feature is turned on by default (depending on your device), your messages aren’t encrypted by default–you have to manually start a secret conversation in order to use encryption. In 2016, heavy duty encryption should be the norm. Further, if your chat partner is using an older copy of Messenger because they haven’t (or can’t) upgrade, then you can’t use the encryption with them. It also doesn’t work with group chats because it’s a device-to-device system, and presently doesn’t support multi-user encryption (and won’t support this feature in the foreseeable future).
In addition it doesn’t work with video, voice calling, or GIF files (which is fair because it would introduce a huge amount of overhead to encrypt those large files) but you can send images through the encrypted chat. Finally, because the encryption keys are device specific, unlike with traditional Messenger messages you can’t switch between your phone and your tablet and keep the same conversation going. The device you start a Secret Conversation on is the device you have to end it on, and you can only use it on one device at a time.
All that said, however, the introduction of secure and proper end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger is a fantastic improvement–and it’s an improvement everyone should be taking advantage of. Given the enormous number of leaks over the last few years that indicate practically everyone is eavesdropping on our digital communications, you have nothing to lose from enabling encryption wherever you can.
How to Use Secret Conversation
Now that we’ve gone through a quick run through of what Secret Conversation can and cannot do, let’s jump right into using it including creating new messages, setting self-destruct timers, and even wiping all your secret conversations at once.
Select Which Device You’ll Use
Like we mentioned above, you can only use this feature on one device at a time, and you have to use that device for all your encrypted communication. If you only use Facebook Messenger on your phone, then no worries–jump right to the next section.
If, on the other hand, you’ve got it installed on multiple devices–like an iPhone, an iPad, and an iPod Touch you use as a kick-around device to read social media in the bathroom with–you have to pick which one will be the carrier of the encrypted torch.
By default, the first device you upgrade to the latest version of Facebook Messenger will be the one that the feature is turned on for. If you need to toggle it on for a different device, however, you can do so easily. Open Facebook Messenger on your device and tap the little silhouette “Me” icon in the lower corner.
Scroll down until you see the settings entry for “Secret Conversation”. Tap on it.
Ensure “Secret Conversations” is toggled on.
Don’t worry about following up with your other devices, as soon as you turn the feature on while using your primary device, it will automatically be disabled on all the other devices.
Starting a Brand New Secret Conversation
There are two ways to start a Secret Conversation: you can start one fresh, or you can switch an existing conversation over. To start a fresh one with a friend, you simply tap on the compose icon at the top of Messenger’s home screen, like so.
Select “Secret” in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
Once you select “Secret” just pick the friend you want to send the secret message to on the next page and you’re in business.
The giant “Secret Conversation” and black lock icon tell you all you need to know: the conversation is now encrypted. Simply use Messenger like you otherwise would.
That’s all you can easily begin enjoying encrypted chat with all your Facebook Messenger pals. There are more advanced features of this new Conversation mode. That will be explained in the next article.
Try this feature and don't forget to share your feelings and experience with the new feature.
Credit: HTG
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