Hello everyone! What more can a chat app do besides regular text and emojis? Well, let us introduce you to Telegram, a chat app that is very different! What is Telegram? Is Telegram safe?
Whether you are chatting with friends, sharing funny memes, or running a community, Telegram has you covered.
In this article, we will explore what makes Telegram special and safe. We will also guide you through everything you need to know to get started. Let’s get started!
What is Telegram?
Telegram is a chat-focused application. You can use it to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos, videos, and files with friends or groups.
It’s a bit like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger but has some extra features that make it different from regular chat software.
How Does Telegram Work?
Cloud-based: All your messages and media files are stored on Telegram’s servers so that you can access them from any device.
End-to-end encryption: To protect privacy, Telegram offers “Secret Chats” with end-to-end encryption, which means only you and the person you’re chatting with can read the messages.
Telegram Groups and Channels: Create groups with up to 200,000 members or join channels to broadcast messages to subscribers. This is great for community building and content updates.
Bots: Developers can create bots to automate tasks such as setting reminders, playing games, or providing news updates.
Is Telegram App Safe?
Yes, Telegram is a safe chat app. Here’s why:
- Encrypted messages: Telegram encrypts your messages, making them difficult for anyone to intercept. Even if the messages reach Telegram’s servers, they remain encrypted.
- Secret Chats: For those who want to secure their chats, Telegram offers “Secret Chats” with end-to-end encryption. Only you and the person you are chatting with can read these messages. These chats are not stored on Telegram’s servers and are only accessible on the device where the chat took place.
- Data Storage: Telegram stores user data, such as your IP address and device information, for up to 12 months. They may share this data with authorities if required by law, but this is standard practice for most messaging apps.
Although Telegram is very safe, avoid revealing personal privacy during use to avoid unpredictable consequences.
Is Telegram Encrypted?
Is Telegram encrypted?
Yes, Telegram is encrypted. There is some concrete evidence for this:
MTProto Protocol: Telegram uses its own unique encryption protocol called MTProto. The protocol is specifically designed to meet mobile messaging needs and handle encrypted messages across various devices.
Encryption Algorithm:
- AES-256 encryption: used to encrypt messages.
- RSA 2048-bit encryption: used for encryption key exchange.
- Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange: Used to establish secret chats over unsecured communication channels.
Secret Chats: Telegram offers “Secret Chats” that use end-to-end encryption for maximum security.
Although Telegram is encrypted, the MTProto protocol it uses is relatively new and has not undergone the same rigorous security evaluations as some widely accepted encryption protocols.
Additionally, because MTProto is not open source, independent experts cannot continuously examine its security. As a result, there are some doubts about its privacy encryption.
How to Use Telegram?
Before using Telegram, you need to download it.
1. Download the Telegram app
Telegram is available on various platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, Windows, Linux (64-bit and 32-bit), macOS, and as a Chrome browser extension.
Note:
Before using the desktop version, you must set up Telegram on the mobile app.
2. Register your phone number
After entering your phone number, Telegram will send you a text message with a verification code. Telegram will call your number if you don’t enter the code within three minutes.
3. Enter the SMS verification code
Enter the verification code you received via text message into the app.
4. Enter your display name
Telegram requires a name, but it doesn’t have to be your real name. This name will be your display name, but others will need your username to find your account.
Now that you can start using Telegram, let’s see what features are available:
1. Start a one-to-one chat on Telegram
Click the New Message button (pencil icon), select a contact, and start chatting with your friends.
2. Start a Telegram group conversation
You can create a new group conversation by clicking “New Group” and selecting multiple contacts from your contact list.
Telegram groups can contain up to 200,000 members but are not end-to-end encrypted.
3. Start a Telegram secret chat
Click the pencil icon and then click “New Secret Chat.” Select the contact you want to chat privately with.
The mobile phone’s screenshot function will be turned off during the secret chat, and messages sent during the secret chat cannot be forwarded to other users.
FAQ about Telegram
Is There Something Better Than Telegram?
Yes, there are many good chat apps on the market. Let me recommend a few alternatives to Telegram:
- WhatsApp: widely used, with end-to-end encryption.
- Viber: offers free encrypted calls and messages.
- Messenger: integrated with Facebook, suitable for social connections.
- Signal: highly secure, with strong privacy features.
- Threema: focuses on security and privacy; no phone number is required.
Is Telegram no longer Safe to Use?
Telegram is safe to use. Unfortunately, Telegram doesn’t provide end-to-end encryption for common private and group chats, which means the service can access and store your messages.
