How safe is Skype?

Skype remains to be one of the most popular programs for communication in a wide range of countries. Being one of the first messengers which offered an opportunity to make audio and video calls for free, the program still holds the leading positions among the other modern tools for these purposes. Currently, the app has been actively used by over 300 million people worldwide. Therefore, the program’s highest security level is one of the top priorities for Skype developers. Is Skype safe? Let’s try to find the answer to this question.

The process of registration

When you create a Skype account, you need to download certain software to your device. The service is available for Windows PCs, Macs, iOS and Android devices as well as for Windows Phones. The program is completely safe to use, since it can’t negatively affect your computer, laptop, tablet or phone.

During the process of registration, you will be required to create a unique username and password. This is made for user’s authentication. Your username and password will be stored on your device and Skype servers.

According to recent data, the program’s video, voice, messages and file transfers are encrypted. This feature securely protects your personal communication from eavesdropping by malicious users. Each time you are establishing a call, the app automatically creates a 256-bit AES encryption key, which is unique for each session. This key can be used only by you and your current collocutor. Moreover, this information is not sent to the program’s servers and is available to only those parties who are engaged in the call.

Note: The program is not able to encrypt calls to the mobile phones or landlines. However, most calls are made Skype-to-Skype.

What information does Skype record?

The application stores the details about all of your calls (but not the calls themselves) in the “History” file that is located on the user’s device. Therefore, make sure not to compromise the security of your PC, smartphone or tablet.

How to use Skype safely

• Use long and safe passwords. Your password should be unique and include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, characters and numbers. The longer and more complicated pass you have, the more secure it is. However, if you use a long password, make sure to remember it. It is also recommended to have different passwords on different websites as well as regularly change your Skype pass.
• Protect your computer. Make sure to use anti-virus systems, avoid opening any suspicious attachments in your email, use firewall and be careful with downloading third-party software.
• Update your Skype regularly. This is also important, because the program’s developers regularly improve software security.
• Avoid writing private information in your Skype profile. Your profile can be seen by millions of other users. Therefore, don’t put too many personal details in your account.
• Don’t reply to any contact, call or screen sharing request from contacts you don’t know. Just press the Decline button in case you face some suspicious propositions.
• Use a parental control for kids. This way, you will be able to manage who your children communicate with.

Skype is encrypted using the highest security standards and remains to be a completely safe program. Being a reliable tool for chats and calls, Skype takes care of privacy and confidentiality of its users.