Skype security

Skype is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system developed by Skype Technologies S.A. It is a peer-to-peer network where voice calls pass over the Internet rather than through a special-purpose network. Skype users can search for other users and send them messages.[1]

Skype reports that it uses 256 bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)/ Rijnadel encryption to communicate between Skype clients; although when calling a telephone or mobile, the part of the call over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is not encrypted.[2][3] User public keys are certified by the Skype server at login with 1536-bit or 2048-bit RSA certificates. Skype's encryption is inherent in the Skype Protocol and is transparent to callers. Some private conversations through Skype such as audio calls, text messages, and file sending (image, audio, or video) can make use of end-to-end encryption, but it may have to be manually turned on.[4]

  1. ^ Jill Savege Scharff (2013). Psychoanalysis Online: Mental Health, Teletherapy, and Training. Karnac Books. p. 183. ISBN 978-1-78049-154-7.
  2. ^ "Does Skype use encryption?". Skype Support. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  3. ^ Lynn Hathaway (June 2003). "National Policy on the Use of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to Protect National Security Systems and National Security Information" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  4. ^ "What are Skype Private Conversations? | Skype Support". support.skype.com. Retrieved 2022-01-26.