Skype Security Linked to Architecture


Skype's security is integrally linked to its architecture. Because Skype employs supernodes and relay hosts, all voice calls, chat messages, and file transfers are encrypted end to end to ensure privacy. As a result, Skype's network traffic cannot be intercepted and decoded while in transit. Currently, Skype is the only Internet voice application provider that uses strong encryption to protect network traffic.

Although Skype does offer a private communication channel, it also runs on mass-market operating systems, so it does not provide a secure computing platform in the strictest meaning of the definition; neither is it a secure file storage solution.

Skype provides an operational level of security or privacy for Skype users in the context of the security provided by Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Pocket PC, Linux, and the other operating systems on which the Skype application runs.

The term secure computing platform refers to a computing platform that meets technical criteria about how information is transmitted, received, handled, and stored such that high-value or high-risk transactions can be handled securely. In most instances, these platforms are expensive, specialized hardware incorporating built-in cryptography.

Although Skype does not guarantee complete anonymity or secrecy, it does provide transport-layer security (described next in this appendix) to ensure that message content traveling over the Skype network on the Internet cannot be tapped or intercepted (and, as a result, will not end up at unauthorized destinations).

At this printing, there are no regulations governing law enforcement's ability to listen in on computer-to-computer voice calls. There are regulations regarding communications over traditional phone networks, however. If law-enforcement officials want to listen to a SkypeIn or SkypeOut call, they can approach the traditional phone network termination providers to request access to calls routed to or from the traditional phone networks.




Skype. The Definitive Guide
Skype: The Definitive Guide
ISBN: 032140940X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 130

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net