F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems s about Skype security features and concerns.

s about Skype security features and concerns.

s about Skype security features and concerns.

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XxGrenidierXx
Posting Freak
813
08-20-2023, 09:36 PM
#1
Hi. I was reviewing my network equipment for any unusual activity or intrusions and noticed several IPs in my NAPT session. When I looked at the Windows Resource Monitor, it appeared those sessions were initiated by Skype. Why would Skype start them? None of the IP addresses match any of my contacts. Are others experiencing something similar? I’ve also attached screenshots of my router’s NAPT Session and Resource Monitor (Abhinav).
X
XxGrenidierXx
08-20-2023, 09:36 PM #1

Hi. I was reviewing my network equipment for any unusual activity or intrusions and noticed several IPs in my NAPT session. When I looked at the Windows Resource Monitor, it appeared those sessions were initiated by Skype. Why would Skype start them? None of the IP addresses match any of my contacts. Are others experiencing something similar? I’ve also attached screenshots of my router’s NAPT Session and Resource Monitor (Abhinav).

C
Chester09
Senior Member
491
08-20-2023, 11:27 PM
#2
Essentially, every Skype call is monitored and saved by major intelligence services like the NSA and GCHQ, along with likely others globally.
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Chester09
08-20-2023, 11:27 PM #2

Essentially, every Skype call is monitored and saved by major intelligence services like the NSA and GCHQ, along with likely others globally.

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shipflewup
Member
151
08-21-2023, 08:10 PM
#3
Skype security is essentially weak. There are no backdoors; the frontdoor is left wide open. I had an app last year that could potentially retrieve passwords from a username. It was extremely concerning. EDIT: Also OP, don’t worry about those IP addresses. Microsoft simply shares data with any intelligence agency upon request.
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shipflewup
08-21-2023, 08:10 PM #3

Skype security is essentially weak. There are no backdoors; the frontdoor is left wide open. I had an app last year that could potentially retrieve passwords from a username. It was extremely concerning. EDIT: Also OP, don’t worry about those IP addresses. Microsoft simply shares data with any intelligence agency upon request.

O
onezeny
Member
186
08-22-2023, 12:45 AM
#4
Probably Skype and ad servers are connected platforms.
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onezeny
08-22-2023, 12:45 AM #4

Probably Skype and ad servers are connected platforms.

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William_671
Junior Member
6
08-24-2023, 06:13 PM
#5
All communications between Skype users are secured using 256-bit encryption and RSA certificates of either 1536 or 2048 bits. This strong security makes Skype attractive to criminals since law enforcement can't easily intercept calls with a warrant. It operates as a peer-to-peer network, but it can leverage Skype servers to improve connection stability. This setup explains why some experience levels differ among users. The NSA has demonstrated the ability to compromise Skype's encryption since 2010, enabling them to eavesdrop on conversations in the United States prior to Microsoft acquiring the service in 2011. We lack details on how extensive their surveillance capabilities are for chat or voice data. Microsoft does block certain URLs for scams and phishing, though the exact methods remain unclear. As Skype traditionally avoids revealing backend specifics, it's possible that scanning URLs occurs at the software level before messages are sent. If scanning happens at the server side, it raises concerns because it could allow Microsoft to decrypt messages, potentially exposing a master key and undermining security. The IP addresses you see likely point to a middle server or ad servers in your P2P connection. Because Skype is inherently peer-to-peer, you can easily identify the IP of the person you're communicating with, which may enable illegal activities such as launching a DDOS attack or revealing server locations that impact other users—actions prohibited in the U.S. and Canada.
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William_671
08-24-2023, 06:13 PM #5

All communications between Skype users are secured using 256-bit encryption and RSA certificates of either 1536 or 2048 bits. This strong security makes Skype attractive to criminals since law enforcement can't easily intercept calls with a warrant. It operates as a peer-to-peer network, but it can leverage Skype servers to improve connection stability. This setup explains why some experience levels differ among users. The NSA has demonstrated the ability to compromise Skype's encryption since 2010, enabling them to eavesdrop on conversations in the United States prior to Microsoft acquiring the service in 2011. We lack details on how extensive their surveillance capabilities are for chat or voice data. Microsoft does block certain URLs for scams and phishing, though the exact methods remain unclear. As Skype traditionally avoids revealing backend specifics, it's possible that scanning URLs occurs at the software level before messages are sent. If scanning happens at the server side, it raises concerns because it could allow Microsoft to decrypt messages, potentially exposing a master key and undermining security. The IP addresses you see likely point to a middle server or ad servers in your P2P connection. Because Skype is inherently peer-to-peer, you can easily identify the IP of the person you're communicating with, which may enable illegal activities such as launching a DDOS attack or revealing server locations that impact other users—actions prohibited in the U.S. and Canada.

K
king_Rick_05
Member
180
09-08-2023, 07:26 AM
#6
Hmm, it seems you have two contacts, but none of the IP addresses align with theirs.
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king_Rick_05
09-08-2023, 07:26 AM #6

Hmm, it seems you have two contacts, but none of the IP addresses align with theirs.

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Error_Sans55
Member
245
09-13-2023, 03:42 PM
#7
They can run servers in between P2P connections. Skype uses them to boost call quality. When it checks how your call went, it lets Skype decide where to add more mid-point servers for better performance.
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Error_Sans55
09-13-2023, 03:42 PM #7

They can run servers in between P2P connections. Skype uses them to boost call quality. When it checks how your call went, it lets Skype decide where to add more mid-point servers for better performance.

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Totig1996
Junior Member
5
09-13-2023, 04:17 PM
#8
oh.. ok
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Totig1996
09-13-2023, 04:17 PM #8

oh.. ok