Telegram Exposes User IP Addresses During Calls, Security Expert Warns
Telegram, a widely used messaging service, has a security flaw that could potentially expose a user’s IP address, according to a cybersecurity expert. Denis Simonov, also known as n0a, discovered this vulnerability and demonstrated it by connecting his Telegram account to a program. TechCrunch confirmed the validity of the flaw by retrieving the IP address used for the experiment.
Despite its reputation as a secure messaging service with 700 million users worldwide, Telegram may not be as secure as other end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal, according to several cybersecurity experts.
Users of Telegram are at risk because the app has always revealed IP addresses during audio calls. However, many new and less tech-savvy users may not be aware of this. Denis Simonov emphasized the importance of understanding the subtleties of voice conversations on Telegram to ensure security. He stated, “An unprepared person can easily reveal his IP address to his interlocutor if he does not know about it.”
The IP address leak is caused by Telegram’s use of a peer-to-peer connection between callers to improve audio quality and reduce latency. Unlike other chat apps, this direct connection requires both callers to know each other’s IP addresses. Calls from individuals not in the user’s contact list are sent to obfuscated IP addresses via Telegram’s servers.
Telegram has faced security and data privacy issues in the past. In August, the messaging app was temporarily blocked in Iraq at the ISP level due to “national security concerns” and alleged data leaks.
To prevent IP address leakage on Telegram, experts recommend going to the app’s settings, selecting Privacy and Security, and choosing “Never” from the Peer-to-Peer option. Alternatively, users can use a virtual private network (VPN) to conceal their IP address, although this may be illegal in some regions.
Setting up a Telegram proxy server is another method to hide IP addresses while using the app. Unlike most VPN providers, this method is free. Users can follow the steps provided in an Android Police article to set up the proxy server.
It is crucial for Telegram users to be informed about these security measures in order to protect their privacy and data. By taking these precautions, users can ensure a safer messaging experience on Telegram.
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