Microsoft Won't Say If Skype Is Secure Or Not. Time To Change?

jetcityorange writes "When asked repeatedly a Microsoft spokesperson refused to confirm or deny that Skype conversations [could be monitored]. Microsoft was granted a patent a month after purchasing Skype that covers 'legal intercept' technology designed to be used with VOIP services. Is it time to consider more secure alternatives like Jitsi like Tor's Jacob Appelbaum suggests?"

Re:Seriously?

[houstonbofh]

I guess that is why the OP mentioned Jitsi. That and a server of several different types, or direct site to site, and there is no "service."

Could a 3rd party wrap Skype?

[5ynic]

Here's my question - I'm hoping some knowledgeable slashdotter with some IP nouse can clear up my confusion. Are there any technical, or any legal reasons, why a 3rd party app cannot simply wrap Skype, at least for voice calls (leave video aside for now). Lots of 3rd party apps present as printers to the OS, and when you print to that virtual printer, they create an eps file or a PDF file or whatever.... Why is it hard for a 3rd party app, similarly, to present as a headset (mic + speakers) to the OS, allowing the user to run Skype as well as the 3rd part VOIP app, and select that headset in the Skype audio options. You could then run your 3rd party VOIP solution, and have Skype set up to start in the background. calls in either direction to others on Skype could be handled transparently in the 3rd party VOIP app, and that would give users the chance to gradually get their network of friends and family swapped over to open, standards compliant VOIP solutions, without having to give up on contact with those running Skype (face it, that's everyone), or switch between 2 apps for calls (I understand the API already exposes things like accept call...) If this is a viable way to overcome the powerful networking externailities that Skype now has working in its favour as a barrier to new entrants, has it not been done because of a)legal b)technical c)marketing or d)other issues?

Re:If there is a third party...

[Parafilmus]

You keep telling yourself that, if it makes you feel better.

What do you mean?

He means he doesn't understand public key cryptography.

They dont have to decrypt it for it to be useful

[Viol8]

Just knowing who you're talking to can be all the info they need.