services:matrix:encryption
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services:matrix:encryption [2020/12/03 09:38] – created hamiltoc97 | services:matrix:encryption [2021/11/29 16:24] (current) – typo fix Sessin -> Session behrmj87 | ||
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+ | This is a section of the manual on how to use Element' | ||
+ | |||
===== End-to-End-encryption for Matrix on Element===== | ===== End-to-End-encryption for Matrix on Element===== | ||
- | |||
- | <note important> | ||
End-to-end encryption means that only the parties participating in a conversation are able to decrypt and read the messages that were send. Our server is not able to decrypt the messages that were sent, preventing third parties to read the messages. | End-to-end encryption means that only the parties participating in a conversation are able to decrypt and read the messages that were send. Our server is not able to decrypt the messages that were sent, preventing third parties to read the messages. | ||
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<note warning> | <note warning> | ||
- | ==== Upgrading encryption ==== | ||
- | This step is necessary if you have used encryption | + | ==== The somewhat short story ==== |
+ | |||
+ | Some chats you encounter will be encrypted. Direct conversations are encrypted by default and encryption | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Have one running session (in a browser on your computer, on your phone, wherever), so that new sessions can authenticate against | ||
+ | * have access to your recovery passphrase (that you should create when you first log in) to recover your encryption keys when you log into a new session and have no other running sessions to authenticate against. | ||
- | If you have used encryption before you will notice a small popup on the left side of the screen, asking you to upgrade. Click on the " | + | This means, that if you do have encrypted messages, e.g. in a direct |
- | This concludes the upgrade. You can now on read how to verify users in //*Verify a user//, or use encrypted chats without verification. | + | This may sound difficult, but it's not. Read on for what you need to do. |
==== Setting up encryption for the first time ==== | ==== Setting up encryption for the first time ==== | ||
- | When you log in to Element, it will ask you to set up encryption recovery. This step will make sure that you can share encrypted messages across all your devices and different sessions. If you do not wish to use encryption you can skip this step. However as encryption will be used by default we highly recommend setting up encryption. | + | When you haven' |
- | To setup encryption recovery | + | Below the list of active sessions, |
- | {{ : | + | {{ : |
- | **Optional** By default the server backs up your encryption keys, so you can recover your encrypted messages if you loose access | + | Click on **Set up** to start. You will be shown this menu |
- | Additionally you can download a recovery key, which you can use if you forget or loose the passphrase. | + | {{ : |
- | {{ : | + | By default the upper point (//Generate a Security Key//) is selected, but it's better to choose //Enter a Security Phrase//. What's the difference? |
- | ==== Verification ==== | + | * A //Security Key// is a long random key, that you probably won't be able to memorise. It's purpose is to be stored somewhere safe, e.g. in a password manager like KeePassXC. |
+ | * A //Security Phrase// is that: a phrase, something that you will (hopefully) be able to remember, because you choose it, e.g. by a [[https:// | ||
- | **This step is optional** **If you choose to not verify | + | Also, when you generate |
- | For end-to-end encryption to be really secure users have to verify they are talking to each other. To do this each user is verifying each their devices, and additionally verifies every user once. Every device another verified user verified themselves will be considered verified. | + | Once you click **Continue** you can enter your passphrase |
- | A user you did not verify will be displayed with a black shield next to their user icon: {{ : | + | {{ : |
- | A user you verified, but who did not verify all of their devices will be displayed with a red shield next to their user icon: {{ : | + | which you then need to confirm |
- | A user you verified and who verified all of their devices will be displayed with a red shield next to their user icon: {{ : | + | {{ : |
- | Example: Alice and Bob start a conversation in their logged in sessions. For the encryption to be secure they have to verify they are actually talking to each other. In Element this is done by comparing a list of emojis that are shown to both users. Alice requests a verification with Bob and they verify they get shown the same string of emojis. When Bob starts using a new session (e.g. using a different Browser/ | + | Afterwards you will be offered |
- | ==== Verify a user ==== | + | {{ : |
- | For this step to make sense you have to be able to communicate | + | And to finish the setup, |
- | To verify a user you open a chat you share with the user and click their name in the user side bar. | + | {{ : |
- | {{ : | + | After you're done with you can have a look at the settings again, where it will look like this if you were successful. |
- | Click on the verify link in the sidebar… | + | {{ : |
- | {{ : | + | This is also where you can start over - via the **Reset** button - if you forget your Security Phrase and/or lose your Security Key, but still have access to your session, because you never log out. |
+ | ==== Verifying a session ==== | ||
- | and click on the "Start Verification" | + | To access your messages from encrypted chats, e.g. direct conversations, |
- | {{ : | + | When logging in with a new device you will get prompted to verify it. |
- | The user you want to verify will see the request as a popup on the left and in the chat. | + | {{ : |
- | {{ :services: | + | The three options: |
+ | - **Use another login**, which will authenticate against a running session, e.g. on a phone or another computer. | ||
+ | - **Use Security Key or Phrase**, which works without another session, i.e. without another device, but you will need the Security Phrase or Key that you set up earlier. | ||
+ | - **Skip**, which skips authentication, | ||
- | You will then be presented with the verification options. Currently the only option is comparing | + | === Verifying |
- | If the user you are verifying with is shown the same string of emojis as you are, you can both click on "They match" to complete | + | This is conceptually |
- | {{ : | + | {{ : |
- | ==== Verify a session ==== | + | If you enter either correctly, you will be greeted by this happy screen |
- | To access your encryption history and for other users to verify you it is necessary to verify a new session. To verify a session you can either confirm a new session from an existing session or enter your recovery passphrase. | + | {{ : |
- | When logging in with a new device you will get prompted to verify it. | + | === Verifying |
- | {{ : | + | If you are logged into another session, e.g. on your phone, it's easiest to click **Use another login**. There are multiple ways how this is handled, which depends on where the other session is running, e.g. Element on phones will allow you to do this via scanning a QR code. All methods do require, though, that you have the device where the other session is running on //at hand// otherwise the whole process will block waiting for you to do something on the other device, which is hard to do, if it's far away. |
- | If you are logged into another session there will be a popup asking you to verify | + | One method that is always available is comparing emoji shown on both devices. First you will be asked on the device with an already authenticated session whether |
{{ : | {{ : | ||
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{{ : | {{ : | ||
- | Select to continue and you will be asked for a verification method. Currently the only option is to compare a sting of emojis. | + | Select to continue and you will be asked for a verification method. |
{{ : | {{ : | ||
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{{ : | {{ : | ||
- | Confirm the emojis match on both devices to complete verifying the session. | + | Confirm the emojis match on both devices to complete verifying the session and you get the happy result of a verified |
- | Alternatively you can select to verify a session by using your recovery passphrase: | + | {{ :services: |
- | {{ : | ||
==== Deleting a session ==== | ==== Deleting a session ==== | ||
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{{ : | {{ : | ||
- | ===== Usage tips ===== | ||
- | | + | ==== Verifying a user ==== |
- | * You can highlight messages for certain users by mentioning | + | |
- | * The little symbols to the right of messages are read markers. | + | **This step is optional** **If you choose to not verify a user there will be a black shield displayed next to their user icon** {{ : |
- | * Messages can be formatted in Markdown (tables are unfortunately not supported | + | |
- | * You can share images | + | For end-to-end encryption to be really secure |
- | * Emojis can be typed by starting with a colon '' | + | |
- | * Messages can be edited after sending them. Use the context menu when hovering over a message. | + | A user you did not verify will be displayed with a black shield next to their user icon: {{ : |
- | * You can reply to messages, | + | |
- | * You can react to messages. Use the smilie context menu when hovering over a message. | + | A user you verified, but who did not verify all of their devices will be displayed with a red shield next to their user icon: {{ : |
- | | + | |
+ | A user you verified and who verified all of their devices will be displayed with a red shield next to their user icon: {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Example: Alice and Bob start a conversation in their logged in sessions. For the encryption to be secure they have to verify they are actually talking to each other. In Element this is done by comparing a list of emojis that are shown to both users. Alice requests a verification with Bob and they verify they get shown the same string of emojis. When Bob starts using a new session (e.g. using a different Browser/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | For this step to make sense you have to be able to communicate with the other user in a way that makes sure you are actually talking to ****them****. For this we recommend video/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | To verify a user you open a chat you share with the user and click their name in the user side bar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Click on the verify link in the sidebar… | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | and click on the "Start Verification" | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ :services: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The user you want to verify | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | You will then be presented with the verification options. Currently | ||
+ | |||
+ | If the user you are verifying with is shown the same string of emojis as you are, you can both click on "They match" | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== I've lost all my keys! What now? ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sometimes it happens. Your computer and phone die at the same time and those were the only clients you were logged in at and you didn't save your passwordmanager database (hopefully you are using one) where you store your recovery keys or recovery passphrase to any other device. What now? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, all your encrypted | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | on the verification dialog after login and instead of entering your security phrase or key, which you've lost, click the **Reset all** link on the bottom, next to //Forgotten or lost all recovery methods?// | ||
+ | |||
+ | You will then be asked to confirm | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | And clicking **Reset** will sign out of all your old sessions and delete all keys, followed by guiding you through | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== I'm asked to authenticate every time I open my browser. What am I doing wrong? ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | You will need to reauthenticate (that means: type in your recovery passphrase or use another session to authenticate your new one) whenever you log out of [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | On Firefox you can do this on the //Privacy & Security// page of the settings in the section //Cookies and Site Data//. If you have checked //Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed//, this is the reason for needing to reauthenticate after every time you close Firefox. Click the //Manage Exceptions// |
services/matrix/encryption.txt · Last modified: 2021/11/29 16:24 by behrmj87