Instead of simply being a messaging platform, Telegram stands out as an innovative application idea with safe and amazing features. As a result, Telegram allows you to join groups based on your interests, much like Facebook, while messaging, voice, and video calling, like WhatsApp, are also available.
The Telegram app supports files up to 2 GB, similar to Slack or Discord. If you wish, you can integrate third-party applications with your Telegram account.
In his speech in 2021, Nikolai Durov, one of the founders of Telegram, emphasized that Telegram does not have partners with high-profit expectations, and their income is not dependent on the advertising sponsorship of some companies.
Due to Telegram’s independence from large technology companies and its low-profit expectations, it has continued its rapid, steady rise since 2013. Today, Telegram has almost a billion users and is poised to challenge WhatsApp.
Let’s learn more about Telegram by exploring some questions such as; What is Telegram? Is Telegram safe to use? How to use Telegram effectively? and more…
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging service developed by two Russian programmers in 2013. You can access end-to-end encrypted Telegram chat, voice and video calls, file sharing up to 2GB, and bot development through this application.
With over 700 million users, Telegram launched its premium service in June 2022. Users can now open four accounts with Telegram premium. Furthermore, the maximum file size has been increased from 2GB to 4GB in the premium version, and the download speed has also been improved.
Telegram is an open-source application. All Telegram app source codes are available on GitHub. The features of the Telegram messenger are the same on all operating systems. Through Telegram’s desktop applications, you can also make voice or video calls. Below are links to Telegram messenger app versions for different operating systems.
- Mobile Android iPhone and iPad
- Android
- iPhone and iPad
- Desktop Windows/ Mac/Linux
- Windows/
- Mac/
- Linux
- Web Telegram WebKWebZ H2-
- Telegram WebK
- WebZ H2-
Telegram uses the End to End (E2EE) encryption system. So what is this E2EE?
E2EE is a password that is generated between two users in this system, and it cannot be seen by anyone else.
Email providers, for instance, use encryption systems, but their systems allow service providers to access the password and the content at any time.
In the E2EE system, a public key is instantly generated for each individual. As an example, when someone wants to send you a message, they use your public key to encrypt the message. So only you can open that message. It is not possible for anyone else, even the telegram itself, to decipher this key.
Telegram is a highly secure messaging program. You can send messages in two different ways, standard and secret. Both ways implement high-security encryption. However, the standard messaging protocol does not use end-to-end encryption. Therefore, the secret message feature can be used for this purpose. It is quite simple to send a secret message. You can follow the instructions below:
- Click on the profile picture of the person you want to send a secret message to, Then click on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner. Finally, click on the “Start Secret Chat” icon.
Secret messages are not stored on the Telegram cloud system but only on the devices that the user is currently using. Therefore, even the telegram itself cannot reach these messages. In addition, it is not possible to access your secret messages from other devices.
In Telegram’s standard messaging system, your messages are stored in the cloud and accessible from any device. The Telegram platform has its own unique structure. The app is very similar to WhatsApp but has very different features.
- The purpose of both applications was to send text messages, so both offer very high-quality services in this regard.
- In WhatsApp, automatic end-to-end encryption is applied to all messages, but in Telegram, it is only applied to secret messages. For standard messages, Telegram uses a different encryption method.
- WhatsApp saves all messages to the cloud, while Telegram only saves non-confidential messages. Telegram stores secret messages on users’ devices.
- In Telegram, you can set a certain time limit for messages to expire. The process is automated in WhatsApp, but you cannot set an expiration time.
- The Telegram app uses nicknames for communication and allows users to hide their identity or phone number. On WhatsApp, on the other hand, you cannot use different nicknames, but with the latest updates, you can hide your identity or phone number.
- Here’s how you can change your Telegram username.
1- Login to Telegram and select Settings,
2- Go to the top of the page and click the domain name,
3- Click the username tab to change your username. As soon as you give your approval, the process will be complete.
- Telegram lets you create “bots” using standard APIs. However, these “bots” are not subject to end-to-end encryption. Third-party applications are more secure on WhatsApp as WhatsApp automatically uses end-to-end encryption.
- Telegram offers a wide variety of features. You can either join a group related to your interests and share from there, or you can develop your own artificial intelligence robot using standard APIs.
- You can even get paid by integrating your payment accounts into Telegram. You should, of course, pay attention to some Telegram security criteria when using these features.
- Choose two-factor authentication for your account. The unauthorized user will be forced to verify by voice or text if they try to take over your account. This can be done through Settings-Privacy-Two-Step Verification.
- Be sure to set a strong password for your login. Passwords with different characters and numbers are quite difficult to crack.
- Whenever necessary, utilize the secret Telegram chats feature. Chats are encrypted between users, and information is stored only on the devices of the users. You can therefore protect your messages even if others have your password.
- Using a VPN means an extra layer of security. Whenever needed, you can use this feature.
- You should keep an eye on the Settings-Privacy-Security-Active Sessions as well. This will let you know if any other devices have opened your account.
- If you come across an unknown or suspicious login, change your two-step verification password.
- When you register for Telegram, you may choose to use a virtual phone number. However, it should not be a one-time virtual number. The virtual number is very secure since only you know it.
Governments cannot access Telegram information. Among the most obvious examples of this are the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015. According to EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation-EFF), Telegram’s standard settings are 4 out of 7, and the secret chat application is 7 out of 7.
The EEF evaluated 37 leading messaging applications around the world, and only seven were rated 7 out of 7. Facebook and WhatsApp are not included among these 7 apps.
Both applications use a user-to-user encryption system that ensures they are very secure. In Telegram, the encryption is applied only when the secret messaging feature is activated, whereas WhatsApp automatically applies it to all messages.
Another difference is that Telegram does not store secret messages in the cloud. These messages are, therefore, inaccessible even by Telegram. WhatsApp, on the other hand, stores all messages in the cloud.
Sending and receiving messages with Telegram is extremely secure. However, via Telegram bots, hackers can infiltrate users’ computers and hack their bank accounts. When using Telegram bots, make sure they come from reliable sources.
Using Telegram’s secret message feature, you can safely send pictures. Additionally, it is not difficult to capture your pictures even if you do not use the secret message feature. However, third-party bots may not provide safe posts.
Telegram bots allow users to access different services on Telegram easily. There is no legal connection between these apps and Telegram. That bot can only see messages sent through the bot. Furthermore, bot messages are not encrypted end-to-end.
Telegram channels are secure channels. However, the messages made in these channels are not subject to the end-to-end cryptosystem. However, you can send a message via Telegram secret chat to a specific account in the group.
Due to Telegram safe platform, it is also preferred for e-commerce. Dozens of companies such as Entrepreneur Business, Populum, Apps Lab, and The Travel Secret prefer Telegram to communicate with their customers. Telegram bots can help you track order status, cargo, cancellation, and return processes.
Due to the fact that Telegram is an open-source program, users are concerned about its security. The opposite is actually true, however. According to cyber security experts, due to Telegram’s open-source code, security vulnerabilities are more visible to the public.
Moreover, Telegram’s use of the E2EE cryptosystem for mutual messaging and the fact that these messages are not stored in the cloud system makes it more reliable.