FAQs

This could be happening due to the following reasons:

1- You received a message with an attachment that your device is not able to process due to lack of high connectivity. In this case, simply delete the message from your inbox and ask your contact to resend the file; then try opening the message again. If the issue persists, please contact support@squealock.com

2- You probably updated to a latest version of Squealock which might have required that you completely uninstall the old one first. It could also be because your old private key is still stored on your device, and cannot be used to decrypt messages received from someone using the latest app version. To resolve this problem, keep trying exchanging a few messages with your contact to see if the issue goes away after a couple of tries. If it doesn't, simply uninstall the app, and then reinstall it and login using the same credentials, and voilà! You should then be able to exchange messages with other users without the app crashing when you open a received message. If your recipients can't open your messages after you reinstall the application, simply make sure they uninstall and reinstall as well, then have them message you after they log back into the system.

This issue is mainly due to a network issue. On the second or third try, it usually works fine. If the issue persists however, please send us a message at support@squealock.com.

Here is why this may be happening:

When your message sender is experiencing poor Wi-Fi or data connectivity while the message is being sent; simply turning the Wi-Fi or phone data off and back on should resolve this issue, once they resend the message.

When you message an iOS user and they take a screenshot of your message, you will receive a notification that tells you who took the screenshot. Such notification is not related to a new message, but rather to simply inform you of the screenshot.

If the notification you are seeing is not screenshot related however, it may be to data connectivity. In that case, simply exit the Inbox page, close the app, and return to it. You message should then appear. We do recommend that you wait a few seconds after you access the "Inbox" page in some cases, for your message to load.

When you upload a file, it doesn't actually appear in the message field, but will be delivered once you press the "Send" icon. Please note that you are currently not able to directly attach pictures from Google Drive, Dropbox or other similar services. You will need to download the picture onto your device first, and then proceed to attach it to your message from there. If the file is too big, you will see a warning and won't be able to attach it.

Without disclosing too much (the bad guys may be reading this), let's just say we generate a random key for the military-grade encryption we are using (AES-256), and encrypt the message text. We then lock everything with the receiver's public key, and send it securely to the server. In addition to encrypting the message with the recipient's public key, the sender's SLID ( unique identifier) is also used in authenticating the sender, to prevent spoofing using the public key alone. The recipient then securely fetches the message, then decrypts the message with their private key which is stored on their device. So, even if someone (including us) manages to gain access to our servers , they still won't be able to decrypt your messages while in transit. We do not permanently keep encrypted messages on our servers once they are delivered and read by your recipients, as they also self-desruct.

This issue could be due to your phone not having a strong internet connection. Also if you are using Wi-Fi, try turning it OFF and then back ON if you have a data plan on your phone, to see if the issue gets resolved. If it doesn't, please try and reboot your wireless router or try connecting to other secure Wi-Fi hotspots; or email support@squealock.com for further assistance.

This issue is due to poor data or Wi-Fi connectivity either one your end or on the caller's end. Simply turn your connection OFF and back ON to see if this issue is resolved, or contact support@squealock.com for assistance.

First, make sure you have enabled video by pressing the video icon on the call interface. if this doesn't solve the problem, you are likely experiencing a poor internet connectivity issue, in which case the screen defaults a voice call screen, even during video calls.

1- Once you log into the application, simply access the app's settings page, then press "Change my user ID".

2- On the next screen, enter your current user ID in the "Old user ID" field, your current password and your new user ID of choice in their respective fields, then press "Change ID".

Upon registration, you will be shown a randomly generated code which you should keep in a safe place, as it is required to change or reset your password. If you have this code, simply press the "Forgot password" option on the login screen and follow the instructions to get your password changed.

If you did not save this random code, you will unfortunately not be able to reset your password. Our team can't help with this either, as all server data is encrypted with randomly generated keys.

Because messages sent through Squealock self-destruct once read, we determined that limiting the text to 100 characters would give users adequate time to read the whole message before this happens.

Squealock is mostly used by business people who don't have time to read long text messages all day; so limiting characters forces contacts to keep it short and straight to the point.

Finally, there are also some security benefit in limiting the characters to a 100, as your identify could nowadays be revealed by your keystrokes (the way you type) the longer you type, if your device happens to be infected with a keylogger .

This occurs because of poor Wi-Fi or data connection, or as a result of too many devices being connected to the same data source. To resolve this issue, simply terminate the call, disconnect and reconnect your Wi-Fi or data connection, then ask the caller to try calling again. If the issue persists, simply reset your Wi-Fi or data source to see if it helps.

Stealth Messenger is currently not open source. However, if you are considering using Squealock as secure messaging solution for your organization, we can make the code available for review once certain requirements are met.

What's more, the application has already been thoroughly vetted by digital forensic and cybersecurity experts, and no usable information has ever been recovered. It is also worth noting that analyzing only the source code in vetting encryption software is never good enough, simply because one would be assuming the published version of the application hasn't been altered, which may not be the case. The same goes for codes that have been audited by reputable organizations, as ongoing future changes may inadvertently result in new vulnerabilities.

Squealock is fully funded by our beloved users who subscribe to the service in support of our vision. We therefore do not answer to anyone but our users! Our revenue from subscriptions helps us cover business and development costs, as we continue to add more features to the app, the latest being the encrypted video conferencing with up to 8 participants. Protecting your privacy also means not selling ads or adding third party SDKs that may spy on you. We have so far kept away from shady investors and grants with some strings attached, and we intend to keep it that way with your continued support.

We will be release a group chat option inside Stealth Messenger by the end of 2020.

If we as a society have learned anything over the past few months, it is that encryption is more crucial than ever. If hackers can manage to get into high level politicians’ email accounts, they could certainly do the same to anyone. Just as there isn't a ban on all guns for fear a terrorist could easily acquire one, encryption products are essential in protecting your constitutional right to privacy. We understand people's concerns in making encryption products like Squealock available to the public, and work proactively to address them. We actively monitor live users by posing as regular users on the platform, to ensure they are abiding by our rules, and make it easy for our users to report anyone who adds offensive, violent or hateful narratives to their profile.

There are definitely some solid secure communication clients on the market. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated through spoofing and phishing, Squealock Systems has been also focused on shrinking your digital footprint (metadata), and preventing your messages from being used as evidence against you, or for blackmailing. The Squealock secure messaging client accomplishes that by collecting the least amount of data (also encrypted on server) possible and allowing users to communicate using their own user IDs that can be changed at anytime, with no phone number, email or contact list access requirements. Squealock' s Signature Selective Blocking allows you to have full control over who can have access to you, and what files they are able to send you.

Squealock Systems's proprietary Changeable user ID and selective blocking functionalities are only available in our secure messaging client. What's more, the Squealock messaging client does not keep logs of any conversation, and destroys all traces of messages once they are read, or when not read by your recipient within 8 days.

If you are unable to log into your account, first check and make sure you are entering the correct user ID and password. You can also reset your password, if forgotten.

If you are using an Android device, and believe this is not the issue,
-Try rebooting your device by turning it OFF and then back ON
- Check your phone to see if data is enabled.
-If using WI-FI, go to Settings > Wi-Fi. From the menu button choose "Advanced" Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep, and make sure it is set to Always or Only when plugged in

If you are using an iOS device, -Try rebooting your device by turning it OFF and then back ON - Check your phone to see if data is enabled. -If using WI-FI, go to Settings > Wi-Fi , and check if you are connected to the right network.

If you are still having issues after trying these steps, please contact your mobile provider so they can help you determine whether your connection is correctly set up on your phone.