How to Install and Use Signal Messenger on Linux for Enhanced Privacy

Introduction

Signal is an open‑source, end‑to‑end encrypted messaging application available for smartphones (iOS/Android) and desktop platforms (Linux, Windows, macOS). It is recommended by privacy advocates such as Edward Snowden as a more secure alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram.

Key Security Features

Disappearing messages : Users can set a timer for messages so they are automatically deleted after the specified period.

Default SMS app : Signal can be configured as the default SMS/MMS handler on Android devices via its settings.

Screen security : An optional "screen security" setting prevents screenshots of any conversation within the app.

Safety number : Users can verify encryption integrity by viewing and scanning each contact’s safety number.

Locked messages : When the app is locked with a PIN or biometric, incoming notifications show only "locked message" without revealing content.

Installation on Ubuntu/Linux

Signal does not provide a .deb or AppImage package, so installation must follow the official repository instructions using the terminal.

Run the following commands one after another:

curl -s https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt/keys.asc | sudo apt-key add -

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list

sudo apt update && sudo apt install signal-desktop

After the commands complete, the Signal desktop client will be installed and ready to use.

Personal Assessment

While Signal may lack some features found in Telegram or WhatsApp, its strong focus on privacy makes it a solid choice for users who prioritize security. The user experience is functional, and the app supports biometric authentication and other privacy‑enhancing options.

Source: Linux公社 Link: https://www.linuxidc.com/Linux/2020-01/161924.htm