Skype

About
Classification |  Communication
Type |  Videoconferencing, instant messaging, and VoIP
Creator(s) |  Priit Kasesalu and Jaan Tallinn
Developer(s) |  Microsoft Corporation
First Release |  August 29, 2003
Development status |  Active
License |  Free Use (Adware) or Paid
Website |  skype.com

Requirements
R.A.M. | Windows: 512MB (RT requires 1GB), GNU/Linux: 256MB, Mac: 1GB, Android: 32MB[1]

Skype is an internet \- telecommunications company and software (App) which allows people to make telephone calls over the internet called VoIP along with Instant messaging and video chat computers or smartphones and tablets.[2] Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis and is now owned by Microsoft.[3]

They also allow one to exchange files and images, send video messages and create conference calls. Skype software works on computers running Microsoft Windows, Mac or Linux, as well as Android, Blackberry, Apple iOS and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets.

In January 2011 after releasing video calling on the Skype client for iPhone, Skype attained a world record 27 million simultaneous online users.[4] and by 21 January 2013, Skype had more than 50 million concurrent users online.[5]

## Contents

* 1 Services
* 2 Security and Privacy of Skype
* 3 See also
* 4 References
* 5 External links

## Services[edit]

Sykpe offers a variety of services. These include free video calling for private use, Skype-to-phone calls (for a fee), and commercial solutions including Lync and Skype for Business. These latter commercial options include conference call hosting.

## Security and Privacy of Skype[edit]

Kurt Sauer, Skype's Chief Security Officer in an interview, "We provide a safe communication option. I will not tell you whether we can listen or not."[6] This didn't deny the fact revealed by Edward Snowden in June 2013 that the NSA monitors Skype conversations both international and domestic. The Skype software uses a non-open source proprietary protocol. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is worried about privacy issues caused by proprietary software and protocols, thus they have made the development of a secure Skype replacement alternative one of their projects of high priority.[7]

## See also[edit]

* VoIP
* Microsoft
* Telephone \- Cellular phone

## References[edit]

1. ↑ https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10328/what-are-the-system-requirements-for-skype
2. ↑ Ben Markton (17 April 2014). Skype. CNET. Retrieved on December 8, 2014.
3. ↑ Andreas Thomann (6 September 2006). Skype – A Baltic Success Story. credit-suisse.com. Retrieved on December 8, 2014.
4. ↑ Skype Hits New Record of 27 Million Simultaneous Users. Retrieved on December 8, 2014.
5. ↑ 50 million concurrent users online. Retrieved on December 8, 2014.
6. ↑ ZDNet.de. Telefonieren übers Internet: Wie sicher ist Skype wirklich? – Telekommunikation | Mobile Business. ZDNet.de. Retrieved on December 8, 2014.
7. ↑ "FSF High Priority Projects", Free Software Foundation. Accessed December 8, 2014.

## External links[edit]

* https://www.skype.com
* Rushe, Dominic. "Skype's secret Project Chess reportedly helped NSA access customers' data." The Guardian. 20 June 2013.
* Latest Products."Skype Launches Video Messaging For Free"