What Is Telegram: Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

• Telegram is a highly versatile messaging app offering a range of features from secure messaging to advanced file sharing.
• Founded by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, Telegram prioritizes privacy and security, making it a popular choice worldwide.
• Telegram’s core features include text, voice, and video messaging, as well as unique tools like channels, groups, and bots.
• With nearly a billion users, Telegram continues to grow, driven by its commitment to user privacy and its innovative feature set.

Imagine sending a message across the world instantaneously that has the same sense of personalization as a handwritten letter. Telegram blends the speed of contemporary technology with the coziness of old-fashioned communication.

This messaging software offers sophisticated features like group chats, multimedia sharing, and security settings, all while enabling you to maintain real-time connections with friends, businesses, and communities.

Whether you’re catching up with a friend or following the latest crypto news, Telegram transforms everyday conversations into meaningful exchanges. 

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Telegram, covering everything from its core features to advanced functionalities. Whether you’re new to the app or looking to explore its deeper capabilities, Telegram offers a robust platform for secure and versatile communication.

Introduction To Messaging Apps

As of 2024, messaging apps have become tools for communication, offering instant connectivity across the globe. From basic text messaging to complex multimedia sharing, these apps provide users various options to stay connected. 

Popular platforms like WhatsApp, Discord, and Signal each have strengths, but one app that stands out for its blend of functionality and security is Telegram. With its focus on privacy and extensive features, Telegram has emerged as a leading choice for users seeking both versatility and security in a messaging app.

Telegram Explained

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that allows users to send text messages, voice and video calls, files, and multimedia while protecting their privacy. Launched in 2013, Telegram is known for its speed, security, and ability to handle large groups and channels, making it more than just a messaging app. 

It offers features like end-to-end encryption in secret chats, extensive file sharing, and the ability to create bots, making it a powerful tool for both personal and professional communication.

Who Created Telegram And Why?

Telegram was created by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai Durov in 2013. Pavel, often referred to as “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg” for founding VKontakte (VK), Russia’s largest social network, developed Telegram after facing significant government pressure in Russia. 

Durov’s refusal to comply with government demands for user data on VK led to his forced exit from the company and the country. Seeking to create a platform free from government interference, Pavel and Nikolai designed Telegram with a strong emphasis on privacy and security. 

Pavel’s commitment to these values has been unwavering, even in the face of legal challenges, such as his arrest in France in August 2024 over concerns about Telegram’s minimal content moderation. Despite these challenges, Telegram remains a platform dedicated to protecting user privacy while offering a robust set of communication tools.

Core Features Of Telegram

Here are the key features of Telegram:

Messaging: Text, Voice, And Video Messages

Telegram offers a full suite of messaging options, including text, voice, and video messages. Users can engage in one-on-one conversations or create groups for more collaborative discussions.

The app’s voice and video call quality are highly rated, and its ability to send large files sets it apart from many competitors.

Channels And Groups: Creating, Joining, And Managing

One of Telegram’s standout features is its support for large channels and groups. Channels allow users to broadcast messages to unlimited subscribers, while groups can host up to 200,000 members, making them ideal for community building and large-scale communications. 

Both channels and groups can be public or private, depending on the user’s preference.

Bots: What They Are And How To Use Them

Telegram bots are automated programs that can perform various tasks within the app, from providing news updates to managing tasks. These bots can be created by developers or used by any Telegram user to automate responses, manage groups, or integrate third-party services.

Privacy And Security: End-To-End Encryption, Privacy Settings

Telegram is renowned for its focus on privacy and security. 

Secret chats offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages are only accessible to the sender and recipient. Additionally, Telegram provides extensive privacy settings, allowing users to control who can see their phone number, profile picture, and online status.

Here’s how Telegram ensures privacy and security:

Secret Chats With End-to-End Encryption

Telegram’s Secret Chats feature uses end-to-end encryption, meaning that only the sender and the recipient can read the messages. These chats are not stored on Telegram’s servers, and messages cannot be forwarded. 

Additionally, users can set a self-destruct timer for messages to automatically delete after a certain period.

Privacy Settings Control

Telegram offers comprehensive privacy settings that let users control who can see their personal information:

• Phone number: One can choose who can see the phone number (Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody). There’s also an option to add exceptions for specific contacts or groups.
• Profile picture: A user can restrict who can view your profile picture, with similar options to limit it to Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody, and specify exceptions.
• Online status: A user can control who can see when you’re online or your last seen status, using the same privacy options. This allows you to maintain privacy while still using the platform.

Advanced Telegram Features

Telegram also have some additional features:

Secret Chats

For users needing extra security, Telegram offers Secret Chats, which are end-to-end encrypted and can self-destruct after a specified time. These chats are device-specific, meaning they aren’t stored in the cloud, further enhancing their security.

File Sharing

Telegram allows users to share files up to 2GB each, far surpassing the limits of most other messaging apps. This makes it a go-to app for users who need to transfer large files quickly and securely.

Customizing Telegram

Users can personalize their Telegram experience by adjusting themes, backgrounds, and chat settings. Telegram also supports custom stickers and emojis, adding a fun and personal touch to conversations.

Telegram For Business

Businesses can leverage Telegram’s features to communicate with customers, manage large groups or channels, and even automate customer service through bots. 

Telegram’s API allows for seamless integration with existing business tools, making it a powerful platform for enterprise use.

How Is Telegram Used In Crypto

Telegram is an essential tool in the crypto ecosystem, offering a versatile platform for communication, collaboration, education, and security. Its combination of real-time messaging, channels, groups, and bots makes it the go-to app for many crypto enthusiasts and professionals alike.

• Community building: Telegram hosts numerous crypto communities where enthusiasts, investors, and developers discuss projects, share insights, and stay updated on trends.
• Project announcements & AMAs: Crypto projects use Telegram for official announcements, updates, and conducting “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) sessions, allowing direct interaction between project teams and their communities.
• Crypto news & alerts: Channels provide real-time updates on market trends, price changes, and breaking news, helping users make informed decisions.
• Trading bots & portfolio management: Telegram bots assist with automated trading, price alerts, and tracking crypto portfolios, simplifying the management of investments.
• Networking & Collaboration: Telegram facilitates networking among crypto professionals, enabling partnerships, collaborations, and shared learning within the industry.
• Security & scam alerts: The platform is also used to raise awareness about potential scams, provide security updates, and help users protect their assets.

Getting Started With Telegram

How To Download And Install Telegram

Telegram is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Users can download the app from their respective app stores or directly from Telegram’s website. The installation process is straightforward, and users can sign up using their phone number.

Setting Up Your Account

After downloading Telegram, setting up an account is quick and easy. Users simply need to verify their phone number and create a profile. Telegram also allows users to set up usernames, which can be shared with others without revealing their phone number.

Basic Navigation And Interface

Telegram’s interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate through chats, groups, and settings. Users can quickly switch between conversations, access their contacts, and explore channels and bots.

Best Practices For Maintaining Telegram Account Security

To keep your Telegram account secure, it’s recommended to enable two-step verification, regularly review privacy settings, and be cautious about joining unknown groups or channels. Users should also stay updated on the latest Telegram features and security practices.

To ensure your Telegram account remains secure, consider implementing the following best practices:

• Enable two-step verification: Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a password in addition to the SMS verification code, making unauthorized access more difficult.
• Regularly review privacy settings: Regular checks on privacy settings control who can see the phone number, profile photo, and last seen status, adjusting them based on comfort level with information access.
• Be cautious of unknown groups and channels: Avoid joining groups or channels from unknown or suspicious sources, as these can sometimes be used to distribute malware or phishing attempts.
• Use a strong, unique password: Ensures the Telegram password is strong, combining letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoiding the same password across multiple platforms to prevent unauthorized access if compromised elsewhere.
• Monitor active sessions: Telegram allows viewing of all active sessions across devices. Regularly monitor this list to ensure no unauthorized logins. If any unfamiliar devices appear, terminate those sessions immediately.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Be wary of links sent in messages, especially from unknown contacts, as these could lead to phishing sites or trigger malware downloads.
• Set up self-destruct for secret chats: Use Telegram’s self-destruct timer for secret chats, which automatically deletes messages after a specified time, adding an extra layer of privacy.
• Keep the app updated: Always use the latest version of Telegram, as updates often include security patches that protect against the latest threats.
• Use Telegram on secure devices: Ensure the devices used for Telegram are secure, with up-to-date antivirus software and operating system updates, reducing the risk of malware or unauthorized access.
• Be mindful of sharing sensitive information: Even with Telegram’s robust security features, avoid sharing highly sensitive information unless absolutely necessary, especially in non-encrypted chats.

How To Contact Telegram Support

Telegram offers a variety of support options, including in-app support, FAQs, and an active community of users who can help with common issues. For more specific inquiries, users can reach out to Telegram’s support team directly through the app or via email.

Conclusion

Telegram is a powerful messaging app that has carved out a significant niche by prioritizing privacy, security, and user autonomy. Created by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, it offers a wide range of features that cater to both individual users and businesses, from secure messaging options to extensive customization capabilities. 

Despite facing challenges, including Pavel Durov’s arrest in France in 2024, Telegram continues to grow, driven by its commitment to maintaining a secure and private communication platform for nearly a billion users worldwide.

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About the Author

Andrew Kamsky

Andrew Kamsky is a writer and chart analyst, holding a degree in Economics and an ACCA certification. Andrew’s professional background spans roles at a Big Four accountancy firm, a fintech bank, and a chart analyst position at a listed bank focusing on foreign currency hedging. Beyond his financial career, Andrew is passionate about music, glass neon lights and travel.

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