What is Skype?
Skype is a free program that uses the latest P2P technology to bring affordable and high-quality voice communications to people all over the world.
How do you pronounce the word Skype?
Skype rhymes with ripe and type.
How does it work?
When you use the free Skype software, you can connect to other Skype users so that you can talk and chat. Behind the scenes,cutting edge p2p technology manages the connection for you.
How do I get it?
Just click here to download Skype, the download should take only a few minutes depending on your connection speed - and installation is a snap!
Is Skype available for Mac OS, Linux, Palm OS, Pocket PC..?
Currently, Skype is only available for Windows 2000 and XP. Stay tuned for more information about other platforms.
Can I use Skype with Windows 98 or Windows ME?
Because it hasn't been fully tested, we have not yet certified Skype for use with these operating systems. Skype may work with Windows 98 or ME but we cannot yet guarantee compatibility. Some WinME/9x video (and possibly other) drivers tend to use 100% of processor for their needs for relatively long periods of time. This can cause the audio quality to degrade significantly. In addition, WinME/9x does not offer full unicode support, which means that some things may not display properly. Skype does not work on WinNT at the moment. We may support these platforms in the future and will make any future announcements on our website.
What does it cost?
During the beta period Skype is free and helps us to refine and improve our product. Eventually, some features and services of Skype will require a paid subscription or prepayment. Our ambition is to keep the basic functionality of Skype (PC to PC calls) free. More information will be provided once our beta program is complete.
Why is Skype better than Net2Phone, ICQ, AIM, MSN, etc.?
Because it works! Most Voice-over-IP applications don’t work from behind firewalls and NAT (Network Address Translation) devices. Nearly all broadband users are behind a NAT or firewall and so they cannot use VoIP applications. Skype is not a typical VoIP application - it's P2P Telephony! Because of its advanced design, Skype works behind nearly any firewall and NAT!
High Call Completion Rate
No other Internet telephony system has a call completion rate as high as that of Skype.
Superior Sound Quality
Current Voice over IP and chat applications just don’t measure up. Skype has created proprietary software and partnered with the best acoustic scientists in the business to deliver sound quality superior to even your fixed telephone line!
Extremely Easy to Use
Current Voice-over-IP applications are difficult to configure and it seems the provider assumes its users are experts in engineering. With Skype there is no difficult configuration of hardware or software. You shouldn’t have to work to use our software, software should work for you!
Totally Secure Communications
Your calls are encrypted “end-to-end” and are thus totally secure.
Can I use Skype to make 3-way or conference calls?
Not yet, but stay tuned!!
I have a webcam. Can I use Skype to do videoconferencing as well?
Our current focus is to make the best voice-application on the planet. But we will be adding many new and exciting features in the future and video-conferencing is on the wish list.
Can I get Skype in my favorite language?
Yes. We are working hard to translate Skype into as many languages as possible. If you would like to volunteer to help us translate Skype in your language, let us know by filling out our contact form.
Will it be possible to call to normal fixed phones and mobile phones with Skype?
We will be adding functionality soon which will allow you to call to regular phones with Skype. Stay tuned!
Does Skype contain any advertising or Spyware?
No.
I can't connect to Skype. What's wrong?
Some restrictive firewalls may not allow you to connect to Skype. Please see the Technical section of the FAQ for more information.
What do I need to use Skype?
In short: practically all home computers purchased within the last 2-3 years can run Skype and if you pick up a headset, you’re good to go! You can even purchase one in the Skype Store.
The long story: You need a PC with Windows, a sound card (full-duplex is best), microphone (built-in or external) and speakers or headset. You’ll get the best results if you go out and spent 10-20 Euro/USD on a headset with microphone – most computer or electronics stores carry these items.
What kind of headset should I use?
You need a computer headset, not a telephone headset. A computer headset has two separate connectors - one for the microphone, and one for the speaker (some newer headsets connect via USB, these are typically a bit more expensive but in general quite good). Also make sure that the headset has a microphone. You can also buy a handset, just as long as it has two connectors so that it can be plugged into your computer. You should not need to pay more than 10-15 USD/Eur for it. You can buy a headset from the Skype Store or by visiting your local computer or electronics retailer. Note that if you don't own a microphone, you may be able to use an existing pair of headphones as a temporary solution. Connect your extra headphones to the microphone input of your sound card and speak directly into the ear piece. We are not responsible for any damaged equipment so please try this at your own risk!
I don't have a microphone or headset. Can I still use Skype?
You can still use Skype for text messages, and if you don't own a mic, you can try using a pair of headphones by plugging them into the microphone jack in your computer. Note that Skype is not responsible for any damage to your equipment so try at your own risk!
I installed Skype and tried to upload my picture, but it didn't work. What's wrong?
Skype beta does not yet include the ability to upload your picture, but we've left this element in our user interface to give you a small taste of things to come! Stay tuned for more features as we continue to develop Skype.
I received a Sound IO error when I tried to call someone. What's wrong?
A sound IO error can occur in some rare instances, depending on your network and hardware configurations and those of the person you are trying to call. We are working hard to eliminate this problem. If you have this problem repeatedly, please let us know by using the bug report form. Don't forget that this is Beta software and we need your input to improve Skype!
I want to use a USB headset/phone or multiple sound cards. How do I do this?
If you use a USB headset or USB phone or use multiple sound cards, you can configure which device to use for AUDIO-IN (microphone), AUDIO-OUT (headphones or speakers) and Ringing (sound alerts) by going to the I/O devices Tab under Options. For USB phones, its probably best to configure AUDIO-OUT and AUDIO-IN so that it uses the USB device. If you want Skype to ring using your speakers, set the "Ringing" device so that it uses your default windows device.
Why can't I find my friend??
Skype user info is not stored centrally, you can only find your friend for 3 days after he/she was last seen online.
Why does a user show up as offline when I know that they are online?
Because user information in Skype is not stored centrally, it may take a few minutes after your friend has registered for them to be visible online. We are working to improve this issue.
What are callto:// links and how do I use them?
When you install Skype, you can chose to associate Skype with callto:// links. This allows you to simply click on a link in an email or on a website to call someone directly using Skype. You can even add a Button to your website or e-mail signature. For complete instructions, please visit the Skype Goodies Page.
I lost my password. What do I do?
If you entered an email address when you registered for Skype, you can request a new password by filling out this form and a new password will be sent to you. If you did not enter your email address, you will have to register again as a new Skype user.
I would like a new username. What do I do?
You will need to register as a new user. From the File menu, select "log in as new user" and then create a new Skype account.
I am connected to the Internet with a modem. Can I use Skype?
You can use Skype when you are connected with a 33.6 Kbps modem or faster. However, when you are using a modem for other types of Internet traffic, such as web surfing, file sharing or email you may experience disruptions in the voice communication.
Can I log in from multiple computers with Skype? What about my friends list??
You can log in to Skype from multiple computers, but you won't have access to your friends since this is stored locally (on the computer where your first installed Skype). You will have to add and authorize your friends once again. We will be implementing a feature soon that will allow you to get access to your friends list automatically from multiple computers.
Will it be possible to call to normal fixed phones and mobile phones with Skype?
During the beta period you can only call other Skype users. We plan to make it possible to call normal fixed telephones and mobile phones in the future.
Can I use other clients, e.g. Windows Messenger to connect to the Skype network?
No you can’t. We have crafted Skype with a proprietary technology that is not compatible with other clients at this time.
Can I use Skype to send instant messages to my friends who use AOL/ICQ/Yahoo/MSN Messenger?
Skype is not currently compatible with these applications but may be in the future. Why don't you tell your friends to use Skype instead? :)
I can't connect to Skype from work or due to a restrictive firewall. Which ports need to be opened in order to use Skype?
The Minimum requirement is to open up outgoing TCP port 80. In order to achieve the best quality, also open up outgoing UDP for all ports in stateful mode, so that replies to sent UDP packets are let in. Note that you can also configure the default ports to use under options->connection. Also make sure that you have the latest version installed. You can
do it by clicking Check for Update in Help menu in Skype or just go to the download page where you can always download the latest
version.
Does Skype support connections through proxies and authenticating firewalls?
Currently, Skype does not support proxies or authenticating firewalls. Stay tuned for more enhanced features in the future.
Can I connect to a SIP server with Skype?
No you can’t. We have crafted Skype with a proprietary technology that is not compatible with SIP. SIP was simply not good enough for us.
Later, we will add functionality so you can call other SIP phones, and normal POTS – Plain Old Telephony System – phones as well.
How much bandwidth does Skype use while I'm in a call?
Skype automatically selects the best codec depending on the connection between yourself and the person you are calling. On average, Skype uses between 3-16 Kilobytes/sec - depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPUs, etc.
How much bandwidth does Skype use when there are no active calls?
On average Skype uses 0-0.5 Kilobytes/sec while idle. This is used mainly for buddy presence updates. The exact bandwidth depends on many factors.
Which protocols does Skype use?
Skype uses a proprietary protocol which we have developed. We looked at many available protocols when designing Skype and none were good enough for us. We hope you agree!
Is the source code for Skype available? Can I have a copy?
No. Skype is proprietary and closed-source software.
Does Skype contain any advertising or Spyware?
No.
Can I get a trojan or virus from using Skype?
With Skype, one can only transmit encoded voice traffic and text messages. There are no worms or viruses that can be spread through this communication since there is no executable code transmitted. One cannot use Skype to share or transmit files and therefore there is no risk of opening up your computer or being infected by viruses.
How can I block unwanted callers?
You can force Skype to only allow calls from people in your friends list. Select "Options" from the file menu and then navigate to the "privacy" tab. Check the box next to the option "only allow calls from people in my friends list" and then save the changes.
Which fields in my profile are public?
Everything you write in your public profile is viewable by other Skype users except for the e-mail field. Your e-mail address is encrypted prior to sending it to the network so nobody will be able to see it when they search for Friends. However, others can still look you up in the directory if they already know your full e-mail address when they search for Friends.
How can I delete my public profile?
Your profile record (except the username!) is not stored permanently. Your profile will automatically expire and will be deleted from the user directory in approximately 72 hours after you've last used skype.
Is Skype secure?
Yes. When you call another Skype user your call is encrypted with strong encryption algorithms ensuring you privacy. In some cases your Skype communication may be routed via other users in the peer-to-peer network. Skype encryption protects you from potential eavesdropping from malicious users.
Why are Skype calls encrypted?
Skype is encrypted end-to-end because it uses the public Internet to transport your voice calls and text messages and sometimes these calls are routed through other peers. Skype encryption ensures that no other party can eavesdrop on your call or read your instant messages.
What type of encryption is used?
Skype uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) - also known as Rijndel - which is also used by U.S. Government organizations to protect sensitive, information. Skype uses 256-bit encryption, which has a total of 1.1 x 1077 possible keys, in order to actively encrypt the data in each Skype call or instant message. Skype uses 1536 to 2048 bit RSA to negotiate symmetric AES keys. User public keys are certified by Skype server at login.
How does Skype ensure that the user records (stored in p2p) cannot be tampered?
All profile data in the public directory is digitally signed.
Button to your website or e-mail signature. For complete instructions, please visit the 