Traces left behind these deleted chats and purged files are called metadata. Files sent and received in Skype are automatically purged from Microsoft servers after the 30-day retention period. Users can delete chats and conversations, and they will be gone from the server. Skype metadata gives experts insight about stuff that is no longer stored on Microsoft servers. In addition to existing data, Elcomsoft Phone Breaker can extract so-called Skype metadata. In order to access this information, full authentication credentials are required including the user’s Microsoft ID (typically, their, or email address), password, and the second authentication factor if two-factor authentication is enabled. We download Skype conversation histories, messages, media files, contact lists and metadata directly from the user’s Microsoft Account. You would then use Elcomsoft Phone Viewer to browse through and analyze the downloaded data. First, there is Elcomsoft Phone Breaker, a tool to download Skype conversation histories from Microsoft servers. We have exactly two tools to be used in connection with Skype data. Tools to Extract Skype Chats, Attachments and Metadata from Microsoft Account This is why we developed the tools to extract and view all Skype-related information available in the user’s Microsoft Account. However, information returned by the Microsoft’s tool lacks certain data about the chats and files that have been either deleted by the user or purged from Microsoft servers as a space-saving measure. Having said that, one can use Microsoft’s own tool to request and view Skype data from the account. However, Microsoft still retains information about these files (the metadata), allowing experts to find out the name and type of attachments, file sizes, as well as the date and time. After the 30-day retention period, any files users send or received are automatically purged from the server and are no longer accessible. While text chats are stored on Microsoft servers indefinitely or until manually deleted by the user, attachments are only kept for the maximum period of 30 days. Skype conversations are automatically synced with the back end along with attachments. The free Skype-to-phone calls included with all Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions help Skype gain popularity among corporate and small office users, while integration with Alexa and Cortana voice assistants makes Skype the tool of choice for voice calls. Skype is secure (enough) while maintaining transparency to the law enforcement, which makes Skype the only allowed VoIP communication app in countries such as the UAE. This feature-rich app is available for all relevant platforms, and is actively developed and frequently updated by Microsoft.

While there is no lack of competition in the highly crowded market of instant messaging apps, Skype maintains its user base.

With over 1.55 billion accounts and more than 420 million daily users, Skype is one of the world’s biggest instant messaging apps. Learn how to use Elcomsoft Phone Breaker to quickly extract the complete conversation histories along with attachments and metadata from the user’s Microsoft Account. Accessing Skype conversation histories by performing a forensic analysis of the user’s Microsoft Account is often the fastest and easiest way to obtain valuable evidence. Skype synchronizes chats, text messages and files sent and received with the Microsoft Account backend.

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