With this locked down system, it’s nearly impossible for someone to steal your Surespot identity. If you don’t do this, and you need to re-install the app, you won’t be able to log back into your Surespot account. You’ll also want to back up your Surespot identity once created. It is important that you not forget this password, as there is no way to recover it. When you first run Surespot, you create a username and password. The best thing about Surespot is that all the privacy is built-in, so you won’t even notice the security layer. Surespot Encrypted Messenger ( Figure C) is an end-to-end symmetric encryption messaging tool (using 256-bit AES-GCM encryption) that creates keys using 521 bit ECDH shared secret derivation. Cryptocat is a bit of a nod to old school IRC chats, but it gets the job done quickly and easily. Once you’re in, tell the other users the name of the chat room and have them join. To start a chat, you enter a name for the chat, create a username, and click Connect. One interesting Cryptocat feature is the ability to join what is called the “lobby.” Within the lobby you can chat with any other Cryptocat users who happen to be hanging out. There’s one caveat to using Cryptocat: The person you’re chatting with must also be using Cryptocat - this goes with Facebook Messenger chats. Cryptocat includes a built-in key generator, so you don’t have to worry about importing your own encryption keys. With Cryptocat, you can do group chats, file sharing, connect to Facebook Messenger, and more. All messages are encrypted before they leave your computer, so there’s no concern that plain text is being sent and then encrypted on a third-party server. 2: CryptocatĬryptocat ( Figure B) is a secure open source messaging extension for the Google Chrome browser. Once verified, you can encrypt conversations and each sent message will indicate if it is encrypted or not. (Orbot is also required to create “burner” accounts.) With ChatSecure, two-way encryption cannot take place until a user has been verified (done through the app). If you have to do anonymous chatting, and you’re behind a firewall, you can install the Orbot proxy tool, which will get you through. It allows you to set a master password to keep prying eyes out of the chat app itself, supports WiFi Mesh Chat (chatting with others on the same local wireless or mesh network ─ no server required), and even enables you to create anonymous “burner” chat accounts. You can use this app to chat via your preexisting accounts (Google Chat, Facebook Chat, VKontakte, Yandex, Hyves, Odnoklassniki, StudiVZ, Livejournal, Jabber, and more). 1: ChatSecureĬhatSecure ( Figure A) is an open source chat app for both Android and iOS that uses Off-the-Record (OTR) Messaging over XMMP. Note: This article is also available as an image gallery and a video hosted by TechRepublic columnist Tom Merritt. Let’s dive in and look at some of the best free apps for securely chatting with your friends, family, staff, and clients. Desktop apps, web-based apps, and mobile apps - you’re covered on all platforms. Instead, you can take advantage of one of the many secure chat apps available. Regardless of why you need to ensure a secure conversation, the bigger question is “How do you go about it?”įortunately, you don’t have to install an encryption engine, type your text, encrypt it, and copy and paste the encrypted message into the chat app (although you could do that). Maybe you’re sending personal data or discussing sensitive company details. Sometimes you need to chat about a subject and you can’t chance the information getting into the wrong hands. You don't have to encrypt your sensitive chat communications - one of these free apps will keep your secrets safe.
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