Cryptocat: cross-platform messenger that securely encrypts your correspondence

Protection of personal data, is now a very hot topic in recent years it has received a lot of attention. In our life there are many things that are in desperate need of reliable protection and perhaps first and foremost, they include personal correspondence. Whatever the developers said Skype, Facebook, Whatsapp and other popular instant messengers and means of communication - we all We are well aware that our correspondence is stored on their servers at any time and can be read and transferred "to whom should be. " Some consider this paranoia, others are on the contrary think about this problem and are seeking ways to resolve it. If you belong to the second category, you will be helpful to learn a special messenger Cryptocat, allows you to encrypt your message and the version available for all popular platforms. That's what I want to tell you today.

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Cryptocat caused quite a stir at the time of its introduction. First Apple «wrapped up» it from the App Store, then the developer Nadim Kobeissi subjected to brutal criticism from security experts, who found in the annex a few weaknesses. But we must pay tribute to Nadeem, he did not abandon his project, Clean and continued to work on Cryptocat, even after it became interested in the US government. All this is behind us now feels comfortable application in the App Store and Apple censors besides, it has been tested several independent instances. Well, let's download and install it.

The application interface is pretty simple and I would even say austere, but it is understandable, because the main purpose of Cryptocat - a reliable protection and encryption of incoming and outgoing data. Remarkably, there is the usual registration at first launch the app. The bottom line is to stay anonymous as possible. For this reason, the input mechanism is implemented slightly differently.

From the home screen is waiting for us just two fields (sonversation name, your nickname) And the button Connect. We come up with a name for our chat, choose a desired username and click Connect. All we have created a chat. Now, you need to invite him at least one companion (or several). To do this, just tell your friends to chat name (sonversation name), Which they will need to enter at the entrance. Another advantage of this approach is that we do not need to be tied to a specific login, you can always choose another, though each time a new conversation.

Once the new polzovtel enter the chat, you'll see his nickname on the left. List of all users will be displayed here. By default, your messages are sent to general chat, but if you want to write to someone of those present in the "PM" - just tapnite on his nick and enter your message (do not forget to switch to the general chat in the same manner).

Messages come very quickly, push at the same time works perfectly. Although it is possible it will depend on the quality of the connection. Also, from the "gentlemen's" set of functions in Cryptocat have notifications set Message - you will see the keyboard icon once interlocutor starts printing.

The app uses fun "8-bit" sound, notifying you of new messages, user input and other events. As deliberately pixelated icon Cryptocat they give a peculiar charm.

By the issue of security. These chats Cryptocat processed through off-the-record protocol (OTR) and after that, in encrypted sent via Jabber / XMPP server through Cryptocat'a or any other (can be specified in settings). The OTR - is a well-studied protocol that uses a dynamic key exchange, and this, as far as I'm concerned - securely. And one moment. The developer has provided the chat function of the output, if the application is running in the background. After about a minute you Fábregas notice about what Cryptocat log out if you do not return to the chat.

For the rest, the application is very similar to their counterparts from the App Store, except that does not have the "groomed" interface and various ryushechek. I think the designer did it on purpose, in order to emphasize a more serious focus of its application.

Cryptocat is free and is available in versions for Mac and Windows, as well as a plug-in for all popular browsers. Install, and try to unsubscribe about results.

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We have questions, comments or suggestions? Welcome to the comments, dear readers - I'm always happy to talk and help. Stay tuned, there is still a lot of interesting things!