5 services that allow to safely share photos
Web Services / / December 24, 2019
The word "secure" recently breaking all records of popularity. Internet users began to relate to the protection of their confidential (and not) data with trepidation (thanks Snowden). We used the post fotochki in social networks and did not think that it is necessary for someone other than us and our friends, but now realized that we needed. It turns out that open automatically personal information becomes public and it is interesting as a future employer, and public authorities. Welcome to adulthood without blackjack and other things.
Against this background, many application developers and systems of protection against theft of intellectual property and personal data and one for podsuetilis another began to roll out the solution to the market to help ordinary users to somehow preserve the privacy of his own life in Network.
We all know the popular app Snapchat, which allows you to securely share photos and messages on mobile devices. It was one of the first signs of development sekyurnyh programs
. In the past year, however, the service servers have been hacked, and the data are merged a few million users in the network. However, all correspondence same encryption technology were not affected. It is interesting to learn from the users themselves, what is more important: the disclosure of personal data or sensitive photos and messages.Today we look at applications and services that allow you to securely share photos, not only on mobile devices, but also on their "big brother".
SFLetter.com - e-mail with a handful of raisins
The first in the review of protected decisions, we put e-mail service SFLetter.com. Yes, this e-mail with a very easy and intuitive interface and capabilities to protect outgoing messages. SFLetter.com works in a browser window, that is, you do not need to install additional software for protection, which greatly simplifies life. It turns out that you can send a secure email and / or attachment perfectly with any device in which a browser from SmartTV to the Nokia 3310.
The recipient of the letter will have more difficult. He does not need an account - you can accept emails protected at least for Gmail, at least for "Yandex", even for "KrymNash" (it is not joke). But you can only open the photo on your computer under Windows.
"So how do you implement protection?" - you ask. Now let us explain. In the case of SFLetter.com developers have created a special viewer for protected content, which is intended to impose the recipient account registration. It weighs a bit is set in the same way as any other program (very similar to Adobe Reader), and in general any trouble with him.
What does the viewer? On the server SFLetter.com file is converted into a special format that can only be opened by the program. It prohibits copying, forwarding, printing, and change the file to anyone who received it. And then what can? You can only see the contents, and then only on the device where the letter was opened for the first time. That is, if you send a photo to a friend, he will not be able to send it to another person. Prohibited!
The basic functions of the system can find the tracking of letters: in addition to data on the opening time and the email address of the recipient, is available as IP-address of the person who opened the letter. I remember once a classic Internet: "I love you by IP calculate". In this case, it is not the mere threat, but a reality.
The developers promise to introduce a paid functionality that will add more interesting: this is a review of access to have sent messages, and the timer setting for access to the file, as well as 200 GB of storage and letters investments.
View protected letters and photos while you can only on PCs with Windows. By the way, the service not only protects fotochki, but also office documents. The creators of the service argue that this year will be implemented support for other platforms, including mobile. Will wait. Cross-platform today - it is an integral part of any modern service.
Chip: extended access settings and tracking system, a complete e-mail, there is no need to establish an account for the recipient.
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Telegram - messenger from the Russian character
So he was called an online community. But one thing we know for sure: Telegram - this is the most hyped protected messenger at this point. Issued by the creator of social network "VKontakte" Pavel Durov application has earned immense popularity overseas. Not so long ago it was available for mobile devices, but it is only now, anyone can put it yourself on the PC. Traffic is encrypted between the interlocutors, with MTProto uses its own protocol. It looks like this:
Pavel Durov promises to give 200,000 dollars to anyone who breaks into MTProto. Very arrogant, especially considering that the protocol itself is constantly criticized by regulars cryptology. And why is it still has not been hacked? Let us leave this question open. Cases, and the truth was not.
In addition to encrypt traffic, there is a function of self-destruction of sent emails and files. But it is only available as long as if you create a secret chat - default service works like an ordinary messenger. Send files to a secret chat mode, are available for download on the device - can only view. In addition, you can set the timer when the sent message will be automatically removed from the history. You are no screenshots, you are no copies. Look but do not touch.
Completely forgot to mention the speed of the application and a pleasant minimalist design. A registration via phone number (already common practice for many messaging services) makes the application as much as possible friendly to users. The program is available to all existing mobile and desktop platforms as well as web-based applications running in a browser window. Separately want to provide support for Windows Phone, because many developers bypass the OS side.
Chip: support for Windows Phone, MTProto own cryptographic protocol.
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Peerio - a secure cloud storage
A variety of cryptographic peace-making does not stop at the post office and messengers. Before you present a secure cloud storage files. The creators assure us that even they may not know exactly what files we store them on a server. Well, believe it.
To use the service, it is necessary to have a separate account for both the sender and the recipient. No other way. security you want - to create an account.
By the way, how you can upload files to the cloud, and simply attached to the letters. In both cases, they are retained and remain available for subsequent re-sending or deletion. service shell is somewhat similar to email, but with very reduced functionality "send - receive". It came a hybrid file storage platform for messaging. At the moment only supports Windows and Mac. But the developers promise to soon and Android c iOS.
Close access to the files can be sent by deleting them from the store, but if the recipient is already saved the file to your device, then there is nothing we will not do - let them use it. So you should carefully approach the choice of trusted recipients. Through service uses encryption (E2EE), so the intercept at a transfer protected content can be, but is unlikely to decipher.
Peerio a notification system as in the classic e-mail delivery confirmation messages and files. Among the features - the ability to know when the recipient read the message or download the file. This is convenient in that, after his sending and receiving files can be safely removed from the cloudsWithout having to worry that the file has not reached or has not been viewed.
For whom may be useful Peerio? First of all for those who do not trust the usual cloud storage your content, because, as we know, such services before downloading the content is scanned, no matter what it is: personal pictures, corporate documents or source code application.
The service is in beta stage, it is possible, and later we will see a more perfect product, because the idea is not bad. But, gentlemen developers, a little more than 1 GB of space available for the service, which is positioned as the cloud - is not enough.
Chip: opportunity to send large files of any format.
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Wickr: Rita Ora and Iggy Azalea recommend
Wickr - is another protected messenger, but with their riddles. On the main page of the official site we were met by British singer Rita Ora (Rita Ora) and Australian repersha Iggy Azalea (Iggy Azalea). Lovers of contemporary pop music will appreciate. But we do not spend, we came to check the possibility of the service, although advertising in Black Widow video is impressive.
Interestingly, the very protection is as good as this video?
When testing the service from the start it turned out that the client application for the PC weighs about 60 MB, and for the phone - about 18 MB. And if your machine is somehow limited resources to install new applications have still to remove a couple of Angry Birds. What could be so? But now consider. To use the service, you need a separate account for the sender and recipient to separate. This is a prerequisite.
As the functionality of this app can be compared with the Telegram. But developers Wickr think not only about how to implement safety functions (self-destruct messages and files, failure to maintain the device).
Interesting feature is that when you receive a secure message, instead you can only see a closed padlock icon. In the case of the pictures appear smeared square, so understand that it is shown to be impossible. To see this message, you need to tap on the it. This is especially helpful when you send the other party personal photos in a public place, and the screen of the phone can be in full view of others. With Wickr not happen.
By the way, all of the forwarded messages and photos are encrypted, to get them out of the program cache is not possible. View only - only the hardcore punk. By the way, when a new message every time you need to enter the account password.
However, there is perceived a synchronization delay between sending a secure message and its yield. It helps manual update chat.
In one of the tests under Windows 7 application crashes and emergency shut. Perhaps the developers decided to focus toward mobile devices. It also confirms the absence in the desktop version of the Russian language and lean design.
Chip: service deletes all the metadata of the file that is uploaded.
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Digify: paranoid entry allowed
We turn to the heavy artillery. "Burn After Reading" - this slogan even weak for Digify. Burn After Reading, and nothing you can not, this will deal the sender is remote and ruthlessly. Say the magic? And here and there - high technology.
Service Digify - it is quite a young project with imperial manners. In contrast to the messengers, which are primarily focused on text messaging and all sorts of content, Digify designed for file sharing only.
Service brake slightly (later explain why). He copes with encryption and protection, but to display protected content not in a hurry. Sometimes you have to wait until a few minutes until starting to send a photo. This is the fee for a higher level of security, since the document in a secure form is transmitted directly from the server to the device's screen. Then you no screenshots or copying and no cache. Yes, absolutely nothing. Just watch and enjoy as your laptop or phone attempts to download content sent.
Have you ever come across restaurants where plates are used instead of the usual menu? So, they are equipped with a special sheath on the underlying OS, which is nothing but the menu does not show. With Digify under Windows the same story.
When you run the program the user is in a special protective mode, which works only Digify and nothing more. That is, if you wanted to slightly edit the photos and after send it, it is necessary to leave the program and go again. Conveniently it or not - it has users, but the fact that it increases the level of security is obvious. But who needs tinted windows, if they do not transmit light?
Coupled with all the limitations there is a very convenient system of tracking sent filesAs well as fine-tuning access with the possibility of withdrawal at any time. Service will show you how many times a file has been opened, and how much time it was viewed. This is useful if you do not want to stare at your photo more than five minutes. Then you can with a clear conscience and access to close.
For sharing files on tradition need to create accounts for both sides. The benefits also include the ability to sync with Dropbox and Google Drive, so you can send protected files directly from the cloud.
Chip: able to take files directly from Dropbox and Google Drive, a special protective regime in WIndows.
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Total
Which solution to choose for a more secure and convenient sharing photos - you decide. Presented in this review services are inherently very different, they use different logics and protection of content end-users, but do not forget that they all carry a common good sense - personal data protection leakage. And you have to choose what Rodney usual e-mail application or blocking your computer.