APPS SPECIAL...... 8 BEST SECURE MESSAGING APPS YOU CAN TRUST

8 BEST SECURE MESSAGING APPS YOU CAN TRUST





These chat apps keep all prying eyes away from your private messages

Edward Snowden's revelations about mass NSA surveillance has made privacy a precious commodity. The ability to monitor your traffic means messages you send with many popular apps can be intercepted and read. There are messaging apps, however, which buck this trend. Some encrypt your messages before they leave your device. Here are some of the most secure messaging apps.

WhatsApp

In April last year, WhatsApp enabled end-to-end encryption across all platforms, meaning conversations can't be read by anyone but you and the person you're messaging. Not only are your chats protected, but WhatsApp provides a security code so you can verify that someone isn't intercepting your messages and passing them on (`man-in-the-middle' attack).

Signal

This messaging app comes from Open Whisper Systems that bear Edward Snowden's seal of approval, no less. Not only is Signal easy-to use, but like WhatsApp, conversations are encrypted endto-end. The source code for Signal is available online so security experts can constantly check it for vulnerabilities. Unlike WhatsApp, Signal doesn't record metadata of messages.

FrozenChat

Aside from its cool name and funky design, FrozenChat also offers end-to-end encryption with OTR (Off the Record) messaging. This means that not only are your messages protected, you can also verify who you're speaking to, and you also have deniability -anyone can forge a message after the conversation is over. In other words, it's impossible to prove any message was sent by you.

ChatSecure

ChatSecure also supports OTR messaging and open XMPP protocol. The Android version is no longer maintained, but the iOS version is still actively developed.When starting a conversation you will see a digital `fingerprint' which you can check with your friend to make sure no one is intercepting messages.

Wickr Me

Not only does it feature end-to end encryption but it can strip out metadata such as the timestamp from conversations.

Messages can also be programmed to self-destruct after a certain period of time has expired. The app includes a handy wipe feature to securely erase messages. It's not very clear how effectively the app can delete data, so Android users should encrypt their device too.

Silence

Silence is a great replacement for Android's regular SMS app. It stores all messages you receive in an encrypted database.If two people are using Silence then the app will automatically recognise this and use end-to-end encryption to send text and media instead.Otherwise it can work like a regular SMS application.

Silent Phone

This app comes from the good people at Silent Circle -industry leaders in mobile security.Silent Phone allows for secure messaging with your contacts as well as free voice calls in HD audio, along with file transfers. Other features include a quick shutdown button and a wipe feature to delete all personal data.

Gliph

Its secure messaging feature allows for encryption using SSL and also supports securely deleting messages.

There's also a self destruct feature for messages which can be set to expire after a certain time.Unlike other messengers, Gliph also supports secure group messaging .allowing you to talk safely with multiple people.

in.techradar.com