The security of a text message entirely depends on the message server. A Messaging App has thus become compulsory for every smartphone. But the question is are these "High Secure Text Messaging Apps?"
Well, the security of these apps gets compromised due of the fact that these apps accesses your address book -- usually with your permission -- and then holds on to that data to the sever.
Wickr 2.0 whose debut was made on Friday 20th December, 2013 can prove a useful app for those who are much of security concern because of its new address-book scanning feature.
Nico Sell, co-founder of Wickr, said that it was important to the company to avoid holding any sensitive information about its customers on its servers. She added that unlike other apps, Wickr does not upload your contact book to servers; instead, a cryptographic representation of the contacts are stored on the server to match the friends.
For encryption it uses AES-256 encryption to protect data; ECDH-512 for the security key exchange; RSA-4096 both as a backup and in legacy versions of the app; and SHA-256 for Transport Later Security and hashing. Once it encrypts a message, the keys are used only once then destroyed by the sender's phone. Since Wickr's servers don't have the decryption keys, there's no way for Wickr to access the messages.
Wickr 2.0 ditches the mostly-red interface for a streamlined white one with red accents. While the interface makes the app easier to use, the company has invested in other usability features to compete more directly with its competition.
Other added features of the app include customization of your avatar, contact names, and group names; invitation to multiple friends at once; and sending e-mail or SMS from Wickr. For the last one, it warns you when you're about to send a message to a non-Wickr recipient.
In the next few days, Wickr 2.0 will be available on Android and iOS. If you are a smartphone user and very much keen about the security of your messages and contacts then this is the right app you are searching for.
Well, the security of these apps gets compromised due of the fact that these apps accesses your address book -- usually with your permission -- and then holds on to that data to the sever.
Wickr 2.0 whose debut was made on Friday 20th December, 2013 can prove a useful app for those who are much of security concern because of its new address-book scanning feature.
Nico Sell, co-founder of Wickr, said that it was important to the company to avoid holding any sensitive information about its customers on its servers. She added that unlike other apps, Wickr does not upload your contact book to servers; instead, a cryptographic representation of the contacts are stored on the server to match the friends.
For encryption it uses AES-256 encryption to protect data; ECDH-512 for the security key exchange; RSA-4096 both as a backup and in legacy versions of the app; and SHA-256 for Transport Later Security and hashing. Once it encrypts a message, the keys are used only once then destroyed by the sender's phone. Since Wickr's servers don't have the decryption keys, there's no way for Wickr to access the messages.
Wickr 2.0 ditches the mostly-red interface for a streamlined white one with red accents. While the interface makes the app easier to use, the company has invested in other usability features to compete more directly with its competition.
Other added features of the app include customization of your avatar, contact names, and group names; invitation to multiple friends at once; and sending e-mail or SMS from Wickr. For the last one, it warns you when you're about to send a message to a non-Wickr recipient.
In the next few days, Wickr 2.0 will be available on Android and iOS. If you are a smartphone user and very much keen about the security of your messages and contacts then this is the right app you are searching for.
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