IM + team released a secure messenger



    I think everyone who occasionally looked into IM hubs or even just glanced at the main page of Habrahabr could not fail to notice the increased relevance of security topics. You don’t have to go far for examples - these are programs such as Telegram (and now Telegram HD), additional functions or add-ons for classic instant messengers (from immortal Miranda to separately presented functions in IM +).

    However, after successful newcomers, the dinosaur in the IM market is already entering the “race” - this is the German company SHAPE AG, which has been working in this field since 2002. Inspired by the strategy of the long-term development of IM +, their new Sicher client turned out to be immediately and free and multi-platform (iOS, Android and Windows Phone), and, finally, safe.

    Unlike the simple Telegram pronunciation, the newcomer got the name Sikher, which in German, according to Google Translate, means both “safe”, “reliable”, and also “of course” and “probably”.

    Although Sicher was already succinctly recalled in this topic-comparison , I’ll briefly inform you of its difference from existing and popular competitors:

    • end-to-end encryption of text and voice messages, messages containing images, geolocation data and documents in PDF, doc, xls and others.
    • group chat encryption
    • anonymous notification of new posts
    • chat self-destruct settings
    • servers are located only in Germany (Telegram servers, for example, are located in Russia, Canada, Great Britain and Slovenia)
    • Sicher is completely free on all platforms


    With the latest update, more reliable encryption keys are used (2048-bit instead of 1024-bit). Actually, in accordance with the standard, the key length will be effective for several more years.

    Also added the ability to verify the identity of the interlocutor outside the service using fingerprint'a public key.



    Now we can say with confidence that Sicher corresponds to the notorious comic book:



    Unfortunately, it cannot be ruled out that the NSA did not stock up on supercomputers to crack the encrypted photo of your cat, but for “simple hackers” who somehow intercepted the encrypted archive of your messages with the device (yes, it is also encrypted), this will not be possible.

    Another nice difference is that the content of the messages is not announced in the status bar. This is especially nice when someone is standing nearby in the transport, and the same Hangout joyfully scrolls in the top line "Do you know what I'm wearing ..."



    Today, at the bank, I watched how operating agents deftly operate with iPads, instead of the main working computers. I would like to believe that they transmitted the photo of my payment card in no less secure ways.

    Although there is no “Alexandra Seroy” in the demonstration images of Windows Phone, the messenger design is subtly reminiscent of the new Hangout (for iOS) and Telegram (just like Telegram HD).



    Together with the work already done on security, the developers promise such “typical” functions for modern instant messengers as “stickers”, an expanded selection of emoticons for emotions and other beauty. As for me, it’s much more important that using Sicher you can send any type of file, not just media.

    It remains to wait if the real giants will join this race and how soon will we wait for a secret Hangout, secure iMessage or a special, really secure Skype? Time will tell, but for now, you can take care of your own security yourself. And what’s nice - without additional expenses.

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