It is not always possible to stay safe as well secure online especially while in a private conversation. Communication or messaging apps, social network and e-mails are the various means that are bound to leave the imprint of personal data. Government agencies, corporations and criminals can access this data. This can be fatal to user exposing to various online threats. For this very reason, there are numerous other ways that are used to exchanging messages. In order to maintain privacy users are looking for apps that erase data or that disappear after reading. A new app by the name of Wickr is introduced for iOS users. Let us find out more about Wickr.
About Wickr
Wickr is a messaging app that provides the advantage of self-destruction to improve security levels of private messaging. This app is available for free and is designed for iOS users but is now also available for Android users.
This app is up against Snapchat and Poke that are already popular amongst youngsters. However, there is a major difference when it comes to message security. Wickr is the only one to come up with a security feature of disappearing message soon after a user has read them. This is highly useful for those who have concern related to security. You will be easily able to keep your private messages away from prying eyes. There are seemingly few major differences between Wickr and Snapchat.
Wikr Vs Snapchat
As far as messaging goes it is suppose to be a communication that is private but it is not always so. While Wickr offers you highly advanced secured communication there are areas where Snapchat lags behind. Let us compare both and find out.
• Wikr offers you security that is difficult to breach as the sharing, spreading and forwarding options are hard to enable. For example, when you receive a sensitive picture that might become permanent on internet then these might not be available with share option. Even if you receive a text message with sensitive content it will disappear soon after you read it. This way the message is not only unavailable to user for spreading but also deleted from the servers. Hacking and illegitimate access is completely out of question as the information is not available. There is no way that even government agencies will be able to retrieve it.
• Snapchat has become instant hit with teens world over as many as 350 million pictures are shared in a day. The company has underplayed the self-destructing messages instead calling it ephemeral messaging. This messaging service is more often used for sharing inappropriate content amongst youngsters.
• Snapchat might be exciting but sending secure messages and safety of users is not what this messaging app is about. As soon as a user snaps picture to send it across for sharing the information is stored and available to hackers. The content or picture is easily available as there is no emphasis on securing information.
• Computer security developers came up with the idea of Wickr. This app contains various layers of security that enables in private and anonymous communication. Messages sent are encrypted with a key that is one time use only. Users who are registered with Wickr have these keys. As soon as a message is sent metadata is erased in attachments, even deleted messages are erased or shredded from the device.
Other Security Features
• You are allowed to store or let the messages live for a span of days instead of seconds. The app for iOS users allows users to send attachments that are encrypted. Android users still do not have the capability to send PDF attachments.
• This app is constantly tested to find out any security lags so as to make it fool proof.
• It is ensured by the developers that the messages sent are protected to become permanent internet.
• The core objective of Wickr is to protect user data and provide high level of security. This also includes avoiding any means for messages to permanently appear on internet.
• Wickr is not about sharing or utilizing personal data belonging to users. Initially this app is available for free. However for in app purchases users will be charged accordingly. One would need to pay for permanence of messages.