Category: Mobile Phone

Mobile phone security

Cypher Bot for iPhone and iPad message encryption

Cypher Bot is an encryption app for iPhone and iPad, deploying the bullet proof Advanced Encryption Standard 256 bit algorithm securing files and text. Encrypted messages can be sent via email or SMS and saved to your device with just a couple of taps.

You can also import files directly from a Dropbox cloud storage account. The app has a very colourful interface, the default makes this security app look like a child’s interface, appropriate for encryption beginners to work their way around but perhaps maybe not so much fun for the serious kind of people, you can choose from six different themes and change it.

iPhone and iPad encryption Cypher Bot

Usage is instinctive, this is a symmetric encryption program where you have to share the password with the recipient for the other part to be able to read the files. When you send or post a link bearing the format cypherbot:// and that is tapped by someone with the app, it will automatically open with Cypher Bot, you can post those encrypted notes in any social network without message length limit.

This is an easy to use encryption app with the same downfalls than many of its competitors. Both parts must have the app installed for message encryption to work and it only works with the iPhone, if your partner is on an Android phone you will not be able to securely communicate with him.

I think that it would be advantageous for apps that only work on one device to have some kind of universal web interface where people can copy and paste encrypted text and read it regardless of what phone they are using, it would not be as secure as device to device communication, but it would better than forcing your friends to buy certain phone brand. On the positive side, there is a Mac OS X Cypher Bot app that is compatible with the iPhone app.

Visit Cypher Bot homepage

20 June, 2013
Encrypted chat in Apple iOS with iCrypter

iCrypter is a small encryption app for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch). With this app you can write or paste messages inside a window and attach any file you like, from photos or videos to documents, after that you will be asked to enter a password to scramble everything. The encrypted message can be distributed via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, iMessage and the like.

The password you used for encryption is stored in the built-in Contact Book which is also encrypted, to start a secure chat session the password is shared with other participants, when someone with iCrypter installed clicks on an incoming message decryption will initiate automatically.

iCrypter Apple iOS encryption

iCrypter uses symmetrical cryptography implementing the Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit algorithm, a US National Security Agency algorithm approved to secure top secret information. Data encryption takes place in your phone before being transmitted, there is no central server that could be wire tapped to read your messages or any kind of backdoor subverting the software.

To protect your information if the device is lost or stolen, a self-destruction function called “Fail Safe” will wipe all iCrypter content, bookmarks and settings, overwriting data with the US Department of Defence 5220.22-M E method after entering the grid application password wrong five times. The encryption algorithm source code put in action by iCrypter can be downloaded and is available for inspection.

This is an effortless encryption app to operate, with an easy to navigate interface, the only downside is that people you communicate with needs to have iCrypter installed too and the app is not available for Android yet, a future Android release is planned for this year.

Visit iCrypter homepage

16 June, 2013
Encrypt data in Android with Secret Space Encryptor

Secret Space Encryptor is a cross platform tool made up of a password manager, message encryption to encrypt text, and file encryption to password protect photos or videos. Each function can be configured in settings to apply a different cipher algorithm, Secret Space Encryptor comes with a wide range of ciphers: AES-256bit, Blowfish-256/448bit, Serpent-256bit, Twofish-256bit and Gost-256bit.

File encryption will preserve timestamps and associate .enc files with the utility, the password manager can classify data inside coloured folders and back everything up exporting it to an encryped .pwv file that can be later imported back or save it unencrypted to an .xml file, a standard format to import data into other applications like a different password manager.

Secret Space Encryptor Android

You will find other embedded privacy utilities like a clipboard cleaner, algorithm benchmark or customizable password generator. The software is very complete and open source, giving you some guarantee against backdoors, amazingly this free app has no advertisements or nagging screens, this a very easy to use encryption tool, the software is available for Windows, Android, Linux and Mac OS X, there is a java version of the program that runs on any OS with Java installed.

Visit Secret Space Encryptor homepage

15 June, 2013
Android encrypted data backup with truBackup

truBackup is an Android app to backup an restore data, it allows you to select the files you wish to copy, like contacts, SMS, applications, or media files with photos and videos. Data can be backed up to internal or external storage (SD card) or to the cloud in your DropBox account, truBackup main interface is clear and simple to use, with only four buttons to tap on its main window: “Backup” ; “Restore” ; “Schedules” ; “My Devices“.

When you first run the app it will ask you where you would like to store the data and shown backup progress when you tap the “Show Status” bar at the bottom of the screen, you can schedule backups daily, weekly or monthly at an specified time and never have to remember again backing up your data, if you are backing up online to Dropbox, to avoid huge mobile phone bills choose the option “Wi-fi only” inside the settings.

truBackup Android encrypted backup

All data is encrypted with AES256, the app can do incremental backups, saving you time by only copying those files that have changed since the last backup, logs and reports show you what has been copied and how much space you are using, what I liked most of this app was its simple interface and being able to encrypt data prior to copying it, there are more complete Android data backup apps with built-in encryption like Titanium Backup but it is considerably more expensive.

If you want to encrypt and back up your Android data for free you could use a cloud service like SpiderOak, but it will only work when you are online.

Note: truBackup currently costs $2.99

Visit TruBackup homepage

4 June, 2013
Encrypt smartphone calls with SeeCrypt

Seecrypt is a Voice over IP app to secure voice calls and text messages with end to end encryption using AES256 and the RC4 stream cipher, available for Android and iPhone with Blackberry and Windows phone versions coming soon. Data is encrypted in the device before transmission using a unique encryption key for each session, there is no central Public Key Infrastructure, messages are broadcast in real time just like WhatsApp but encrypted, the app can operate over 2G/3G/4G or Wifi networks, it only needs an Internet connection and you can not use it to dial emergency numbers. Voice compression reduces data consumption and with it your mobile phone company data charges, you do not have to pay for calls, but you have to pay $3/month to SeeCrypt and only calls to other SeeCrypt users are possible.

After signing up you will be given a trial period and asked for your email address to register the application once it expires. SeeCrypt main screen shows you sections with your profile, contacts, messages, dialpad and help. The app does not allow multicalls, only two users can talk at the same time, you can easily send your friends a link to SeeCrypt if they don’t have it installed yet, technical requirements to operate the app are minimum.

Encrypted mobile phone calls SeeCrypt

SeeCrypt is funded by a Dubai based investment firm called Porton Group, I was concerned about their privacy policy when I read on their press release that “Seecrypt will pro-actively assist law enforcement agencies to prevent criminal activity being carried out using this encryption service.“, this is not very convenient for those who don’t trust their government, and adding to that one of SeeCrypt’s advisor is Anthony Chapa, who used to work for the U.S. Secret Service, was quoted on a press release saying that “There are techniques that law enforcement and intelligence organizations have available, and with the help of Seecrypt would not impede their mission.”

I could not see the word backdoor written anywhere but I it was not mentioned that it did not have one either, and for that and because of their bizarre press release, I would stay out of this application.

Visit SeeCrypt homepage

25 May, 2013
Encrypted chat for iPhone and iPad with ChatSecure

ChatSecure is a free iOS app for end to end encrypted chat with the Off The Record messaging system able to communicate with any chat software based on XMPP, like Google Talk, Jabber, Facebook, Oscar IM and ChatSecure in Android, it will not work with Yahoo Messenger or Skype contacts.

The app settings are simple but effective, you can change chat font size, set to autodelete chats on disconnect and get a warning before automatic sign out, your friends (Buddy list) chat accounts are accessible with a single tab on the side bar, each account has a logo indicating the messaging system your they are using, when you first establish a connection you will be shown the encryption key fingerprint and ask to verify it, this stops man in the middle attacks where someone injects a fake encryption key in between you and the other end to be able to listen in.

ChatSecure encrypted iPad chat

With this app there is no central server to store or monitor your data and third party eavesdropping is not possible because ChatSecure encrypts communications but you would still need to make sure that your acquaintance mobile device has not been stolen and he is who he claims to be, you also need to be aware that you are not anonymous in ChatSecure, the app will encrypt messaging but not hide the IP behind them, for anonymity add a VPN provider before starting the chat.

ChatSecure offers perfect forward secrecy, this means that temporary private encryption keys are generated for each session so if you lose them the keys can not be used to decrypt past chat logs or linked to you.

Visit ChatSecure iTunes homepage

20 April, 2013
Android and iPhone Radio Police Scanner

Radio Police Scanner Lite is a free app preconfigured with a list of emergency services radio frequencies, it can listen in to firefighters, ham radio, aircraft and live police radio, each feed comes from a person owning a police scanner in that geographical zone and sharing it via the Internet. Stations are classified by region and country with a built-in emergency services code to interpret what they are talking about, you can add any radio frequency broadcasted over the web in the RSS feeds link, it will automatically reconnect to the feed if it loses connection, favourites can be pinned to the front screen and accessible with a single tap.

There is only a delay of a couple of seconds in between the real talking and the broadcasting, you can browse the Internet while listening to a feed in the background, the only thing not guaranteed is that your country will be covered but the app is continuously expanding radio feeds, the paid for version of this app comes with thousands more of radio frequencies.

Radio Police Scanner smartphone

Many of the radio frequencies will be silent, the best way to spot what are the most active channels is by looking at the popularity of each feed, the more listeners the more likely it is that there is something going on or talking.

Investigation departments use encrypted radios to communicate during surveillance operations you won’t be able to listen to those, the radio will broadcast a routine police or firefighters working day. Police radio scanners are legal in many US states but is best that you check your local laws before using it as there are some restrictions like for example using a police scanner to impersonate a police officer, alternatively you can also listen to live emergency services online via your browser at Broadcastify.

Visit Radio Police Scanner Lite in GooglePlay

Visit Radio Police Scanner Lite in iTunes

20 March, 2013