Off-the-Record Messaging
Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR) is an encryption protocol that allows two parties to have private, encrypted conversations over instant messaging clients. It prevents eavesdropping and ensures the authenticity of messages.
encryption
privacy
instant-messaging
Off-the-Record Messaging: Private Instant Messaging
An encryption protocol for secure conversations, preventing eavesdropping and ensuring message authenticity, available on instant messaging clients.
What is Off-the-Record Messaging?
Off-the-Record (OTR) Messaging is an encryption protocol that provides end-to-end encryption for instant messaging conversations. It allows two parties to have a private, encrypted chat over popular IM clients such as Pidgin, Adium and Kopete.
Some key features of OTR Messaging include:
- Encryption - Messages are encrypted using AES symmetric-key algorithm with 128-bit session keys.
- Authentication - OTR ensures the authenticity of messages through a Socialist Millionaire Protocol.
- Deniability - The encryption is done in a way that prevents adversaries from proving a conversation took place.
- Perfect forward secrecy - Compromising long-term keys does not reveal past conversation contents.
OTR aims to provide security and privacy to IM users. It prevents eavesdropping and tampering of messages. The encryption keys are frequently renewed and old encrypted messages cannot be decrypted if a key gets compromised later on. This makes it suitable for sensitive chats where maximum privacy is desired.
Off-the-Record Messaging Features
Features
- End-to-end encryption
- Perfect forward secrecy
- Deniability
- Authentication
- Repudiability
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Provides strong encryption
Allows private conversations
Open source and free
Cons
Requires both parties to use OTR
Not widely adopted
Some usability issues
Official Links
The Best Off-the-Record Messaging Alternatives
Top Social & Communications and Instant Messaging and other similar apps like Off-the-Record Messaging
Here are some alternatives to Off-the-Record Messaging:
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