End-to-end encryption gives us greater security in our communications. Some apps have been using it for a while, like WhatsApp or Signal, although all content is not encrypted and WhatsApp itself logs a few exceptions.
However, this method of security causes certain difficulties for government organizations, which is why Europe is considering eliminating it, with Europe in the lead. If that were to happen, our privacy would be affected, but whether bad news comes or not, we have salvation: this free keyboard encrypt your messages.
KryptEY, the keyboard capable of encrypting messages
Although there are thousands of Android keyboards, there are never more different proposals that come to satisfy other needs. On this occasion we are talking about KryptEYa new keyboard designed for the Google operating system.
This one, created by two independent developers, allows us to send encrypted messages without needing a server to do it. Moreover, it is functional for any messaging application, whether or not it has end-to-end encryption.
The keyboard uses the protocol Signalthus avoiding going through better known solutions (and controllable by third parties) such as E2EE or PGP. Works independently of messaging appstherefore its encryption algorithm does not depend on a server.
Basically, it starts from the famous simple keyboard, to implement an additional layer of security: the aforementioned encryption. here are the features most important:
- Use end-to-end encryption via Signal Protocol in any application.
- Encryption/decryption of messages.
- Inputting messages via a separate text field on the keyboard.
- Use the clipboard to read messages.
- Managing contacts in the keyboard’s own contact list
- Message log to view sent/received messages.
- Send messages in raw JSON (raw mode) or hidden in decoy text (fairy tale mode).
- Verification of end-to-end encryption using fingerprints.
- It has both dark and light theme.
As we can see, these functions are mainly organized for increase the security of SMS communication, although other design features such as the beloved dark mode will be added. Therefore, it not only focuses on security, but maintains the essential functions of any keyboard today.
How to use it to encrypt your messages
To use this secure keyboard we need to download it from its own repository, hosted on GitHub. It installs like any other APK, but remember to enable Unknown Sources. Once we have it installed, we must activate it, and without problems we can select it as the main input method.
The appearance will be familiar to us, reminding us of the AOSP or Gboard keyboard itself with one difference: we have a top bar where we will take advantage of the encryption function. First of all, we need to add a contact by tapping on the corresponding icon, shown by the contact symbol. Then we will click on the only one available, and we will see how a long code is added in the text field. Send it to the recipient and you can start an encrypted conversation.
On the other side, the recipient You must also add yourself as a contact and then you can use it without major obstacles. When you receive them, you need to copy it to your Android’s clipboard, and you will see how the lock icon lights up (on the keyboard). Tap on it and you will see the message content without encryption, simple as that.
Now we are going to be shown a new Contextual menu where we can save the contact name. We touch “done” and thus our contact is automatically selected to continue talking.
KryptEY it’s totally free, Open Source and it will only ask for one permission: vibration. As we can see, the keyboard preserves our privacy, adding a more advanced security method to our messages. The same is not the most comfortable but it will be ideal if you want to take extreme precautions in terms of safety.
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