HushApp News

Now easier and safer to use: Meet the 5 new HushApp features

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Every day we work to make your experience with our solution simple and at the same time provide the highest security and privacy for your confidential information. Therefore, we want you to know the new HushApp features, each one designed to streamline the communication processes between users without losing the ease of use and with total security.

Each step count, for example, to enter an email and password implies a time that usually we do not want to invest, although it seems little, we simply do not want to repeat it again and again. Therefore, from HushApp you can log in with your email accounts (such as Gmail or Microsoft) and you can also reset your passphrase securely, which will make your experience with our solution much more pleasant.

We introduce you the 5 new HushApp features

1) Integration with Microsoft tools: From now on, you can use your Microsoft account to sign in and access HushApp. In addition, you can manage your Microsoft contacts within HushApp by clicking on a new button available in the contacts section. Once you accept the appropriate permissions, we will show you which of your contacts are already HushApp users so that you can import them and which ones you can invite to join our community. 

If you have an Outlook, Office 365, Skype, or OneDrive account, … you can use it to access HushApp!

In addition, we are working on additional integrations with Microsoft. 

2) Now you can reset your Passphrase: If you have forgotten it, or if you are entering a wrong password, a message will appear where you can click and send an email to HushApp Team to reset it.

Please note that from HushApp we will initiate an identity verification process for the privacy and security of our clients because that’s our number one priority.

3) You can send much longer messages: Now you can send longer messages to unregistered users who can then view them without problems on the download page after decrypting it.

4) Customize your profile picture: Now you can customize your profile picture in the settings section of your account. Change your photo whenever you want and identify your account as well as those other users.

5) Sending messages without needing to attach files: Another HushApp feature to highlight is that it’s now possible to send encrypted messages to your contacts without needing to attach files. This allows you a fluid and secure communication with other users from the application.

We also improved the transfer flow to adapt it to this new functionality, giving priority to the recipients and the message.

We will continue working on many other new HushApp features and we will soon tell you …

What do you think about our news? Take a look at our web version and feel free to leave comments on what you think about these new features!

We have news in HushApp that we want to tell you!

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We have news in HushApp! Yes, because every day we work hard to make your experience better and better, so we decided to take this space to tell you about all the improvements we have made to our web version until today.

We are constantly changing, always looking for HushApp to be easy to use and at the same time secure enough to protect the privacy of your files. That’s why our team is committed to making this app as user-friendly as possible and our mission is to keep your information safe.

What’s the news in HushApp?

Here is a summary of what we have improved for you …

  • Some changes in the transfer process: as part of the progress in the user experience, we have improved this functionality, since it is one of the most features of the app. Now the send button is active from the moment you add a file. If you click on it, it will validate the recipients and show you some warnings and indications in case they are necessary, so you know at all times what you have to do.
  • Messages at the beginning and at the end of the encryption process: When you make a transfer, a message will appear at the beginning and at the end of the process, indicating the number of files you are sending and the number of recipients that you chose. A way to better visualize what you send and who you send it to.
  • We improved the password field to transfer to unregistered users: As you know, in Hushapp you can send your files even to people who do not use the application and are still protected. To do this, you must create a password and send them by other means, so that they can receive your files securely. We have facilitated this process in several aspects:
  • Now you can see an information button, which opens a drop-down and explains what you should do when you send a message to unregistered users.
  • We also have a more descriptive placeholder, so you know where and what you should enter in this field.
  • We also added an eye icon that allows you to hide or show the password, so you can see what you write, if you are in a secure environment.
  • The history of transfers received shows you the expiration of each transfer: now you know how much time you have left to download the files that were sent to you.
  • The clickable area to add files to a transfer: A larger space to click and add your files, which makes the sending process faster and easier.
  • Improvements for companies and work teams: On this issue, at Hushapp we are working hard to improve the experience for work teams. One of the improvements is now you can send a reminder to a colleague to complete the registration process.

To explain it in simpler words, if in a company all employees use HushApp and someone tries to send a file to a colleague who has not yet completed the registration process, HushApp will send a reminder to them to activate their account, thus they will be able to receive the files in a secure way.

Take a look at our web version and feel free to leave comments on what you think about this news in HushApp!

9 tips to use Facebook safely and not compromise your privacy

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Social media has changed the way we communicate today, but it is still controversial as far as user safety is concerned. Facebook is the best example, not only because of the immense number of users it has but also because of the conflicts that the company has experienced recently, which leaves the level of privacy of its users in question. Despite this, some are reluctant to leave the popular network, since it has become an essential way of communication for them. Therefore, the question arises: Is it possible to use Facebook safely without compromising privacy?

These questions are also raised by the imminent need of parents to protect their children, who are regular users of the popular network. However, cyber attacks become more advanced each day and anyone can be the victim of cybercrime through social media: fake news, phishing and other types of fraud frequently occur, and even the most cautious user, can fall into one of them.

It’s time to sharpen your eyesight and go one step ahead of cyber attackers, you can continue to use Facebook safely, by following some simple steps:

How to use Facebook safely? From the basic to the most advanced configurations:

1) Do not accept friend requests from strangers: The first step is to control those who have access to what you publish, therefore, by common sense, it is better to only accept people you know. It is important that parents educate children and make sure that young people do not accept requests from strangers.

2) Set up your profile so that only your friends can see your publications, you can even select specific people to see or not each publication.

3) Avoid publishing information related to your location. Some people use geolocation to show where they are on vacation for example, in any case, if you want to do so, add the photos after returning home, when you are no longer in the place you show.

4) Do not post your phone number, address, names of children or pets, this can be an easy clue for cybercriminals to guess your passwords.

5) Control who can connect with you: If you enter the section “Settings” and then “privacy”, you can control who can connect with you. There you will have several options that you can define in terms of who can see your activity and how they can contact you, for example: you have the option to receive friend requests from everyone or just friends of friends. Previously, Facebook had a “preview” option to know how your profile looked for other users. However, the same platform announced this function is disabled, due to a security incident with this tool.

6) Check the permissions of the apps and websites: In this section, you can see and control the applications and websites that you have connected to your Facebook page. You can see which ones are allowed, delete those that you do not want to use or deactivate the platform completely. If you click on each of them, you can see what kind of information that application or website accesses.

7) Report offensive content: this option is present in many sections of Facebook and serve to allow users to report offensive content, usually just look for the drop-down of the determined section and look for the option “Give Feedback”, then, a member of the Facebook security team will investigate and evaluate if it is appropriate to remove the content of the site.

8) Review in detail the section “Security and Login”: Facebook has added more layers of security to its users, especially to protect the login and prevent potential identity theft. It is important to review the available options periodically. If you go to configuration and then “Security and Login” there are different sections that are interesting and we recommend you to activate:

  • Check from Where You’re Logged In: in this section, you can see all the devices that have been connected, where and when they were connected, that will allow you to identify any suspicious activity in your account.
  • In any case, Facebook will also notify you if there is an unusual activity, such as a connection on an unusual computer. In the section “Get alerts about unrecognized logins” you can determine how you want to activate that notification.
  • You can also add two-factor authentication, either with a login code, through SMS or an authentication application of your choice.

9) Add encryption to Facebook notifications: One of the most advanced and interesting Facebook options is the encrypted notification emails. If you have them activated, you can use PGP encryption to protect these messages from possible intruders.

What can this serve you for? An example could be that for any reason you lost your password and you need to resort to the password recovery mail, with this functionality you would be ensuring that only you can read that email.

A more advanced feature that will require you to understand the encryption topic a bit more. If you succeed, you can enjoy your Facebook safely.

On the web the risks are everywhere, therefore the important thing is to improve our experience, to know the risks and advantages of each application that we use and the sites we visit.

5 reasons why Hushapp can be useful if you are freelance

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We have mentioned before how useful Hushapp for your day to day can be. Now, we want to dedicate this space for freelancers, those people who work in the creative world: designers, photographers, editors, copywriters and other professionals who use their creativity for their daily work. Here we give you 5 reasons to use Hushapp if you are a freelance.

We know how difficult it is to be a freelancer today, plus add the fact that you must protect your files, there are several possible scenarios that you must consider: that they get into the hands of some disloyal agency that takes advantage of your work, or to become a victim of some malware because you forgot to update the antivirus, and even worse, the confidential data of your clients is leaked.

Do not suffer anymore! With Hushapp you can streamline your work and at the same time add the necessary protection for your files.

Here are 6 reasons to make you feel safer using Hushapp as a freelance:

  1. Protect the intellectual property of your creation: we know that as a creator, one of your main concerns is that your work is  copied or used without your permission. Keep your work protected in the Hushbox of your mobile device and access them easily and safely. 
  2. Send your protected files to customers: Within the creative process it is common to make different transfers to your customers, they will be approving or asking for modifications all throughout the creative process which must be protected from the beginning of the conception of the idea, to the final work. With the end-to-end encryption we use in Hushapp, you can share as many times as you want safely, even with those customers who do not have the application, as they will remain protected.
  3. Use the best technology to protect your files: Technology advances in leaps and bounds, and as a freelance you must be up to date with all the necessary technological tools to optimize your work to facilitate daily actions such as sending files to your clients in a safe way.There is no need for complex computer programs to protect your information, which will only take away more time than you need for your work. With Hushapp you have the ideal combination of usability and protection for your files, since we use military-grade encryption standards (AES-256 and RSA-2048) to protect your files and it is also very easy to use.
  4. Zero knowledge technology: To further strengthen the protection of your creations, we use zero knowledge technology, so us from Hushapp have no way of knowing anything about your private information: we can not access your files or your passwords.
  5. Work from home safely: As a freelance you do not have a schedule, you work countless hours from the office, from home, or even a local coffee shop. Feel safe by sharing the files you need from where you are using Hushapp.

We want to make your work easy and safe.

We invite you to try Hushapp …

8 reasons why you should use HushApp in your day to day

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We have talked a lot about Hushapp and how it can help you in different aspects of your work. Now we want to show you that our application not only serves for labor issues, it can also be present in your day to day activities to add more protection and security to your digital life in a very simple way. Therefore, here are 8 very simple examples of how you can use HushApp in your everyday.

Basic uses: easy and safe

  1. Every day we accumulate more and more information, and need to find a safe place to store it. With HushApp this problem is easily solved because you can store data on your mobile device, keeping it handy and protected. HushApp easily secures all your files with important information, such as bank data, passwords, personal documents, etc. If you need to send a file to someone, you can do it from the app and they will be protected from the time you send them until your recipients receive it.  
  2. It is not only about protecting what we commonly consider confidential information, in HushApp you can store and send any type of file including photographs, videos, audio, etc. Remember that cyber attacks are becoming increasingly popular and anyone can be a victim. Suppose you lose your phone, if someone unwanted manages to access your device, they can not see anything within your HushBox, so your personal memories will be safe.

HushApp to protect your family:

  1. If we talk about photographs and privacy, surely the first thing that comes to mind are your precious family pictures. It is very common for parents to share those special moments with their little ones in social media for their birthdays, their first steps, when they said their first words and many more things. The issue lies in who can access the image of your kids, and what could they do with those files. When children have access to the internet, the danger is greater, since criminals take advantage of their innocence, they could contact them. Do not neglect yourself! Take charge and keep your minors safe by using safer alternatives like Hushapp to share these special moments.
  2. Children are getting smarter every day and frequently learning new ways to accessing your device. To prevent your children from accessing important files (for example your work documents and deleting them by mistake), keep them safe in your Hushbox and this will not cause you a unneeded headache with your boss 🙂
  3. As you take care of your children, you also can take care of your friends and aditional family, by capturing those special moments. Your Christmas photos, photographs, memories, etc. everything you can store and share with them (even if they do not have the application) is easily secured.

We do not want to know about your private life, we just want to protect it:

  1. Let’s be honest, everyone has secrets that they desire to be kept hidden. We are not all saints and we have a dark side, whatever it is, nobody can force you to expose your privacy. At HushApp we want to protect your private life, regardless what you do, because we have no way of knowing. We use zero knowledge technology therefore we can not access your files or your passwords.

Facilitate your work from home: 

  1. As mentioned previously, HushApp is clearly not just a business tool, however for the many times work does accompany us home, 
    you might be asked to send documents to customers or suppliers. Or maybe you forgot something and decided to finish it out of the office. Or even you might be self-employed and work from home. HushApp is there to accompany you at all times. 
  2. If you are a fan of technology, and want to be at the forefront of everything that is the digital world, do not get stuck in the past. It is no longer necessary to have complex programs that only computers know how to use. Hushapp uses military grade encryption and even with such a complex system it remains super easy to use!

Encryption is easy …

We invite you to try Hushapp …

What is end-to-end encryption and how do we use it in HushApp?

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Have you ever heard about end-to-end encryption? If you use applications such as Whatsapp or Telegram, you are already using this type of technology. This term has become recognizable thanks to these applications, but not only do they use this system, and besides the people who do not understand it, some have the ability to understand it is associated with a higher level of security. What is end-to-end encryption and what is it for?

What is end-to-end encryption?

Known in English as End-to-end encryption (E2EE), it is a communication system where only the users who communicate can read the messages. In principle, it prevents potential spies, including telecommunications service providers, the internet or any communication service, from accessing the cryptographic keys necessary to decipher the conversation. It is designed to overcome any attempt of surveillance or undesired alteration, since no third party will be able to decipher the data that is being communicated or stored.

To explain it in a simpler way, it is an encryption system that keeps the information protected in all phases of the process meaning that the only people who have access are the sender and the receiver.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of this type of system is to protect your information and privacy. Including anybody behind a service provider, only you and the recipient you choose will be able to access those files.

One of the great advantages is that companies that use end-to-end encryption can not deliver their clients’ text messages to authorities.

This brings a possible moral issue, that being that criminals may use such security to commit criminal activities. Although the debate may be extended, the advantages in terms of privacy may outweigh the concern of criminal activity.

Why do we use end-to-end encryption in HushApp?

Many messaging tools use this type of encryption to make communications more secure and private. However, it is important to note that this encryption system only offers a high level of security as long as it is implemented correctly. There are cases of recognized messaging companies who make promotions for using end-to-end encryption but aren’t even using it. They have suffered serious security breaches, due to the implementation they have made of this type of encryption. 

To strengthen your security we use the passphrase, this is where we protect your files and transfers, the passphrase is the key used to authenticate the user. When you register on your device, a secret key is generated that will help you decipher the encrypted content you receive and or send.

This secret key is created and stored in the user’s device. Thus, only those who know the passphrase can recover the secret key which unlocks the content. When you log in again, you will be asked for your passphrase and the encrypted secret key will be decrypted with this same passphrase.

With HushApp you are the one in charge of giving more security to your files because the more complex the security passphrase you choose, the higher the level of protection. You can even know if your passphrase is sufficiently robust and complex to be deciphered, because the application assigns your profile a yellow (if regular) or green (if strong) shield based on this criterion.

That is why it is important that you do not forget your passphrase. Our application implements zero knowledge protocol, meaning we have no way to access your files, passwords or passphrases. So, if you cannot remember your phrase, you will not be able to recover your files.

We invite you to try HushApp …

3 things you can do in the new version of the HushApp web application

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We have news in HushApp! We have mentioned the advantages of  the zero knowledge technology in HushApp and how incorporating a passphrase provides for additional security. The HushBox makes it easy to manage contacts by giving the option to send to HushApp users or non-users. Now we have made some improvements and we come to introduce to you the latest updates to the HushApp web application.

We have implemented high-level encryption methods, seeking a simple and transparent process for the user, without affecting the efficiency of your mobile or computer. Therefore, security, usability, and a good user experience are our priorities.

The new presentation in our web application simplifies and unifies the processes to send and share files in an easy and safe way, while still managing to follow our principles.

This is the news that we bring from the HushApp web application

After logging into the web, either with your email and passphrase or with one of the available social accounts, you will enter the main screen to make your submissions. You then will be able to attach files to send to others via email. You will also notice that you can see in the middle of the screen, the tabs of your contacts that you have previously added, and that if you wish to add an additional one in the “recipients” section, it will appear automatically. 

When you have several contacts, you will notice a bar that you can slide to the right to see all the people added. Since they will be easily accessible, it will be painless for you to find the contacts to whom you want to send.

In addition, there is a new functionality to add contacts that are non-users of HushApp. If you would like to send documents to non-users you simply need to select the “recipients” section and create a password or passphrase. Then inform that contact of the password so that they can access your file.

Below the contacts, we have another new feature, a space to add a note, which is also sent encrypted. This new functionality is optional, but allows you to customize the message. Any details about transfer or additional information about the contents is recommended, however, HushApp users seeking to send to a non-user should not include the password or passphrase needed to access their files.

As a last step, just click on the send button and go! Your files have been sent securely, and no one other than you and the recipients you chose will be able to access the information.

People who seek to use applications prefer the process to be easy and efficient. At HushApp, we work every day so that when you need to send a secured document you can do so pleasantly and above all conveniently.

We invite you to try the new version of the HushApp web application …

What is zero knowledge technology and why do we use it in HushApp?

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It is difficult to choose the appropriate ways to protect our information, each application may have stronger features than another. If you want to keep an intruder as far as possible away from your files, then there are options available in the market that can help you. This level of protection is known as zero knowledge technology, but, what is it? How does it work?

It is important to begin recognizing the protection type we want for our files. We have the ability to choose who does or does not access them, but our security sense depends on the trust we have in others. For example, how could we ensure that a hotel does not use the master key of your room to enter and rummage through your belongings and even steal them? There should be a method to ensure that the hotel will not use this key.

The same happens in the digital world, when entering a service, you need to enter a password. Traditionally the server already has a coded version of the password, if it matches, you can access the system. The problem is that the server also knows your password. This is where zero knowledge technology could help you …

How does it work?

Zero knowledge, or ZKP (Zero Knowledge Proof), is a protocol used in encryption systems. It is a method established for one of the parties to prove to another that a statement (usually mathematical) is true, without revealing anything other than the truth of the statement.

To put it in simpler words, zero-knowledge technology uses encryption schemes that show if someone knows something without revealing what it is. For example, this is similar to when someone knows the answer to a riddle but does not reveal the solution. How can you prove that they really know the solution?  

There are two fundamental parts involved in this process, the “tester” who knows the information and the other, in this case the “verifier” who is convinced that the tester knows the information in question. To verify this, the ZKP protocol follows three basic properties:

Totality: the tester can provide the correct information and the verifier will be convinced of the truth of what he receives. Taking it to the digital world, a tester could be a user who places his password in an application, the application (verifier in this case) will receive the password of the tester (the user), without needing to know it.

Solidity: The only way to convince the verifier, is entering the correct information (or the correct password).

Zero Knowledge: The verifier knows that it is the correct information, but can not know the password.

A unique feature of this system is that it not only shows that it knows something to its interlocutor without revealing it, but if someone simply observes, they cannot verify or know anything about this procedure.

The interesting thing about ZKP is that it is a form of authentication where passwords are not exchanged, which means that service providers do not know anything about the data they store on their servers. It is also included in our HushApp!

HushApp and Zero Knowledge Technology

One of the most interesting HushApp features is that we use this technology to give greater protection to your confidential information. With this, you are certain that we do not have access to your information, passwords, or the files you store or send.

With this you get a more secure communication because only the user knows what he is communicating or what files they are sharing. When not storing your password, it is very important that you memorize it or keep it in a safe place, since if you lose or forget it, you will not have a way to recover it.

We invite you to protect your files easily and safely.

Try HushApp …

Why use a passphrase instead of a password?

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As technology changes and advances, so do cybercriminals. That is why every day sites on the internet, softwares and applications are required to ask users to strengthen their passwords. This is because, users continuously make the same mistakes, using a password that hackers can easily discover.

According to Google’s global data, 68% of people use the same password for different accounts, only 46% change it at least once a year, and 91% use a password that is in the top 1000 most common passwords in the world. This goes to show that we still do not know the magic formula to remember a strong and unique password.

Remembering all of our different passwords is growing more difficult: increased length, numbers, capital letters, lowercase letters, and symbols make it difficult to not make mistakes, or forget. Thankfully, there is a better option: how about we use a passphrase?

Passphrase: what you need to know

A passphrase is nothing more than a phrase that works like a password. It is commonly used in the encryption of access to some software or other electronic systems. Unlike the password, they are much easier to remember.

Not all applications or software have this feature, but you can choose this option if the service allows it, especially when you need to protect the content of the information you want to share. The rest of this article will be dedicated to offering some simple tips that will help you  build a safe and easy to remember passphrase.

Like passwords, passphrases must have a certain level of complexity, or at least creativity, something that makes it unique and that only you will remember. Although this principle is repeated when you create a password, in the case of a phrase it may make more sense than a set of symbols, numbers and letters. Therefore, avoid using familiar phrases such as excerpts from songs, books or popular culture.

Do not repeat the phrase, remember that a password is like a key, you do not use it to open the same room. With the passphrase it will work the same, use a different phrase for different services.

Also, do not share the method you used to create it, it may be a clue you give to hackers to guess your phrase.

HushApp: Passphrases to send your files easily and safely

Now that you know you have this option, you will wonder where you can use it. In HushApp the passphrase has a leading role to protect your privacy. Here you can encrypt your files and store them in in your Hushbox. You will only be able to access your files using the passphrase you have selected.

You can also send your files to contacts you have selected, whether they use the application or not. In case you do not use it, you will also create a passphrase especially for them and send it to the recipient by other means. This way, you make sure that your information is completely secure.

Passwords have a vital function within the scope of cybersecurity, choosing the right one is crucial when stopping our information from falling into the wrong hands. The passphrase is an option to further improve the security and protection of your data, provided you give it the appropriate use.

4 Things you can do to take advantage of your HushApp contacts

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We introduced you to the HushApp contacts, one of the most interesting features of our app. It is one of the few transfer applications where you can manage your contacts in a very simple way, while also guaranteeing that your files are protected through the entire transit process thanks to its end-to-end encryption system.

HushApp contacts have a section within the application that you can easily locate in the lower section of the screen, on the left side, right next to your Hushbox. Once entered, you will be able to visualize them and we will show you how to handle them.

One of the advantages of the Android version is that it will automatically show you all the contacts you have in your phone’s calendar. This means that you don’t have to add them again; you can also add others if you want.

1) Add your HushApp contacts

When you access this section, you will have an option to add (orange button with the + symbol) located in the lower right part of the screen. There you can add your contact,. i If they are already registered to the application, just by writing the first letters of their name will appear immediately, click on the “add” button and itthis contact will alreadybe placed be among your existing HushApp contacts.

You can notice that yourYour contacts are identified in the same way in your personal agenda, it even includes their avatar, so that you can locate them easily.

2) Secure sending with your HushApp contacts

Sending files to your contacts from the HushApp is very simple, you. You just simply have to choose what you want to send from your Hushbox or upload them through the Dashboard (the purple screen located in the middle section at the bottom of the app). Then, select who you want to send the information to by clicking on the people chosen.

3) Sending to contacts that do not use the application

You can also send to acquaintances who do not use the application, you only have to add their email address in the same contacts section.

The only step that must be taken is that you will have to add a password and send it through another source in order for them to access the information sent. This will guarantee that your files will be safe from falling into unauthorized hands.

When making a transfer from the Android version, you can add a note to any of your contacts if you wish, with the peace of mind that this note can be read only by you and your recipients.

4) Control transfers of your contacts

Another advantage of being able to manage your HushApp contacts, can be found in the  is in the “Received” tab, . Here you will be able to control the sent transfers. You can see the date and time of each transfer, and  and who sent it to you, all while having always with the peace of  mind that your files remain are safe and that nobody but you can access them.from anyone unauthorized.

Do you want to know more about HushApp? Watch this simple tutorial

Any additional questions contact us through: [email protected]