If the server code were open, how would you know the server was actually running that code anyway? Having the protocol documented so thoroughly makes the task of writing an alternative server trivial if time-consuming. I'd obviously prefer the server were AGPL, and I hope someone will write an AGPL'd server and federation.

For now though, the client is open source, the crypto doesn't suck, the UX is excellent, and the threat model is pretty transparent. I'm *never* going to inflict PGP on friends, but I'll happily inflict this on them.

On 14/01/15 22:54, rysiek wrote:
Dnia środa, 14 stycznia 2015 22:09:12 Cathal Garvey pisze:
  > So it would be prudent to use pseudonyms, and to access via some mix
  > of VPN(s), JonDonym and Tor (according to ones need for anonymity vs
  > speed). And using devices with removable local storage, there would be
  > no traces to be inspected by adversaries.

Well, I use my real name in most places and communicate a lot with
real-world friends and family by email, su using Peerio is therefore a
step up in security for me even if I continue to go by my usual name and
use my usual IPs.

If you need hard anonymity, this is only a marginal gain over regular
email because metadata (when, who, how, where) is a significant threat
to anonymity. So yea, use a burner email when setting up a peerio
account (no longer required after setup, probably a throwback to
email-as-salt in miniLock plus contact discovery by known email
address), then use through Tor (do research whether websockets are
tor-safe?).

  > Cool. But still, how is peerio more secure spideroak, for example?

Spideroak appears to be more about file storage and sync, whereas Peerio
seems to me to simply be a better approach to server:client email. It's
down to the bone: message-passing with attachments, and a nice UI.

As a crypto-app, it's targeted at the mainstream, and people who
interact with the mainstream. People on this list will have better, more
secure ways of communicating, but Nadim (to his credit) excels at making
crypto-apps that can appeal to normal users while adding a significant
privacy. It's an easier sell from "us" to "them".

With server code closed, it doesn't make sense to me to "sell" it to anybody.


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