WireOver app provides end-to-end encryption to save you from NSA's prying eyes

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ANI Washington
Last Updated : Jan 19 2014 | 11:40 AM IST

A new app reportedly provides users with end-to-end encryption of their data to be sent via Internet in a bid to thwart the alleged NSA snooping.

The Y Combinator WireOver desktop app allows users to send files of any size for free and for a charge of 10 dollars a month, users can get end-to-end encryption so that only the recipient can open the content.

According to TechCrunch, WireOver is both for those who want to send huge video files or photo collections and do not bother much about encryption, and for those who would not mind paying a little premium to secure their communications.

WireOver founder Trent Ashburn explained that there are security holes in the way big file storage and sharing providers transfer users' content as files arrive on the servers decrypted and thus prone to interception.

However, with WireOver's end-to-end encryption, files are never stored on its servers, and it doesn't have the decryption key.

Ashburn said that sending medium-size files have been made easy with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Skydrive, but sending big files securely still needs attention.

Users simply need to dump files into WireOver's little window after it is installed on the desktop and type in the email address of the recipient[s]. Once they have WireOver installed and running, the file is transferred completely peer-to-peer, or routed by WireOver's servers but isn't stored there.

However, the biggest drawback of the app is that both the sender and recipient need to be online at the same time to have secure and encrypted communication.

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First Published: Jan 19 2014 | 11:34 AM IST

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