A new internet messaging tool, which sidesteps the federal government's metadata collection regime to assist human rights activists and help journalists protect whistleblowers, has received a tick of approval from security experts.

The software, called Ricochet, has been in development for around two years, however now the team behind its creation says it's ready for use following a formal security audit conducted in the United States.

Richochet uses the Tor network to automatically give users dark web anonymity.

Dr Suelette Dreyfus, a vocal privacy advocate and University of Melbourne information system researcher who has already been teaching journalism students how to use Ricochet, said its security accreditation was a major step forward for investigative reporting.

"The release of Ricochet with its audit is a moment for celebration because, even if you're not a journalist or a source, as a member of the public you should feel happier that it's now a little safer for sources to reveal wrongdoing to journalists and for journalists to tell the truth about that wrongdoing. That's definitely something worth celebrating," Dr Dreyfus said.