







General Safety Advice [ edit ]

Tip: Most existing instant messenger protocols are unsafe from a privacy point of view. This is not a Whonix ™-specific problem, but a general problem with instant messengers.

It is estimated that within 10 to 15 years, Quantum Computers will break today's common asymmetric public-key cryptography algorithms used for web encryption (https), e-mail encryption (GnuPG...), SSH and other purposes. See Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQCrypto).

It is recommended to review the Do not Mix Anonymity Modes section in conjunction with this entry. For a comprehensive comparison of instant messengers, see here [archive].

Encryption [ edit ]

Tor exit relays can eavesdrop on communications if encryption to the server is disabled. Depending on the protocol, encryption might be disabled by default or not even supported. Tails has noted that without encryption, the exit relay can see the contact list, all messages, file transfers, and audio/video. [1] While encryption to the server prevents exit relay eavesdropping, it still leaves one problem unresolved: server logging.

High-risk users should also bear in mind that even in the event that strong and secure end-to-end encryption is used -- for example encrypted chat using .onion connections only (staying within the Tor network) -- sophisticated attackers (nation state actors) are capable of compromising the trusted computing base (TCB) [2] of nearly all platforms: [3]

All proper end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) messaging systems store private key(s) exclusively on user's device (endpoint). The holy grail of attacks against E2EE systems is called exfiltration where the sensitive data, namely the private keys or plaintext messages, are stolen from the endpoint. The attack is directed against the trusted computing base (TCB) of the target system. The overwhelming majority of TCBs are connected to the network and compromising them with polished malware that exploits a zero-day vulnerability, is trivial and undetectable.

Server Logging [ edit ]

Encrypted server connections do not prevent the server gathering interesting information about users, such as common contacts and the regularity of communications. An example list includes:

Account names.

Buddy list (list of contacts).

The exact date and time of logins.

Message timestamps.

Communication patterns like common contacts. If the recipient knows the sender and has ever used a non-anonymous account or logged in without Tor, this information can be used to try and determine the sender's identity.



The content of messages will only be protected by using end-to-end encryption, for example OMEMO [archive]. The threat of server logging can be completely removed with decentralized (server-less) instant messengers like Ricochet IM, but unfortunately it is non-functional in Whonix ™ at present.

Jabber / XMPP [ edit ]

Jabber/XMPP [archive] is a libre server-federation protocol designed with openness in mind: "... All of the existing XMPP servers, clients, and programming libraries support the key features of an IM system, such as one-to-one and multi-party messaging, presence subscriptions and notifications, and contact lists."

The system is decentralized because there is no central authoritative server; anyone can run a server. Some users are confused on this point because there are a number of large and popular public XMPP servers (like jabber.org), to which many have subscribed. [4] Each network user has a unique XMPP address called a JID (Jabber ID). The JID is similar to an email address insofar as it has a username and domain name like username@example.com [5]

Safely using the protocol requires proper use of encryption (such as OMEMO), because it is unwise to trust server connections are properly encrypted between each other. Jabber privacy is also limited, as various adversaries are capable of observing which accounts are communicating. Jabber and Tor combined only guarantee pseudonymous communications, as while the user's current location is hidden, the social graph can still expose their true identity. For tips on operational security when chatting anonymously, see this article [archive] by The Intercept [archive]. Also see: Why prefer open protocols such as Jabber/XMPP over proprietary ones such as ICQ? [archive]

IRC [ edit ]

When using IRC inside Whonix-Workstation ™, the Ident Protocol [archive] is automatically blocked because Whonix-Workstation ™ is firewalled. Therefore the associated daemon will not identify the username which is linked with a particular TCP connection, as is normally the case.

The Tor Project Internet Relay Chat [archive] page contains a number of important recommendations and tips for safe IRC use:

Use onion services when available. Check self-signed certificates have the correct SSL/TLS certificate.

Cycle Tor circuits to evade censorship bans.

Chain VPNs and Tor for registration.

Use OTR (or OMEMO if available) for end-to-end encryption.

Distrust users and servers in general.

Avoid personally identifiable information in chats.

Check the user fingerprint before using IRC.

Harden the IRC client.

And more.

Recommendation [ edit ]

Notice : Ricochet IM is no longer recommended as a decentralized (server-less) option because it is not functional in Whonix ™. [6] [7] [8]

Applications discussed in this chapter are listed in order of best usability and compatibility with Whonix ™, based on the opinion and experience of Whonix ™ developers.

It should be noted that no single application listed here has a superior feature set. Users must make a choice based on personal preferences and their self-assessed threat model:

Dino IM is the best option currently. It provides the best UX, a modern and clean look and OMEMO support. Gajim has more Jabber users, is written in memory-safe python, supports offline messages, and can provide OMEMO-grade encryption. On the downside, it requires a Jabber server which weakens anonymity. HexChat is an open source IRC client based on XChat (therefore not technically an instant messenger). It has better usability and supports encrypted plugins like OTR, but on the downside it relies on centralized IRC servers. Tox is also a fully-featured, decentralized (server-less) option which employs strong encryption, but the software is in alpha status. [9] Tox developers warn in their wiki: "... Keep in mind that these clients are alpha software under heavy development, and are probably not ready for day-to-day use. ..." [10] Nheko is a libre Matrix desktop client that can be used for Telegram and IRC channels.

Dino IM [ edit ]

Dino IM [archive] is a modern XMPP ("Jabber") Chat Client written in GTK+/Vala for GNU/Linux and available in Debian. OMEMO is supported, but needs to be toggled in the chat window. Additonaly OpenPGP Is supported too.

A Tor compatible version is currently available from Buster Backports repo.

dino-im can be installed from Debian backports. This is non-ideal, see footnote. [11] 1. Boot Whonix-Workstation ™ ( whonix-ws-15 ) TemplateVM. 2. Add the current Debian stable backports codename buster-backports to Debian apt sources. Note: this applies to Whonix 15.0.1.5.1. Later Whonix versions may use a codename different to buster . In Whonix-Workstation ™ ( whonix-ws-15 ) TemplateVM, run. sudo su -c "echo -e 'deb tor+https://deb.debian.org/debian buster-backports main contrib non-free' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list" sudo su -c "echo -e 'deb tor+https://deb.debian.org/debian buster-backports main contrib non-free' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list" Alternatively, users who like Onionizing Repositories can set the .onion mirror. sudo su -c "echo -e 'deb tor+http://vwakviie2ienjx6t.onion/debian buster-backports main contrib non-free' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list" sudo su -c "echo -e 'deb tor+http://vwakviie2ienjx6t.onion/debian buster-backports main contrib non-free' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list" 3. Update the package lists. sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get update 4. Install the select software. sudo apt-get -t buster-backports install dino-im sudo apt-get -t buster-backports install dino-im The procedure is now complete. 5. Undo. On occasion it is necessary to undo this configuration, for example when upgrading from Debian buster to bullseye . [12] To proceed, run. sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.list

It's planned for inclusion by default in Whonix 16. Other issues currently is broken OMEMO compatibility with Gajim users.[13]

Key Backup [ edit ]

In addition to the fingerprint displayed in clients, OMEMO uses session/ephemeral keys: as soon as you chat with someone, these keys are created and they are replaced with new ones after every message exchange.

Without the latest session keys, you can't decrypt incoming messages. Thus when importing session keys from an older backup, you are likely going to have issues if the keys were used in between.

Both types of keys are stored in the ~/.local/share/dino/omemo.db (a SQLite DB). As long as you only backup them while Dino is not running and do not start Dino from the same database twice, there is no issue.

Gajim [ edit ]

Overview [ edit ]

Ubuntu provides a succinct overview of Gajim: [14]

Gajim is a free software, instant messaging client for the Jabber (XMPP) protocol which uses the GTK+ toolkit. It runs on GNU/Linux, BSD and Windows. The name Gajim is a recursive acronym for Gajim (is) a jabber instant messenger. The goal of Gajim is to provide a full featured and easy to use Jabber client. Gajim works nicely with GNOME, but does not require it to run. It is released under the GNU General Public License.

Gajim has various features, including: [15]

Chat client synchronization.

Group chats.

Sending of pictures, videos and other files to friends or groups.

Secure end-to-end encryption via OMEMO or PGP.

The option to keep and manage all chat history.

Connection compatibility with other messengers via transports, such as IRC.

Various other features are available via plugins.

In late-2018, audio/video is reportedly not functional in Gajim. Further, OTR support was dropped in Gajim release 1.0, but the OMEMO plugin [archive] is an encryption alternative. [16]

Figure: Gajim Client in Whonix ™

Installation [ edit ]

Tip: Gajim dependencies and Debian instructions are always available here [archive].

The steps below install Gajim, along with the OMEMO encryption plugin and HTTP Upload plugin [archive] (which is required for file transfers). [17] The latter plugin is fully integrated into the core Gajim software as of v1.0. Upon first launch of the program, users can use an existing XMPP account or create a new one.

Update the package lists.

sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get update

Install gajim, gajim-omemo and gajim-httpupload.

sudo apt-get install gajim gajim-omemo gajim-httpupload sudo apt-get install gajim gajim-omemo gajim-httpupload

Start Gajim from the start menu or type in konsole.

gajim gajim

[18]

Configuration [ edit ]

Account [ edit ]

On first launch, an Account Creation Wizard Dialog will appear. Use the wizard to either create a new account to connect to the jabber network or use an existing account. For new accounts, there are multiple jabber servers available and only a username and password is required to join. [19]

Gajim Settings [ edit ]

The following changes are recommended for better security and privacy.

Logs: Edit → Accounts → uncheck Save conversation logs for all contacts

Activity settings: Preferences → Status → un check Away after [20]

→ → Preferences → Status → uncheck Not available after Privacy settings: Preferences → Advanced → Privacy → un check Allow client / OS information to be sent Allow local system time information to be sent Log encrypted chat session Allow my idle time to be sent

→ → → Prevent auto-start: Preferences → Advanced → applications → Custom → clear fields for: [21] Browser Mail Client File Browser

→ → → → for: Network settings: [22] Preferences → Advanced → global proxy → Tor

→ → → Preferences → Advanced → global proxy → mange → Tor → check Use proxy authentication → set username to gajim → set password to gajim

Gajim cannot be installed by default in Whonix ™ yet, as there is more development work TODO; see Dev/Gajim.

HexChat: IRC Client [ edit ]

See HexChat.

Tox [ edit ]

Introduction [ edit ]

Tox logo

Tox [23] [24] looks like a promising solution for secure, encrypted communications. The official client implementation is based on the TokTok [archive] protocol library, which is very feature-rich and has a variety of functions besides VoIP. By default, Tox does not attempt to cloak your IP address from authorized contacts. However, Tox is the only Tor compatible VoIP solution we know of, allowing communication with others even if they are not anonymous. [25] Desktop versions are available for every major OS, however mobile support is lacking. [26]

In the Tox design, your public key is your Tox ID, which is looked up in the DHT network. Users can optionally create a vanity address using a DNS directory that maps ID hashes to human usable addresses (though no strong guarantees against spoofing are possible). Users can message friends, join public/private chat rooms and send each other large files. Everything is encrypted using the NaCl crypto library, via libsodium. [27] [28] Tox helps to protect user privacy by: [29]

Removing the need to rely on central authorities to provide messenger services

Enforcing end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy as the default and only mode of operation for all messages

Making your identity impossible to forge without the possession of your personal private key, which never leaves your computer

As of late-2018, the following secure (encrypted) features [archive] have been implemented: [30]

Voice and video calls.

Instant messaging.

Desktop screen sharing / streaming.

File sharing.

Typing indicators.

Message read-receipts.

Profile encryption.

Group messaging, voice and video conferencing.

Additional features can be implemented by any client, so long as they are supported by the core protocol. Features that are not related to the core networking system are left up to the client. [31]

Start qTox [ edit ]

qTox is installed by default in Whonix-Workstation ™. [32]

Can be started from start menu.

To launch qTox from command line, run.

qtox qtox

Figure: qTox Client in Whonix ™

TODO [ edit ]

TODO: Add instructions on how to use Tox with Stream Isolation.

Nheko [ edit ]

To connect to other Matrix users and/or our Telegram channel without dealing with Telegram Desktop, you can create an account on the privacytools.io [archive] home server for a more private experience (it doesn't collect as much data about users as the matrix.org home server). The privacy issues are inherent in the synapse server side software itself, check this list [archive] for a full write-up. Besides federating with other Matrix instances, it supports bridging to IRC and Telegram channels.

Available on Debian:

sudo apt install nheko sudo apt install nheko

Web Browser / JavaScript Clients [ edit ]

Strongly not recommended because they rely on the server not attacking the user and stealing their encryption keys from the browser. Malicious third party sites may be able to exploit browser security holes and sniff keys as well.

Also the stateless design of Tor Browser will erase any keys created and approved by communicating parties causing confusion about trusting their contacts in subsequent sessions - a workaround is to use a dedicated install of Firefox for that purpose.

Riot Web [ edit ]

Riot Web App [archive] is a browser based Matrix client.

OMEMO browser client [archive]. Provided by some XMPP hosting services. Chat encryption only available on "Trusted Devices".

Deprecated Chat Clients [ edit ]

CoyIM [ edit ]

No longer included in Whonix due to technical issues. Namely, currently not available from Debian stable or backports package sources packages.debian.org. [33] Chances are it gets reintroduced when Whonix 16 (based on Debian bullseye ) gets released. Manual software installation might be possible, see Install Software but it is undocumented by Whonix developers.

Pidgin [ edit ]

Pidgin supports most protocols and OTR end-to-end encrypted chat. However, it is not recommended because it has a very poor security record [archive] with many remotely exploitable bugs. Security researcher and developer Micah Lee notes this is the result of reliance on legacy protocols and the libpurple, libotr and libxml libraries which are: "... massive, written in C/C++, and are littered with memory corruption bugs. ..." [34]

RetroShare [ edit ]

Whonix ™ developers no longer list RetroShare, which is a friend-to-friend [archive] (peer-to-peer), decentralized network and not an anonymizing network. Encrypted RetroShare connections support chat, voice and video, mail, file-sharing, forums and Tor. [35] Although RetroShare is under active development [archive], [36] there are several serious concerns which disqualify a recommendation:

The RetroShare package is signed with weak 1024-bit keys (in late-2018).

A 2016 code review which focused on implementation vulnerabilities discovered multiple security issues: [37] The attack surface is high due to the feature-rich codebase. Systemic "insecure coding practice" was identified, particularly "...inconsistent return value checking and error handling, poor usage of explicit and implicit typecasting, and relaxed handling of adverse security edge-cases." Within a 24-hour period, auditors had developed proof of concept exploits for web-like vulnerabilities, weak binary protections, and out of bound memory reads and remote memory corruption (promptly rectified by developers).

A coverity scan of the RetroShare code shows a large number of outstanding defects, along with a relatively high defect density. [38] [39]

Ricochet IM [ edit ]

Ricochet IM is unsupported since it is broken in Whonix ™ 15 despite all efforts to fix it [archive].

Interested readers are most welcome to experiment with Ricochet IM to try and fix the problem -- refer to the archived documentation here.

TorChat [ edit ]

TorChat has not been recommended by Whonix ™ developers since late-2015. The reason is development has been at a standstill [archive] since 2013 and the TorChat developer does not respond to other people, suggesting the project has been abandoned. TorChat is also an unofficial project and unaffiliated with The Tor Project. Since communication, support, active development and security fixes are essential for anonymity-related projects, modern software alternatives are recommended. [40]

Another reason to avoid TorChat is the findings of a 2015 security analysis [41] which inspected the protocol and Python implementation: [42]

It was found that although the design of TorChat is sound, its implementation has several flaws, which make TorChat users vulnerable to impersonation, communication confirmation and denial-of-service attacks.

Tor Messenger [ edit ]

Do not use Tor Messenger! It was deprecated by upstream developers in early-2018. [43]

Other Software [ edit ]

For anonymous Voice over IP (VoIP) or encrypted, anonymous phone calls using the Tor anonymity network, see: VoIP.

If a messenger program is not listed in this chapter, it is for now recommended against. If readers feel any privacy-respecting chat clients are missing on this page, first search the Whonix ™ forums [archive] to see if that application has been discussed in the recent past. Any additions to this page will be based on an objective analysis of the software's underlying strength and compatibility with Whonix ™. [44]

License [ edit ]

Whonix ™ Chat wiki page Copyright (C) Amnesia <amnesia at boum dot org>

Whonix ™ Chat wiki page Copyright (C) 2012 - 2020 ENCRYPTED SUPPORT LP <adrelanos@whonix.org> This program comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details see the wiki source code.

This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it under certain conditions; see the wiki source code for details.



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