Privnote is a free online service to send text, links, files, and images that self-destruct after being read. It has gained popularity among privacy-conscious internet users to communicate sensitive information securely. The contents of a private cannot be indexed by search engines, copied, printed, or stored. Once opened, the note immediately deletes itself from Privnote’s servers, leaving no trace. It gives users a way to share sensitive information securely that won’t linger online indefinitely. Some key features of Privnote include:
- Encrypted end-to-end so even Privnote cannot access the contents
- The sender can set a password to view the note
- Time limit for how long the viewed
- Notifications when a note is opened and deleted
- Ability to disable printing, copying, or screenshots
Key Features and Tools
Here are some of the key features that make Privnote a versatile private messaging tool.
- Custom View Limits – Set how long a note is viewed before it self-destructs. You set limits ranging from 1 minute to 1 week great for controlling sensitive data.
- Password Protection – Add an optional password that the recipient must enter before they view the privnote adds an extra layer of security.
- Disable Print/Copy – Prevents recipients from printing, copying, or screenshotting the privnote contents.
- Notifications – how to protect text in word? Get email notifications when your privnote is opened and again when it’s destroyed after reading.
- Attachment Support – Attach jpeg, png, gif, mp3, and PDF files up to 10MB in size. However, attachments are deleted after the first view.
- Tor Support – Privnote be accessed through the Tor anonymity network at http://privnote6vc7q53s.onion. It adds an extra layer of privacy.
- Custom Themes – Choose a color theme and background image to personalize your privnotes.
- Mobile Friendly – Privnotes work seamlessly on mobile browsers for secure messaging on the go.
Pros of Privnote
Several advantages make Privnote a useful tool for certain situations:
- True Ephemerality – Unlike many “self-destructing” messaging apps, Privnote are completely deleted after reading. There’s no backup on servers.
- Minimal Metadata- Notes contain no metadata or identifiers that could reveal sender/recipient info if compromised.
- Ease of Use – Creating secure privnotes takes seconds. Just generate a link and share it. No account or software is needed.
- Broad Compatibility – Privnotes work on all modern browsers and devices. Recipients don’t need to install any apps.
- Additional Security Options – Password protection and copy/print disabling give you more control.
- Open Source – Privnote is open source software meaning the code is audited and transparent.
Using Privnote Safely
To get the most privacy and security from Privnote, keep these tips in mind. Only access Privnote through HTTPS connections for encryption in transit. Use the official .com site. Avoid sending Privnote links through unsecured channels like SMS where they could be logged. Use encrypted apps instead. Be vigilant against fake Privnote phishing websites. Double-check URLs and verify the SSL certificate. For extreme sensitivity, use Privnote over Tor for added anonymity. Set reasonably short self-destruct timers on notes where practical to minimize exposure time. Turn off printing, copying, and downloading in settings for screenshots where necessary. Use strong computer generated passwords if adding a password to view privnotes. If communicating consistently with one party, consider generating a PGP key pair for e2e encryption rather than relying solely on Privnote.
