Self-Destructing Message Websites: 8 Best We Tested

Sometimes you might have a need to send an email to somebody but you don’t want it to remain on their computer, for security or personal reasons. Unfortunately, it just isn’t possible using the normal emailing system to send an email to somebody and have it auto delete itself after they have read it or after a certain period of time, just think of the kinds of security issues that would bring.

Although you can’t do it with your normal emails, there is an alternative which is basically the next best option. That is to use a secure web service where you can leave your message, then you email and send a unique link for the message to the other user and they can visit the webpage and view what’s written. The link and the message both expire after viewing or a set period of time meaning your message never existed.

Here we have found a selection of online services that can help you send a secure private message that will self destruct afterwards. It’s not left on a server somewhere, not in another users mail application, can’t be accidentally forwarded and it can’t be read by anyone else apart from who you sent it to.

1. DestructingMessage

DestructingMessage works using what it calls two different available methods, one is to generate the link to the message directly in your browser, the other is to email the link straight to the recipient. The email address will be asked for after you press the Create Message button. There is also a drop down box allowing you to choose how much time the message stays available for until it self destructs, 15 seconds to 5 minutes can be chosen. A link to the message will become available after you press the Create button which you then give to the other user to view. On viewing the message, a countdown timer will show time left until it reaches zero and deletes itself.

Visit DestructingMessage

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2. Burn Note

Burn Note have just updated their service and now it seems to be more like online chat and you need to create an account to send any messages. The amount of options seems to be restricted compared to the old version too. These include a time to delete in seconds, a password protection option and choosing to display the text to the recipient in either plain text, short phrases which hide after a few seconds until you click on it again and spotlight which highlights only a part of the text under the cursor with a circle. The free Burn Note account can store contacts, send the email for you and also notifies you when a note is read.

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3. QuickForget

The QuickForget website is a plain no frills message sending service that allows you to type in some text and then send it on with the minimum of effort. The expiration of the message can be either by the number of views or after a set period of time, whichever triggers 1st. Although listed in hours you can use values lower than 1 hour, for example enter 0.17 into the box and it will expire the message in 10 minutes. After clicking Save My Secret there is a link given to the message which can be pasted where you like, and a Mailto: button creates an email ready for you to just enter the send to address. The Privacy Policy is actually easy to read too!

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4. Cloakmy

If you want to send a more visually appealing message than plain text, then Cloakmy could be the one for you because it offers WYSIWYG rich text formatting options for the message. This includes text and color formatting as well as inserting hyperlinks and even images. A switchable code editor is available if you want to use a bit of HTML. As for the message options, you can send straight to an email using the box and include a subject or a security password. The expiration date can be set to auto delete upon receipt of the message, a set date range, or manual deletion only. The link to the message, link to delete the message and the document signature are displayed in the main window. Cloakmy also offers a secure chat room option.

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