Self-Destructing Message Websites: 8 Best We Tested
5. Privnote
Privnote is nice and simple at sending self destructing messages with very few options to speak of. After typing the message you can be notified on it’s receipt by ticking the box at the bottom and entering your own email and a reference note. After pressing the button you will be provided with a URL link to the message which can then be copied to an email program etc. As soon as the link is clicked on and the message read, it is deleted from the server. Unread messages will be kept on the server for 30 days.
6. This Message Will Self Destruct
TMWSD is another easy to use service that deletes the message as soon as it is retrieved by the recipient. Simply type in your message, enter a password for an added extra layer of security, tick the accept terms of service box (which you should always read for all of these types of service) and then click the Save button. On the next page just type in the name and email of the person you’re sending to or copy the URL to paste yourself. You can also send the message to more than 1 person by adding a new URL and an additional note can be included in the email. Creating an account gives access to message history and control over the message URL’s.
7. OneShar.es
This service is similar to Privnote in its easy to use no nonsense approach. Click the button to start the process and simply type or paste in the message you want to send. There is a drop down option which sets the expiration date for the message if it isn’t read within the given period, this ranges from 30 minutes to 3 days. Once you click the Create button, a URL link box and a copy button provide the link to send to the message recipient. If you want the option, Android and Apple apps are available from the relevant stores.
8. Crypt-A-Byte
The Crypt-A-Byte website also allows you to send and receive encrypted messages and files in addition to self destructing messages that auto delete as soon as they are read. The interface is about as simple as it gets with no configuration option whatsoever, type in your message into the box and enter the intended recipients email into the Email box, then click Send Message. The message will destruct as soon as the link in the email is clicked on. There is also a useful portable desktop tool that can send both self destructing message and encrypted messages.
Editor’s note: Although they all use SSL encryption to provide a reasonable layer of security, these services aren’t really designed for you to be sending highly valuable or confidential information and are more for sending simple or personal messages you don’t want to be stored on someone else’s computer or mail server. Obviously sending something to someone you don’t know or can’t trust isn’t advised because of the ease at which the text in the message can be copied by either cut and paste or a simple screenshot.
What stops someone from simply screenshotting the message or taking a picture of it?
I was using Privnote until I found ramnia app on the playstore. I am using the ramnia android app for 2 years already, love it!
My favourite service Ramnia is not mentioned here. See ramnia.de
There is a new service for private self-destroying messages which I’m proud to work with. 100% confidential
read-destroy.com
PRIVNOTE is not confidential. It is used by LE to acquire personal information such as home addresses that people could use for illegal activity.
Another great website like the ones above is SafeNote.co Really would like to see this site included here.
As far as I can tell, each one of these are hosted outside the EU. Can anyone suggest a service hosted solely within the EU? temp.cool looks good but I don’t like that it self destructs after a given time, and not after it has been read once.
I would suggest yet another one 1time.it.
I use temp.cool for this.
By far the easiest of all of the similar services I’ve seen.
Good post
Not a bad selection. It is, however, essential that any such service should also be encrypted and sent only using PGP or similar encrypted email services.
HUSHMAIL AND CYBER-RIGHTS, SAFE-MAIL.NET ARE NO LONGER SECURE. WHEREAS AT ONE TIME THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES REQUIRED A CANADIAN (OR IRISH IN CASE OF CR) COURT ORDER FOR EVERY MAIL THEY WISHED TO SEE, NOW IT IS AUTOMATICALLY GIVEN PERMISSION TO ACCESS THE ENTIRE SERVER.
Body of email text shouod be written in a privnote or other encrypted and self destructing service and never written in plain text that can be read without a password or note URL for browser. Also make sure that the service you use does NOT keep any record of the message at the server, which would undo all the good work!
If you are looking for an alternative one-time notes software/web app, take a look the “One-Time Secret Notes”. It is a free tool developed by “Intuitive Password” (an Online Password Manager company) that is used for sharing sensitive information securely and temporarily. The tool is 100% free of charge, its secure and easy to use.
All your sensitive information stored with One-Time Secret Notes persists for a single viewing, which means it can’t be read by someone else later. One-Time Secret Notes will delete your message immediately after it has been read.
To find this tool, just googling “Intuitive Password”, then go to their home page and click on “Free Tools” on the top menu, then select “One-Time Secret Notes”.
Hello everyone.. Another great website like the one’s above is TempNote.com Really would like to see this site included here.. :)
Peace everyone..
TEMPNOTE.COM DOMAIN NAME HAS EXPIRED AND IS FOR SALE AS OF APRIL 7TH, 2017.
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Thank You very much for the useful articles.