Ricochet is a peer-to-peer encrypted instant messaging application that uses Tor hidden services for communication. Each user generates a unique hidden service address, eliminating the need for servers and providing strong anonymity. Contacts are added by sharing these addresses, and all messages are encrypted end-to-end. This decentralized architecture makes it resistant to surveillance and censorship, as there's no central point to monitor or control. Ricochet prioritizes privacy and security by minimizing metadata leakage and requiring no personal information for account creation. While the project is no longer actively maintained, its source code remains available.
The GitHub repository for Ricochet describes a peer-to-peer encrypted instant messaging system designed for strong anonymity and privacy. Ricochet leverages the Tor hidden service protocol, eliminating the need for central servers and significantly reducing metadata leakage. Each user operates a Tor hidden service, essentially making their computer a server for their own messages. When a user wants to connect with another, their client establishes a direct connection to the recipient's hidden service. This architecture means that messages are never routed through intermediary servers, preventing potential eavesdropping or censorship by third parties.
User discovery in Ricochet relies on "contact addresses" which are essentially the recipient's Tor hidden service address. To add a contact, users need to obtain and share this address. While this process requires out-of-band communication, it eliminates the need for centralized user directories or contact lists, further enhancing privacy.
Ricochet prioritizes security through end-to-end encryption. All messages exchanged between users are encrypted using the OTR (Off-the-Record) protocol, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. OTR also provides perfect forward secrecy, meaning past messages remain secure even if encryption keys are compromised in the future. Additionally, the use of Tor hidden services provides a degree of anonymity by obscuring the IP addresses of both the sender and the recipient.
The project aims to be user-friendly, offering a simple and intuitive interface for managing contacts and sending messages. However, the reliance on Tor hidden services introduces some limitations. Connection establishment can sometimes be slow due to the inherent latency of the Tor network. Additionally, as the project is no longer actively maintained (as indicated by its archived status on GitHub), users should be aware of potential security vulnerabilities that might not be addressed. Despite these limitations, Ricochet represents a novel approach to secure messaging by leveraging the decentralized nature of Tor to minimize metadata exposure and enhance user privacy. The project's focus on peer-to-peer communication and the absence of central servers significantly reduces the potential for data breaches and surveillance.
Summary of Comments ( 12 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43046192
HN commenters discuss Ricochet's reliance on Tor hidden services for its peer-to-peer architecture. Several express concern over its discoverability, suggesting contact discovery is a significant hurdle for wider adoption. Some praised its strong privacy features, while others questioned its scalability and the potential for network congestion with increased usage. The single developer model and lack of recent updates also drew attention, raising questions about the project's long-term viability and security. A few commenters shared positive experiences using Ricochet, highlighting its ease of setup and reliable performance. Others compared it to other secure messaging platforms, debating the trade-offs between usability and anonymity. The discussion also touches on the inherent limitations of relying solely on Tor, including speed and potential vulnerabilities.
The Hacker News post discussing Ricochet, a peer-to-peer instant messaging system built on Tor hidden services, has a moderate number of comments, offering a variety of perspectives on its functionality, security, and practicality.
Several commenters discuss the inherent limitations and challenges of using Tor for real-time communication. Some point out the latency introduced by the Tor network can make voice and video chat impractical, while others mention the difficulties in achieving reliable connectivity and call quality. One commenter even suggests that the performance characteristics of Tor are fundamentally unsuitable for such applications.
The discussion delves into the security aspects of Ricochet, with commenters raising questions about metadata leakage and the effectiveness of hidden services in protecting user anonymity. Some express concerns about the potential for traffic correlation attacks, while others acknowledge the improved privacy compared to traditional messaging platforms. There's a specific discussion thread regarding the feasibility of deanonymization through timing analysis and other sophisticated techniques.
A few comments focus on the usability and features of Ricochet. Some users find the setup process complicated and the user interface less intuitive than mainstream messengers. Others appreciate its decentralized nature and the absence of central servers, highlighting the potential for increased resistance to censorship and surveillance.
Several commenters mention alternative peer-to-peer messaging projects and compare their features and security models to Ricochet. These alternatives often utilize different underlying technologies, such as blockchain or distributed hash tables. This comparison prompts discussions about the trade-offs between different approaches to decentralized communication.
Finally, some commenters express skepticism about the long-term viability of Ricochet, citing the challenges of maintaining and developing an open-source project with limited resources. Others remain optimistic about its potential and encourage further development and community involvement.