When comparing Email an encrypted .EXE file (AxCrypt) vs Chatlink.com, the Slant community recommends Email an encrypted .EXE file (AxCrypt) for most people. In the question“What are the best ways to transmit sensitive information over the Internet?” Email an encrypted .EXE file (AxCrypt) is ranked 13th while Chatlink.com is ranked 19th. The most important reason people chose Email an encrypted .EXE file (AxCrypt) is:
AxCrypt is free and open source. This is beneficial because anyone can examine the source code and check for errors.
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Pros
Pro Free and open source
AxCrypt is free and open source. This is beneficial because anyone can examine the source code and check for errors.
Pro No recipient software needed if emailed as .EXE.TXT
After selecting "Encrypt copy to .EXE," rename the file to ".EXE.TXT" in order to bypass email provider restrictions on sending .EXE files. Windows will then warn you that the file will become unusable but ignore it and continue to email the file. All the recipient needs to do upon arrival is rename the file back to .EXE and ignore the Windows warning message. Then simply open the self extracting file and type in the agreed upon password between the sender and recipient. This is a great advantage of AxCrypt because it does not force your recipient to download any software.
Pro Available at right click
AxCrypt is an extremely convenient encryption program because it is always available at a single right click.
Pro Password protected and optional key-file
AxCrypt encrypts each file with a passphrase and an optional key-file. Transferring a key-file (that AxCrypt can generate for you) on a separate medium and the password on another medium to your recipient is the most secure option. Although a strong password alone will do. The only caveat is that the password and key file must be transferred to your recipient and the most secure way to transfer it is physically.
Pro Once created, does not depend on other software
As long as you have the password or keyfile to your encrypted file then you can still access it. This is beneficial if the software ever becomes unsupported.
Pro Even the website owners have no access to the data
Because the encryption keys are generated in client browser and never sent to the server.
Pro All communiction is also encrypted with AES-256
All this encryption takes place at client side, so that even the server administrators have no access to the data.
Pro No need to install anything
Pro All communication is protected with TLS (SSL)
Pro No need to create an account
But creating an account can be useful, too: while having an account the key exchange can be done through public key cryptography.
Pro You can delete messages any time
Pro Chatlink.com does not track or follow you in any way
It does not save any cookies or have any external links (like Google Adwords for example) that could track you.
Pro Chatlink.com is open source
The source code is available here. Being open source allows anyone to audit the code.
Cons
Con Windows-only
The receiver has to be running Microsoft Windows (or a binary compatible system, like Wine).
Con Opening an .EXE file may worry some recipients
Some recipients will be cautious of opening an .EXE and may end up ignoring it. It is a good idea to inform them in advance that you will be sending an .EXE and it is safe. Another precaution is to sign the email so the recipient knows that is you.
Con Anti-virus will likely block it
Most anti-virus block or strongly warn again executable in emails. You'll likely have to rename the file and so will the end user.
Con Untrusted / not signed
Unless it's signed (i.e., you can somehow validate the signature of the attached EXE file via another method) the EXE may actually be compromized (e.g., man in the middle) and do anything on your machine as your run it.
Con AES-128 encryption
AES-128 encryption is still extremely secure but it is a lower and more outdated level of protection than what other encryption programs such as 7-Zip offer.
Con Currently no file transfer is available
